Herbs are easy to raise, even if you've never gardened before. Spring is the time to plant herbs. If you have the space, you can plant a formal herb garden that is as attractive as it is plentiful. They’re ideal for balconies.

1. Herbs like light! Most require 5 or 6 hours of bright light daily to survive, more to thrive. If you're short on sun, do your homework to find shade-tolerant types.

2. Most herbs like a loose, well-drained soil. Add vermiculite, coarse sand or even small gravel to break up dense potting soils. Start herbs off with a little composted cattle or sheep manure for a better success rate. 

3. Plastic containers are a wise choice. They don't dry out as fast as clay making watering easier, are lighter, and now come in a wide range of faux clay and wrought iron finishes. Group the pots together to get the effect of a mass planting.

4. When it comes to water, herbs tend to like things on the dry side. Use your finger to check and water only when the soil is dry to the first knuckle. But check regularly. Containers exposed to wind and sun dry out amazingly fast.

5. Harvest and prune herbs as needed once they've reached a decent size. Snip just above a leaf junction to promote new growth. Trim weak, lanky stems the same way to keep plants shapely.

By now we all know the health and fuel-saving benefits of locally produced foods, but finding them can be difficult. But thanks to the Eat Well Guide, an online reference of nearly 9,000 farms, restaurants, bakeries and shops that sell meat, poultry, dairy and eggs that have been raised using sustainable practices. Now to find locally produced food sources near you, simply enter your postal code in this online guide:
http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?id=Home

"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. I've been trusted to take the game winning shot 26 times and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
~ Michael Jordan

The roads are teeming with cyclists. The warm weather’s a factor for sure, as is the eco-consciousness of Canadians from coast to coast who are shunning the combustion engine whenever they can. Cycling has never been as popular as it is today. But with the bikes comes accidents. So be careful when riding and pay particular attention to cyclists when driving.

Did j’a know these cycle facts:
• Biking is the most popular outdoor activity among young Canadians.
• About 90% of children aged 10 to 14 are cyclists.
• Bike crashes are the leading cause of brain injury to school aged children.
• Over 100 Canadians die each year from bike injuries, children aged 5 to 14 account for about half of these deaths.
• In addition, 50,000 children in Canada are injured every year in bike-related mishaps.
• Most serious bike crashes happen close to home on quiet streets.
• The vast majority of bike crashes DO NOT involve motor vehicles.
• The majority of all injury-producing bike mishaps happen when a cyclist falls or runs into something like a pothole, a post, a pedestrian or another bike.
• Bike helmets are safety tested for the types of falls that happen when biking. Hockey, football or other sports helmets are not effective at preventing bike related brain injuries and are not for use when cycling.
• You should not be able to fit more than one finger between the chinstrap of your helmet and your chin.
• Research shows that properly fitted bike helmets reduce the risk of brain injury by over 85%.
• Got a Brain? Get a Helmet! Today helmets are designed to look good and feel great. They are light, cool, comfortable, affordable, attractive and easy to wear.

Take our quiz and test your knowledge about ‘mothers of invention’ – women who are credited with inventing these useful items. Which of the four items in the six answers below was invented by a woman:

1. a) Graham Crackers b) Saran Wrap c) Rumford Fireplace d) Dishwasher
2. a) Cracker Jacks b) Raggedy Ann Doll c) Barbie Doll d) Mr. Potato Head
3. a) White-Out b) Scotch Tape c) Fax Machine d) Hole Punch
4. a) Anemometer b) Disposable Cell Phone c) Bikini d) Rolodex
5. a) Scotchgard b) Kevlar c) Coloured Cotton d) Grocery Bag
6. a) Alternating Current b) Bakelite c) Windshield Wipers d) Band-Aid
Answers at bottom of newsletter articles.

Get the Grill HOT - Set burners on high for about 10 minutes before you start cooking. Pre-heating the grills seals in the flavour and juices, keeps the meat from sticking to the grill and perhaps most importantly, will leave nice grill marks.
Cook with the Lid Down - The temperature of your barbeque drops every time you open and close the lid, affecting cooking considerably. For the best cooking results, use a temperature gauge or peek through the window. And only open the lid when you have to.
Store your Tank Safely - Never store a propane cylinder or tank under or near your barbeque, in your home, cottage, garage or vehicle. Store the tank upright and outdoors in the shade and away from any combustible materials.
Long Handles = Safe Hands - Invest in tools for your barbeque with handles at least 30 cm (12") long. This will keep your fingers and hands safely away from the heat and allow you to reach to the back of the grill.
Soak the Skewers – Wooden skewers are great for parties since they're disposable and bio-degradable. But they’re no fun when they burn! To prevent this, soak them in water for at least half an hour before using.
Shut it Down Safely - When shutting down your barbeque, shut off the propane tank or natural gas main shut off valve first then shut off the burner control valves. This prevents residual gas from being left in the system under pressure.

BBQ Recipe – There is nothing like cooking outside after being cooped up inside the kitchen all winter. I like to try out some new recipe from time to time – to spice up the menu for my family and for dinners with friends. I found this really delicious recipe for Apricot-Stuffed Trout. Check it out. The herbs, juice and apricots combine for a most unusual flavour.

Organic Vegetable Gardening – Okay, enough procrastinating. I’m going organic with the veggie garden this year. I’ve been planning on it for years and have an organic herb garden, but I’ve always been hesitant to take the plunge for the whole vegetable garden – until I learned from the net. Check out this site for a good basic guide.

Lawn Alternatives – In reading this article about alternatives to grass lawns, I was inspired by the fact that it can be done gradually. Whenever the task seems too daunting, I find it less likely that I can entice my husband into helping. But since we can phase in a ground covering that requires less water, little or no fertilizers or pesticides, and possibly no mowing (that fact alone should sell him), he may be onside for this project.

Summer Camps – They’re filling up fast! If you haven’t yet booked something for the kids and are planning to, better to check out this site for camps available across Canada.

Tin Can Herb Pots – Kristin, age 6, says, “My Aunt Judy and I made these last week for my Mom for Mother’s Day. The cans look really pretty but the herbs look kinda dead so far. I hope they start growing soon so they look just like the ones my mom planted. I’m even going to eat some – if they taste good.”

Hockey Player Birth Countries – Chris, age 14, says, “This site is awesome! It lists all the players ever in the NHL by what country they were born in. I didn’t know there were players in the NHL from Lebanon and Haiti. It even has a link to their stats.”

Baby Animal Pictures – Marnie, age 9, says, “I love spring because all the animals have their babies and they are all so cute. I found this site with so many pictures. It has all sorts of different animals.”

Dealing with Test Anxiety – Sandeep, age 13, says, “I get really nervous when I have to take a test at school – or anywhere. My father keeps telling me to relax, but sometimes even my stomach feels sick when I think about a test. This site had a really good ideas and helped a lot.”

They don’t call it a laptop for nothing! But after a while, your lap can get rather warm. And it’s easy to accidentally cover up vents designed to allow your laptop to keep itself cool. But all you need to work in comfort AND keep your computer cool is a hot water bottle.

Simply fill the water bottle with tap water – at room temperature or less. Make sure the top is secure and that it doesn’t leak. Then place it on your lap, add laptop, and you’re all set for comfy computing.

Frustrated by low water pressure?  Could simply be that you need to clean your faucet head. It’s easier than you think.

Begin by putting in the stopper to prevent parts from falling down the drain.

Most faucets have a head that contains a filter and screen assembly. They are able to be loosened by hand, but if you need to use a tool, choose a pair of pliers that do not lock, and place a bit of cloth or rubber between the faucet head and the jaws to prevent scratching the finish.

Once removed, be careful to disassemble the various bits one at a time and place in order for easy reassembly.

Take each piece in hand and inspect it for mineral deposits or impurities, gently scratching away any deposit with a small flat screw driver or similar tool. If the screens have a build-up, try flexing them gently to break the deposits free. 

Once each piece is clean, reassemble in order and screw it back on. Only use pliers if it leaks after hand-tightening. A new washer is a good idea, but not always necessary.

"I am not a vegetarian because I love animals. I am a vegetarian because I hate plants." ~ A. Whitney Brown

"Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly." ~ Ambrose Bierce

"Late night TV is very educational. It teaches you that you should have gone to bed earlier." ~ James Dent

"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." ~ Gilda Radner