5 Spring Herbs to Help Keep Mosquitos Away
Temperatures in your area may still be floating around in the single digits, taking nightly dips into sub-zero climates. But still, springtime is on the mind. Ice cream joints have begun opening their doors around the country, playing off the momentum generated by polar vortexes and cabin fever. And some of them even have lines.
Maybe you’ve been planning your garden all winter, drawing out preliminary sketches on your lunch breaks. Or maybe you made a New Year’s resolution to plant a bountiful garden, but you haven’t yet been able to break the ice with your spade.
March 20th will officially harken in the spring season, and spring is the perfect time to get those seedlings started. There are many reasons gardeners choose to start from seeds. It’s rewarding, for one, to plant a small seed in a small container of dirt and watch it sprout. It can also give you more control over what and when you plant. Additionally, it can be significantly cheaper. Below is a list of 5 spring herbs that are great to plant in early.
5 Spring Herbs to Help Make Mosquitoes Go Away
Cilantro.
There’s no need for small, biodegradable containers when it comes to cilantro. This herb is tough (as you may have noticed by the kick it offers your rice). It can handle a light dusting of springtime snow, no problem. As soon as those temperatures start to rise, this herb will germinate, giving you an early harvest (and an early start to your Cinco de Mayo menu planning).
Parsley.
Here’s to another easy-to-grow herb. As with cilantro, you can direct-sow parsley. Parsley prefers full sunlight, but will tolerate a bit of shade (garden space can be tricky, after all).
Dill.
Despite what you might think, it’s not just for pickles anymore. Dill pairs beautifully with fish, mild cheeses, and vegetable dishes. As an herb that is slightly reminiscent of licorice, it is also great in dips, soups, and salads. (Trivia fact: did you know that dill was widely used by the ancient Greeks and Romans?)
Basil.
Basil is not quite as tough as cilantro, and therefore requires a little more delicacy. Sow basil indoors (in those same biodegradable containers, if you’d like) and transplant once the weather begins to warm. There is nothing like a beautiful pesto sauce to add to your favorite pasta dish, or full leaves decorating your next fresh-made pizza. Once you get used to having this herb around the house you won’t be able to go back.
Chives.
Like basil, once you’ve got chives you can’t go back. Plant a bunch in a pot by the backdoor and you’ll have a nice crispy snack each time you come home. Chives are the herb equivalent of the cotton t-shirt: you can always use some. Toss a handful in your salad; sauté some up with your veggies; add it as a garnish to your chip dip. The possibilities are literally endless. Literally.
Bonus: Most of these herbs also keep mosquitos away! Just like our All Natural Mosquito Repellent Soap.
Where Do Mosquitoes Go In Winter?
It’s December now. It is likely that you looked out your window this morning to see some fresh snow fall. Maybe you took the kids out sledding last weekend, or hit the slops, or laced up the skates. Maybe you sat inside and enjoyed some warm coco and a good book. Whatever your activities have been it’s likely that something has been absent: mosquitoes. Maybe you haven’t given it much thought before, but it’s a valid question. Where Do Mosquitoes Go In Winter?
Where Do Mosquitoes Go in the Winter?
The answer varies depending on the species of the mosquito, but they are all covered below. Many mosquitos lay eggs that are hardy enough to survive the long, cold winters. The female mosquitoes lay their eggs in the soft, moist soil, and the eggs lay dormant until the spring brings its warmer temperatures and rainfall. Other mosquitoes survive winter in the larval stage, in a sort of hibernated state, where their metabolism is slowed and their development stilted until the spring months. But many mosquitoes survive the winter as matured adults. Male mosquitoes die in the fall, after mating, but the female mosquitoes often find shelter in logs, animal burrows, and sometimes in homes until the temperatures rise again to a suitable degree. All mosquitoes lay eggs, either singly or in groups (called “rafts”).
All eggs require water as part of their habitat. Once the eggs hatch into larva they begin feeding on organic matter and microorganisms in the water. They undergo four molting stages (where they shed their skins) before being transformed into a pupa. The pupal stage is a resting stage. While this stage does not involve active feeding, the pupas can be active themselves, responding to changes in light with a flip of their tail. This process is not unlike the metamorphosis stage that butterflies endure. After the pupal stage the pupa is now a mature, adult mosquito.
Sources:
What to Bring on a Tropical Vacation
When it’s -3° outside in your native region and you’re planning a tropical winter getaway to warm up a bit, it can be easy to overlook packing certain items in your luggage or backpack. My family took a winter road trip to Florida when I was a kid, and my parents left me in charge of my own packing. In Michigan in December it was about 18°, but my seven-year-old mind didn’t understand that in Florida it’d be in the mid-sixties. I clambered out of the purple Chevy van in Orlando wearing my Velcro snow boots and heavy winter coat. Have you ever wondered What to Bring on a Tropical Vacation?
Tropical Vacation Packing List:
- Sunglasses (the sun might be brighter in the Caribbean than it is in Fargo)
- Sunscreen (see above)
- A bathing suit (it has happened)
- Insect repellent (those mosquitoes may be thriving in Peru in January. After all, it’s summer there in January)
- A light raincoat / poncho (sometimes it rains in the summer)
Or, perhaps the opposite is true. Maybe you’re heading North to colder climes to hit the slopes, the snow-blanketed trails, or frozen lakes. While it may seem easy to anticipate the gear and items you may need, it never hurts to have a few reminders or a list to compare.
- Gloves and/or mittens and liners, and, of course, a trusty wool hat (you may also want to consider a neck gator)
- Hand / feet warmers (they’re much cheaper at the grocery store than at the ski lodge)
- An extra set of car keys (you don’t want to be that person combing the slopes alongside the slope groomer)
- Heavy wool (or similar synthetic) socks (ski socks if you’re skiing – you’ll appreciate that extra padding)
- Sunglasses (remember how bright that snow can be when reflected off the slopes?)
- Lip Balm (this one seems self-explanatory. You may also want some moisturizing lotion for your hands)
- First aide kit
Then, of course, there are always the absolute basics:
- Camera (don’t forget a memory card or two, and the charger)
- Phone (and charger)
Healing Faith Uganda
You may have heard about our new partnership with Healing Faith. You may have read about the families on our blog. Healing Faith is an incredible and inspirational organization that aims to provide spiritual, emotional, and physical healing for the people of Uganda. The Segner family moved to Uganda in January 2012 and started Healing Faith. Since then, Healing Faith, with help from people like you, has been changing the lives of the people of Uganda.
The organization has provided malaria treatment, education, and prevention to the local people. They have also worked to show God’s love and grace through the work that they do. It is inspiring to witness how these two families, the Segner’s and the McMorris’s, have allowed God to work so diligently in their lives, to see the obedience displayed in their actions and lifestyles.
Healing Faith relies on help from people like you in order to fulfill the plan that God has set out from them. The help can take many forms. It can be to spread the word about Healing Faith: “The more people that hear about the plight of the orphans, widows and oppressed in Uganda, the more it will start an awakening of our fellow man.” Friend Healing Faith on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and 
Instagram, tell your friends about the wonderful work they’re doing. Or take it a step further – a step of faith – and visit Uganda for a mission trip or internship. Or maybe right now you feel drawn to make a donation to assist them, or even to buy a t-shirt and spread the word of Healing Faith everywhere you go.
Take a look here and here to find out more about how you can get involved in the work that Healing Faith is doing in Uganda.
Saving Lives in Uganda
Botswari
When I met Botswari he was a hardened and tough young man of 13 years. Just from the expression on his face and the coldness in his eyes, I could tell that life had dealt him some circumstances that I could never understand. Circumstances that no 13 year old should have to endure. When we gathered the children around for Bible time and prayers he was always around but would rarely participate. He would always sit on the outside of the circle and mock the other kids and heckle us at times. However, each week he would come back. As I would ask questions about the last week’s lesson, he would quietly answer in the back when no one else would.
The crowning moment with Botsawari came the week of Easter. He has been kicked out of the school where we meet each week due to not having enough money to pay his school fees. The group of children was small that week. As we began singing and dancing with the kids that were there, I heard singing coming from the sugar cane fields. As I listened the singing got louder and louder, as we asked the children “Do you love Jesus?” they would echo, “Yes I do!” From the field I heard a resolute “Yes I do!” It kept growing louder and louder. Out of the field marched Botsawari leading a group of his friends with a huge smile on his face! Botswari seemed to be saying “you can keep me out of school but you can’t keep me from worshipping Jesus!” When his group arrived I asked if anyone wanted to share something they had learned about Jesus. This tough, hardened young man volunteered to step in the middle of all his friends, he said: “ I have learned that Jesus came to Earth in the form of a man and died on a cross for my sins so that I may have eternal life.”
Jonah
Jonah is 12-year-old little boy who always has a smile on his face and loves to dance! Any bit of music and Jonah is dancing! This was not the case one week when we drove into the village. At the school where we meet we found Jonah curled up in the fetal position wrapped in a dirty, ragged men’s blazer. I was shocked to see this normally happy energy filled boy crumpled on the ground. He was shaking uncontrollably, tears running down his face and there was no life left in his eyes. I knew right away that Jonah was in trouble and he had the worse case of malaria I had ever seen. As we tested Jonah I could feel the heat coming off his body from the fever ravaging his body. I knew the medication we had would have no affect on a case this bad, so we loaded Jonah up and took him to the local clinic.
In this one-roomed clinic with a tin roof and dingy walls, they were able to get IV antibiotics running through Jonah. As we gathered to pray for Jonah I thought how could this little boy who is so full of energy and life be this close to death because of a mosquito bite. My heart was telling me Jonah would be fine, but my mind and medical training told me Jonah would not make it through the night. Through God’s Grace Jonah was healed of the malaria in his body! This was the closest I have ever seen someone to death without physically dying. He was one sick little boy. We saw God’s hand working on Jonah, yes the medicine helped, but the only way a child that sick could recover was through the Great Healer. After three days Jonah was well enough to return to his home in the village. When we went to check on him the emotions of the team could not be expressed in words. The picture shows a physically weak Jonah, trying his best to smile, but the smiles on our faces show how happy we are to see Jonah!
Sending Soap to "The Way Home"
We have been blown away with the incredible organizations that Osana has been able to partner with over the last year. Each one has shown a dedication, love, and passion for helping the hurting that has inspired us beyond our imaginations. Because of this, it is our goal to continue finding incredible people to partner with, share their story, and provide them with resources that could saves thousands of lives.
The Way Home: Taking Care of Orphans and Widows in Africa
Our Journey has recently led us to an organization called "The Way Home". The work they are doing is truly inspirational. The AIDS epidemic has left thousands of children orphans.The traditional response of the children in the wake of the death of their parents, is to live with their grandmother who, after no grieving period following the death of her husband and then her own children, opens her small mud hut to 1 or 3 or 6 or 14! orphaned grandchildren or great grandchildren to keep them from being completely abandoned.
Every 15 SECONDS, another child becomes an AIDS orphan in Africa
The Way Home supports and loves 55 Granny-Families who are raising a combined 302 orphaned grandchildren! The Way Home is working in this community in so many amazing ways including:
- Bible teaching and application: to Granny family groups, community & Pastors
- Food Security: Biblical Worldview Farming method that increases yield up to 10 times &teaches dependence on God alone.
- Shelter: Our national team builds a sturdy brick home that will remain with the orphans after their Granny is gone
Osana is honored to be sending a round of all natural mosquito repellent soap to The Way Home for their staff to use over the next couple of months. If the first round of soap goes well, be on the look out for a campaign to raise bars to send to The Way Home for the children and Granny-Families to use. We are all planning for the soap to open a gateway for education and further communication and ministry between the staff at The Way Home and the community in Uganda.
We look forward to sharing their story and being a part of the outstanding work they are doing. Click here to learn more about The Way Home and how you can get involved.
Top 3 Natural Ways to Fight Winter Depression
The winter months can be long, dark, and often dreary. Depending on your geographic location you may go days, weeks, or even months without seeing the sunlight peek through the ever-darkening sky. The coldness, the snow, or the rain may keep you indoors more often than not. You may be inhibited to pursue some of your favorite activities. Running becomes harder – sometimes more dangerous – in the winter months, swimming is limited to indoor pools, cycling made nearly impossible on snow- and ice- covered roads. The days are shorter, and after your 9-5 you may simply not have the daylight.
Or maybe it is less the physical winter elements that hold you back and more the general winter mood. Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known colloquially as “winter depression”) is a form of depression associated with changes in seasons, and can be experienced by anyone. Lack or sunlight can put a damper on your mood and motivation, which in turn may stint your physical activities, even if those activities typically take place indoors anyway, such as yoga, weight lifting, or dance. This can become a cyclical pattern, as physical activities and exercise are proven to be therapeutic and beneficial (elevations in endorphins, for one). Or perhaps you simply feel less motivated to cook a healthy, homemade meal, and so instead you zap another meal in the microwave. Eating, too, has been shown to either aid in general well being.
Top 3 Natural Ways to Fight Winter Depression:
1) Increase your natural light exposure. Maybe this means planning a daily 15-minute walk outdoors. This could be on your lunch break, or maybe the first thing you do before or after work. Invite your spouse, best friend, or co-worker and benefit dualistically by the added socializing that you’d be participating in.
2) Be physically active. It could be that in the summer and fall months you are physically active but are limited by the winter weather. There are certain bridges between some activities that can be enjoyed in the summer and winter months. If you are a runner in August consider becoming a cross-country skier in January. If you take daily walks in June pick up a set of poles and become a Nordic Walker in February. Put away those summer hiking sandals and pull out your insulated boots: winter hikes can provide some of the most peaceful, serene experiences you may get all year. Do you rollerblade through the park in those crisp autumn nights? Lace up a pair of skates and hit your local indoor (or outdoor) skating rink. Or maybe physical exercise is not your cup of tea at all. If that’s the case, you might want to consider picking up a new hobby this winter. Exercise, in addition ton initiating beneficial chemical responses in your brain, can increase your self-esteem.
3) Maintain a healthy diet. Like exercise, eating the right foods can make you feel better all around. In addition to making you feel in control of what you’re consuming, and the positive self-appreciation that comes along with that, certain foods contain vitamins that can help combat depression and bad moods (asparagus, for one, contains high levels of folic acid, a combatant of depression. Avocados, another proponent of B vitamins, can help reduce anxiety). Many of us feel better in general when we feel better about our mood, our bodies, and ourselves. Maintaining a healthy diet can be one way to work toward achieving this goal. Make cooking at home more fun. Experiment with new recipes; invite your spouse, your child, or your best friend to cook with you. Put on some music, relax, and chop that carrot. You might be surprised how good it makes you feel.
Resources:
Osana Soap Reaches Uganda and Ghana
One of the main goals of Osana is to be highly involved with the people we send our bars to. This is why we offer the "track your soap" option for anyone who donates bars or buys an extra mile pack. There is just something about actually seeing and being connected to the person you are desiring to help.
Osana is about action, accountability, and finding solutions to help other nations without hurting them. This is why we love to connect with organizations that already have roots in the communities we send the soap to. This allows for personal distribution as well as education about malaria prevention.
Recently, Osana partnered with Lot2545 and Hour of Grace Orphanage. Courtney Morrow, an amazing volunteer involved with both of these organizations, was able to take all 520 bars down with her and personally give them to those that were in desperate need.
Osana would like to send our most sincere gratitude to Courtney for gathering and distributing Osana to Uganda and Ghana. Courtney was kind enough to provide a video of the beautiful children receiving Osana.
Projects Impacting the World: Nickles for Nets
One of the projects that Healing Faith is involved in is called nickles for nets. Malaria is a huge issue in Uganda. Many people and children that Healing Faith reaches are suffering from malaria and need treatment. Like Osana sending all natural mosquito repellent to countries, Healing Faith believes in the power of prevention, and mosquito nets make a huge difference.
Nickles for Nets:
Nickels for Nets was founded by Abby Stark as a community service project she was doing as Miss Texas Jr. Pre-Teen. She wanted to help her friends, the Segner family, founders of Healing Faith, in their mission to provide mosquito nets for families in Uganda to prevent the spread of Malaria.
You can join Nickels for Nets as they raise funds to partner with Healing Faith in their fight against Malaria too! Nickels for Nets encourages kids (of all ages) to do chores or collect change around the house in order to earn $5 - which pays for a mosquito net for a child in Uganda through the ministry of Healing Faith!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ7bCHGUY1I
Start Your Own Campaign or Donate to Nickles for Nets:
The following are some suggestions on how to get started on your own campaign:
Decide on Dates
Your Campaign needs a specific start and end date, we suggest no more than two weeks. If you choose to do anything less than that, make sure you have a weekend!
Set your goal
We have found if you set a goal you are much more successful!
Make a Plan
How do you plan on getting the word out? Think through your campaign strategy with your parents or adult guardian! Some suggestions are:
Facebook – Email – Posters – Letters
Get Pictures and Stories
We would love to highlight your campaign on our blog! Just submit your pictures and your story to: nickelsfornets@yahoo.com
Get to Know Healing Faith
THE SEGNERS
Jason and Kari Segner the founders of Healing Faith, were married in the fall 2001. Their first daughter, Faith, was born in 2003. She went to be with our Heavenly Father shortly after her birth. Since that time God has richly blessed and expanded the Segner family. When they moved to Uganda their family consisted of Karson (2004), Everett (2006), Hadlee (2008) and Pierce (2010). In the spring of 2013 the Segner family began a journey of adoption of another son, Joseph (2010) and another daughter, Eva Faith (2012). Unfortunately, after 8 months in to the process and loving Eva Faith as their daughter and sister, the adoption process had to end for her. It is a long story, but please keep praying for her as she remains in the orphanage to this day. She will always be a daughter and a sister in the Segner's hearts and they are trusting in His plan for her life.
In January 2011 Jason and Kari went to Uganda, Africa on a short term mission trip. They were immediately captivated by the people and the culture. The trip was life changing…
Early in Kari’s life God placed a calling on Kari’s heart to serve in Africa, “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6. God continued that work in Kari’s heart and has since called the Segner Family to serve His people in Uganda, Africa. In January 2012 the Segners moved the entire family to Uganda to serve as full time missionaries and start a ministry called Healing Faith.
THE MCMORRIS FAMILY
When Cara and Dave married 12 years ago, they had no idea what an incredible journey God had in store for their lives. Each had grown up in church, but in their marriage, God began to draw each closer to Him in very incredible ways. God began calling them to truly live a life with Him at the center. Glorifying Him became the focus of all they did. Living in Normal, Illinois, with Dave's daughter Mara, who was 9 years old at the time, they began to feel the life of obedience to God's call would be anything but normal. Dave, a public school 6th grade teacher, has been able to share his love of Jesus with students and families with the blessing of his administrators. Cara owned a home day care and pre-school for the last 10 years where she was blessed to be able to plant seed of God's love in the hearts of over 80 children!
As their family grew, first by 3 bio kids and then through the adoption of 3 kids from foster care, God's call only became stronger. They prayed for God to lead them, as a family into His service. After years of serving locally, gentle nudges began leading them to explore ministry in Africa.
In the summer of 2013, Chloe, Cara and Dave traveled on a 2 week trip to Africa. During this trip their hearts were shattered, and they placed the broken pieces at the feet of Jesus, knowing that only He could restore. Back at home, they prayed as a family to be open to whatever God was up to.
In January of 2014, they were asked about the possibility of coming to Uganda while the Segners had some time on furlough. After much prayer, all agreed that this is what God was up to.
Dave, Cara and the 6 youngest McMorries have committed the year (June 2014- June 2015) to life and ministry with Healing Faith. May God continue to lead them each step of the way, and may the prayers of the Body of Christ bind them to Him.
Click HERE to donate to the Segners and McMorris'
Osana Partnering with Healing Faith
We are more excited than ever to announce that Osana will now be sending donations bars to an incredible organization known as Healing Faith. We are honored to be connected with such amazing people that are truly changing the world. Like most places in Africa, the area that Healing Faith reaches is dramatically impacted by the deadly reality of malaria. They work with many children and families that are effected and suffering by providing medical care and education to the communities. Osana is looking forward to joining resources and partnering with Healing Faith to end malaria and save as many lives as possible.
What is Healing Faith:
Healing Faith is a ministry that seeks to provide healing physically, emotionally and spiritually to the people of Uganda. They provide physical healing through enabling those in need to get appropriate medical care and seeking to educate about malaria. They also hope to enable an emotional and spiritual healing by showing the love and grace of our Savior to the people of Uganda. Healing Faith wants to seek God’s will in their lives as they serve his children and people in Uganda.
Their Goal
The ultimate goal of Healing Faith is to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The first thing they want to do when entering into a new village is to establish a relationship with the people. If you have a foundation that is built upon relationship you will have long term effects. If you build a relationship that is built upon giving, when the giving ends, the relationship ends as well.
Short Term Goal
The short term goal of Healing Faith is to provide the rural villages with malaria education, prevention and treatment. Did you know that every 60 seconds a child in Africa dies from Malaria? Uganda is one of six countries in Africa that accounts for 47% of all cases of malaria in all of Africa. Their goal is to educate the villagers about the causes and symptoms of malaria, to assist those in need who have malaria and most of all equip the villages to be self sustaining in the fight against malaria. Education is empowerment, they want to empower the villagers to help themselves in the fight against malaria. Their goal is to educate every household in the village and to provide mosquito nets for every household. Something as simple as a properly utilized mosquito net can mean the difference between life and death.
They will work alongside established ministries in the area to help provide malaria education to the villages and people they have established relationships with. While providing malaria prevention they want to share the good news of God’s grace and love for his people. They want to show them they are loved, not forgotten, and that God has a plan for their lives.
Long Term Goal
In addition to the malaria education and prevention , all ministries and programs through Healing Faith will be with the purpose of giving Ugandans long term sustainability. They don’t want to merely put a band- aid on the problem, but heal the issue through faith based programs aimed at giving a hope and future to the people of Uganda.
There is such a great need in Uganda that it is hard not to want to start a million projects to help the children and people here. The bottom line for Healing Faith will be to pray daily for patience, clarity and wisdom in knowing God’s direction and future for the ministry.
Celebrities Fighting Malaria + Top Malaria Prevention Organizations
Malaria is a global problem that needs global awareness. There are a few Top Malaria Prevention Organizations that are truly making a difference. Sometimes this awareness can be difficult considering all of the places in the world this issue needs to be brought to. This is where celebrities can come in handy. There are many out there today that are fighting to end malaria by partnering with Top Malaria Prevention Organizations, and encouraging other to do the same.
One children dies each minute from malaria. Celebrities like Anderson Cooper, Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, Larry King, Alyssa Milano, Jason Mraz, Shaq, Ryan Seacrest, Jordin Sparks, and Pete Wentz, have partnered together to change that statistic. Each person has taken an online platform, such as Twitter and Facebook, to encourage social action each month for the next year.
These influential people have also partnered with trusted organizations to spread awareness around the world. Click the organization names below to learn how you can get involved!
Osana is honored to be connecting with these organizations- providing all natural mosquito repellent soap to prevent malaria.
Top Malaria Prevention Organizations
The organizations below are all raising awareness and providing mosquito nets to African communities, and looking for people to get involved.
The Malaria Progress mission
UNICEF
The Global Fund
Nothing But Nets
Malaria No More