It's in the Bag

Okay, girls, if you're like me you have a collection of purses. When switching purses what are the essential items you carry with you at all times? See if you agree with the list below:

1. Wallet. Make sure you have your driver's license.


2. Baby Wipes. They clean everything.


3. Mini sewing kit.


4. Pain reliever.


5. Cell phone.


6. Pen.


7. Gum or mints.


8. Pocket mirror.


9. Sunglasses.


10. Lip balm or gloss.

I have everything in my purse except the baby wipes and sewing kit. I also carry a nail clippers, mini-perfume, kleenex, keys, pictures of my grandchildren, glasses and contact case and more! I was invited to a baby shower where one of the games was to weigh your purse. Mine weighed close to four pounds!! (You can tell that I have a problem using a small purse.)What can I leave out? It all seems very necessary and important. The one really necessary and important thing I can't do without is Gathered's purse-size Goat Milk and Honey Lotion. You can get one of your own at gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

What's in your handbag?

What To Do With Your Left-over Easter Candy

There is a great website cakespy.com that you should check out--especially if you like cool cakes and cupcakes. They also have some wacky ideas of what to do with that left-over Easter candy. Jesse Oleson can help breathe new life into your Peeps, jelly beans or chocolate eggs with her suggestions. How about a left-over Easter trifle, Cadbury Creme Egg ice cream or Peep s'mores? Check out all of their sugar-laden suggestions. Normally I wouldn't suggest anything using so much sugar but heck, all things in moderation, right?

The above website is almost as much fun as gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com. We don't have any sugar-laden products but ours are still awfully sweet!

Tell Your Life Story in Six Words

Smith magazine published a book called "Not Quite What I Was Planning, Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure". It lists great life stories told in only six words. Some are humorous: "baby teeth, buck teeth, no teeth", "tons of calories burned, still fat" some are romantic: "found true love, happily ever after", some are inspirational: "fell in mud, got back up" some sad: (this by a cancer patient) "would settle for bad hair day" and some political: "proud of my country, until Bush".
I tried to sum up my life in six words. It's very difficult! I think this may be mine "Life is good, hope it continues". What would yours be? If you've got one you'd like to share, SMITH is going to publish another book. Go to smithmag.net and submit yours and/or share it with us here! We'd love to see how you describe your life story in just six words.
Here are another six words that Gathered FromThe Garden would like you to remember about us: Soothing skin products to pamper everyone! Go to gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com
to find great products for the whole family.

Another Great Blog

I found this blog and have been impressed with the practical information on health it contains. I am always looking for easy ways to improve my diet or lifestyle. Part of "being your own goddess" means being in control of what you eat, breathe, listen to, buy, read etc. Thanks to Dr.Minser for sharing these smart health tips! Go to docminser.com and check it out yourself. Anyone have other blogs to suggest?

Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month where we celebrate the accomplishments of the women who have come before us. Have you ever thought about the women in your own family and how much they accomplished? I had a grandmother who raised 16 children. Many of the years they were growing up she was a single parent. (widowed young) That had to have taken an incredible amount of hard work, patience, perseverance and faith. I think she passed those qualities on to my mother and hopefully to me. Who are the women who have inspired you?
Here is an inspirational movie to view in honor of women. Check out noglassceilingmovie.com It will make you think!
Check out gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com for some great products. You might order some to give to the special women in your life that have made a difference for and to you!

Diva Dolly

I was reading an article in Ladies Home Journal about Dolly Parton. Even if you don't like country western music you have to admit she is quite a woman! She has copywrited some 3000 songs, has an amusement park named after her, started Imagination Library for poor children and runs a pretty big company out of Nashville. She's been married to the same guy for 41 years. (that alone is pretty incredible!)
In the article Dolly was asked about plastic surgery and she admitted to having it done. She said that's why her husband has stuck with her all of these years---he gets a new woman every five! Although I admire her for her talent and good works I just can't agree with her on the bodywork. What' s wrong with aging naturally? She could have been a greater role model if she had said "No, thanks--I'll keep what I have--wrinkles and all." I totally understand wanting to look your best but not with injections and surgery.
How about you? Would you consider having some work done to look younger? Let us know what you think.
Gathered From The Garden has natural face products to help you look your best. Check out our website: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

I Believe in You

Charlon Bobo writes a weekly email newsletter that I subscribe to. (editproofcopy.com) This week her message was about encouraging others. She reminded me of the responsibility each of us has to encourage, enliven and support others. We are not intended to work alone. We need each other.

Charlon says to never underestimate the power of these words: "I believe in you." They might improve someone's day or inspire them to new heights. They are a gift. And who knows the full range of positive potential impacts?

She says it costs nothing and feels great. So think of someone right now who could use your words of encouragement and send these words to them. You never know how you might make someone's day!

You can also make someone's day by giving them one of Gathered From The Garden's wonderful Goat Milk and Honey Lotions. Check out our website: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

A New Vision for 2008

It's that time of year again, to start manifesting what we really need and to let go of things we don't. Our secret for getting everything we want starts with a list. After we've written down what we want in 2008 (tropical vacation, help others, live richly), we turn our list into a "visioning board." You can do this too.

Start with a large, card stock sheet of paper, a pair of scissors, a glue stick, a pen and a stack of magazines. Cut out pictures of a hammock suspended between two beachside palm trees, etc. Write or cut out words like play, create, relax,volunteer and place them with the images all over your paper.

Next, put the board in a place where you will see it throughout the year. From time to time imagine that everything you have placed on the board has already happened, and allow yourself to feel grateful. Then stand back and watch the coincidences start to occur, the pieces fall into place, and the magic happen!

We invite you to let us know how doing this simple yet powerful process of manifesting your intentions is working for you this year!

Gathered From The Garden LLC gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

Joy and The Bucket List

In the movie "The Bucket List" Morgan Freeman's character suggests that to get into heaven you need to answer these two questions. 1. Have you experienced joy in your life? 2. Have you brought joy to others' lives? Two questions worth some thought even if you don't believe you will be asked this at the Pearly Gates!
Have you experienced joy in your life? It's easy to get so caught up in everyday life that simple joys are forgotten. It's easy to appreciate the good things when life is going good. But I think that we can store up memories of joy to help us through and it doesn't take long to stop and smell the roses. Looking at my own life, my grandchildren have brought me immeasurable joy! To see things again through the eyes of a child, to smell that new-born baby smell, to have someone that wants to cuddle with me--that is true joy! Nurturing--particularly my flowers in the summer. Walking through my backyard and finding some new blossom or unexpected seedling brings me peace and joy. Traveling to a new place--seeing mountains, oceans, deserts--the marvels that God has created brings me joy.
Have you brought joy to others' lives? That's a good one to reflect on...Sure, I could say, I've given lots of presents to others. But is that the same as joy? I have started a new prayer each morning..."Let me be a blessing to someone this day." I'm hoping that will bring someone joy. I don't consciously set out to "bring someone joy" but maybe I should. What a different world this would be if our main goal each day would be to spread joy! I feel we should think small bits of joy to start. (Sharing happy memories and experiences with others is one of the most powerful and effective ways to keep the joy going.)
Being joyful has also been linked to improving health. People with a sunny outlook to aging recover more quickly from illness and actually live longer. People who feel joy in their lives also reported fewer illnesses.
One of the ways I experience a very small bit of joy is to have a piece of dark chocolate :) . So I might have to indulge in that a little more often. Another way to experience a little joy each morning is to start with some of Gathered's wonderful Goat Milk and Honey Lotion on my hands. The fragrance of Raspberry/Lemonade always makes me smile! To bring a little more joy into your life check out our website: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com We have many fragrances that can bring a little more joy to your life. Or share with someone to bring some joy to their life too!!

Extra Pounds or ExtraToes?

There is an article in Fitness magazine about losing weight This article disturbed me. Fitness took a survey of 1,000 women about their thoughts on diet and fitness. The following statistics resulted:

42% of women have used ephedra, hoodia, fen-phen, a diuretic or prescription weight loss pill/other drug to lose weight.

23% of women would spend a week in jail to reach their ideal weight. 23% would shave their head and 21% would trade 10 years of their life.

Women have used desperate measures. 33% have cleared their house of bad food. 24% have drank only liquids for at least a day. 11% have taken laxatives and 6% have purged. 4% have used miracle cleanse.

85% would rather have an extra toe than 50 extra pounds.

To polish that off, most women described themselves as chunky (30%) or curvy (29%).
(This is a fitness magazine so they probably polled women who are a little more shall we say, obsessed with their shape...)

I haven't found myself doing stupid things for weight loss. I've read with interest lots of stupid ideas and wondered if they could possibly work and fantasized what I would look like if they did. It seems you never look fine to yourself. Even the most beautiful women in the world will find themselves unattractive. How do we get over that? We do need to be a healthy weight...

Teachers on the 8th day

On the 6th day, God created men & women. On the 7th day, He rested. Not so much to recuperate, but rather to prepare himself for the work He was going to do the next day. For it was on the 8th day that God created the teacher.

The teacher, though taken from among men and women had several significant modifications. In general, God made the teacher more durable than other men and women.

The teacher was made to arise at a very early hour and to go to bed no earlier than 11:30 PM. With no rest in between. The teacher had to be able to withstand being locked up in an air-tight room with 35 little monsters on a rainy Monday. And the teacher had to be able to correct 103 term papers over Easter vacation.

Yes, God made the teacher tough - but gentle too. The teacher was equipped with soft hands to wipe away the tears of the neglected and lonely student... of the 16 year old girl who was not asked to the prom.

And into the teacher God poured a generous amount of patience. Patience when a student asks to repeat the directions the teacher has just repeated for someone else.

Patience when the kids forget their lunch money for the 4th day in a row. Patience when 1/3 of the class fails the test. Patience when the text books haven't arrived yet, and the semester starts tomorrow.

And God gave the teacher a heart slightly bigger than the average human heart. For the teacher's heart had to be big enough to love the kid who screams, "I hate this class - it's boring!" and to love the kid who runs out of the class at the end of the period without so much as a good bye or a thank you.

And lastly, God gave the teacher an abundant supply of hope. For God knew that the teacher would always be hoping. Hoping that the students would one day learn to spell... Hoping not to have lunchroom duty... hoping that Friday would come... hoping for a free day... hoping for deliverance.

When God finished creating the teacher, He stepped back and admired the work of His hands. And God saw that the teacher was good. Very Good. And God smiled, for when He looked at the teacher, He saw into the future. He knew that the future is in the hands of the teachers.

And because God loves teachers so much, on the 9th day God created.... "SNOW DAYS"

Author Unknown. I found this poem on Skywriting.com

Here in MN teachers and students alike hope for a snowday. Our past winters haven't really cooperated--mostly cold but not much snow. This makes it difficult to keep our skin hydrated. Here at Gathered From the Garden we have some great products to help with dry skin. Our Goat Milk and Honey Lotion is our winter best seller. Check out our website for sizes and fragrances: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

Ways to Share the Joy

I have some of H. Jackson Brown Jr.'s books including "Life's Little Instruction Book" and "The Little Book of Christmas Joys". I found an old article from Family Circle magazine that listed "25 ways to share the joy" written by this author. Here are a few of them...
*Mend a broken relationship with a friend or relative during the holidays
*Take a family photo in the same spot each year. You'll have a wonderful record of the
growth of your family.
*Tell your children about Christmas when you were their age.
* Tip someone that doesn't expect it.
* On a clear night, find the bright North Star and recall the story of the Three Wise Men.
* Open Christmas cards as a family each night at the dinner table. Read the messages aloud.
* Write letters to several people who have had a positive influence on you. Thank them for
this gift.
* Don't try to do everything yourself. Remember even Santa has helpers!
* Remember that the greatest holiday gift is a home filled with the people you love.

Gathered From The Garden would like to be one of your helpers. Check out our website for great Christmas gift ideas: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

Crazy Sexy Cancer
Maybe some of you saw this gal on Ophrah. If not, it is an inspiration! Kris is a 31 year old actress and photographer who was diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2003. She has documented her journey from the start turning it into a life quest to find a cure as well as finding herself. It's so worth checking out--so take a few minutes of your time now during this holiday season to see what it means to live a life with courage, strength and awareness. Go to crazysexycancer.com

Once you are there, click on the link on the bottom that says 'the film'.
Another good website to check out: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

Lessons From the Farm
Growing up the oldest of 10 children on a farm in central MN was a lot of work but at times a lot of fun too. I learned many lessons that I still heed today.
You're never too old to change gears. I saw my mother get a job outside of our home and my dad leave a tough factory job for a job outdoors on a farm. They both took a chance at change and were successful. The time to make change in your life wasn't 10 years ago or 10 years from now. It's right now. Do what feels like you need to do! ( I am working on an aromatherapy degree.)
Friendships, like good rich soil need tending. Don't lose touch with those people that ground you, give you strength and will be with you through the storms in life.
Find something to nurture and get your hands dirty. Too many of us are caught up in the world of technology which usually keeps us indoors. Take a moment to enjoy the world around you. Plant something, tend it and watch it grow!
Hard work never killed anybody or so my older relatives used to say. Thinking back to working on the farm I learned how to share burdens, use humor to brighten the load and to appreciate a job well done. I learned many skills that helped me to become very self-sufficient.
My parents taught us to persevere and to take pride in what we accomplished. Out of the 10 children in my family, two are doctors, one is a cpa and owns his own business, two others farm together in a huge operation, three are teachers, one runs the marketing dept. of a pharmaceutical co. and one is a finance wizard. Hard work helped all of us get to where we are today. We are very proud of it too!
We are working hard at Gathered From The Garden to help make your Christmas shopping a little easier. Check out our website(gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com) for some wonderful products to give to the people on your list. Send us an email to subscribe to our online newsletter: gatheredfromthegarden@gmail.com

Holiday Stress and Your Immune System
The Holiday Season is here along with stress, lots of sugar, and running around shopping. Here are a few ideas to help combat Holiday Stress:

First reduce the amount of sugar you eat during the holidays. It lowers the immune system (1Tb. lowers your immune system for 4 hours).
Second, don't over eat. Socialize while eating so you can digest food slowly instead of over-eating.
Third, Vitamins and Herbs can help. Vitamins such as B-Complex helps reduce stress and increase energy.
Fourth, visit our website: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com and let us help make your shopping stress-free!!

A Great Idea!

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this message on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get!

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

Presidential Election


Are you tired of presidential debate coverage? The mud slinging is already getting old. I am left wondering if anyone has a real stand on anything. Wouldn't plain ol' honesty be refreshing?

I found this survey on the Minnesota Public Radio website. (minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/select_a_candidate) You answer about a dozen questions and at the end of the survey, they show you the candidate that best matches your views on the issues. It is a pretty good tool because it is simple and to the point.

On a lighter note, the only mud that Gathered From the Garden will sling is our fabulous Dead Sea Mud Mask. Check out our website: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

Change Is Good

One of my favorite authors and artists is a woman named Susan Kennedy also known as "Sark". I first saw a poster she had done a few years ago. It had fun and simple ideas to follow and her artwork was cool. Since then, I've gone to her website (planetsark.com) and read some of her books.
I also get her newsletters. The last one was all about change. Change is around us but we don't often think about it. We may change our hairstyle or clothes. Every fall a new tv show line-up appears so we may change the programs we watch. In MN we are aware of change because of our seasons. Most changes around us are pretty subtle.
Sark says that we are basically changing all the time. We just forget to become aware of it and we don't often let others know about changes. She poses the question, "Tell me how you've changed recently?"
I started to think about all of the ways I have changed lately. I have been working on getting certified as an aromatherapist. I've started to rethink how I treat my health. I've lost some weight. My sleep patterns have changed. This exercise took me awhile to do since I was trying to think of significant changes. (unlike my haircolor has changed, etc.)
Sark says we should let others know about our changes. I think to help celebrate them. Not all of my friends/family know about me becoming an aromatherapist. But I should be letting them know that. I've been studying hard and I'll be proud when I finish my coursework. The weight change--well that is something we like others to notice but usually we don't bring up ourselves. I have several family members in the medical field who could probably discuss my sleep patterns with me.
I am going to be interested in finding out how the people important to me have changed. With the holidays coming up--that should be a good time to catch up--especially with family members. I'll have to fill them in on my changes too.
So after reading all of this, here's the question...Tell me how you've changed recently?
A change we made at Gathered From The Garden is to offer our weekly newsletter to all who are interested not just customers. If you are interested in getting our newsletter full of beauty tips, info on products and sales and health topics, email us at gatheredgarden@charter.net

Awesome Women

There is a magazine published in our city called Among Women(amongwomenmag.com). Every year they pick 9 women to honor in their magazine--one for each issue. My sister, Mary was chosen to be among these "awesome women". She is an incredible mother, doctor, sister, mentor, wife, musician...and the list goes on and on. I can't think of anyone more deserving.
This past weekend we had a "Women's Expo" in town. At the Expo the "Awesome Women" were invited to come and speak and tell their story. Mary spoke about the women in her life and how they influenced her. She said her life was not extraordinary but that she had been blessed to have extraordinary people in her life.
Another of the "Awesome Women" had us in stitches. However, it was her opening statement that made an impact with me. She started out by saying "I like myself. I really like myself!" She was happy with who she was and proud of it! Boy do I want to be like that when I grow up!! Can you imagine being totally satisfied with your life and who you've become? I think I'm on that path but I don't know that I am totally there yet. Oh well, they say half the fun is in the journey!
Kay also talked about having endurance. Life is going to hand you lots of lemons and it's up to you to make lemonade. Another one of her sayings was. "It's no simple thing to believe..." Believe in yourself, take risks, live life to the fullest!
Another "Awesome Woman" spoke about "the people God entrusts to us". I hadn't thought about that before. Later, I was standing next to my sister-in-law Julie who is such a good person. And I thought, God has entrusted her to me--what a blessing! So many of the people we encounter God has entrusted to us. Do we recognize that as a gift? I'm seeing some of those people in a different light.
Gathered From The Garden would like to think that all of our customers are "Awesome Women" in their own way. Visit our website: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com to see some great products to pamper the awesome woman in you!

Be a "Green" Goddess

I'm a little late on the Blog Action Day on environmental issues. But I figure, better late than never!!
If we all make one small change it would have a tremendous impact on our planet! Here are some ideas for you. Take one and make a difference!!
Turn off your lights.
Spend more time outdoors. It will remind you of what's at stake.
Pass on the paper towels at home--use cloth instead. Think of the trees you're saving.
Find new uses for old things.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Even my second graders get this.
Use cloth bags instead of paper to carry your groceries. My local store just started offering some pretty cool ones.
Unplug charging devices when you're not using them.
Start gardening. (I love it!) You'll raise nutritional food and cut down on petroleum-based
fertilizers and cross-country distribution use of fuel.
Walk instead of drive whenever you can. Also car-pool I do!
Clean your fridge coils for better productivity. (I'm going to do that as soon as I am done here.)
Wash clothes in cold water.
Buy things that will last.
BYOB of water.

Get the picture? I could list so many more but I think I've given you enough to get started. If you're interested in more, the May 2007 issue of Body & Soul has lots more. bodyandsoulmag.com Also check out idealbites.com. They have daily tips on living green!
At Gathered From The Garden we try to reduce, reuse and recycle every day. Check out our website: gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com