I love most things wild and naturally occurring. But I’ve really got to wonder what purpose mosquitoes serve.

I’m one of those people that seem to attract them and I get really large welts when bitten.

We’ve taken all the standard precautions to cut down on the population and risk:

1. NO STANDING WATER. If you have containers, bird baths, cups that get left outside - you’ve got to get rid of the standing water. They only need a thimble size pocket of water to lay eggs.
2. AVOID DAWN AND DUSK. This is the one that hurts me. These are my most favorite times of the day and when I tend to be out in the grass with the dog AND when I get eaten up.

I’ve been trying out some different natural repellents that do help tremendously. The problems with any kind of body product for insect repellent is that you really should wash off before going to bed or sitting on indoor furniture, it can be very strong smelling (although pleasant depending upon what you use), and the oils are oils - so they can get in your hair, can stain your clothes, etc.

Here are some of the products I’ve used that I would recommend for insect repellents and bite relief:

Burts Bees Herbal Insect Repellent - Burt’s Bees - I’ve been using this at home in New Jersey for mosquito repellent. It has a pleasant, very strong odor. I love the smell and since it’s oil-based it helps with dry skin as a bonus. But as I mentioned, you many not want to go sit on your furniture if it’s not soaked in.

Anything with Neem Oil - Neem Oil - Check the label and ingredients - this is something you’re more likely to find at a natural goods store or online. I have a bottle at our cabin in the Adirondacks to help with the black flies. Again, I love the smell and it is pretty effective. I don’t remember the specific name or manufacturer of what I have but I know there are various products on the market. Also, Neem Oil has shown to be an treatment for various skin ailments.

After Bite Remedies - I’m loving this Sting Stop, made by Boericke & Tafel. It immediately takes the itch away as well as diminish the swelling and redness.

My husband also bought me something a couple of years ago from a healthy goods store. It comes in the form of a pen and has a spongy tip on it. The first time I used it I was overwhelmed by the smell of ammonia. Yup, it’s basically ammonia. So, not the best smelling thing and I have some misgivings about applying it to my body - but it worked!

One of the best preventative measures I’ve found is - DON’T WEAR ANY SCENT! I like soaps and shampoos with a slight scent - like cucumber, melon and tea tree oil. But I think this is one of the reasons that pests like mosquitoes swarm more around the women than the men. I’m always shaking my head in disbelief when hiking and I can smell a woman well before I can see her. First of all, that’s just silly; secondly, it’s like putting out a welcome mat for pests.

I’d love to hear of any organic, non-chemical means that you’ve found to keep the mosquitoes and other biting insects at bay. Feel free to post a comment or email me directly.

Here’s to being bite-free!

Namaste ~ ~ ~

Technorati Tags: mosquitoes, natural repellents, insect repellent, Burt’s Bees, Neem Oil, Sting Stop, Boericke & Tafel

Ay-yi-yi. What a winter it’s been.

I feel like I’ve been in a fog since January. I have been in a fog, don’t even need to think about it.

After taking a good hard look at the rut I had gotten myself into, and making some changes to my habits, schedule, exercise (or lack of), and eating rituals (irregular and not enough) - I feel like a new person.

I know next winter I’m going to have to be careful with this and not slip back into spending days in dark dreary rooms and look into getting more Vitamin D.

Anyway, this blog has been hanging over my head like the long lost aunt you never write to but have in your thoughts.

I’m glad to have finally made this (what feels like) first post and will be back with more regularity (not too hard to do)!

Namaste ~ ~ ~

On last Monday’s Oprah [Monday 22] Kris Carr talked with Oprah about her new book and DVD called “Crazy Sexy Cancer”. The DVD is due out in December and Gaiam (exclusive seller) is suggesting pre-ordering.

I’ve watched the trailer (missed the show) and certainly think that anyone who has experienced life with cancer, or loving someone with cancer will thoroughly enjoy this DVD. Clicking on the image above will take you to a page where you can view the trailer.

Here’s a brief summary [taken from the CrazySexyCancer website] on what the documentary is about…

“Crazy Sexy Cancer is an irreverent and uplifting documentary about a young woman looking for a cure and finding her life.

In 2003, 31-year-old actress/photographer Kris Carr was diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer. Weeks later she began filming her story. Taking a seemingly tragic situation and turning it into a creative expression, Kris shares her inspirational story of survival with courage, strength, and lots of humor.

With experimental treatment as her only option, Kris became determined to find answers where there were none. She traveled throughout the country interviewing experts in alternative medicine as she tenaciously dove head first into a fascinating and often hilarious holistic world. Along the way, she met other vivacious young women determined to become survivors. Their stories are as poignant and exciting as the women who tell them. As Kris’s amazing journey unfolds, she realizes that healing is about truly living rather than fighting.

Crazy Sexy Cancer is more than a film, it’s an attitude! It’s about rising to the challenge of life, and no matter what, refusing to give up who you are at your core. This story is as funny as it is frightening, as joyous as it is outrageous. Ultimately, Crazy Sexy Cancer is a thought provoking film about, friendship, love and growing up.”

Technorati Tags: Kris Carr, Oprah, Crazy Sexy Cancer

VACOC Monthly Guest Expert Teleseminar Series:

The Top 10 Mistakes That are Killing Your Brand

DATE: Thursday, October 18, 2007
TIME: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST
LENGTH: 60 minutes (please call in 10 min. early)
COST: FREE!

This class is open to all Virtual Assistants and business owners. Feel free to invite your colleagues and clients.

“Branding is not about getting your prospects to choose you over your competition; it’s about getting your prospects to see you as the only solution to their problem.” ™ –Rob Frankel

Branding is a lot more than just a name and a logo. It’s how users and prospects are turned into evangelists for your business. But even more important about what you know about branding is what you don’t know. It’s costing you real business and real dollars. Branding expert Rob Frankel will be telling you–yes, you– the 10 ways you are currently killing your brand. He’ll also tell you how to fix every one of them.

Join us on Thursday, October 18, for a special hour with Rob Frankel, author of the groundbreaking bestseller, “Revenge of Brand X: How to Build a Big Time Brand on the Web or Anywhere Else.” Rob Frankel has been called “the best branding expert on the planet,” advising, consulting and speaking to Fortune 500 companies, funded start-ups and major media such as CBS, CNBC, ABC, NBC, FOX, WSJ, NYT, LAT and many more.

Branding is relevant to every business, and to every part of your business. Rob is the only branding consultant who can show you how creating and implementing brand strategy directly increases your bottom line revenues–and profitability. Be sure to catch a spot at what is sure to be one of our most fascinating, eye-opening events.

Register Now!

For more information - and to register:

http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

Namaste ~ ~ ~

This is a great tip if you work with a lot of files on your computer.

I find from time to time that I’m working real heavily in one particular file. Now, if that file does not start with a number or a letter at the beginning of the alphabet, you’ve got to scroll for it - right?

Wrong! Just rename the file with a ’space’ in front of the name (click once, then click again but not a double click, and you should have the file name highlighted). So, if the file was named “Yesterday’s News” and it always showed up at the bottom of the list - rename it ” Yesterday’s News” with the space in front - and it will be the first file that pops up.

Then, if that project takes on a lesser priority, rename it again, deleting the space - and lo and behold - it goes back into the alpha-numeric order.

A little thing - but can save a lot of time and hassle. Hope you like it.

Don’t understand? Send me an email, I’ll be happy to help you out!

Working more effeciently - don’t we all want that?

Namaste ~ ~ ~