4 Steps to Fabulous Flowers

What would you say if we told you there’s a no-sweat, no-dig way to have a fabulous perennial garden in less than one year? You’d better believe it, because it’s true! And here’s how:

1. In late summer (ahem, that’s right now!), stake out the site where you want your new bed, then cover the area with a 1-inch-thick layer of newspapers. 
2. Place a few rocks over the papers to hold them down, and soak the area thoroughly. Water again as needed over the next few weeks to keep the papers moist. 
3. Once fall has arrived, remove the rocks, then spread 6 to 8 inches of leaves over the area. Top that with 8 to 12 inches of good soil or compost.
4. All winter, sit back, and let the ingredients settle in. By the time the following spring has begun, you’ll have a loose, fluffy flower bed that’ll be a joy for you to plant in—and for your perennials to grow in! 

There are hundreds more terrific tips to get fancier flowers and brighter blooms in our bestselling book, Flower Garden Problem Solver. You can even try it FREE for 21 days with our Free Preview! Then, check out our Facebook page, and be sure to follow us!

Can’t Get Enough Cantaloupe!

A slice of fresh, juicy cantaloupe is a tasty summertime treat.  Nothing beats an ice-cold wedge of it for instant refreshment after a long, hot run, walk, or your daily workout. But the sweet flesh of this melon is a lot more than just good eating—it’s surprisingly low in calories and high in health benefits.  At just 48 fat-free calories per cup, and packed with beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, and potassium, it is one of nature’s best body-bolstering and cancer-battling foods around.

So how do you select the sweetest and juiciest of these mouthwatering melons? Here’s what to do:

• Look for an evenly shaped melon, without dents, bruises, cuts, or discoloration.
•  Check out the color of the skin under the netting—it should be glowing golden.
•  Look for a melon that’s smooth and well-rounded at the stem end. Unlike other ripe melons, which have a bit of vine attached, ripe cantaloupes are free of the stem attachment.
• Choose a melon that’s heavy for its size—the sign of juiciness.
• Give it the sniff test—it should smell sweet, fresh, and fragrantly musky.

Want to discover more amazing health secrets and healing powers of delicious foods found right in your own kitchen? Check out our Giant Book of Kitchen Counter Cures—FREE for 21 days! And don’t forget to visit our website and sign up for our Free E-newsletter—you’ll get an exclusive special offer right off the bat!

Watermelon: The Official Fruit of Summer

The perfect treat for summer is a sweet, juicy wedge of ripe watermelon. Munch on a big chunk after a game of tennis or a long, hot afternoon of yard work. The mighty melon is 90% water, so it goes a long way toward quenching your thirst. Plus, the natural sugars will boost your energy and get your blood sugar back to normal.

But when you’re shopping for melons, go for the seedless variety! While seedless melons won’t win any seed-spitting contests, they are a favorite of health-conscious eaters. That’s because seedless varieties of watermelon contain more cancer-fighting lycopene than the seedy kind!

Here are a few recipes to whip up this summer starring wonderful watermelon:

Creamy Watermelon Delight

1. In a blender, combine ½ cup of plain yogurt, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 cup of seedless watermelon cubes.
2. Blend on high to make a smooth sauce.
3. Pile an additional 2 cups of cubed watermelon into a tall parfait glass and pour on the sauce. Eat your treat with an iced-tea spoon.

 Fresh Watermelon Facial

1. Peel a slice of watermelon, and mash it in a bowl until it’s about the consistency of thin applesauce.
2. Wash your face so that it’s really clean.
3. Then spread the melon over your skin, making sure to avoid your eyes.
4. Lie down and put a piece of cheesecloth over the fruit to keep it from sliding off.
5. Relax and think lovely thoughts for 20 minutes or so, then rinse the mash off and pat your face dry.

For more about the wonders of watermelon, check out our bestselling book, Top 25 Homemade Healers. You can try it FREE for 21 days just by visiting our website.