How can I tell which nutrient my plant is lacking?

So, you’ve heard about nutrient deficiencies. You might even be able to diagnose them, somewhat. But how do you know what your plant is lacking? Or what your plant has too much of? Well, I’ve looked and found some resources with quite a bit of information. It occurs to me, however, that it would be nice to just get a concise, consolidated answer to the most common nutrient problems. So, here we go:

Nitrogen: Obviously, Nitrogen is important. It’s in the NPK rating (it’s the N), so you want to make sure your plant is getting the right amount. The signs of a Nitrogen deficiency are yellowing of the leaves, which you’ll tend to see begin at the bottom of the plant, and also will start at the tips of the plant and work its’ way inward. Generally, you’ll also see the deficiency when the plant is young, since Nitrogen is primarily responsible for growth. This is nice, because you can correct the problem early. Also, you may not see much growth, or may see spindly stalks or weak root systems.

Now, if you happen to see an abundance of Nitrogen, it will be evidenced by the color of the leaves. They’ll be very dark green – almost black.

Magnesium: A deficiency of Magnesium is very easy to spot. You’ll see yellow leaves, but green veins. You may also see purple, red, or brown spots on the leaves. Magnesium is primarily responsible for supporting healthy veins and leaf production, as well as giving leaves their green color. You’ll notice symptoms first in the older leaves. Leaf tips can also turn upward as they discolor, and may fall off without wilting.

An abundance of magnesium leaves a salt residue, and will kill your leaves. Magnesium abundance can also lock out calcium. There are not otherwise visible signs of a toxicity of magnesium.

Iron: A deficiency of iron looks a lot like a deficiency of magnesium, only you’ll see it on the younger leaves, not the older ones.

An abundance is very rare, but you may see some bronzing, or even spots on the leaf surface.

So what do you do to correct it? Well, for your deficiencies, go ahead and add those nutrients! For a Nitrogen deficiency, I’d recommend our Extreme Blend.

For a Magnesium deficiency, I’d recommend our Organic Cal Mag.

For an Iron deficiency, the best bet would probably be our Micro Nutrient Pack.

EXTREME BLENDORGANIC CAL MAG MICRO NUTRIENT PACK

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, sweet relief

We're back to homeschooling. Soooooooooooooo relieved! DH and I decided, due to Stevi's attitude and snarkiness (which hasn't been displayed in our home before - we are thinking this is due to the influences of the kids in her school), that we are done with public school.

So today has gone really well. We've been working for half an hour on each subject, taking a 10-minute break between each subject, and took a nice lunch break. Now, she's sad, we just talked about her missing her friends, which I do feel bad about. I've messaged our old Homeschool Co-op, and I'm hoping to hear back from them in the next day or two. Also, we went to story time at the library this morning.

Anyway, just thought I'd update! I'm one happy mama!

The faces we wear . . .

Watching an episode of "Face off", the makeup artist competition, has gotten me thinking. As a mother, we wear many faces. Housekeeper, first aid medic, snuggle administrator, audiobook, TV operator, educator, and, yes, window cleaner.

These many faces we wear and roles we play can lead us down many differing paths, some good, some difficult. Looking back over the choices I've made in my life, and the choices I've made for my girls, I can see where I've felt the need to fulfill a certain "role" or wear a certain "face" to satisfy others. Even putting Stevi (oldest DD) in public school was a need to fill a role. The role of a "NORMAL PARENT"(emphasis totally intentional). Now that I've done so, I'm severely feeling the absence of my role as Homeschooling Mom.

I'm feeling the need to examine my motives, and decide which role is more important. NORMAL PARENT, or Homeschooling Mom. And, honestly, it's something I have to consider. I've always hated the fact that my parents were "weird". And, trust me, they were. They didn't believe everything on the news, I wasn't vaccinated, I didn't have a social security number until I was 14 and had to get my driver's license, and, oh yeah, my mom went to jail for 4 years because she fought the IRS and, yeah, the law won. No surprise there.

It's kind of crazy to think of all the ways my childhood has affected me in my adult life. What saddens me is how it's affecting my children. I'm not really cool with that. I have to discern my reasons for what I'm doing, and whether or not they're good enough reasons. I enjoy my break while Stevi is at school. Not gonna lie. I like having quiet time while the baby naps. I didn't realize how much I needed it. I also miss that my daughter is learning things from someone else. And, let's be honest here, she's not really learning much. We started working on place values the first week of first grade. Now she's in public school, first grade, and they just start place values this week. Sooooooooo, I'm struggling with that. I told Stevi she could stay until Christmas . . . but honestly, I don't think she's going back after that.

Well, sorry about the rambling, but this was a post I felt needed written. I don't know how many other homeschool moms are out there struggling with this decision, but for me, I think the face I need to wear is Homeschool Mom. I think it's the best thing for Stevi.

A week off and missing my girl . . .

Well, Stevi had a week off school this week. It's "fall break" apparently. Lol, not sure when that started, but it's cool. We had a REALLY good day Monday, got our school work done, and it was really nice. I am 100% positive I won't be putting her back in school next year, but for now it's alright.

She is still telling me she'd rather be homeschooled. For me, that's very telling. Even with the ability to be socializing with kids her age, she'd rather be here, learning, and going to our homeschool co-op once a week. She said she wants to be home with her family. I'm going to foster that.

Off to do some more schooling! :) I missed having her home. I'm happy she's here this week.

I'm not changing the name yet, dammit!!!

Alright. She's in public *gag* school. Granted, it's a charter and it's Montessori, but still. It's public. I'm REALLY struggling with this one folks. Really really struggling. However, she seems to be doing well, and, I have to admit - albeit grudgingly - I think it's good for her to learn how to behave in a group. I also have to admit that I failed her in that area. If/when we resume homeschool, we'll be living a much more structured existence. I'm forcing myself to adhere more to a schedule myself, so I can be in the routine and prepared for it.

On a lighter, more optimistic note - I started, today, taking Garcinia Cambogia. We'll see if it lives up to the hype. It's supposedly great for increasing your energy - I think I can feel that lol - and it's supposed to be a pretty great appetite suppressant, as well as changing the way your body processes the food you eat, and how much fat you produce. We shall see.

Alright - I'll update more later. So far, I think we'll let Stevi finish out the month at school, as long as she is still liking it. Maybe I'll let her go until Christmas. We'll see.

Bye folks!

Conflicted . . .

Well, last week I enrolled Stevi in Monticello Montessori Public Charter School. We had a really rough week the week before, struggling with getting the work done, focusing on what we were doing, and just getting along in general. However, after having her in school for a week, I'm no more at peace with the decision than I was when I enrolled her.

I spent a very rough night the Friday before, and when I took her to school, was nervous all day. Stevi's feedback on the whole thing is, overall, kind of negative. She keeps getting in trouble because she's very talkative, which doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me (somewhat) is that the teacher seems not to have much patience or liking for Stevi. I do understand, she has 29 students she has to teach in a day, but regardless, I expect my child to be treated well. I also understand no one is going to be as patient with her as I will, and maybe this is good for her to learn early.

However, as I'm contemplating sending her back this week (and I've essentially decided I will. And then decided I won't. And then I will. And then I won't.), I'm really struggling with the decision. Stevi says she doesn't want to go back. Should I really make her? Or has either one of us really given this a chance? Do I want her to like it? I don't think I do, and if that's the case, am I influencing her not to like it? Is that fair? Sheesh.

People keep telling me this will be good for her. It's going to be good for her to learn how to deal with other kids, how to play nicely, etc. But I don't think she plays meanly to begin with. She is definitely strong-willed, and I think this would help her temper just a bit, but I don't know how much of that I want to go away. Not to mention we found this wonderful co-op and only had the chance to go one time before we decided to do the Montessori school. I think that was going to be a huge help to her in getting along with other kids. Not to mention the fact that getting along with kids isn't the skill she needs, it's getting along with adults that will help her throughout her life.

BLEH. That's all I can really say about it. BLEH, I have decided, though, if I do keep her home, we are going to be totally revamping the way we do our school day. No more getting up whenever, starting around the time we lay the baby down, etc. Nope. It will be up at 7:00, morning routine, get dressed, eat breakfast, get started. Then hopefully we can be done by the time we lay the baby down. And I really think we can, too.

Anyway, I'm still ruminating, but I'll write when we make the final decision.

What a slow week!!!

And by slow, I'm absolutely only talking about school - hah! It's been completely insane! We had Stevi's birthday party on Saturday, Labor Day on Monday (so we skipped school), Stevi was sick Wednesday (throwing up all day long, poor thing), and then we finally caught up on Thursday and Friday.

I also had a gal come over to the house for a lesson in gluten-free baking. A friend of mine is a pastry chef who just found out she has Celiac Disease, and hasn't ever baked anything gluten-free before. Poor thing lol. It's been close to 4 years for me, so I'm pretty used to it, but she was pretty thrown for a loop!  So she came over and we made brownies. While they were baking, we did TurboFire HIIT 25, and I just about died. I've been doing pretty well with the exercising, usually working out every other day, at the very least.

Then, Friday, we had to get our cakes ready for Stevi's party, so there was that whole thing. So basically, we missed two days last week and it's her actual birthday today, so i'm not making her do school today either.

We are, however, going out to our homeschool co-op, which I'm super excited for. Stevi is, too, for the record lol. We are going out to one of the gal's homes who happens to live on a farm!!! So we are checking out baby goats today. Woot WOOT! She's gonna love it. I've gotta make some cupcakes today though, hopefully before we get out there (yeah right).

Anyway, I'll do some pictures out at the farm and post later on. :) Yay for Co-ops!!!