It’s no secret that cats love catnip. Leaves or oil from the mint-related plant (scientifically named nepeta cataria) usually gives a hallucinogenic or euphoric reaction to cats. But not all cats are affected, and the euphoric state doesn’t last long.
Cats like catnip for two reasons. Smelling the herb stimulates their senses while eating it calms them down. When cats get a good whiff of catnip, they’ll often respond by rolling around, flipping over, or rubbing on everything. Sometimes they’ll even make odd noises and get bursts of energy that send them running from room to room. When cats eat the herb, they’ll experience a calming effect as catnip causes fatigue and works as a sedative. Both smelling and eating catnip is safe and non-addictive for your cat, but ingesting too much can cause a tummy ache.
Not all cats, though, react to catnip. Interestingly, the ability to react to the plant is known to be genetic. Mother cats with a positive response to it are more likely to pass that response on to their kittens. It is said that about 30% of cats don’t have the inherited trait, and kittens won’t begin to show a response until they’re about 6 months old. Additionally, as a cat gets older, he or she may lose interest in the herb.
For those cats that do show reactions to catnip, the effect seems to last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, and then most cats choose to nap. After napping for a couple of hours, the interest may appear again.
Catnip may cause male cats to become aggressive. This is because of the herb’s connection to mating behavior. If catnip makes your cat appear aggressive, you should consider alternatives like honey-suckle or valerian.
For indoor cats that show a positive, euphoric response, catnip is safe and can be a valuable tool for environmental enrichment, especially for shelter cats or strictly indoor cats. Catnip is a great way to encourage cats to exercise. It can also be used during training to get your cat to use a scratching post rather than furniture and sleep in his or her own bed. Also, watching the effects it has on your cat can be very entertaining for you.
Catnip comes in a variety of forms. Some toys come pre-scented or filled with the herb, but you can also buy powdered catnip to sprinkle on the ground or on toys. Additionally, you can find catnip oil or spray which you can use on bedding. A little catnip goes a long way, so you won’t need much.
It’s a loaded question and it’s meant to illicit a loaded answer. This isn’t my first time at the rodeo. I know exactly how to get my teenagers’ attention. My son looks up from his laptop, mid-game, intently listening, and my studious daughter stops writing for a moment to answer the obvious “Yes, I’d like some money.”
“Great. I’ll need help with Read It Write It.” The kids groan. Since the end of Read It Write It Book and Writing Festival 2022, this is all I have been talking about. They no doubt are tired of hearing about it but now they have a renewed interest. Don’t get me wrong… they were interested last year and helped out a lot. I couldn’t pull this off without them. But now, college and cars loom in the foreground and they are going to need to earn money for those things. I completely understand.
This interaction got me thinking. Don’t we tell our kids to know their worth? Haven’t we encouraged them to get a job if they want and be paid for their work? Why would we treat them differently? You can also barter or negotiate something that will help promote your business but they do not have a business to speak of yet.
The kids and I talk about what they will earn and the inevitable question of what they will be doing comes up. “Well Savannah, you have a lot of experience with sewing and costume creation, so I think helping with the Literary Costume Contest would be good for you. And Ryan, you are good with people so I might need you to announce panels on one of the two stages.” There are no complaints or eye rolls so I’m assuming they are on board. Perhaps I should write a contract and have them sign it. Too much? I might be pushing it. I’ll skip the contract.
And so here I am. Staring down the growing list of authors, publishers, journalists, and futurists of the literary world that will be at the Wellington Green Mall on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for Read it Write It Book and Writing Festival and trying to put together panels and workshops that will highlight their talent. It’s a little nerve-wracking. There are so many little details, why wouldn’t I enlist their help? If I won’t hire my own kids, who will?
Dry January is a popular trend where individuals pledge to abstain from alcohol for the month of January. This can be a great way to reset your relationship with alcohol and improve your overall health. Studies have shown that taking a break from alcohol can lead to improvements in sleep, energy levels, and weight loss. Additionally, it can also lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer and other diseases.
If you missed the opportunity to participate in Dry January, don’t worry! You can still reap the benefits of taking a break from alcohol by starting in February. Here are some tips for getting started:
Set a goal: Decide how long you want to abstain from alcohol and make a plan to achieve it.
Track your progress: Keep a journal or use a tracking app to monitor your progress and reflect on how you feel.
Find alternative activities: Instead of reaching for a drink, find other ways to relax and have fun. Exercise, read, or spend time with friends and family.
Seek support: Tell your friends and family about your goal and ask for their support. You can also join online groups or find a support group in your area.
Reward yourself: Set up a reward system for yourself to celebrate your progress and accomplishments.
Remember, taking a break from alcohol can have many benefits for your physical and mental health. Starting in February is a great way to start the year off on a healthy note. And if you find it hard to go without alcohol, consider reducing the amount of sitting or the frequency of consumption. Seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor who can help you address any underlying issues might also be beneficial if you find it hard to stay away from alcohol.
“Cooked in sight, must be right.” That’s the slogan of Howley’s restaurant (4700 South Dixie Highway; 561-833-5691; www.howleyswpb.com) in West Palm Beach, Florida. Founded by Patrick J. Howley in 1950, Palm Beach County residents and visiting tourists have been frequenting Howley’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for more than 70 years. While the greater West Palm Beach area has changed, Howley’s has not as it remains in its original location on South Dixie Highway. To this day, Howley’s is a “hip diner slinging comfort chow amid 1950s décor with a pressed-tin ceiling, full bar, and a jukebox.” BTW: The jukebox doesn’t accept quarters, only dollar bills and an app called Touchtunes.
The restaurant’s atmosphere, high-quality food, and commitment to strong customer service is a reflection of Patrick J. Howley’s work ethic, mindset, attitude and approach to life. Today, Howley’s is owned by Rodney Mayo and the Subculture Group took daily control of Howley’s in 2005.
Thankfully, if you didn’t know that Patrick J. Howley had sold the restaurant, you would never know it if you walked in the front door today. Howley left an indelible footprint on the restaurant that remains to this day.
When you visit Howley’s for a meal, the menu has a wide variety of favorites.
“We are definitely known for our crabcakes, easily the best in Palm Beach County; our eggs Howley’s, the crabcake benedict; our crab hash, topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce; our house-made corned beef hash, where no can opener is needed because we make it fresh,” said current general manager Jes Hill. “Other great items include the shepherd’s pie, turkey pot pie, the chicken parm, the Addie’s slow-roasted beef brisket, our mahi-mahi sandwich, our pan fried mozzarella, the fried green tomatoes, and our Low Country egg rolls which are pulled pork, cream cheese and collard greens-stuffed egg rolls with a little bit of a gold barbecue kick.”
The high quality of the entrees extends to the dessert menu.
The most popular desserts at Howley’s include the house-made banana banana cream pie, cobbler specials, and the coconut cake, which is provided by Cafe Sweets in nearby Northwood.
Two of the big reasons for Howley’s high-quality food are that no food is pre-packaged and the kitchen staff is top-notch.
“Our food is so wonderful because this is a scratch-made kitchen,” noted Hill. “We use quality ingredients. We have pride in our work. We do not even own a microwave.”
“A good portion of our staff has been here for upwards of 10 years or more. Chef Ernst Alexandre is thrilled when people fall in love with his cooking. If you want to make him blush, tell him how much you love his food! Also, when you visit us in the mornings, you get to watch the fastest egg slingers in Palm Beach County make your pancakes and poach your eggs. Sit at our counter and you will get the whole experience.”
Even though Patrick J. Howley no longer owns and operates Howley’s, the Howley family still has a presence in the restaurant.
“I know some of the original Howley’s family still dines here regularly,” added Hill. “Honestly, if you come in for one breakfast and one dinner, you would probably be sitting next to some of them.”
Two members of the Howley family are Greg Quattlebaum and his wife Julie. Greg is Patrick J. Howley’s grandson. They are regulars at Howley’s.
Greg Quattlebaum is a lifelong patron of Howley’s, as his mother and aunts used to work there as waitresses when they were younger.
Quattlebaum prefers to eat breakfast at Howley’s and he truly enjoys the omelet with blackened shrimp with real crab. For lunch or dinner, he enjoys the French onion soup – served only on Wednesday nights — and the turkey club sandwich, which is made with carved turkey breast.
Howley’s dessert selection
“My wife Julie and I go to Howley’s for the experience,” said Quattlebaum. “Rodney Mayo, Jessica “Jes” Hill and the Howley’s leadership team have done a wonderful job of creating a unique culture. Much of the staff are loyal, longtime employees and that is very rare in the hospitality world. There is great comfort in seeing so many familiar faces. It speaks volumes to their work culture and that translates directly into a great customer experience.”
Rodney Mayo, owner of Howley’s
According to Hill, having Howley’s as a place to eat is a regular part of the daily diet for many area residents.
“We have guests that not only eat here daily, but some twice a day,” said Hill. “Our guests quickly become our extended family. We have watched their children grow. We know their history. We have celebrated and mourned with them over the years. We took care of some of them during the (COVID) shutdown with thousands of hot meals cooked daily in the Howley’s kitchen.”
Are you ready for Howley’s? The restaurant awaits your arrival. And, don’t forget dollar bills and the Touchtunes app for the jukebox.
With rising costs, increasing demand, and growing concerns about the safety of personal care and hygiene items, many are looking for new ways to stay clean and save some money. These days, so many off-the-shelf items are filled with preservatives and chemical ingredients such as unnatural fragrances, which can cause irritation with long term use. Not to mention, repurchasing these products throughout the year can be expensive – the average American spends more than $700 annually on personal care.
While it may not be for everyone, making your own natural personal care products at home can allow you to have control over the ingredients that go into the products you use, ensuring that they are natural and free of potentially harmful chemicals. It can also be a more cost-effective option, as you can often use ingredients that you already have at home or that are easily accessible and inexpensive. If you’re ready to give it a try, here are three products to get you started!
Naturaland Waste Free Body Scrub
Don’t throw out those coffee grinds and use them for an all-natural coffee body scrub! Coffee scrubs are a great natural and sustainable substitute for chemical moisturizers and exfoliants. This all-natural, easy-to-make scrub helps increase blood circulation and does a great job of exfoliation without the worry of harmful ingredients. You can also use this scrub in your hair and under your eyes for a refreshing lift!
To make your own coffee scrub at home:
Mix together 1/2 cup fresh ground coffee and 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 tbsp of honey.
Add 1/2 cup coconut oil into the mixture
Mix until combined and store in a glass container to avoid plastic!
Natural Deodorant
Have you ever looked into the ingredients into your deodorant? Between the amount of plastic waste that comes from constant repurchasing, many of the ingredients found in traditional deodorants can be toxic and harmful with continued use, such as aluminum and parabens. The next time you run out, try out this customizable, and freshening deodorant recipe at home with just six all-natural, waste-free ingredients
How to make your own deodorant:
Add coconut oil and shea butter to a glass bowl or a jar and place the bowl/jar inside a sauce pan to create a double boiler. Then, add enough water to the saucepan to surround the bowl and bring it to a boil. Stir the shea butter and coconut oil until they melt together.
Once melted, add in cornstarch, baking soda and an essential oil of your choice, such as lavender or tea tree oil.
Place in a 3-ounce jar and allow to cool at room temperature or in the fridge until it has reached a solid state.
Apply deodorant with your hands or transfer it to an old, empty deodorant container for easy application!
Natural Bath Salts
Every once in a while, it’s nice to wind down from a long day with a warm bath. If you’ve used them before, you’ll know that bath salts have some incredible benefits, and if you haven’t considered them before, you’re in for a treat! They can help exfoliate and moisturize your skin, reduce inflammation, ease muscle aches and stiff joints, and relieve stress.
Here is how you can make your own bath salts:
Mix together 4 cups of Epsom salts, 1 cup of coarse dead sea salt or pink Himalayan salt, 20 drops of bergamot essential oil, 10 drops of neroli essential oil, and 10 drops of sandalwood essential oil.
Store in a reusable container and enjoy!
Making your own natural personal care products is easy. If you start making your own items at home, you’ll be budgeting better, living more sustainably, and keeping clean and healthy in a new, all-natural way!
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – There’s a lot to love about Avocado Grill’s menu this Valentine’s Day. The dazzling $99 per person three course menu has offerings that will melt any couple’s heart as the restaurant welcomes lovers to enjoy dinner on Tuesday, February 14th.
Beginning at 5:00 p.m., the artisanal menu – which includes a glass of champagne or wine – will feature the following.
Reservations for Avocado Grill’s Valentine’s Day dinner are highly recommended and can be made by visiting www.avocadogrillwpb.com or calling (561) 623-0822.
About Avocado Grill:
Since 2014, Avocado Grill has been the culinary destination continually offering imaginative artisanal cuisine that entices food enthusiasts. Its chef led, epicurean creativity continues to delight regular visitors with seasonal, locavore-driven fare, creative cocktails and a sophisticated collection of wine, beer, and bubbly. The restaurant serves lunch Monday through Friday, a weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner seven nights a week. Indoor and expansive open-air seating areas provide plenty of inviting space to relax with friends and family. Carryout and delivery are always available.
Kravis Center hosts annual Shakespeare competitionreception and awardspresentation
(WEST PALM BEACH, FL) — Celebrating its 13th year of awarding local Title I high school students special recognition for their Shakespearean performances, the Lebow Awards were presented on January 20 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Participating students and their families, teachers and Kids’ Dreams supporters attended the awards ceremony wherecash prizes totaling $5,000 were bestowed on seven Palm Beach County students from two local high schools followed by the evening’s performance of Aquila Theatre Company’s production of Julius Caesar.
“This award at the Kravis Center is a fitting tribute to Alan Lebow, a man whose passion in life involved theater, film, art and literature,” said Tracy C. Butler, Director of Education at the Kravis Center. “We are pleased to honor the accomplishments of the 2023 Lebow Award recipients as well as the commitment of their teachers. Without their guidance and support, the students would not be prepared to participate in this outstanding program. So, on behalf of the Kravis Center and Kids’ Dreams we thank them for all that they do.”
The Kravis Center awards program engages students from Title I high schools and provides the opportunity for them to perform short selections from William Shakespeare’s works before a panel of distinguished judges. In 2015, Kids’ Dreams made a gift to the Kravis Center to permanently endow the Lebow Award.
The student adjudication took place on December 10, where the participants performed their selected works and were evaluated and scored by three judges in five categories of performance: concentration, emotional commitment, energy, evidence of understanding and overall performance. The Lebow Award judges included Courtney Anello, Desmond Gallant and Karen Stephens.
The two top winners were from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School, sophomore Irene Brown and first-year participant and junior, Torian Watson. Each won a prize of $1,000. Junior Robert Key and sophomore Akeelah Murray, both from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School, were awarded $750 as an Honorable Mention. Distinguished Participants who received$500 included Forest Hills High School freshman, Kevin Soto and senior, Yerliz De Jesus, as well as senior Anahry Sosa from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School.
The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. The Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality, by offering comprehensive arts education programs – serving 3 million students since its inception; by providing a Palm Beach County home for local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.
For more information on the Kravis Center Education programs, please visit the website at www.Kravis.org.
Special Talk by Vandas Orchid Expert Dr. Martin Motes on Saturday at 11 am
(West Palm Beach, FL – January 26, 2023)Returning next month with a horticultural flourishis the always popular Winter Plant-a-Palooza Plant Sale, Saturday and Sunday, February 11-12, hosted by Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden.
“Thisfun-in-the-sun plant sale will showcase dozens of high-quality vendors in select Garden areas throughout our 20-acre tropical paradise, offering a great selection of plants, shrubs, trees, and garden accessories,” promises Mounts Curator-Director Rochelle Wolberg. “Whether you are an avid gardener or a budding beginner, Winter Plant-a-Palooza offers something for everyone.”
Reinforcing Mounts Botanical Garden’s theme of ‘The Year of the Orchid,’ the two-day sale will feature stunning displays from, among others, Jesse Durko’s Nursery, Dan & Margie Orchids, R&R Orchids, J&J Unique Orchids, and Jim-N-I Orchids.
In addition, renowned Vandas orchid expert Dr. Martin Motes will give a talk in the Garden’sExhibit Hall on Saturday, February 11, at 11 am. A second-generation orchidist who has been growing orchids for 40 years Dr. Motes is president of Motes Orchids, a major breeder of Vandas. He has produced hundreds of new hybrids, for which he has received scores of American Orchid Society awards, and won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the 18th World Orchid Conference in Dijon, France. An accredited AOS judge, he has spoken at orchid conferences around the world. Dr. Motes, who has observed tropical orchids growing in the wild, will be selling and signing his books.
+ The Mounts Botanical Nursery and Vintage Garden Thrift Shop will be open during Plant-a-Palooza with a variety of colorful plants and unique treasures for the home and garden.
+ Admission is by credit card/debit card only, no cash. Tickets are nonrefundable.
+ Dogs’ Day in the Garden and Palm Beach County Residents Day will not take place in February during the Plant Sale.
Also Available to Visit at Mounts Through 2023
Stickwork: The Largest Fort in the Palm Beaches
& Other Areas for Kid Exploration!
Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 am to 4 pm(last entry at 3 pm)
FREEfor MBGmembers and children under 6; $15fornonmember adults;$12 for seniors65+, college students, and militarywith ID; $7for children 6–17. TicketincludesfullGarden admission.
Internationally acclaimed environmental artist Patrick Dougherty recently returned to Mounts toconstruct the final large-scale Stickworkinstallation of his illustrious art career using 30,000 pounds of live willow branches.
Mounts Botanical Garden & Bloomberg Connects
Explore Anytime, Anywhere with New Mobile Garden Guide
Visitors can now explore Mounts BotanicalGarden anytime from anywhere across the globe with the new Mobile Garden Guide. Recently launched in partnership with Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the guide is designed to elevate and enrich the visitor experience by making it easy to discover more of what people love before, during, and after theirvisit to the Garden. Multi-media content includes maps and information on Mounts Botanical’s 25 display gardens, art in the garden, and current and upcoming exhibitions, as well as an ever-growing spectrum of new photo, audio, and video content available exclusively via the app. To learn more and download the app, visit www.mounts.org/mobile-garden-guide/ [mounts.org].
About MountsBotanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm BeachCounty’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 20-acre tropical oasis willsee an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 7,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the MountsBotanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, theTourist Development Council, and the CulturalCouncil for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanicalis located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.
Attached Jpegs:
1. An orchid shopper at a previous Mounts Plant Sale
So the New Year always gives us a ‘let’s get things done’ attitude. It’s a fresh start and I feel I have an abundance of energy coupled with an overwhelming positive attitude, So whilst I am feeling like this, because who knows how long it will last!!!! I decided to finally complete all of those niggling little projects that I continually put off.
Yes, I have actually started to clear out some cupboards and drawers!
Whilst this is not a task I cherish, I must admit, you do find some things that have been ‘lost’ or some old memories. Once the clear-out is complete the feeling of clarity and accomplishment is actually quite remarkable for the small effort it took to complete. This wonderful feeling also continues though, as every time I open said cupboard or drawer that feeling of self satisfaction returns!
So here is a cupboard that I took on recently. I am urging you to do the same due to the fact that if any of the contents of this particular cupboard are out of date, they could have serious consequences on your health.
The cupboard I am referring to, is your Medicine Cabinet.
This cupboard should be fairly quick and easy to organize as there are no emotional attachments to the contents or a feeling of euphoria when you find something you thought your lost a long time ago! It’s either in date or it’s out of date. Literally anything out of date should be disposed of immediately following the correct procedures for disposal.
Whilst you are clearing out this cupboard though, make a note to see if you have the following list of medications. If not it might be worth a trip to your local pharmacy to purchase the following.
Medications Everyone Should Have In Their Home
Anthistamine
Benadryl can often quash a reaction caused by a bee sting, poison ivy or a mild food allergy.
Antibiotic Ointment
Any cut or scrape you get is an invitation for infection. To stop such an infection apply an ointment that contains an antibiotic such as bacitracin, polymyxin and/or neomycin. Neosporin contains all three.
Pain and Fever Relievers
We all have our personal preferences as far as a pain reliever that works for us. If you notice one type works better for a headache whilst another seems to help more with joint or muscle pain. Thats because medication that contain acetaminophen often work well for headaches. Medications that contain Ibuprofen will often work better on inflammation. If you have children having two types of children’s meds in this category is also wise. Pediatricians will often advise you to alternate them to break a fever.
Cold Medicine
Always useful that’s for sure! A note of warning here; read the labels carefully to avoid double-dosing. Many cold medicines contain several active ingredients. For example, if your cold remedy has acetaminophen in it, don’t take a separate pain reliever on top of it. Remember not to give cold medicine to children under 4 without checking with your pediatrician first.
Stomachache Remedy
Let’s face it, who want to run to your local pharmacy or drugstore with diarrhea or an overwhelming feeling of nausea? Having some Pepto-Bismol is a must for every medicine cabinet. A heartburn medication that will kick in quickly such as Pepcid is also worth including in your shopping list as well.
