Rose Cottage Ltd

++ Foreigners Buying Up American Real Estate

++ Real Estate Valuation Websites Differ Greatly

++ FAA Has Commercial Drone Regulations Backwards

++ Off the Grid in a Florida Suburb, Fighting Municipal Code

++ Bathroom remodeling should start at the studs

++ Zombie houses haunt the market

++ Phoenix: Largest drop in homeownership in U.S. cities

++ Housing market is a ‘crapshoot’

Yes. It is. And if you read further than the headlines you’ll know why. Nearly 45% of real estate sales that are being reported as some sign of a real estate “recovery” are actually reporting all cash sales – from foreign buyers. In Florida, Texas, California and Arizona: International Home Buyers Cashing in on U.S. Market – it’s 55%.

This is creating an impression that does not really exist – at least not for US home buyers – and if the government is using this info to show a sign of economic recovery, then you’ll know you’re being manipulated yet again.

Although this cartoon is funny, the subject is not:

Companies have spent a LOT of time and effort trying to hide ingredients and additives that are just not good for the body. As a consumer, it is up to you to pay attention and do the best you can to limit your exposure to chemicals – many of which are not necessary to most food items anyway.

So what’s the purpose of using them?

Greed.

If a company can save one penny per purchase by replacing sugar with HFCS – they will consider that worth it to them – and the heck with your health!

My biggest beef – pun intended? High Fructose Corn Syrup. It has replaced good old sugar in a LARGE majority of products. And it is NOT good for you – especially if you are a woman. HFCS leaches calcium from the body at an alarming rate – something women do NOT need while facing the inherent and potential dangers of osteoporosis as they age.

Read more on HFCS:

++ HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP: Bitter Truths and Dangers to the Last Drop

Want to eliminate hazardous food and be able to enjoy what you eat? When possible – grow your own! Here’s a system that can get you started…

Happy Earth Day Mother Nature!!!

Apparently, Mother Nature does not follow any calendar nor is she impressed by the first day of March. Severe winter storms in the northeast US and torrential rains up and down the coast of California. Be safe out there…

Anywhere in North Carolina? You’ll be amazed at what Duke Energy was getting away with BEFORE their coal ash spill. But don’t worry, the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources is now making threats. I’m sure Duke Energy is really worried…

++ DENR threatens Duke with fines over coal ash spill

Get these while you can. This administration doesn’t like the phrase “tax breaks” and will close every single one they can find…

++ 3 Often Overlooked Real Estate Tax Breaks

In the saga, “The World Seems Full of Criminals” – here’s the latest real estate scam.

++ Real estate scammers duping Kansas City residents

I’d add to the following list – don’t do a DIY project with someone who THINKS they know what they’re doing. They’ll cost you too much time and money, aggravate the cr*p out of you, and the job might end up being unsafe or just ugly. Hire a professional or wait until you can afford to do so. Sometimes your “significant other” isn’t so significant.

++ Top 10 mistakes of DIYers

Looking for rural real estate to purchase? Want lots of land, or a ranch? Here’s a good place to visit. Get your fresh cup of coffee first – if you are like me, you might be on the site for a long while!

++ Land Broker

Interesting article series on the top real estate markets in the US. Week Two’s Choice?

++ Top U.S. real estate markets: Dallas-Fort Worth

Last but not least – It looks like I am not the only person aggravated by the EPA’s grab for my wood stove

++ EPA Wood-Stove Proposal Prompts Rural Backlash

Have a great week and don’t forget, Daylight Savings Time begins March 9th…I’ll remind us all again next Saturday!

Here’s a good place to start!

Hale Indian River Groves is located in Indian River County near Vero Beach and Wabasso, the very heart of the famous Indian River Citrus Belt — a relatively small but premier citrus producing area in Florida.

Hale Groves is fortunate to have a special combination of rich soil, ample water supply, and moderate climate – very rarely reaching a freezing temperature. All this, combined with their modern grove management, are contributing factors that make their oranges and grapefruit the juiciest and best tasting you will find.

Combine USA-grown fruits like these with a little of your own hydroponics, and you’ll be well ahead of most for a healthier 2014.

Don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but some foods – especially fruits and vegetables, just don’t seem to have the flavor they used to have.

I’ve been using nearly the same level of ingredients in my spaghetti sauce for around 35 years and have noticed I now usually go back and add more basil or oregano to the sauce. I suspect the green and yellow peppers are not providing the flavor punch they used to add.

Many of us are growing more and more suspicious of what is being done to our food supply. You don’t have to be paranoid to know about GMO corn, or vegetables sprayed with wax so they “look” appetizing longer. You also don’t have to be a scientist to realize that soil used over and over without adding nutrients, will not produce the same result year-over-year.

I’ve been looking into hydroponics for the last month or so and have decided to order the Dealzer Hydroponics 101 Training e-book to see if this is something I can manage. If you’ve wanted to know more about hydroponic “gardening” you can get more info here.

The good news is that for those who don’t happen to have their own farmland or room or even access to garden space, you can still “grow your own” in one of the many units available from Dealzer. It might be a good resolution for this new year of 2014 to take a little control back of what you eat.