PPbyTT’s WELL-BALANCED BLOG by Tracy Tomchik!

Some plants that may help boost your immune system include: Echinacea is a wildflower, that can increase white blood cells / antibodies = immunity. Turmeric can encourage the body’s antibody responses and support anti-inflammation Garlic can battle bacteria and viruses  Astragalus is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, and possibly preventing illnesses. Elderberry…

HELP THE UKRAINIANS! You can help locally by donating funds, or by donating items being sent to the Ukrainian people. #StandWithUkraine

HELP THE UKRAINIANS You can help locally by donating funds, or by donating items being sent to Ukrainian people. The organizations collecting have a special place in the hearts of the Philadelphia the Ukrainian community and are committed to helping their countrymen: The Ukrainian National Womens League of America (UNWLA), Philadelphia Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC), Saint…

Sure you can buy bath bombs anywhere, but they are not only expensive, but they can also be toxicities, absorbed through our skin. We have a fun, easy recipe to make your own bath bombs, with your favorite scents with naturally beneficial ingredients.

Sure you can buy bath bombs anywhere, but they are not only expensive, but they can also be toxicities, absorbed through our skin. We have a fun, easy recipe to make your own bath bombs, with your favorite scents with naturally beneficial ingredients. Every year at the holidays, my daughters and I decide on homemade gifts to make. We nix baking cookies for our gifts and opt for healthier…

Everyone is feeling the winter slump, it’s dark, it’s cold, the plants/animals are hibernating and humans want to do the same. Well, here’s some reasons to go get dirty, even in the winter—it makes you happy? We know Gardening is healthy because it’s exercise, outdoors, and can allow you to grow your own organic produce for little expense. But did you know it’s good for you mentally—and not just because going outdoors helps us calm down or because growing food gives us pride—but because…....

Everyone is feeling the winter slump, it’s dark, it’s cold, the plants/animals are hibernating and humans want to do the same. Well, here’s some reasons to go get dirty, even in the winter—it makes you happy?  We know Gardening is healthy because it’s exercise, outdoors, and can allow you to grow your own organic produce for little expense. But did you know it’s good for you mentally—and not…

Frankincense & Myrrh Many know that Frankincense and Myrrh were two of the gifts given by the wisemen to Baby Jesus after traveling afar from the East following His star. What many don’t know is how valuable Frankincense and Myrrh were in ancient days, as a sacred anointing oils, in addition to tons of health benefits the plant still has today! Below are a few good articles about the importance…

Who doesn’t like berries? High in antioxidants, various nutrients and great for immunity! Berries are so good for you that it’s worth growing as much as you possibly can. The downside? The cost of all those bushes and canes! But there is a cheap way to grow more soft fruit – and it can be done at the same time as winter pruning. Berry Healthy Fruit for Free! Taking hardwood cuttings in winter…

According to Harvard, there are 5 hormones that can literally block your ability to lose weight and feel good. That can be activated with a 30-second before-breakfast ritualyou do in the morning before you eat. One of my favorite bloggers, posted a fabulous article with data from several studies, which revealed many plants that can help balance hormones and help us loose weight and feel better –…

Learn essential gardening techniques in next to no time with a Gardening How-To video series

The main growing season may be drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean you need to go without luscious fresh salad leaves during the months ahead from GrowVeg – the creators of the Garden Planner. Grow Salads in Winter – Yes, Really! Many popular salad leaves can be harvested right up until the darkest days, and then bounce back into growth again in spring. In this short video follow…

These Lessons have been brought to us by KidsGardening.org. They create opportunities for kids to learn and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. They have been publishing weekly Plant Needs. We summed it up in one post for you to keep on growing! For healthy growth and development, plants must obtain just the right amounts of light, water, air, and nutrients and…

Despite their differences in appearance, plants share a common set of parts. Learning about how the different parts function is essential to exploring plant growth and development.

Plant PartsSporangia, Cones, and Flowers From tall trees with woody stems to the soft, creeping grass along the ground, plants can be found in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Despite their differences in appearance, plants share a common set of parts. Learning about how the different parts function is essential to exploring plant growth and development. Learning Objectives This…

See the full list of fruits and vegetables EWG recommends you always buy organic “Dirty Dozen”. Can’t find organic in your store? Check out EWG’s Clean Fifteen™ list of the fruits and vegetables that are least likely to have pesticide residues.

EWG’s 2021 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ is finally here, and the results are shocking! (And remember, if you grow your own food, you shouldn’t have to worry about any of that!” Yet again, strawberries top EWG’s Dirty Dozen™ list. Twenty two different pesticides were detected on a single strawberry sample! See the full list of fruits and vegetables we recommend you always buy…

Gardening with Kids to Harvest Hope Together

Gardener’s Supply Company founded their company on the premise that gardens change lives. They nourish the body, elevate the spirit, and build community. More than ever, after a year of incredible suffering and hardship caused by Covid-19, the world needs more gardens. So they are doubling down on our efforts, by pledging more donation dollars and volunteer hours, to do exactly that. Learn more…

Every first opens the door for many. In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the firsts who paved the way, and the many women they inspire.

In the past year, the world searched for “the first woman…” more than ever before. Every first opens the door for many. Whether in politics, the sciences, athletics or the arts, women have driven society forward throughout history. Over the last year, the world has looked to trailblazing women who overcame the obstacles of their time, to do what had never been done before. As firsts, these…

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” - MLK

“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate…Returning violence for violence…

Like many Americans, we are heartbroken over violent events and fearful for our nation’s future. For those who want to do something visionary and virtually viral, here’s a positive and prayerful project for you… #ArtForTheHeartOfAmerica “Heal the American Heart Through Visionary Art”. Please craft patriotically inspired art while asking for God to Bless America. All are welcome to participate, virtually and virally, in a prayerful, positive and peaceful way! Whether you are from the right or the left, East to the West, young and old, and all the colors of the rainbow. We are looking for Americans longing for hope and love, to get a little creative! Social Media can also share the good in America! Share your art on with caption #ArtForTheHeartOfAmerica! Please also share this post with others that are heavy-hearted for America. This was inspired by the Vision Board Project, enthusiastically experienced at a @RiseGatherings event. @PlantsPowerPurpose @RiseGatherings

Many Americans are heartbroken over the recent violent events and fearful for our nation’s future.   It’s hard to know what to believe or what to do! 2020’s tribulations seem to be igniting the fire of 2021!   For those who want to do something visionary and viral, here’s a prayerfully positive project for you… #ArtForTheHeartOfAmerica Craft patriotic art showing a bright future for our nation…

While this blog hopes to point readers towards plants, nature and purposeful, powerful resources, we also want to let ya’ll know about toxins to avoid and illnesses to prevent!

While this blog hopes to point readers towards plants, nature and purposeful, powerful resources, we also want to let ya’ll know about toxins to avoid and illnesses to prevent! I don’t know about you, but it’s been taking us about 3 hours on average to sanitize and/or quarantine our groceries! If only my little kids would wash their hands without being hollered at! We thought this was just…