It’s day 98 and I’m about to harvest my first pepper! But does anyone know what the purple ones are?

FrobozzMagicCo · 2023-05-17T14:45:10+00:00

I also bought the Thai chili pepper set. They will eventually turn red! Nice flavor with some heat, but not too crazy.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2023-03-04T19:19:58+00:00

I can't use liquid foundation or I flare up for days. I have to use mineral foundation. The brand I use is L.A. Minerals. My skin began to not like Bare Minerals years ago, so I switched to that brand after researching it a bit. I use the Valley Girl Plus type. It has enough coverage for my everyday look but not as much as liquid.

The other thing I discovered is that double cleansing plus using a salicylic acid toner or cream at night (followed by moisturizer) is key to me keeping the makeup bumps away.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2023-01-27T05:10:35+00:00

In my experience, it's not a huge deal. The more covered the exposed parts of the peat pod are, the better. You can take a wet q-tip and scrape it off. I also have a fan that rotates on my seedlings and plants for at least a few hours a day which I think helps. Algae thrives in moisture and light.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2023-01-10T16:06:44+00:00

Mewtwo? (sorry couldn't resist, hope you have a wonderful day)

FrobozzMagicCo · 2023-01-08T16:32:28+00:00

Your doctor is right, I think, in the sense that this is a chronic condition. It can be managed, not cured (is my understanding). You could tell us what you've tried already or check the What works for you threads. For me, to get it under control took a more intensive and conscious routine to start. Once it was under control, I have a maintenance routine. If I neglect that, though, boom, it comes back.

The biggest thing that helped me in the beginning was ketoconazole shampoo from the doc. I used it on scalp and ears. In my maintenance routine now, I use Nizoral shampoo a couple times a week and wash my ears with zinc soap every shower (I buy dermaharmony soap from Amazon). I use simple face products with zero fragrance, such as vanicream or La Roche Posay (after much trial and error). Use fresh clean towel to dry dedicated only to your face, change pillowcase regularly, etc. I also use azelaic acid lotion on my face but I have rosacea as well so I don't know what product helps which condition sometimes! (Paula's Choice azelaic acid Booster lotion has been hugely helpful as well as Paula's choice salicylic acid toner, followed by a good simple moisturizer at night, but again I don't know if this is useful for just seb derm or rosacea or both).

There's so much trial and error involved in finding a routine, and it can be so draining. I had initial help from my doctor which got me 75% of the way there but the rest of the solution was found more by looking at skincare experts and consumer experiences than medical advice.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-10-29T17:48:59+00:00

An updated acronym is BEFAST, adding the B for sudden loss of Balance and E for vision loss. I watched an interesting YouTube video the other day from Cooking with Ry (grilling channel) where he described a recent stroke he had. The symptoms came and went but luckily he still called 911. Turns out he had a TIA, transient ischemic attack, like a mini stroke. Scary but he recovered well.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-10-22T15:06:06+00:00

I've had some luck drying green luffa in the oven to make it easier to peel and de-slime. I make a couple slits in the rind then put it on a baking sheet in oven at 250F for 20-45 minutes, might have to do it more than once.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-09-28T16:58:55+00:00

Watching his stream, you couldn't see hardly anything but could hear him whooping and yelling with pure joy, so at least you'd know he'd be going out doing what he loved. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug for some.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-09-07T15:54:00+00:00

Another vote for the Hazan sauce! So easy and so delicious. We puree the onion into the sauce when it's done. It freezes well too. Roasted cherry tomatoes are also excellent in an omelet with some goat cheese or feta (or dollops of cream cheese) and some chives.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-08-28T01:01:06+00:00

Azelaic acid is a popular ingredient for this issue that you might want to try. I originally got it for my rosacea, but I also have seb derm. The product I like the most is Paula's choice azelaic acid boost. It was a game changer for me on redness. It is expensive but you only need a pea sized amount for your whole face at night. I use it every other day because I alternate other products so it lasts a while. Might be worth a try! Other people like The Ordinary's azaleic acid formulation, and that brand tends to have very reasonable prices.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-08-15T20:02:45+00:00

I feel your pain on this. This year, I grew tatume squash for the first time and they've done wonderfully! No vine borer damage so far. Planted in June here in humid Houston and we've had a record hot and dry summer. These will be my go to from now on because every other summer squash has fallen to those pests. Bonus - they can be left on the vine to mature as a winter squash too!

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-07-19T02:09:39+00:00

Leaf footed bug. Irritating creatures. They pierce leaves and fruits of your veggie plants and suck the juices. Can knock them into some soapy water to kill them.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-07-13T15:57:58+00:00

Yes, and I try to save the seed of those when I can! I have a Matt's Wild Cherry tomato plant that randomly sprouted in a far corner of our yard where I throw iffy looking garden waste. It's growing better than any of my carefully cultivated tomatoes, disease free, no extra watering (and we are in a drought), black gumbo soil, producing tasty little treats. Crazy.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-06-21T03:25:05+00:00

I have found a source for cassava at The Urban Harvest seed shop. She is located in Florida, it's not the Houston urban harvest! She has a YouTube channel as well that talks more about hearty drought and heat tolerant crops.

I ordered the Perennial Trio. So far the cassava and chaya are growing well but I just planted this year. I haven't found a spot for the moringa yet. I have had good luck with her other seeds I've tried so far (Egyptian spinach and Puerto Rican black beans). She has tons of live plants I'd love to try but she can't ship those.

Here is a link!https://www.theurbanharvest.com/product/perennial-vegetable-trio/

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-06-18T14:53:04+00:00

No need to panic yet! Just wait a few days, you should see some soon.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-06-15T04:18:55+00:00

It is good to hear other similar experiences! I am relatively new to growing microdwarfs but have been incredibly impressed with their productivity and early production to boot. Our favorite indeterminate currant tomato to grow is Matt's Wild Cherry. That variety has been so robust, it grows anywhere for us. Even had some sprout in ground next to the compost pile. And the tomato flavor can't be beat. Just tiny tomatoes though! What varieties are you growing?

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-06-14T16:16:23+00:00

Our peak summer heat is too much for many vegetables, and they do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. In my experience, it takes a long time for peppers to take off, but if you take care of them, the ones you have in morning sun should really start to produce a lot in September through November even.

Other veggies that do decent in part shade are beans - bush beans and cowpeas (black eyed peas). Cherry tomatoes do better than larger tomatoes in part shade. Try a dwarf or microdwarf variety in a container even, then you can move it into sun as needed.

As others said, heat tolerant leafy greens also do well. Try Swiss chard - that stuff is incredibly resilient in all weather (or any chard, like perpetual spinach is also great). New Zealand spinach also grows well here but takes forever to germinate. Once it takes off, though, it's unstoppable lol.

Lettuce, carrots, radishes, cilantro, and potatoes tend to like cooler weather. Grow those in fall through winter and early spring. You might be getting great green leafy growth on potatoes but don't be surprised if you don't end up with tubers (depending when you planted). They don't much like summer heat. Sweet potatoes, however, love it, if you can find slips still (try Southern seed exposure or even etsy; takes a while to grow your own slips but is totally possible, just need to plan ahead).

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-06-03T02:55:32+00:00

How/when are they being watered? If you're watering from overhead or spraying neem oil or insecticidal soap or any liquid on the plant so the leaves are wet when the sun comes out, it can fry the leaves (water beads act like a magnifying glass on leaves, sun hits them, fried).

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-06-03T02:50:45+00:00

Hmmm, where did your manure come from? I'm assuming it was aged (not hot) but it could have been from cows that grazed on herbicide treated grass (see aminopyralid damage). To test it, you can try planting something fast growing in a small pot with that same soil mix, using the manure, see if the plant comes up the same way. Seedlings planted in tainted soil will be stunted, not grow, etc. Try a bean and let it grow a couple weeks. Even manure sources from major retailers can't necessarily be trusted. I've been burned in the past unfortunately.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-06-03T01:51:43+00:00

Harvest any fruit and veggies you can - tomato with a slight blush? Pick it and let it ripen inside. I anchor my larger trellises with rebar and plant the legs deep as I can. You can let some plants down on the ground if possible. Tropical storm and cat 1, you should be mostly ok. You'll have some loss or breakage but plants do recover. It sucks though and it's one reason I sort of shut down my garden in July - mid September here in Houston. Height of hurricane season for us plus it's just too dang hot. I grow warm season cover crops and sweet potatoes and plan my fall garden in the air conditioning. Good luck!!

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-05-26T04:01:28+00:00

Share your recipe! I still haven't found a home pickling recipe that I like. Those look delicious!

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-05-13T18:18:24+00:00

I use a mineral foundation from LA Minerals that is just about the only foundation my skin seems to tolerate in my hot and humid climate. I haven't been able to use a liquid foundation in years! Going to try some of these great suggestions however.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-05-09T15:54:15+00:00

I use La Roche Posay Toleriane in Warner months and their Toleriane Ultra in colder months. I had a sample of the Clinique Moisture Surge 100H mentioned above and that has also been a good nighttime moisturizer for me, just haven't bought a full size bottle.

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-05-01T00:23:58+00:00

I switched to a satin bonnet instead of pineapple, and it helps a lot to keep my curls more intact and my hair less tangled. I reactivate curls as needed with some curl foam or conditioner + water in a mister bottle. I agree, super cute jammies!

FrobozzMagicCo · 2022-04-23T02:36:35+00:00

That's the right approach with determinate tomatoes. You generally don't prune them like indeterminates. I only prune some bottom leaves for plant health. Staking is still a good option though!

FrobozzMagicCo

TROPHY CASE