BLG Environmental Services - March 2022

BLG Environmental Services - March 2022

MARCH 2022

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SPRING- CLEANING

THE FIRST STEP TO ESSENTIALISM

I read recently that January, February, and March can be the least productive months of the year. That surprised me, since those happen to be my favorite months of the year! In Florida, it’s still sunny even if it’s a little colder, and I utilize those months to set the tone and pace for the entire year.

If you want to explore essentialism as a way to give your life a little more peace and tranquility, one of the best ways is to start is with spring-cleaning! It’s not only in-season, but it’s also a great way to declutter your space, and, by extension, your life. I spend a lot of time decluttering my office

at the beginning of the year as a way of sharpening my mind for the new year. I’ll also often meditate in my office for

If you’ve been reading this newsletter for some time, then it’ll come as no surprise that daily rituals and goal- setting are very important to me. In a chaotic life, it might seem like a lot to ask yourself to put some time aside and create goals and daily rituals, but in practice, it’s a surprisingly effective way to decrease the chaos. I can share an example I’ve experienced recently. Everyone needs a way to turn off “work mode” and enjoy time by themselves and/or with their family. For me, part of my daily ritual to unwind includes watching a favorite show for 30 minutes or working on hobbies for 10 minutes. This helps me shut down my work-related thoughts and give my fullest attention to my family afterwards.

a few minutes, then grab a few of my magazines like Architectural Digest. I’ll use scissors to cut out words and outdoor spaces that encapsulate what I’m going for with my designs. I have a bulletin board in my office with all of those cutouts, and it often continues to feed me inspiration and ideas throughout the year. If you want a great podcast on business with the background of a great essentialism philosophy, I highly recommend “Build with Rob,” by Rob Dyrdek. He’s an incredible entrepreneur who utilizes essentialism to maintain a healthy

Life can be full of worries that we’re missing out. Ever since I’ve discovered … essentialism, I’ve found a lot more daily peace without the daily pressures to feel overwhelmed, allowing me to operate on the highest level as a landscape designer.

business and a healthy family life while only working 30% of his time in a week. In “Build with Rob,” he talks all about his process of building a business, and I’ve loved

One of my mentors and I have been working on a “six words a day” journal, as I’ve mentioned in the previous newsletter, and it’s done a lot to help me focus on the essential parts of my day. The most essential parts of our day are ultimately the only ones we need to worry about. Life can be full of worries that we’re missing out. Ever since I’ve discovered the modernized philosophy of essentialism, I’ve found a lot more daily peace without the daily pressures to feel overwhelmed, allowing me to operate on the highest level as a landscape designer. It also creates a mindset of abundance. Rather than stressing about missing out when I say “no,” I can look forward to taking full advantage of the best opportunities around me.

listening to it on my long drives lately.

These are great entry points for essentialism and how it could affect you, especially if you’re a fellow business owner. I hope it’s helpful!

Robert Burns

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YES, YOU CAN GROW PALM TREES! HERE ARE 5 GORGEOUS PALMS FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA HOMES

I love palm trees — calming and beautiful, they’re common in some of the most inspirational landscapes I’ve ever seen, especially in Hawaii. Unless you live in the hottest, most southern parts of Florida, though, coconut palm trees can’t grow in areas that get moderately cold during the year. That doesn’t mean we’re out of options though … In fact, it’s quite the opposite. In central Florida, there are many wonderful cold-tolerant palms that can withstand snow and subzero weather for short periods of time. Here’s a few of my favorites that make excellent accent trees in your home’s landscape. Date palms are a classic palm tree with a tall trunk and arching, feather-esque leaves. Female trees produce creamy yellow flowers

and edible fruits. They’ll survive temperatures as low as 18 degrees F. As one of the oldest and most commonly cultivated palm trees, they can grow as high as 80 feet, but dwarf cultivars are available for indoor specimens. European fan palms are bushy evergreen palms that grow up to 10–15 feet high. It’s extremely tough and can survive in temperatures as low as 5 degrees F. This palm grows as a clump of trunks that lean out from the center, topped with clusters of fan-shaped leaves. It’s a slow-growing tree, with no more than 5 inches a year, making it a perfect potted plant or “shrub” palm. Windmill palms are hardy evergreen palms with an attractive, compact crown of large, stiff, fan-like leaves and a slender, graceful trunk. They grow up to 25–30 feet tall and

Hi, newsletter buddies! It’s Gavin, and boy, oh boy, do I have some news for you. I’m a fishing expert! Ten friends and I went on an overnight camping/fishing trip with my dad (plus a few other dads). We didn’t have sleeping bags, but that was fine because we barely spent any time sleeping. It was awesome! Of course, safety while fishing is super important. Any expert fisherman knows that. Here are a few tips that’ll keep you and your guys (and gals) safe if you’re planning a fishing trip anytime soon. SAFETY TIPS FROM THE WORLD’S GREATEST FISHERMAN GAVIN’S GUYS

No. 1: Wear protective glasses. Polarized sunglasses are ideal for reducing eye strain and spotting fish, but they’re also important for protecting your eyes from branches or lures being tossed by other kids! Don’t forget glasses — you’ll never regret it!

No. 2: Use barbless hooks. Whether a kid or adult gets snagged, remember that

barbless hooks are easier to remove. If you do have barbed hooks for baitfishing, try to slightly bend them down to be safer.

No. 3: Always use personal floatation devices. Despite what you might imagine, there can be a lot of motion and noise on a fishing trip. A kid could fall into the water and might be unable to help themselves, especially if they’re hurt! A PFD, or personal flotation device, can help prevent these situations. Bringing along a float and line as well as a first aid kit is always a smart choice too. No. 4: Set clear rules. It’s fun to run around — I definitely have personal experience to say that — but running around on a wet boat deck can be dangerous! Remember to set clear safety rules, especially for little kids. No. 5: Bring plenty of drinks and snacks. It’s always exciting to have yummy drinks and snacks to look forward to! Have plenty so nobody gets dehydrated or hungry while on the trip. That’d be the worst! If you’re planning a fishing trip, I hope these tips are helpful, and maybe consider inviting me to come along … I caught more fish than some of the adults, so that makes me one of the best fishermen in the world!

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OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST!

can work excellently in a smaller landscape or rock garden. Best of all, these grow well in Central Florida.

Robert’s team is professional, creative, and VERY customer- focused. We have had

Chinese fan palms have a single gray-brown trunk with a dense crown of thin, fan-shaped leaves that drop downward in a fountain-like appearance. That’s why these palm trees are also called fountain palms. They can grow up to 30 feet, tolerate temperatures down to 10–15 degrees F, and are very popular in many Southern states like Oklahoma and Arkansas. Cabbage palms are far more majestic than they sound. With enormous leaves that emerge from a single trunk, these hardy palms can tolerate 10–15-degree F weather and, with an average height of 30–50 feet, are extremely resistant to wind. If you want to incorporate one of these beautiful palm trees into your own landscape, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! We’ll always make sure you’re taken care of.

multiple projects with BLG, and every one of them was delivered perfectly. More importantly, the follow up post-project completion is outstanding. I would highly recommend BLG.” – Don Robinson

Robert Burns

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS?

EASY OUT

–James 1:12 NIV

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”

–Romans 1:17 NIV

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

–Revelation 3:20 NIV

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How Focusing on the Essentials Transformed My Life 5 Gorgeous Palm Trees for Your Backyard Gavin’s Guys: Kid-Friendly Fishing Tips

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The Good News Hear From Our Clients Take a Break! Get Healthy While Spring- Cleaning!

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IT’S MORE THAN JUST TIDYING UP

4 HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPRING-CLEANING

Sunday, March 20, is the first day of spring — which means it’s time for some spring-cleaning. Did you know that cleaning is not just about tidying up a physical space? It’s also about improving overall well-being. Here’s how organization and cleanliness can help you in more ways than you might expect. Spring-cleaning reduces stress and depression. Tidiness and mental health are actually connected. Studies have found that having a clean home is directly correlated to happiness and your ability to focus. Anxiety can spike when laundry is piling up, items are strewn everywhere, and papers get scattered on various surfaces within the home. Clearing the clutter is a great way to boost your mood and increase those feel- good hormones. It prevents illnesses. Doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, countertops, and remote controls are all things we touch many times a day. Cleaning anything that’s used often is one way to reduce the spread of germs. By keeping household surfaces clean, we help thwart the spread of viruses and illnesses.

Spring-cleaning helps you breathe better. Spring often brings pollen that triggers allergies for many. But pollen isn’t the only thing to blame when people have difficulty breathing. When dust and pet dander build up in your home, your respiratory system is greatly affected too. Deep-cleaning your air filters and vents can make breathing effortless — and it’s truly amazing how this can improve your well-being. It keeps you more active. Off the couch and on your feet! Even just running the vacuum and clearing the clutter from the dining room table will get you up and moving, which is healthy for your heart and body.

This spring season, putting some elbow grease into your cleaning will benefit you in more ways than one. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

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LANDSCAPE - HARDSCAPE - IRRIGATION - OUTDOOR LIGHTING

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