Greetings Natural Awakenings family,

This month’s theme is Food and Nutrition, and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage us all to make healthier choices. Over time, I’ve come to realize that much of what is marketed to us as food isn’t real nourishment at all. Instead, it’s a mix of chemical concoctions that contribute to our early disability and demise. We are literally eating ourselves—and animals—into extinction. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true. Nearly 80 percent of what we consume is processed and offers little to no nutritional value. Real nutrition provides essential benefits, including alkalinization, hydration, mineralization, oxygenation and fiber.

When I was growing up, my father’s side always had five living generations—until recent years. My grandparents always had a garden, and I loved helping my grandmother and great-grandmother with the harvest. I would eat tomatoes straight from the vine, shell peas and shuck corn. My grandmother made homemade preserves, and most of our neighbors had gardens and/or fruit trees. My cousins and I spent our days riding bikes, skateboarding and exploring our small town, freely picking and eating fruit straight from the trees. When we were hot and tired, we drank from the water hoses. We knew our neighbors, and they looked out for all the children. I miss those days. 

A few years ago, I started my own garden after realizing how corrupted and weaponized our food supply has become. “I am determined to grow at least 80 percent of what we eat,” I proclaimed to my husband. I had no idea how I was going to do it, but I was determined—and that was all I needed. I began with container gardening and a plastic greenhouse to protect my garden from nature because we have so many trees. One of my fondest memories from that first garden was my dad’s reaction when he visited. He placed a zucchini in his hand, looked at me in amazement and said, “Who would have thunk it?” He was so proud of me. And I was proud of myself.  

Gardening is hard work, but my family is worth it. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing exactly where our food came from—garden to table—without pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. 

I would like to challenge you to grow something you eat. Cherry tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are easy to grow. We are like seeds—we have everything we need inside of us, but we must nurture it in the right environment. You don’t need a green thumb, just determination. What do you say? Let’s grow together.

Peace, Love and Healing,