You Never Know Until You Try

People sometimes call me crazy, but I don't mind. I guess I just really love dancing to the beat of my own drum. If I get an idea to do something and it seems impossible, I go for it anyway. After all, if you don't even try, then you've already lost. 

So, when my family and I enjoyed a particularly sweet and delicious pineapple a couple of years ago, I thought how wonderful it would be if I could grow more like it. Now, I should tell you that we were at corporate headquarters in Oregon at the time, in a region that experiences snow and freezing temperatures for several months of the year.  But, I didn't let that stop me. 

I twisted the top of the pineapple off, pulled off the leaves, leaving a 3/4 inch of the stem bare, then planted it in a big pot using organic bagged soil. I wanted to give it the best chance of success that I could, so I put my little plant in a northwest corner window, knowing that it would get regular sun in the afternoon all year long. I watered it once a week, just like all of my other houseplants, and gave it no fertilizer at all.

Well, wouldn't you know it? My patience finally paid off. Two and a half years later, my efforts were rewarded with a little 5 inch pineapple springing right up from that original pineapple top. Now, I don't know if it will grow to be big and delicious like a Hawaiian pineapple, but just the excitement of my very own pineapple growing in a pot in Oregon is reward enough!

You can try it for yourself. If nothing else, you'll have an exotic plant to enjoy, and who knows, you might get gifted with a baby pineapple just like I did.

Like I always say, you never know until you try.

Grow Your Own Celery!

One of my favorite places to get helpful health information is the Hippocrates Health Institute, a non profit health institute based in Florida. Their website is chock full of tips on healthy living, nutrition and alternative therapies. Visit them today at http://www.hippocratesinst.org! A big thank you to Hippocrates Health Institute for letting us share this quick tip with you on how to grow celery right in your own back yard.

Info & Reservations 1 888 228 1755

What did the cucumber say to the celery? A: "Quit stalking me!" Have you priced organic celery lately? HHI Greenhouse Manager Brian Hetrich shares the perfect solution for you -- grow your own!   You know how lots of folks cut off and throw away the base of the celery bunch? Instead, you can put it in the ground and it will grow back! Start by soaking the base in a saucer with about a half inch of water for a few days and then plant it outside. Celery likes fertile well-drained soil, partial shade and frequent watering. You may never have to buy celery again! Brian Hetrich is responsible for growing all of the living foods at Hippocrates Health Institute in the greenhouse and organic garden. As part of the Life Transformation Program, he teaches classes to guests on gardening, juicing and raising sprouts and wheatgrass. A naturopathic doctor, Brian left his private practice in Maryland to come to Hippocrates in 2012. Visit our website to learn more about the benefits of wheatgrass and living foods.  About Hippocrates Health Institute Our philosophy is founded on the belief that a vegan, living, enzyme-rich diet - complimented by exercise, positive thinking and non-invasive therapies -- are integral to optimum health. We believe that good health is every person's birthright, and that a life free of disease and pain is our human legacy. Visithippocratesinst.org to learn more about our programs.

Magic Beans!

Lima Bean Plant Growing Up and Out 

 Part of the joy of having children is experiencing life through their eyes. Things I take for granted are transformed into exciting adventures simply because they are brand new for my kids. In some ways, it’s like getting a fresh start in life and I love it.

Last week, Jayden’s class began a new project that had him practically jumping up and down with joy. He got to grow his own lima bean, nurturing it from a dry little kernel to a vibrant green plant. He adores his little lima bean green, and he’s learning all about the root system of the plant by watching it grow in real time.

If you have young children, this is a wonderful and easy project for them. All you need is an old CD case, some dirt, scotch tape, a dry lima bean and water.

Directions:

All the Campbells Had a Farm (E-I-E-I-O)

DAY 1

We love to grow things – flowers, veggies, herbs, you name it. Our gardens do need a lot of love and attention, which we are happy to give them. But, sometimes, it’s nice to be able to grow plants that require almost no effort. And, if we can eat the results, then all the better!

DAY 6

Here’s a gardening idea that costs pennies, requires no special equipment and can be done on a windowsill you already have laying around the house. What’s not to love?

It’s a well known fact that green onions are a delicious and nutritious addition to an unlimited variety of dishes. We put them in almost everything – salads, soups, veggie wraps – whatever our imaginations can come up with. Some time back, I learned that we can cut off the green parts of the onions and eat them, and instead of throwing the root parts away, they can be used to grow another batch of onions! I tried it out, and what do you know, it works!

The Goldmine in Your Kitchen

You know that old adage that goes, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is? Most of the time, I totally agree with it. But in this case, we have an exception. 

What if I told you that you could grow your very own fresh food right in your kitchen, and that it would be just about the most nutritious stuff you could put in your body? And that all it would cost would be a few minutes of your time and less money than you’d pay for a cup of coffee?

Seems like a sales pitch? Well, it is. Sort of. I want you to start sprouting sunflower seeds, because once you start, you’ll be hooked. Send no money now. Or ever. Just read on and learn the how’s and why’s of having your own indoor sprout garden.

From Little Things, Big Things Grow

I’m a multi-tasker. And not just because, as a mom and business person, I need to be.  I actually really love taking an action that results in multiple benefits. It’s like bargain shopping, only instead of saving money on things, I’m investing time that brings big rewards into my life.

One of my favorite “bonus buys” is container gardening. With the most minimal of materials, I get so much value. My children and I choose our containers, fill them with organic soil and plant seeds for yummy veggies we will all enjoy. But, just like on the late-night infomercials, there’s much, much more.  You see, while we are elbow-deep in the cool brown soil, we talk about the day’s events, or a book we’re reading, or what we plan to do in the future. Somehow, our worries and small grievances meld with the bits of earth that slide between our fingers, and we feel renewed and replenished through our work. By nurturing the seedlings with the regular watering and tending they require, my children learn, in a very concrete way, that their actions matter. And when we harvest and eat the fruits of our labor, not only are we getting fresh, organic food that nurtures our bodies, but we also feel the connection between the workings of nature and what ends up on our plates.

Need more convincing? How about this. Instead of sitting in front of a screen and engaging in virtual activities, my children go outdoors, breathe fresh air, get the benefits of sunlight and move their bodies in real space.  Remember that healthy habits are best started in childhood, so if you don’t want to grow your very own couch potatoes, get your children up and out of the house early and often.

One of the easiest ways to get started is to plant carrots. Here’s how.