I am promoting healthy living by encouraging everyone to get up close and personal with the food they eat, have fun and socialize. Healthy living consists of the steps and strategies you put in place to achieve optimal health. My steps include; maintain a spiritual relationship, eat to live and not live to eat, stay physically active through gardening, swimming and walking, stimulating my brain by reading and teaching and socializing with neighbors, church members, club memberships, cultivating healthy relationships and enjoying life.
Eat foods that are grown organically, it is better for your overall health to grow your own food and eat it fresh. However, whether you grow it, buy it from an Eco Farmer or organic store; At least once a day, eat a fruit, vegetable, or herb that has been grown without chemicals.
Grow a garden, whether it’s a vegetable, fruit, or herb, in a container on your window, on your balcony, on your porch, or in your city’s pristine backyard. It is not easy to grow a garden in the city, but it is possible. At least 1 hour per day is required to tend a small garden that produces food for a family of four (4). I have learned from experience some basic steps to growing a successful back garden in the city.
10 steps to a city backyard garden are:
1. Soil: start with healthy soil, free of chemicals. It is crucial that you test your soil to determine if it has the nutrients plants need to grow. Planting before testing the soil increases the risk of disappointment with the garden’s production.
2. Location: the garden needs 6 to 8 hours of sun a day. It should be conveniently located between the entrance to your home from your garage, parking space, or on the way to your door. You won’t have to go out of your way to check the garden. Make sure the garden is not shaded by trees or shadows when the seasons change. It should also be located near a water source.
3. Water – Make watering your garden a habit or include it in your lawn sprinkler system. Watering your garden in the early morning or early evening is a great opportunity to socialize with your neighbors.
4. Tools – The right tools save time, money and reduce injuries. Get a fork, trowel, pruners, shovel, work bucket, garden boots, small stool, and a pair of gloves. If you are starting with a small garden, your inventory of tools will grow with the size of your garden.
5. Plant – Buy seeds and young plants from a reliable source. I recommend that you use seeds or plantings that have been designated organic. Plant your seeds or plants as directed on their packaging. Group your plants according to space, humidity, and sun.
6. Food – Feed your garden with organic / natural food, without chemical additives. Compost (defined as the combination of organic material that can be used as a soil amendment or as a medium for growing plants). Or buy compost from a trusted supplier.
7. Weeding: Although there are several tricks to reduce the need for weeding, you will have to weed your garden, if not daily, at least once a week. Spreading mulch around plants is most effective in reducing weeds.
8. Protect your garden from diseases, pests, too much sun, cold, and harmful animals. This is your responsibility.
9. Patience – Be patient, let your garden grow. Don’t over water or fertilize. And above all, do not panic. If something is wrong, do your research and apply the remedy. Relax and enjoy the process.
10. Educate – Spend some time educating yourself about gardening. Know your area. Once you decide what to plant, read on! Then enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Gardening in the city can be more than one option; it can be a reality, in the backyard of your city.
Of course, eating better is a large part of what is required to stay healthy, but it must be balanced with the other two (2) important factors, exercise and socialization. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Break the worst addiction, a habit, get off the couch, take a break from the computer and television, and exercise. Gardening is physical, mental and social. It helps me keep my bones strong, my mind clear and relaxed, and it’s fun for me. What does that do for you? Is it swimming, dancing, golfing, fishing, tennis, bowling, rollerblading, sailing, hiking, camping, or fill in the blank? Walk on the beach, discover the zoo, visit the flower gardens in the park, become an activist, just exercise! Once you have fun doing it, it will no longer feel like a chore, but an essential part of your day. Personally, I want to keep thinking clearly, walking, talking, listening and feeling good inside and out and I want that for you too. To achieve that goal, it is a strategy to keep the mind, body and soul healthy.
And finally, socialize with others. Socializing simply means associating or mingling with people socially. In my family they taught us to socialize to relax and enjoy our friends, family and neighbors. My family taught by example, an example that was passed down as fine jewelry and fine china. It helps us maintain good mental health. Keep it simple, incorporate socialization into your daily life. Stay in touch with a friend. Share information. Join a club where you can share your experience stress-free and enjoy the mental exchange of thoughts and ideas. Mentor a child or a business. Go out for coffee every now and then. Invite someone for coffee. For those of us who have invested in making our homes comfortable and attractive, share them, plan and host a garden party or cookout with your friends, neighbors and family, on a regular basis.
For some of us, staying healthy means making a change. Change is doing something different to get different results. Stay healthy and stay healthy, eat organic, exercise and socialize!