you are what you eat.

After spending a wonderful day yesterday with great food, sunshine, and quality time with loved ones, one would expect to wake up the next morning feeling refreshed and energized. I, on the other hand, have been fighting off a sugar hangover all day and instead of feeling rejuvenation by my easter holiday, I feel even more depleted.

After focusing on a diet of organic foods and limiting refined sugars, I feel as though I have been beaten up, digestively speaking. While I'm sure the intimate details of my internal organs is not something you particularly care to read about I found this inner turmoil to be an excellent reminder of why it is so important to eat organically and what benefits our bodies receive from consuming organic foods.

The media has been picking up on the organic food trend and it's not just an environmentally friendly dining option any more. New research is suggesting possible links to pesticide usage and the obesity crisis in america as well as the astronomical increase in autism and other conditions related to abnormal brain development. As these chemicals mimic estrogen and other endocrine related hormones our bodies' regulatory systems are altered with often catastrophic results. To me this just makes sense. We are messing with our internal chemistry. It is my desire to nourish my body in a way that promotes natural balance and the ability to successfully self regulate. I am just afraid that the damage has already been done.

For those of you interested in learning more about this check out this article feature on msnbc.com.:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35315651/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition

I for one am motivated to make my organic garden a vehicle for weight loss and health in my own life. What about this article inspires you to make a change for the better? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day..."

My husband has been singing the Mister Roger's theme song around the house and I can't help but agree. It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

I've been waning these past days through what seemed like months of rain. Starved for sunshine and cool breezes I was so glad to be able to have a few hours out in the garden both today and tuesday. What would have taken weeks for me to finally get out and do, took only hours to get done, and left me feeling alive and energized. It's amazing what some much needed sunshine and a little bit of garden fever can accomplish.

Though I'm a little behind schedule due to a few days of illness, I am already making large strides in my garden bed. I was able to rake out all of the dead growth from last year, and I enjoyed doing it. It brought back memories of beautiful summer days, and fresh cut flowers as I cleared the way for new memories. The basil and other herbs still had their deep alluring fragrances about them even in death, and as their scent filled the air my mouth and mind began dreaming of home made pesto. I was overjoyed to discover that both my chives and oregano had successfully wintered over and were already green and well on their way to making the journey into my stomach.

I was dismayed to discover my actual soil is in rough shape. The tests I took today revealed that there are little to no nutrients in my soil and it has a slight alkalinity to it that will also need a little correction. So I will be making my chemistry teacher proud on sunday as I try to revive my sickly soil.

On the seedling frontier all is well. Most of my herbs have begun sprouting their true leaves and I get a little giddy when I walk by my seedling station and can recognize the plant. Right now I am partial to the parsley.

It's supposed to be an absolutely gorgeous weekend and I plan on getting my beds fully ready and planting peas, spinach, lettuce, and carrots.

What are your plan's to enjoy this beautiful day in the neighborhood?

What's your sign?

When they're calling for another foot of snow within the next few days, it's hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. Only 24 more days in fact, and yes, I am counting, let's not pretend here. The signs of it are already all around us (foot of snow excluded). The trouble is taking the time (or having the time) to look.

Already I am noticing our feathered friends in their beautiful formations making their way back north. And yes, I do ask them to say "hi" to my mom on their way through massachusetts. There is something so warm and inspiring about watching a flock of canadian geese scavenge through the remnants of last summers cornfield munching a bug or two on their way back home. Something within their very being has told them that spring is near. Their connection to the greater design of things gives me a sense of reassurance through these last few cold and dreary weeks. Change and growth are nigh.

Another glimpse of hope and spring has been hanging out in my kitchen. I am now the proud mother of several baby lettuces, a few onions, and some thyme. Many more are on the way. I have already begun starting my cold weather plants from seed, and will be starting with the warmer ones next sunday. So while we are cooped up tomorrow in the frigid snow, I will be dreaming of plump and juicy organic black plum tomatoes.

I am trying out some new products for my seed starting this year. Jiffy's organic seed starter soil mix was so inexpensive (it's cheaper at home depot) and I got these cool organic starter pots that are made from all organic biodegradable materials that break down in the soil(johnnyseeds.com). So, there's no need to expose the plants roots and risk transplant shock, and no need to add those little plastic flats to the landfills once I tear them to pieces trying to pop the plants out of them. Let me know what fun and interesting green products you've been able to discover.

So, what signs of spring do get most excited about each year? Seeing the grass start to grow? The crocuses poking their heads through the ground? The seed packet kiosk in the front of the department stores? Or maybe even the sandals in the windows of your favorite shoe store? What brings you the feeling of hope that change and growth are close at hand? I hope you have the time in the next few weeks to stop and take in the glory of them.

seeds of truth and wisdom

So I just spent over an hour trying to sort and separate seeds to give some to my sister. We went in together and I just couldn't contain my excitement and had to be the one to get the order in. If we didn't have a really steep staircase, I would have jumped for joy when they arrived, I was so excited!

I made a point this year after being inspired by Barbara Kingsolver to purchase only heirloom seed varieties. For those of you who don't know what the difference is, An heirloom seed is a seed taken from a plant which has been passed down through the ages. generation after generation has saved the choicest seeds to grow year after year, and they remain true to their variety after planted.

Most conventional seeds today are genetically modified. Genetically modified seeds can usually not be trusted to remain true to their varieties after they are saved. Some vegetables will actually not produce viable seed at all. Most conventional seeds companies do this on purpose so that you'll buy seeds from them year after year after year.

So this year I purchased a variety pack of seeds quite inexpensively from www.grannysheirloomseeds.com

I am tickled to think that this just might be the last time I buy seeds again. My husband will certainly be excited that I won't be spending any more money on my garden. That's a lie, for sure. Without owning a cow or chicken there's always the need to purchase fertilizers and such (organic of course!). There will always be something else to get, I'm sure.

It's going to take a little more work to gather the seeds and dry them. but i'm not too worried. It's just so much smarter to do it yourself. Women have been cultivating and saving seeds for thousands of years. Industry just came along a hundred years ago and screwed it all up. So when the excitement fades and and I'm complaining of the extra work. I must remind myself to connect to the spirit of the mighty women who came before me.

So, tell me what you know about heirloom versus conventional, genetic modification. What are your thought?

Turning over a new Leaf

I have always been an earthy-crunchy type of girl, and darn proud of it! I feel the need to create a safe place for myself, my friends, and other like-minded individuals to connect on issues like the environment, sustainability, and ming-body wellness. As a marriage and family therapist, I believe in systems, relationships, and connectedness. It truly takes a whole village to raise a child, and while I am not currently in the process of child-raising I would like to begin creating a healthier village, a healthier environment, and a healthier me.

There will be times when this blog reflects my own attempts at green, (greeness?greeniosity? lat me know what term you like better) these will primarily be about my organic gardening adventures. I also want to let you know about products I like, (or dislike) (being garden related or otherwise) and be able to have discussions about issues that are currently plaguing our "village." I will also use this as a place to list resources I have enjoyed and a forum for needed advice.

So, hopefully I will be able to stay faithful to this blog. My plan is to update it at least once a week. But, I have so many post ideas that I very well may post daily (until I run out of ideas, or time).

For those of you who are interested in following, or even posting links or your own thoughts as opposed to just comments let me know and we can arrange for you to share your experiences on a larger scale.

Let me know what you think, if you're interested in following, contributing or helping this in any way.