I believe most people love fresh vegetables and fruit. Growing up with parents who had a garden every year on the southside of Chicago. Where the only local land we really had was our backyard, we definitely had a variety of great fresh choices to eat out of our own backyard. When other people would wait for the first frost, I remember my mother cooking collard greens and cornbread throughout the season. Fried collard greens that is! Ask me and I’ll tell you, “She is the only one I know who could do it like she did it! Pure deliciousness” … You may have had this same experience in your youth growing up or perhaps have relatives (aunts, uncles, cousins, kinfolk or friends) who introduced you to the world of gardening and eating the food grown from your own hands! If you are like me, you not only experienced the older people doing all the garden work but you were right out there with them, asking questions, being inquisitive, exploring and experimenting as far as they would allow you to without " 'messing up' something … lol ..."
Learning! For me it was learning how, what, where and when to do what needed to be done. Growing up and coming in to my womanhood, I never loss my sense of gardening and enjoying my mother’s fried collard greens among other meals produced from the backyard. Still to this day along with the company and help of my husband, we prepare the grounds, pick the seeds, plant, watch manifestation, nurture, maintain, pick from the garden, clean, cook and eat delicious fried collard greens all season long. It is truly a different experience when I eat the food that my family work on growing with our own hands than going to a store and buying whatever they have available (I will address that under different). It is a Blessing and Miracle that God has created a way for us to be appreciative of his food to nourish our mind and body. Yet, I know that it is more than simply about growing my own collard greens. Matthew 4:4 tells us like this, Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Even though my mother and father are passed on I still love the fact that what they taught me and I have chosen to pursue for my own peace of mind is still with me! Not only have I learned from my parents but I have obtained great wisdom from my aunts, uncles, and big cousins. I still glean on the remnants from my family and friends even my lil’ cousins and friends.
You too can grow your own collard greens and enjoy the entire experience regardless of the location / space that you have to work with, I am a witness. Let me teach you how I have been doing it all my life! It is truly a Spiritual lifestyle for me and it keeps me grounded (no pun intended … lol …) and connected to the Living Word of God! My Higher Power.
Learn to Grow your own kale greens
Kale greens are beautiful to watch grow. For me I think it is how they form the look of a gorgeous 'flower like plant' ... Knowing that I can add them to my pot for a delicious healthy meal makes it even more amazing to grow kale. The benefits can be well worth growing and eating them. In my opinion these are greens that you can cook alone or you can add them to a mix pot of greens. Whenever, I mix them it is usually with curly mustards, slick mustards and red bottom turnips. When these greens are cooked right, I call it a pot of Love from the ancestors. My mother and auntie cooked these greens as if they were cooking them for royalty. In a way, they were cooking for royalty explained in the book of 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. If case you didn't know, now you know that you are Royalty! Look at that we're all Royal gardeners ... I Love It!
Small space salad gardens
Did you know you can grow your own garden even if you do not have a huge backyard? You may be a condo or townhome owner where your outdoor space is limited to a small balcony. However, those facts do not hinder you from growing you own delicious vegetables, herbs, spices and fruit for a great salad that You, your Family and Friends can enjoy every season.
I can help you achieve that and it is easier than you think. At one point when my husband and I lived in apartments, I remember feeling like I did not have the space I needed to have a garden of any kind. Several people used to tell me, "you can grow you a garden girl" but unfortunately, for me none of those people were able to articulate to me how to do it. Nor did they educate me on what to do ... I want to help you do your garden' thang' because wisdom and knowledge is a gift meant to pass on! Being equipped to passing it on takes a lot of preparation. I believe a lifetime of gardening, health and wellness, life coaching and public health education is sufficient. What I believe about it is amazing enough for me, however in this case what you believe is highly more important to your success as a gardener. I totally relate with how the Living Word explains Faith in the book of Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Somehow, this is so appropriate as it pertains to gardening. I mean think about it we start with an idea and having faith enough to put some seed in the dirt for some vegetables, herbs, spices and fruit. And it grows and we eat it and we share it! I Love It! There are so many different kinds of salads as well as different ways to create healthy meals, salads and snacks.
"There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments." – Janet Kilburn Phillips
Well, let's just say we are always learning and growing! My friend gave me this raised planter box and I thought what a great home for my herbs. It started out as a hypothesis that I wanted to journal and record to test against my prior experience in raising herbs, compare the results and see what works for me. But then my herb project quickly became second and third to other priorities in my life. Things that demanded my attention and time. However, I did not give up on my herbs and continued to keep an eye on them. You can imagine my amazement and enthusiasm when I had a harvest that yielded enough herbs for drying and making a mix blend for cooking.
If you want to learn how I did that, I am gladly sharing. Patience is a virtue or better yet I know that all things that are anointed by God will come to pass. Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
"I don't know about you but I am so glad trouble don't last always!"
Larissa Jones
Upcoming Events
Prepare for your 2022 Backyard Garden and More Event
Prepare for your 2022 Backyard Garden now. Larissa is hosting a zoom meeting Monday December 6, 2021 at12:00PM Central.
Rather you are new to gardening or is well seasoned in gardening, you want to have a seat at this table. Come learn and share together.
Information on how to prepare and plan your 2022 Backyard garden and more. The reasons why it is important to plan to prepare as well as implement actions that will bring you success on your garden project.
Please fill out the form on the About Us page to let me know you are planning to attend. I hope to see you there
Thank you,
Larissa
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Take charge of your Health and Wellbeing in a Holistic manner. Ask me about my garden consultations and packages to find one that fits your need.
