Food recipes
Mascara
Mascara
Ingredients:
A clean mascara container that comes with a mascara brush
(buy online). If you cannot find one of these, place the
mascara in a tiny jam jar and then (carefully!) use a toothpick
119
as the mascara brush. You can also clean out one of the
mascara tubes you have at home.
1 tablespoon extra-virgin coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
or avocado oil
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 ½ teaspoons beeswax, grated
¼ teaspoon activated charcoal for light black mascara, ½
teaspoon activated charcoal for dark black, or ½ to one
teaspoon of cacao powder for brown. You can usually buy the
activated charcoal in capsule form at your health food store.
½ teaspoon will be 1–3 capsules depending on their size.
Directions:
1. Put coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and grated beeswax in a
small saucepan over low heat. Stir until the beeswax is
completely melted.
2. Add the charcoal to the oil mixture. Stir until completely
incorporated. Remove from heat.
3. Pour the mixture into the mascara container. Do this with a
funnel or by pouring the mixture into a small plastic bag,
and then pushing the mixture into one corner, cutting a
small hole in the tip of the bag, and gently squeezing the
mixture into the mascara tube.
4. Now store in a fridge or cool place. Once it is cool, it is
ready to use!
120
TIPS:
If you need more hold to your mascara add more beeswax.
Store in the fridge. Keep the lid on tightly so it does not dry
out. Replace the mascara tube in 6 months with a fresh new
clean one.
Hair Moisturizing Treatment
Use coconut oil for a hair treatment. Lather hair with oil until
saturated, and then let sit for 20 minutes. Wash out with a
non-toxic shampoo and conditioner.
You can also treat your hair with bentonite clay, which draws
toxins from your hair. I have heard that a lot of people love
doing this for a few reasons, including that clay is relaxing for
the head, the head feels clean afterward, and the hair feels
thicker and more radiant. Some people also like cacao butter
treatments, olive oil, banana, and egg.
Face Masks
Use bentonite clay mask, avocado face mask, or cacao face
mask. See the guide for clear skin.
Home Cleaning Products
LAUNDRY DETERGENT: If your clothes are washed in
chemicals, your skin will absorb them. Make your own
detergent using plant-based ingredients. Here is a recipe for a
regular load: ⅓ cup liquid pure castile soap, like Dr.
Bronner’s, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. For larger or
121
more heavily soiled loads, double it using ⅔ cup of Dr.
Bronner’s Soap and 2 tablespoons baking soda.
Dr. Bronner’s products are 100 percent pure castile soaps and
can be purchased all around the world online and in health
stores. This natural liquid soap does a great job at washing
clothing and even creates a lot of foaming lather. “Pure
castile” is your guarantee that you are using real ecological
and simple soap, not a complex blend of detergents with a lot
of chemicals. This kind of detergent is better for your clothes,
your body, and also for Earth, as it has less ecological impact
and is biodegradable. Stay away from non-organic laundry
detergents as they kill ocean life, including fish and coral.
AIR FRESHENER: Combine water, fresh mint, and
essential oils in a spray bottle. Try using 2 drops of orange,
vanilla, or other essential oils in 2 cups of water. Spray in
your home, on carpet, and on furniture.
COUNTER/ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER: In a spray bottle,
mix 2 cups water, 1 drop tea tree oil, juice of ½ lemon, ½ tsp
pure vanilla extract. Spray on counters and polish clean. To
clean dirtier surfaces, add more tea tree oil.
FLOOR CLEANER: Mix 8 liters of water in a bucket with 3
drops of tea tree oil and/or 6 drops of pure vanilla extract.
Mop the floor as usual.
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE WASH: Squeeze the juice of
one lemon into two cups of water. Add to a spray bottle and
then spray your fruits and vegetables before rinsing them
thoroughly, in order to wash off any pesticides or bacteria.
122
WATER FILTERS: I have a water filter on my shower and
also on my kitchen tap. This filter alkalizes the water and
restores minerals. It also filters chlorine and other heavy
metals from the water.
You can get excellent filters from as little as $400 to over
$6,000 for an entire house filtration system. Better to drink
and shower in clean water than in water with chemicals. I
recommend particular filters on my website.
For Business Owners
There are many ways to make your business more Earth
friendly. For example, if you run an office, use organic,
biodegradable soaps and paper goods. Put a good filter on
your kitchen faucet so there is quality water for everyone to
drink. You could also provide a “Recipe of the Month,”
printing it out and sticking it on the community board to
inspire employees to be healthy. Healthy people are more
productive.
If you are a restaurant owner, start using cleaner ingredients,
especially oils and salts. Use extra-virgin coconut oil for
cooking, rather than generic vegetable oils, which are toxic
and often genetically modified. Use Himalayan salt or sea
salt, as opposed to white table salt, which is toxic. Do not
provide Splenda or white sugar; offer local honey, maple
syrup, or raw sugar for healthier options. Use as many
organic, local, and seasonal ingredients as possible. Also use
few, or no, processed ingredients.
123
Dangerous Chemicals
Found in Household and Body-Care Products
Following is a list of chemicals that are found in our
household products and body-care products. There
have been studies showing that these chemicals are
easily absorbed into our bodies, and I believe they
contribute to all types of health conditions such as
cancer, birth defects, kidney failure, neurological
system issues, respiratory issues, brain damage,
allergies, rashes, depression, nosebleeds, asthma,
breast cancer, immune system issues, reproductive
issues, hormone issues, autism, sore throat, eye
irritation, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, brain tumors,
liver damage, memory loss, obesity, thyroid problems,
and more. These chemicals are then put back into our
water system and are dangerous to fish, coral reefs,
and other sea life.
• Bisphenol A, aka BPA, found in baby toys, baby
bottles, sippy cups, some pacifiers, anything plastic
labeled #7, canned foods, fast food, bottled-water
containers.
• Brominated flame retardants, aka BFRs, see Flame
retardants.
• Cadmium found in lipsticks and some face paints.
• Ceteareath see SLS.
124
• Chlorine bleach found in laundry detergent, stain
removers, and bleach.
• Diethanolamine, aka DEA, found in mascara,
concealer, sunless tanning lotion, and conditioner.
• DMDM Hydantoin see Formaldehyde.
• GMOs found in some skin-care products might not
be listed, or will be listed as Vitamin E, corn, or soy.
• Flame retardants found in nonstick cookware, fabric,
water-repellent fabrics, stain-resistant fabrics, foam
cushions, mattresses, crib mattresses, kids’ pajamas,
carpeting, and paints.
• Formaldehyde found in kitchen cabinets, carpeting,
mattresses, body washes, shampoos, nail polish and
removers, keratin hair straighteners, hair gels, and
eyelash glues.
• Fragrance found in household products, perfumes,
synthetic musks, home air fresheners.
• Halogenated flame retardants, aka HFRs see Flame
retardants.
• Hydroquinone found in skin lighteners, moisturizers,
hair dyes, and anti-aging creams.
• Imidazolindinyl urea see Formaldehyde.
• Lead found in lipsticks and some face paints.
• Mercury found in face paints, mascara, deodorants,
and some other eye makeup.
125
• Mineral oil found in foundations, lotions, cleansers,
lipsticks, lip balms, and many other color cosmetics.
• Nickel found in lipsticks and some face paints.
• Oleth see SLS.
• Optical brighteners found in laundry detergents.
• Parabens found in shower gel, shower lotion, shaving
gel, shampoo and conditioner, and cleanser.
• Paraffin found in foundations, moisturizers/lotions,
cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms, and many other color
cosmetics.
• PEG see SLS.
• Perchloroethylene, aka Perc, found in most
dry-cleaning formulas and newly dry-cleaned clothes.
• Perfluorinated compounds, aka PFCs, see Flame
retardants.
• Petrochemicals found in foundations, lotions,
cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms, and many other color
cosmetics.
• Petroleum jelly found in foundations, lotions,
cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms, and many other color
cosmetics.
• Phthalates found in nail polishes and anything with
the ingredient “fragrance,” scented candles,
raincoats, flooring, windows, and plastics like shower
curtains.
126
• Propylene glycol found in foundations, moisturizers/
lotions, cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms, and many
other color cosmetics.
• Quaternium-15 see Formaldehyde.
• SLS, aka Sodium Lauryl or Sodium Laureth Sulfate,
found in shampoo, bubble bath, soap, and shower
gel.
• Toluene found in hair dyes, brow bleaches, skin
lightener, anti-aging creams, and nail polish, nail
strengtheners, and cuticle treatments.
• Triclocarban see Triclosan.
• Triclosan found in antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer,
toothpaste, deodorants, mold-resistant and
antibacterial fabrics and plastics.
• Triethanolamine, aka TEA.
• Volatile organic compounds, aka VOCs, found in
cleaning supplies, air fresheners, pesticides, building
materials, paints, furnishings, and anything with a
strong scent.
• Xynol see SLS.
Do not buy products from companies that are
untrustworthy. Some even get away with not listing all
of the ingredients. It is safer to make your own, or buy
from organic companies you trust.
127
Do not serve any food that is genetically modified. Begin
growing your own fresh herbs to add to the food. You can
either harm people or help nourish them with your service.
Let your customers know you are becoming more Earth
friendly—people are willing to pay more for quality food.
Offer meals on the menu that are from the Earth Diet. E-mail
us and let us know your ideas, as we would be willing to
promote your service to our Earth Diet readers. We love to
promote companies—especially restaurants—that are natural.
The Earth Diet readers from all around the world are always
asking us where they can eat that is local and Earth friendly.
We can add your restaurant to the list!
Growing Your Own Produce
The beauty of gardening is that the food you grow yourself
tastes better, as it is so fresh and you literally pluck it straight
from your garden and eat it. The taste of fresh-picked
ingredients is stronger. The nutrients are also stronger. Think
of all the benefits of growing your own and then picking and
eating it. You know it was planted from seed, you know what
went into it, who touched it, how you got it, what helped that
plant to grow, and so on.
Here are some basics. If you are beginning a garden, start
with herbs. They are the easiest plants to grow and maintain,
and can get you in the habit of tending a garden. Then, if you
want to start a “kitchen garden,” you could grow the plants on
the following list. These are all low maintenance, and will
require water once daily unless it rains! The idea is to keep
the soil moist but not too wet, and certainly not too dry. You
128
will not need any chemicals to grow these, and it is not
common for bugs to eat them.
• Basil
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Lavender
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Sage
• Tarragon
• Thyme
These herbs can usually last through the winter too, so you
will not need to reseed. The parsley and chives can even get
snowed on and survive! They are perennial plants!
Take it a step further and grow vegetables—perhaps one
tomato plant in a pot or a couple of pea vines. The taste of
peas straight out of the pod is awesome and nothing like you
would get in a can. Peas and beans are popular plants for
children, who love to watch them grow, especially the vines,
and then love popping them out of their pods.
Gardening is very relaxing, and many describe it as a
meditation. Some people say they connect spiritually to
themselves and the earth from watching something grow from
129
seed to fruition. But if the idea of starting from seeds is
daunting, remember that you can always start with plants and
nurture them from there. Following are some vegetables that
bear a great crop of produce and are also easiest to grow and
maintain.
• Cucumbers
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Peas
• Peppers
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Zucchinis
You can also grow your own aloe vera, which is easy to
maintain. This succulent can be used in juices or on the skin
as a remedy for dryness, burns, sunburn, infections, acne,
eczema, and psoriasis. It has remarkable
nutritional and healing properties, like being antiviral and
antibacterial. It also contains 18 amino acids and high levels
of antioxidant vitamins, and stimulates the immune system.
It might be good to ask yourself “What would I like to eat?”
and grow the things that you really want to eat! Grow the
things that excite you most. Some gardens can produce
hundreds of dollars’ worth of food in a season. And if you
live somewhere like Australia that does not have harsh
130
winters, you can have a garden the entire year. Gardens are
good for the economy and your bank account! If you do not
feel confident starting on your own, you could be part of a
community garden; they are set up for success. Here you can
learn from others and maybe even find a mentor who can give
you advice—and perhaps also some seeds! Gardeners usually
love other gardeners, so you might like to walk through your
neighborhood and check out what your neighbors are
growing. If it is doing well for them, it will probably do fine
for you since you are in the same environment.
If you grew the kitchen garden and had all the herbs to choose
from, and then these vegetables, you could make one
scrumptious, extremely nutrient-dense salad. I would add
avocado and some lemon dressing! My mum has a complete
garden at home, and she has also started many of them for her
friends. She says it takes a lot of work initially, but is worth it.
Protect your plants by building fences if you need to keep
animals away. If you do see bugs threatening your crops, here
is a recipe for a natural repellent: In a spray bottle, mix 1
entire bulb of minced garlic and 3 cups of water. Shake well
and then spray over your plants every day until the bugs are
gone.
My own experience of gardening has always been to grow
simple things like herbs, tomatoes, pumpkins, and zucchinis.
They are easy to maintain and can be grown in a pot or box,
like a window box, that is suitable for apartments. Gardening
has become more accessible to more people these days, and
we can successfully grow in our apartment buildings in
smaller pots, or outside in the soil in our yards! We can get a
relatively large amount of produce from a small area. I get
excited when it is time to harvest, and then I make a delicious
131
meal. It is very fulfilling. Some people have gardens that they
completely live off and eat from every day—this is the ideal
way to live the Earth Diet!
Remember, gardening can be a lifelong process. There is no
need to grow everything all at once; you can start with one
thing and grow from there. Make it doable for you. There are
online communities that can help. On some websites, you can
type in your zip code and find out what seeds are compatible
to your area and seasons. Better Homes and Gardens offers
tips for beginners and advanced gardeners alike.
Note that you can compost your vegetable and fruit scraps, as
well as the fiber you get from making juices. This will help
accelerate your garden by providing rich soil! If you cannot
garden yourself, but want the freshest foods possible, you can
rely on your local farmers’ market.
132
133
Pickled Cucumbers
Ingredients:
A clean mascara container that comes with a mascara brush
(buy online). If you cannot find one of these, place the
mascara in a tiny jam jar and then (carefully!) use a toothpick
119
as the mascara brush. You can also clean out one of the
mascara tubes you have at home.
1 tablespoon extra-virgin coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
or avocado oil
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 ½ teaspoons beeswax, grated
¼ teaspoon activated charcoal for light black mascara, ½
teaspoon activated charcoal for dark black, or ½ to one
teaspoon of cacao powder for brown. You can usually buy the
activated charcoal in capsule form at your health food store.
½ teaspoon will be 1–3 capsules depending on their size.
Directions:
1. Put coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and grated beeswax in a
small saucepan over low heat. Stir until the beeswax is
completely melted.
2. Add the charcoal to the oil mixture. Stir until completely
incorporated. Remove from heat.
3. Pour the mixture into the mascara container. Do this with a
funnel or by pouring the mixture into a small plastic bag,
and then pushing the mixture into one corner, cutting a
small hole in the tip of the bag, and gently squeezing the
mixture into the mascara tube.
4. Now store in a fridge or cool place. Once it is cool, it is
ready to use!
120
TIPS:
If you need more hold to your mascara add more beeswax.
Store in the fridge. Keep the lid on tightly so it does not dry
out. Replace the mascara tube in 6 months with a fresh new
clean one.
Hair Moisturizing Treatment
Use coconut oil for a hair treatment. Lather hair with oil until
saturated, and then let sit for 20 minutes. Wash out with a
non-toxic shampoo and conditioner.
You can also treat your hair with bentonite clay, which draws
toxins from your hair. I have heard that a lot of people love
doing this for a few reasons, including that clay is relaxing for
the head, the head feels clean afterward, and the hair feels
thicker and more radiant. Some people also like cacao butter
treatments, olive oil, banana, and egg.
Face Masks
Use bentonite clay mask, avocado face mask, or cacao face
mask. See the guide for clear skin.
Home Cleaning Products
LAUNDRY DETERGENT: If your clothes are washed in
chemicals, your skin will absorb them. Make your own
detergent using plant-based ingredients. Here is a recipe for a
regular load: ⅓ cup liquid pure castile soap, like Dr.
Bronner’s, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. For larger or
121
more heavily soiled loads, double it using ⅔ cup of Dr.
Bronner’s Soap and 2 tablespoons baking soda.
Dr. Bronner’s products are 100 percent pure castile soaps and
can be purchased all around the world online and in health
stores. This natural liquid soap does a great job at washing
clothing and even creates a lot of foaming lather. “Pure
castile” is your guarantee that you are using real ecological
and simple soap, not a complex blend of detergents with a lot
of chemicals. This kind of detergent is better for your clothes,
your body, and also for Earth, as it has less ecological impact
and is biodegradable. Stay away from non-organic laundry
detergents as they kill ocean life, including fish and coral.
AIR FRESHENER: Combine water, fresh mint, and
essential oils in a spray bottle. Try using 2 drops of orange,
vanilla, or other essential oils in 2 cups of water. Spray in
your home, on carpet, and on furniture.
COUNTER/ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER: In a spray bottle,
mix 2 cups water, 1 drop tea tree oil, juice of ½ lemon, ½ tsp
pure vanilla extract. Spray on counters and polish clean. To
clean dirtier surfaces, add more tea tree oil.
FLOOR CLEANER: Mix 8 liters of water in a bucket with 3
drops of tea tree oil and/or 6 drops of pure vanilla extract.
Mop the floor as usual.
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE WASH: Squeeze the juice of
one lemon into two cups of water. Add to a spray bottle and
then spray your fruits and vegetables before rinsing them
thoroughly, in order to wash off any pesticides or bacteria.
122
WATER FILTERS: I have a water filter on my shower and
also on my kitchen tap. This filter alkalizes the water and
restores minerals. It also filters chlorine and other heavy
metals from the water.
You can get excellent filters from as little as $400 to over
$6,000 for an entire house filtration system. Better to drink
and shower in clean water than in water with chemicals. I
recommend particular filters on my website.
For Business Owners
There are many ways to make your business more Earth
friendly. For example, if you run an office, use organic,
biodegradable soaps and paper goods. Put a good filter on
your kitchen faucet so there is quality water for everyone to
drink. You could also provide a “Recipe of the Month,”
printing it out and sticking it on the community board to
inspire employees to be healthy. Healthy people are more
productive.
If you are a restaurant owner, start using cleaner ingredients,
especially oils and salts. Use extra-virgin coconut oil for
cooking, rather than generic vegetable oils, which are toxic
and often genetically modified. Use Himalayan salt or sea
salt, as opposed to white table salt, which is toxic. Do not
provide Splenda or white sugar; offer local honey, maple
syrup, or raw sugar for healthier options. Use as many
organic, local, and seasonal ingredients as possible. Also use
few, or no, processed ingredients.
123
Dangerous Chemicals
Found in Household and Body-Care Products
Following is a list of chemicals that are found in our
household products and body-care products. There
have been studies showing that these chemicals are
easily absorbed into our bodies, and I believe they
contribute to all types of health conditions such as
cancer, birth defects, kidney failure, neurological
system issues, respiratory issues, brain damage,
allergies, rashes, depression, nosebleeds, asthma,
breast cancer, immune system issues, reproductive
issues, hormone issues, autism, sore throat, eye
irritation, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, brain tumors,
liver damage, memory loss, obesity, thyroid problems,
and more. These chemicals are then put back into our
water system and are dangerous to fish, coral reefs,
and other sea life.
• Bisphenol A, aka BPA, found in baby toys, baby
bottles, sippy cups, some pacifiers, anything plastic
labeled #7, canned foods, fast food, bottled-water
containers.
• Brominated flame retardants, aka BFRs, see Flame
retardants.
• Cadmium found in lipsticks and some face paints.
• Ceteareath see SLS.
124
• Chlorine bleach found in laundry detergent, stain
removers, and bleach.
• Diethanolamine, aka DEA, found in mascara,
concealer, sunless tanning lotion, and conditioner.
• DMDM Hydantoin see Formaldehyde.
• GMOs found in some skin-care products might not
be listed, or will be listed as Vitamin E, corn, or soy.
• Flame retardants found in nonstick cookware, fabric,
water-repellent fabrics, stain-resistant fabrics, foam
cushions, mattresses, crib mattresses, kids’ pajamas,
carpeting, and paints.
• Formaldehyde found in kitchen cabinets, carpeting,
mattresses, body washes, shampoos, nail polish and
removers, keratin hair straighteners, hair gels, and
eyelash glues.
• Fragrance found in household products, perfumes,
synthetic musks, home air fresheners.
• Halogenated flame retardants, aka HFRs see Flame
retardants.
• Hydroquinone found in skin lighteners, moisturizers,
hair dyes, and anti-aging creams.
• Imidazolindinyl urea see Formaldehyde.
• Lead found in lipsticks and some face paints.
• Mercury found in face paints, mascara, deodorants,
and some other eye makeup.
125
• Mineral oil found in foundations, lotions, cleansers,
lipsticks, lip balms, and many other color cosmetics.
• Nickel found in lipsticks and some face paints.
• Oleth see SLS.
• Optical brighteners found in laundry detergents.
• Parabens found in shower gel, shower lotion, shaving
gel, shampoo and conditioner, and cleanser.
• Paraffin found in foundations, moisturizers/lotions,
cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms, and many other color
cosmetics.
• PEG see SLS.
• Perchloroethylene, aka Perc, found in most
dry-cleaning formulas and newly dry-cleaned clothes.
• Perfluorinated compounds, aka PFCs, see Flame
retardants.
• Petrochemicals found in foundations, lotions,
cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms, and many other color
cosmetics.
• Petroleum jelly found in foundations, lotions,
cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms, and many other color
cosmetics.
• Phthalates found in nail polishes and anything with
the ingredient “fragrance,” scented candles,
raincoats, flooring, windows, and plastics like shower
curtains.
126
• Propylene glycol found in foundations, moisturizers/
lotions, cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms, and many
other color cosmetics.
• Quaternium-15 see Formaldehyde.
• SLS, aka Sodium Lauryl or Sodium Laureth Sulfate,
found in shampoo, bubble bath, soap, and shower
gel.
• Toluene found in hair dyes, brow bleaches, skin
lightener, anti-aging creams, and nail polish, nail
strengtheners, and cuticle treatments.
• Triclocarban see Triclosan.
• Triclosan found in antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer,
toothpaste, deodorants, mold-resistant and
antibacterial fabrics and plastics.
• Triethanolamine, aka TEA.
• Volatile organic compounds, aka VOCs, found in
cleaning supplies, air fresheners, pesticides, building
materials, paints, furnishings, and anything with a
strong scent.
• Xynol see SLS.
Do not buy products from companies that are
untrustworthy. Some even get away with not listing all
of the ingredients. It is safer to make your own, or buy
from organic companies you trust.
127
Do not serve any food that is genetically modified. Begin
growing your own fresh herbs to add to the food. You can
either harm people or help nourish them with your service.
Let your customers know you are becoming more Earth
friendly—people are willing to pay more for quality food.
Offer meals on the menu that are from the Earth Diet. E-mail
us and let us know your ideas, as we would be willing to
promote your service to our Earth Diet readers. We love to
promote companies—especially restaurants—that are natural.
The Earth Diet readers from all around the world are always
asking us where they can eat that is local and Earth friendly.
We can add your restaurant to the list!
Growing Your Own Produce
The beauty of gardening is that the food you grow yourself
tastes better, as it is so fresh and you literally pluck it straight
from your garden and eat it. The taste of fresh-picked
ingredients is stronger. The nutrients are also stronger. Think
of all the benefits of growing your own and then picking and
eating it. You know it was planted from seed, you know what
went into it, who touched it, how you got it, what helped that
plant to grow, and so on.
Here are some basics. If you are beginning a garden, start
with herbs. They are the easiest plants to grow and maintain,
and can get you in the habit of tending a garden. Then, if you
want to start a “kitchen garden,” you could grow the plants on
the following list. These are all low maintenance, and will
require water once daily unless it rains! The idea is to keep
the soil moist but not too wet, and certainly not too dry. You
128
will not need any chemicals to grow these, and it is not
common for bugs to eat them.
• Basil
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Lavender
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Sage
• Tarragon
• Thyme
These herbs can usually last through the winter too, so you
will not need to reseed. The parsley and chives can even get
snowed on and survive! They are perennial plants!
Take it a step further and grow vegetables—perhaps one
tomato plant in a pot or a couple of pea vines. The taste of
peas straight out of the pod is awesome and nothing like you
would get in a can. Peas and beans are popular plants for
children, who love to watch them grow, especially the vines,
and then love popping them out of their pods.
Gardening is very relaxing, and many describe it as a
meditation. Some people say they connect spiritually to
themselves and the earth from watching something grow from
129
seed to fruition. But if the idea of starting from seeds is
daunting, remember that you can always start with plants and
nurture them from there. Following are some vegetables that
bear a great crop of produce and are also easiest to grow and
maintain.
• Cucumbers
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Peas
• Peppers
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Zucchinis
You can also grow your own aloe vera, which is easy to
maintain. This succulent can be used in juices or on the skin
as a remedy for dryness, burns, sunburn, infections, acne,
eczema, and psoriasis. It has remarkable
nutritional and healing properties, like being antiviral and
antibacterial. It also contains 18 amino acids and high levels
of antioxidant vitamins, and stimulates the immune system.
It might be good to ask yourself “What would I like to eat?”
and grow the things that you really want to eat! Grow the
things that excite you most. Some gardens can produce
hundreds of dollars’ worth of food in a season. And if you
live somewhere like Australia that does not have harsh
130
winters, you can have a garden the entire year. Gardens are
good for the economy and your bank account! If you do not
feel confident starting on your own, you could be part of a
community garden; they are set up for success. Here you can
learn from others and maybe even find a mentor who can give
you advice—and perhaps also some seeds! Gardeners usually
love other gardeners, so you might like to walk through your
neighborhood and check out what your neighbors are
growing. If it is doing well for them, it will probably do fine
for you since you are in the same environment.
If you grew the kitchen garden and had all the herbs to choose
from, and then these vegetables, you could make one
scrumptious, extremely nutrient-dense salad. I would add
avocado and some lemon dressing! My mum has a complete
garden at home, and she has also started many of them for her
friends. She says it takes a lot of work initially, but is worth it.
Protect your plants by building fences if you need to keep
animals away. If you do see bugs threatening your crops, here
is a recipe for a natural repellent: In a spray bottle, mix 1
entire bulb of minced garlic and 3 cups of water. Shake well
and then spray over your plants every day until the bugs are
gone.
My own experience of gardening has always been to grow
simple things like herbs, tomatoes, pumpkins, and zucchinis.
They are easy to maintain and can be grown in a pot or box,
like a window box, that is suitable for apartments. Gardening
has become more accessible to more people these days, and
we can successfully grow in our apartment buildings in
smaller pots, or outside in the soil in our yards! We can get a
relatively large amount of produce from a small area. I get
excited when it is time to harvest, and then I make a delicious
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meal. It is very fulfilling. Some people have gardens that they
completely live off and eat from every day—this is the ideal
way to live the Earth Diet!
Remember, gardening can be a lifelong process. There is no
need to grow everything all at once; you can start with one
thing and grow from there. Make it doable for you. There are
online communities that can help. On some websites, you can
type in your zip code and find out what seeds are compatible
to your area and seasons. Better Homes and Gardens offers
tips for beginners and advanced gardeners alike.
Note that you can compost your vegetable and fruit scraps, as
well as the fiber you get from making juices. This will help
accelerate your garden by providing rich soil! If you cannot
garden yourself, but want the freshest foods possible, you can
rely on your local farmers’ market.
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Pickled Cucumbers
Printed from https://recipe.bluelayer.org/recipe/69457/mascara