Growing your own food

I am not sure where you live BUT the state of California thinks it is spring. Which reminds me that planting season is coming soon. Many people complain (understandably) about the prices of organic, great whole foods and it being one of the main reasons they don't eat well. There is a solution for that, grow your own food. While you can't grow everything you can grow your staple foods. I lived in an apartment and grew things on my patio so no excuses, you can find space if you want to make it a priority, you can build wide or high or, wide and high to plant various things.

This year I am super excited to be growing my own food and getting my meats from a local farm, and get the veggies I don't grow at a local farm/farmers market. I encourage you to find out when you need to plant your staple veggies and chart out starting a garden in your backyard (or wherever you have to start it). You can spend about the same amount on a plant as you would for 1 or 2 trips to the store for that same item give or take a few things. The initial cost of starting a garden may seem a little overwhelming because it is an investment. You do need to buy the good soil, I suggest an organic plant food that gets mixed into the soil, the planting boxes (or go on Pinterest and make your own from things around the house or cheaper items built) and the plants. It's also a time investment, but really not a big one after all the planting is done. Build a drip system, or simply water the plants everyday. Most nurseries tell you a time frame of when the plants will mature and be ready to pick. Do a little research on the plants you plan on planting and do your best to have a successful garden. Plan ahead, as in this weekend and next week, don't procrastinate or you may miss planting times. Take some time to do research. Use an organic soil, organic plants (I don't tend to buy seeds but you can if you are willing to wait), save egg shells, coffee filters, and if you juice save the excess for compost. There are MANY MANY gardening tips for people looking to start a garden so just go looking. I took the liberty of linking you to

How to Start a New Organic Garden.

Be intentional about your garden and you will be greatly rewarded in fruitfulness, health and the feeling of actually doing something for you and your family. You will not regret it. I do have a few tips I learned from last year and the year before that when gardening buy lady bugs to act as a natural pesticide, helping get the most out of your garden. You may need to buy netting or wiring to protect certain fruits and veggies from birds and other animals but it is well worth it.

I really hope you do this, and take pictures as you do so you can really take pride in the end and have motivation to keep it up. Then you can motivate other friends and family members to try it as well and start helping others get on track with a healthy life style!

Happy Food and Fitness Friday, and thanks for reading!!! If you liked this post please share and look at my previous post for more help on getting healthy!

Meat buying tip: To save money buy a WHOLE chicken (from a local organic farm if possible), and cut it up yourself.

Ezekiel 34:29

I will establish for them a renowned planting place, and they will not again be victims of famine in the land, and they will not endure the insults of the nations anymore.