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7 Life Lessons from My First Garden

We planted our first vegetable garden this year. It’s been an incredible journey watching our tiny seedlings and seeds transform into delicious vegetables. I fell so in love with our plants that it was difficult to kill pick them and then *gulp* eat them! But in the end, it was so worth it. The tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and eggplant that we’ve harvested have been — far & away — the most fresh, crisp, and tasty veggies I’ve ever eaten.

I’ve learned a lot through the process. Here are the 7 most important lessons that my first garden taught me.

1. Accept help.
I wanted to plant the garden myself. My stubborn Taurus-streak reared its ugly head. Although Matthew offered to help, I was convinced I could do it on my own. I raised the shovel up high, plunged it toward the earth with all my might, and CRACK! It was as if I’d hit concrete. It took me a few seconds to realize that I hadn’t — in fact — shattered all of the bones in my body. I shook it off and tried a few other locations, hoping to locate a softer spot… no luck.

Eventually, I retreated into the house with my tail between my legs. An hour later, Matthew and his 6’5″ frame along with a heavy construction pick, had made easy work of the garden.

What I realized is that I should have welcomed his assistance in the first place. He has experience digging in our yard and digging in general. I have no experience with either. No matter what you are tackling — be it professional, personal, or anything — never be afraid to ask for help and take it. There is always someone out there who can help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength! It’s not always knowing the answer (or having the skill) but it’s knowing who to ask. Having the confidence to know ask for help when you need it is both brave & wise.

2. Don’t neglect critical tools. (Even if that means postponing your plans!)
Before planting the garden, we took a trip to the garden center where my uncle works. We got fertilizer (organic manure) and seedlings. We also purchased the one item that my uncle recommended most highly — a drop cloth to keep the weeds down. Unfortunately, while we were loading my truck, we left the drop cloth behind. By the time we got home, I was so excited to start the garden that I decided to move ahead without the drop cloth. What a mistake.

In the beginning it didn’t seem like such a big deal, but a couple of months in and I now realize that this was my biggest mistake. The weeds in the garden got completely out of control. Despite my pathetic efforts at weeding, the weeds thrived — in some places even mores than the veggies!

Lesson: If you forget something important, go back and get it. And, be more careful while loading the truck! Check and double-check anytime that you are acquiring critical tools to accomplish your task.

3. Protect the treasure.
Our backyard borders a state forest. It happens to have the greatest concentration of hiking trails in New Jersey and it also happens to have one of the largest populations of wild animals in the state. We get all sorts of lovely critters around here including bears, deer, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, squirrels, all kinds of birds, and much more. It’s always an adventure and we love it! However, when you’re raising delicious vegetables in your backyard, it’s war. It’s you against the hungry animals.

Luckily the previous owners had left a big mess of chicken wire up in our shed. Matthew — the handyman — crafted the wire into a high fence. The fence made getting in and out of the garden a bit more challenging for us, but it was completely worth it! The entire garden existed safe & sound through the summer.

Whatever you’re getting yourself into, take the necessary steps to secure & protect your assets.

4. Protect yourself.
While tending to and protecting your treasure, it’s also important to protect yourself! Since we didn’t lay a drop cloth, the weeds were a constant issue. One day, after it had gotten really bad, I decided to venture into the garden and pull the weeds. The weeds consisted mainly of wild clover & thick-blade grasses. I did my best to pull out each pest by its roots. I felt great when I was finished. Now my precious plants could breathe again.

Problem was, two days later & I was the one having trouble breathing. The red blotches appeared slowly. A couple of small, itchy patches on my arm & cheek. By the third day I was completely covered. Thick, dark, red welts throbbed across my entire face & eyes, my arms, in between my fingers, and even on my thighs! It was the first time in my life that I ever had poison ivy. What a miserable experience! Next time I go “a-weeding” I will: a. use gloves and b. take a hot shower with soap immediately after.

Sometimes, we get so excited or frustrated about the task at hand, that we forget to take care of ourselves during the process. Whatever you are trying to accomplish, make sure that you aren’t neglecting yourself along the way–that means your mind, your body, & your soul.

5. Patience is a virtue.
Just like a watched pot never boils, so it goes with the garden. At first, I was so eager to eat my own home-grown vegetables that I forgot to slow down & enjoy the process. When I stopped focusing on the destination (veggies) and enjoyed the journey (gardening), I was able to truly appreciate the miracle that was taking place. Nourishing food was growing before my eyes, by my own hands, from out of little tiny seeds! Being patient paid off and before we knew it we were harvesting more tomatoes than we knew what to do with.

Success is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Slow down, be mindful, and enjoy the tiny miracles that unfold before you every day.

6. Create a healthy, stable environment.
Great things require a stable environment to flourish. The most important thing in gardening is to make sure that your plants get enough water & enough sunlight. It’s simple enough, but when you’re exhausted after a long day at work, you don’t always feel like pulling out the hose & watering everything in sight. It’s amazing how much water those things can soak up! But if you want the treasure, you’ve got to work for it. When you take the first mouthwatering bite, you’ll know that it was worth it.

The secret of success is consistency of purpose. —Benjamin Disraeli

Whether you are growing a business, a relationship, or a houseplant, consistency of purpose is critical. Never forget what you are doing and why.

7. Location, location, location.
When I was in high school, one of my favorite teachers said something that I’ve never forgotten. He said that the success of any restaurant or commercial business depends on three key factors: 1. location, 2. location, and 3. location. He was entirely convinced that location and nothing else is responsible for making or breaking a business.

Now, many years later, I tend to think that there are a few other key factors involved, like quality product, customer service, and so on. But, I still believe that location is extremely important. When we decided on the location for our garden we were looking for three things. First, because we are on a mountain, the soil quality is very poor & washed-out in places. So we had to look for an area that had at least decent soil quality. Second, we have a lot of trees in our yard, so we had to find a place that gets lots of direct sunlight. And third, we wanted to keep the garden as close to the house as possible in an effort to keep the critters away.

We considered these aspects and landed on a perfect location for our garden. It’s not always possible to score your dream locale, especially as a young person or a new entrepreneur, but it’s important to aim for the best and prioritize what really matters. Sometimes you have to sacrifice another element of your business or location search in order to secure the location that you’re after. It’s up to you to determine if it will be worth it in the long run.

Having my first garden has been so much fun & has taught me a lot — not just about “green-thumbing”, but also about life. There are lessons tucked away in all of our daily tasks. It’s up to us to seek them out & learn from them.

Have you ever planted a garden? Did you learn as much as I did? 😉

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    3 Simple Changes That Will Save Your Life

    This post could save your life. These 3 simple lifestyle changes saved mine. Today I am going to simply share facts with you. These facts (if you let them) will dramatically improve your quality of life. Making these changes can even increase your life span.

    1. Stop Smoking

    FACTS: According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States, accounting for 440,000 of the more than 2.4 million annual deaths.

    Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer. In fact, smoking tobacco is the major risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are due to smoking. People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. The longer a person smokes and the more cigarettes smoked each day, the more risk goes up.

    Smoking also causes cancer of the voice box (larynx), mouth and throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, and stomach, and causes acute myeloid leukemia. Source.

    FACTS: One year after passing smoking bans, communities in North America and Europe had 17 percent fewer heart attacks compared to communities without smoking restrictions, and the number of heart attacks kept decreasing with time, according to a report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Source.

    FACTS: If you quit smoking, you will:

    1. Prolong your life. According to the American Heart Association, smokers who quit between ages 35-39 add an average of 6-9 years to their lives. Smokers who quit between ages 65-69 increase their life expectancy by 1 – 4 years.

    2. Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of repeat heart attacks and death from heart disease by 50 percent or more. Quitting smoking also reduces your risk of high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease and stroke.

    3. Reduce your risk of developing a variety of other conditions including diabetes, lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, ulcers, gum disease and many other conditions.

    4. Feel healthier. After quitting, you won’t cough as much, have as many sore throats and you will increase your energy.

    5. Look and feel better. Quitting can help you prevent face wrinkles, get rid of stained teeth, improve your skin and even get rid of the stale smell in your clothes and hair.

    6. Improve your sense of taste and smell.

    7. Save money. Source.

    FACTS: What Happens When You Quit:

    After 20 minutes
    o You stop polluting the air
    o Your blood pressure and pulse decrease
    o The temperature of your hands and feet increases

    After 8 hours
    o The carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal
    o Oxygen levels in your blood increase

    After 24 hours
    o Your risk of heart attack decreases

    After 48 hours
    o Nerve endings adjust to the absence of nicotine
    o Your ability to taste and smell begin to return

    After 2 weeks to 3 months
    o Your circulation improves
    o Your exercise tolerance improves

    After 1 – 9 months
    o Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease
    o Your overall energy level increases

    After 1 year
    o Your risk of heart disease decreases to half that of a current smoker

    After 5 – 15 years
    o Your risk of stroke is reduced to that of people who have never smoked

    After 10 years
    o Your risk of dying from lung cancer drops to almost the same rate as a lifelong non- smoker
    o You decrease the incidence of other cancers — of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas

    After 15 years
    o Your risk of heart disease is reduced to that of people who have never smoked

    If you smoke again (called a relapse) do not lose hope. Seventy-five percent of those who quit relapse. Most smokers quit three times before they are successful. If you relapse, don’t give up! Review the reasons why you wanted to become a nonsmoker. Plan ahead and think about what you will do next time you get the urge to smoke. Source.

    2. Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

    QUESTION: How many people get cancer by being overweight or obese? How many die?

    FACTS: In 2002, about 41,000 new cases of cancer in the United States were estimated to be due to obesity. This means that about 3.2 percent of all new cancers are linked to obesity.

    A recent report estimated that, in the United States, 14 percent of deaths from cancer in men and 20 percent of deaths in women were due to overweight and obesity.

    Colon cancer occurs more frequently in people who are obese than in those of a healthy weight. An increased risk of colon cancer has been consistently reported for men with high BMIs.
    Source.

    FACTS: Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as “overweight” and “obesity,” the risks for the following conditions also increases:

    * Coronary heart disease
    * Type 2 diabetes
    * Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
    * Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    * Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
    * Stroke
    * Liver and Gallbladder disease
    * Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
    * Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
    * Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility) Source.

    3. Eat Whole Foods, Not Processed

    FACTS: The statistics are alarming:

    – One in three people will get cancer at some time in their life

    – Heart disease is the leading cause of death

    – Poor nutrition and physical inactivity together are the second
    actual cause of preventable death in the United States

    On the other hand new evidence shows that:

    – Eating five or more fruits and vegetables per day cuts cancer
    risk in half

    – People who eat more fruits and vegetables have a 30% lower risk
    of premature heart attack than people who eat a few

    – About 25% fewer strokes are projected for adults who eat 8 or
    more servings of fruits and vegetables per day

    – Fruits and vegetables may help keep blood sugar down and control diabetes.” Source.

    FACTS: Processed meat consumption results in 67% increase in pancreatic cancer risk.
    Source.

    FACTS: Inorganic phosphates are found in a variety of processed foods, including meats, cheeses, beverages and bakery products. They are added to increase water retention and improve food texture. Studies suggests a diet high in inorganic phosphates could speed growth of cancerous tumors and contribute to the development of tumors in those predisposed to the disease. Source.

    FACTS: Carcinogens in foods that may be naturally-occurring, caused by preparing or cooking certain foods, or added to it, include safrole, estragole and benzene. Processed foods such as sausages, bacon and canned meats contain high amounts of the preservative nitrite, another known carcinogen. Other carcinogens to look for in food products include:

    * acetaldehyde
    * acetamide
    * azo color and compounds
    * benzidine
    * bis (2-Chloromethyl) ether
    * cadmium
    * chlorinated parraffin waxes
    * 3,3-dichlorobenzidine
    * dichloromethane
    * hexachlorobenzene
    * polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
    * polychlorinated dibenzodioxins
    * polychlorinated dibenzofurans
    * sillica
    * trichloroethylene

    Though it is impossible to avoid every known carcinogen, to decrease risk of cancers and other illnesses, a balanced diet with more unprocessed, whole foods can decrease risk of some cancers and other diseases such as type two diabetes and heart disease. Source.

    FACTS: Nutrients in Whole Foods that Protect Against Cancer:

    1. Vitamin A: Strengthens the immune system. Essential for mineral metabolism and endocrine function. Helps detoxify. True vitamin A is found only in animal foods such as cod liver oil; fish and shellfish; and liver, butter and egg yolks from pasture-fed animals. Traditional diets contained ten times more vitamin A than the typical modern American diet.

    2. Vitamin C: An important antioxidant that prevents damage by free radicals. Found in many fruits and vegetables but also in certain organ meats valued by primitive peoples.

    3. Vitamin B6: Deficiencies are associated with cancer. Contributes to the function of over 100 enzymes. Most available from animal foods.

    4. Vitamin B12: Deficiencies are associated with cancer. Found only in animal foods.

    5. Vitamin B17: Protects against cancer. Found in a variety of organically grown grains, legumes, nuts and berries.

    6. Vitamin D: Required for mineral absorption. Strongly protective against breast and colon cancer. Found only in animal foods such as cod liver oil, lard, shellfish and butterfat, organ meats and egg yolks from grass-fed animals. Traditional diets contained ten times more vitamin D than the typical modern American diet.

    7. Vitamin E: Works as an antioxidant at the cellular level. Found in unprocessed oils as well as in animal fats like butter and egg yolks.

    8. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Strongly protective against breast cancer. Found in the butterfat and meat fat of grass-fed ruminant animals.

    9. Cholesterol: A potent antioxidant that protects against free radicals in cell membranes. Found only in animal foods.

    10. Minerals: The body needs generous amounts of a wide variety of minerals to protect itself against cancer. Minerals like zinc, magnesium and selenium are vital components of enzymes that help the body fight carcinogens. Minerals are more easily absorbed from animal foods.

    11. Lactic Acid and Friendly Bacteria: Contribute to the health of the digestive tract. Found in old fashioned lacto-fermented foods.

    12. Saturated Fats: Strengthen the immune system. Needed for proper use of the essential fatty acids. The lungs cannot function without saturated fats. Found mostly in animal foods.

    13. Long-Chain Fatty Acids: Arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) help fight cancer on the cellular level. They are found mostly in animal foods such as butter, organ meats, cod liver oil and seafood.

    14. Co-enzyme Q10: Highly protective against cancer. Found only in animal foods. Source.

    In closing: I truly hope that you will begin living these simple lifestyle changes. If you are non-smoker, not obese, and already eating whole foods, then I challenge you to help to spread this message to as many people as you can. All of the suffering and the disease mentioned above is not necessary. It can be prevented.

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    Letting Go of the Past: Forgiveness

    Last week, I finished listening to Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now. It had been on my “to-read” list for years, when by a stroke of fate a dear friend offered to lend me her audio copy. I plan to do a full review of the book in the coming weeks but for now I want to focus on one important element—forgiveness of the past.

    Recently I started thinking about the first twenty-five years of my life. In The Power of Now, we learn that to live in the future or the past is to suffer. The only way to exist in true harmony is to live in the now. After all, the past is not real, the future is not real. The past and the future only exist in our minds. The only thing that is truly and completely real, is the now.

    The challenge with this, however, is that until we can accept, understand, and move on from the conditioning of the past, we can not experience true freedom. And in order to truly accomplish this, we must experience true forgiveness of the past—forgiving others & ourselves completely.

    As I reflected upon these truths, I realized that I have been holding on to a tremendous amount of pain from my own personal history. There is so much past that continues to haunt me and impact me in the now. One of the greatest sources of pain revolves around my former lifestyle.

    I spent so much of my life caught up in a false sense of self. I spent incredible amounts of money on material possessions that I now perceive as worthless (clothes, jewelry, useless electronics, etc.) For some reason, I fell into the marketing. I bought it—all of it. (You can read more about my journey into financial prison and my subsequent journey out in previous posts.)

    But that’s not really the point, the point is that I ended up here. I can sit around and feel sorry for myself, angry that so much of my life was wasted, frustrated that I’ve only paid off a fraction (albeit a substantial fraction) of my debts so far; but if I did all of that where would it get me? It wouldn’t get me anywhere except maybe on a private jet to my own personal pity party. No thank you.

    Instead of wallowing, I am grateful. Grateful that I have come this far. Grateful that I’ have learned these lessons and changed the direction of my life by the age of 25 (soon-to-be 26). Grateful to be surrounded by a community of people that support me and believe in me. Grateful to have discovered my life’s true purpose and passion. Grateful to be doing what I love (even if only part of the time). Grateful to be safe, secure, healthy, strong, and beautiful.

    As I move through these emotions of gratitude for what I have now and what I am now, I find that the pain of my history slips away. I believe that I am finally on a path toward true forgiveness of the past. The reality is that it happened. I made mistakes, like all fallible human beings do. However, without making those mistakes, I may never have come to this place, to this now.

    The past grants us wisdom & grace. The memories that haunt us the most, are usually the memories that taught us the greatest lessons. Forgiveness will come from acceptance. So, the trick to true forgiveness is true acceptance. Once we can accept our past unconditionally, we can live fully in the now.

    I am making my way on this journey slowly. For most of my life, I focused almost entirely on the past—heart breaks, mistakes, errors in judgment, loss, failures, and so on—but that was a tragic mistake. What I now know is that the past is gone, the only thing that matters is now. And likewise, the future is a distant place that exists only in my mind. The only thing that matters is right now.

    Transforming the way that I think has been a challenging process, but I have come a tremendous distance already and I will keep on pushing forward, always.

    Now I ask you, reader, what pieces of your past are you holding on to? Are you willing to accept those pieces unconditionally so that you may truly forgive and live in harmony & light? Will you join me on this journey?

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  11. Dena, I laughed out loud when I read this & it reminds me so much of the first time I tackled a vegetable garden on my own (three years ago now; can you believe I have been with Jonathan for three years?!)

    I am so proud of you. Each year, you’ll expand & learn to grow more & more. It is so rewarding to grow your own food.

    P.S. I wish I was headed to Paris with you 😐 Have fun & travel safely.

    Reply

    1. @ Kristin – I can not believe you have been with Jonathan for three years! It is amazing, this winter, Matthew & I will be four years. It’s bizarre.

      Having a garden this year was so much fun. I actually just finished eating dinner with a salad and tomatoes from our garden. There is nothing like it in the world!

      The closer I get to leaving for Paris, the more excited I am but it really would be lovely to have you with me. Perhaps we could still plan something for 2011? Maybe even the four of us? Italy, Belgium, Amsterdam? Possibilities are endless! Love you.

      Reply
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