Pairing Organic Gardening and Self-Healing

This is July in the New Hampshire and yes as far as my garden goes I have been very active in the preparation and planting of my herbs and vegetables. But what I have not been active in is writing.

Having two teenage girls and two tween boys keep me so busy that I forget that my blogging is as much for me ( mostly for me since I have a small readership) as it is for you.

Well here I am at 3:32pm on Friday afternoon trying to be as inspired as I can. Not easy when I really need to start my workout in an hour, the girls are screaming, the TV is so loud and the dogs what to go out.

~SIGH~

{Breathing Slowly and Deeply}

My study and practice of the Tao is not the reason I garden now. I have always loved fresh herbs and vegetables that are free of pesticides and raised by my own hands. It just so happens the solace of watering, weeding, and trimming works well in helping a person with their spiritual journey.

I think the best thing we were able to do this year is buy organic, heirloom, or both seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

These we started early on our dining room table in starter cups that were made from recycled fiber and could be placed into the ground when they and the conditions were optimum.

You cannot believe how many people are working really hard to push industrial GMO seeds out of the way. There is no need for anyone to own the origin of our food. Seeds should be the purest form of the food and not doctored to help some pesticide company gouge our farmers and kill our children. Just a little opinion there. hehe!

My point is if you are going to eat these foods learn a little about where they come from and spend a few extra minutes finding these companies and buying good seeds.

While the seeds were sprouting the next plan was preparing our garden plot.

For the last 12 months I had been composting leaves, grass clippings, shredded paper towels, newspaper and all of our veggie and fruit waste into two 60 gallon composters which rendered about 50 gallons of rich compost. This stuff is full of nitrogen.

So I have my plot (20’ x 18’) rototilled and then pour on my compost, half a bale of straw – and make sure it’s straw so you don’t have a lawn growing in your garden – and 6 bags of Moo Doo which is composted organic cow manure. Then you mix that all up so it makes a rich soil with plenty of drainage.

I wont go into a treatise of why this combination is the best for your tomatoes and cucumbers and I am sure you are thanking me for it but it is so important to impart as much rich natural nitrogen without having to impart chemicals into your soil. That’s it.

I think the best part of all this work and there was a lot more is the time spent quietly working out in the soil and getting your hands dirty. It’s the escape the kids don’t want to get near lest they be asked to weed.

How has my hard work paid off?

The tomatoes, which I bury 3/4 into the soil when they are 12” tall are now almost 3’ tall and growing fruit.

And for the first time in years the squash is doing very well. Here is my first one this season:

It’s about the thickness I want and I think I will let the others grow larger but being the first I needed to get it out of the way so the others can share the now available resources within the plant.

You ever eat your herbs right off the plant on your way to work and forget to rinse your mouth with water when you get there?

Ahem, It’s happened to me plenty, Mr. Green-Teeth.

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Some questions I would like to ask are, “Have any of you been on a path of self healing, How long have you been on it, and how are you doing?”

Please let me know with your comments.

If you don’t know were to start then you need to ask yourself when you are calm and everything is silent, “Why do I want to heal myself?”

When you have valid reasons for living then your answers will be clear enough to write down and remember.

When I had asked I knew that being healthy and incredibly fit over 40 for my children and grand children came to mind. I began to research the types of philosophies and exercises that the oldest strongest people in the world used and my research took me to India and across to China where Yoga, Taoism, and Pa-kua became my answers. Believe me when you see a 95 year old Pa-Kua master moving with such force and energy you want to know what is going on.

My path is not yours so what I am jazzed about may not interest you. But do not get lazy and stagnant. If you plateau you know you are doing something wrong. I cannot help you get started. No one else can help you either. If you are to do this you have to believe you have the right answers within you. To coin one of my favorite movie lines:

If you don’t stand for something,

you’ll fall for anything!

Stand up for yourself and seek out answers to your personal journey. If you are over 40 remember that you cannot solve your problems of obesity, diabetes, and kidney problems with external exercises alone, you must combine them with internal organ exercises that ensure you do not put too much stress on your heart, liver, kidneys, stomach, etc. External exercises are weight training, cardio, running, and so on.

I have seen obese people on treadmills and other machines for years and they are still obese.

Remember I was a 428 pound man in 2001 and now down to 280 pounds on my best not bloated days. I once wore a size 60 pants and now can wear clothing from 43-45.

I have more to go but I am not on a plateau. It is a slow steady practice that is equal to the amount of time it took me to get out of shape times 1.25 .

If you became obese over the last 5 years it will take you 6.25 years to become thin and in shape. This is approximate and requires discipline. See older posts for more detail or ask me questions and I will explain in details for you.

Some of you know I am a Taoist but that is a mental and physical philosophy that ties very well to my beliefs as a Christian.

I am cultivating the Tao and practicing as much of the 8 pillars that I should since I have been at it for 41 straight weeks and know it may be years and decades before I am completely in tune with it. Small moves are so important. Remember it was small short moves from the Twinkie box to your mouth that made you obese and new small moves will make you fit.

Take some time to breath fresh air deeply and slowly, get 10 minutes of sun (front and back and without any suntan lotions) and eat as well as you can. If you are able to reduce your dairy and meat intake so it is never more than 1/4 of your meal and then see if you can make it 1/8 over time. They should be like a garnish.

Eat herbs with everything. Parasites and sick stomachs are easily conquered with herbs. Start with Parsley, Oregano, Basil, and Mint. More on herbs and combinations can be found in the Great Tao and the Tao of Forgotten Foods as well as many other great herb-ology and detoxification books.

As you can see I have made this a lifestyle and I am so happy that I have learned so much but the greater gift is passing it on a little bit at a time.

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Some of my beliefs:

There is so much great food around you. Local vegetable, fruits, and herbs are best.

I believe a vegetarian should have meat once a week for their vitamin k and b12.

I believe you have the power to heal yourself.

I believe that a healthy old tree is a good example of how to live life. When the storm blows observe how it bends and then stands straight back up.

I believe a good laugh can solve so many problems.

I believe playing with a little kids is the best therapy.

I believe in God, the named, the unnamed, you, and I.

Namaste!