Author Archives: Christy

Tour of Chad & Christy’s Gardens – June 13, 2012

Posted on by

Side view of Main Garden

Picking peas taller than me!

We are so grateful to have enough land for two large gardens at our home right in the middle of the city, and we just LOVE bringing our harvest straight to our dinner table! I thought I’d take a minute to share some photos of what’s growing in our gardens, so far, this season. I’d love to hear what you are growing, too, so leave a comment  below to tell me about your growing adventure!

Our gardens have changed a lot since we dug our first hole just five short years ago. That first season, our garden consisted of only a few tomato and pepper plants we purchased at a local farmers market. The following year, we built four 4’x4′ raised beds and grew a variety of vegetables using the methods of Square Foot Gardening. We loved it so much that by the end of the season, we built 3 more beds – and started growing our own plants from seeds! You can check out that garden of ours by clicking here! The following year (last year), we moved to a new house with much more land, and we created the “Main Garden” pictured above. This year, we expanded to the other side of our property and planted an additional, slightly smaller garden (as you’ll see below).

WANT MORE TIPS FOR LIVING A HEALTHY, HAPPY LIFE?!

“Follow” our blog (in the upper left sidebar of this site), and we’ll send ya more great tips!

Sugar snap pea harvest

MORE PHOTOS OF MAIN GARDEN (GARDEN #1)

Watermelon plant

Tomato plants – We use a “Florida Weave” technique to stake our plants, rather than using tomato cages.

From left: onions, bell peppers, potatoes (We use the a “Florida Weave” staking method instead of cages for the peppers.)

From left: Lettuce, Green Beans, Peas

Harvesting lettuce. Summer squash and zucchini seeds are planted in the empty bed to the left.

Fresh herbs: oregano, thyme, chives

Tomato (left) and basil plants

Cucumbers growing up a trellis

Cucumber will be ready to eat SOON!

Potatoes – I knew potatoes grew underground, but I had NO idea (until planting some last year) that they had THIS much foliage above ground!

PHOTOS OF GARDEN #2

Side view of Garden #2. We used pine mulch for the pathways in this garden.

Cabbage

Tomatoes

Cauliflower (front row)

Cilantro – My FAVORITE fresh herb!!!!

Genetically-Modified Cows Producing Low-Lactose Milk! What’s next?!

Posted on by

I literally cannot believe what I just read in an article posted on OrganicAuthority.com (see below)! Yikes! I think it’s time to go crawl under a rock now. Anyone care to join me?!

I try not to post too many “dooms day” articles…but this is the reality we live in, and things are getting pretty darn creepy out there! If we don’t stick up for natural foods, it seems it won’t be long before there aren’t any left!! Seriously, if you cannot digest lactose… then just don’t ingest it! It seems a lot simpler and more logical than this Frankenstein nonsense of “made-to-order” animals! It’s such a shame that the genius of these genetic modification scientists is not put to better use. Thoughts, anyone???

Oh, and here’s the article that got me so fired up today…

“Scientists at the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University of Life Sciences, Biological Manufacturing Key Laboratory in north China say that they have successfully bred the world’s first genetically modified calf able to produce low-lactose milk within two years.

Named “Lakes,” the calf was born on April 24th after the research team used extracted fetus fibroblasts taken from a Holstein cow who was 45 days pregnant. The team then genetically engineered the fetus by transplanting a lactose dissolution enzyme into the cell of the unborn calf. The fetus was then transplanted into the womb of a cow in July where it completed a successful 9-month gestation period. Two other fetuses in the experiment died. The enzyme, which can dissolve lactose….” (Click here to read entire article on OrganicAuthority.com)

WANT MORE TIPS FOR LIVING A HEALTHY, HAPPY LIFE?!

“Follow” our blog (in the upper left sidebar of this site), and we’ll send ya more great tips!

How to Make a Fast Food Burger Even MORE Unhealthy!

Posted on by

As I mentioned in my last blog post, I seem to have become a magnet for other people’s “junk food confessions.” In a similar vein, it seems that because I blog about the dangers of processed foods, my friends and acquaintances also feel compelled to horrify me with text messages and emails featuring the most surprisingly processed stuff they can get their hands on! In this case, my buddy Mike has really outdone himself. LOL!

WANT MORE TIPS FOR LIVING A HEALTHY, HAPPY LIFE?!

“Follow” our blog (in the upper left sidebar of this site), and we’ll send ya more great tips!

Are YOU a “Junk Food Confessions” Magnet?

Posted on by

It’s a perplexing phenomenon to which I imagine most “natural health advocates” can relate…

Now that my life’s work centers around advocating for natural foods, not a day goes by without someone feeling compelled to offer me an (unsolicited) “confession” of the unnatural things they’ve been eating.    

Seriously, I really don’t need to know that you have Skittles in the back of your cupboard that you “barely ever touch.” LOL!

And it truly makes no difference to me if you “caved in and went thru a drive-thru with the kids last night for dinner.” So there’s no need to give me that info when you see me – a simple hug or “hello” will do just fine. LOL!

I am not some kind of freaky food police, nor am I ever judging you – or anyone for that matter. (Heck, it certainly isn’t as if I think I have all of the answers, either! LOL!)  I have simply adopted a lifestyle that works well for me and has helped me resolve my chronic illness. I am passionate about helping others learn about natural, additive-free foods if they are interested, but it is by no means a topic that I’m just waiting for my chance to “pounce” you with. Honestly, it’s not the “elephant in the room” when I’m around as many folks seem to suspect. There’s a LOT more to me than natural food! For instance, I LOVE to squirrel watch….not that you’d prefer to talk about that, I suppose! (but I digress…)   

So, seriously, even if I bump into you somewhere and you happen to have a diet soda in one hand and a candy bar in the other (and even if your mouth were somehow also stuffed full of french fries at the same time)…we truly don’t need to discuss it. Believe it or not, it is a total non-issue for me. Seriously! I am not thinking anything about it – I’m probably just super excited to have run into you; and I’m dying to hear how you’re doing…not what you’re eating. 🙂

So, please, let’s talk about something else! I am one of the most non-condemning folks you’ll ever meet (not just about food but about anything!)…and I’d much rather talk about anything but food when socializing…and, most importantly, your diet is the last thing I’m thinking about (or analyzing, as you may suspect) when we’re hanging out.  🙂

Please note: If you have ever offered me your junk food confession and now you feel extra paranoid because you suspect that you were the inspiration behind this blog that I have now posted for the world to see….please rest assured that you are not! LOL! That’s why I’m posting this….because it happens so often with so many people – not just you! 😉  So take it easy…and, heck, keep the confessions coming if you’d like.

WANT MORE TIPS FOR LIVING A HEALTHY, HAPPY LIFE?!

“Follow” our blog (in the upper left sidebar of this site), and we’ll send ya more great tips!