DrDeClutterBlog.com

Losses throughout the year of any kind, human, animal, health, wealth or of spirit can take an extra toll during the holiday weeks. Here are a few steps to take care of yourself during this time.

1. Make time to grieve.

Set aside time to really feel your feelings, cry your tears and let it all go where it needs to. Your body needs to mourn your loss or change all the way through.

2. Get support from others.

It’s not always easy to ask for help. Being “strong” isn’t smart. Being “human” is. Whether you talk to family or friends or see a counselor or minister, you will find layers of grief just waiting to spring forth when you talk to someone else and tell your story once more.

3. Develop skills that help you remember you are a worthwhile person.

You can let grief control you and fall into a deep depression or illness, chipping away at your self worth; you can ignore and deny it and stay busy, keeping your “mind off of it”; or, you can gain knowledge of how to embrace your pain and grow positively from it.

4. Create a physical environment that supports rather than stresses you.

During the mourning process stress levels increase. You need to create a space where you feel safe, comfortable, quiet when you need it and nurtured, even if only by yourself.

5. Take care of yourself.

There are physical as well as emotional aspects of grief. Exercise increases your strength and stamina and reduces your stress. Healthy eating gives your body the good nourishment it needs. Find quiet time. Schedule a massage to stay connected with your body.

Bottom line, grief is hard. Make sure to take the time to face it and deal with it, otherwise it will affect you for years to come.

Medications that are expired or that you’re not going to use again should not be  dumped in the toilet, down the sink or in the trash/landfill for two very important reasons. One is environmental, the other is our health. Medications of all kinds are in our drinking water now because people flush and dump them.

WHERE TO DISPOSE

1) Create a box or tub to store old medications away from children and pets.

2) Leave the medications in their original containers.

3) Contact your local hospitals and pharmacies and ask if they take them or have a ”Medicine Dump Day” where you take in what you have and they will incinerate it. 

IN LONGMONT, CO (Where I live)

Longmont United Hospital has  a ”Medicine Dump Day” twice a year. Watch the paper or contact their pharmacy. It’s usually around April and October on a Saturday.

You can also take medications to Good Day Pharmacy anytime. (They are across the street from LUH).

Here is a longer article about why not to dispose of medications at home.

IF YOU MUST DISPOSE AT HOME

And, if you must dispose of your unused medications in the trash, which is still better and safer than the sewer, you may want to place a little water into solid medications or solidify liquid medicines with a little kitty litter, sawdust or flour. This may help keep your medications from being taken accidentally by a child or pet. But, they will still end up in the environment.

There are plenty of examples of people who have chosen to be bigger than their adversities. What do you complain about, gripe about, curse and fuss about? Is it important? Really?

This young man and his brother are shining examples that we can let go of so many of our own daily frustrations that just don’t matter. 

Find out more of their lovely story here  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOqV_4ltPZM&feature=related

Choose joy.

Choose happiness.

Choose a bigger vision of your glorious life, now!

Mom’s asked The Doctors for help, they shared 20 fast fixes for dozens of problems!  9/2011

1. Maple Syrup
• High-quality maple syrup can help fend off colds.
• Use a maple syrup facial to fight aging.
• Research shows that the polyphenols in maple syrup may reduce certain types of cancer and
inflammatory diseases.

2. Tea
• A warm teabag placed over the eye can help treat a stye, which is a tender, red bump on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection. The tea leaves help modulate cell activity to fight infection, and the warm compress helps soothe the area.
• Tea’s tannins and polyphenols help reduce the swelling and discharge from pink eye by placing a warm teabag over the eye.
• Chamomile tea contains compounds to reduce inflammation, irritation and soothe the itchy, dry skin of eczema. Brush the warm tea on an affected area.

3. Baking Soda
• Treat acne by applying a paste made by mixing baking soda and water.
• Apply baking soda paste to soothe razor burn.

4. Vinegar
• Applying distilled vinegar to a mild sunburn can ease the sting because the acetic acid in vinegar acts as an anti-inflammatory.
• Combine vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz a little bit onto your hair for three to five minutes and rinse. The vinegar removes build-up from styling products, restores a healthy pH balance to the hair and adds shine.
• Vinegar is a powerful disinfectant, capable of killing viruses and bacteria on counters.

5. Cinnamon
• Adding ½ tsp of cinnamon to your daily diet can help lower cholesterol.
• Cinnamon also improves insulin function, which can lower the risk for diabetes.
• Cinnamon has been found to contain strong antibacterial and microbial properties, and can help fight bad breath.

6. Mayonnaise
• Mayonnaise, made from egg yolk, vinegar and oil, can help treat dry, cracked heels, remove dead skin on the feet and add moisture.
• Apply mayonnaise to the scalp and cover for several hours to kill head lice. When ready, wash hair and comb the dead lice out.

7. Tea Tree Oil
• Contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that can treat nail infections and athlete’s foot.
• Add two to three drops of tea tree oil to boiling water and breathe in the steam to alleviate congestion from a cold. For best results, cover your head with a towel.

8. Papaya
• Put pureed papaya on your face to get rid of dead skin cells, even out skin discoloration and get a glowing complexion.
• Eating papaya can help alleviate asthma symptoms by decreasing inflammation with proteindigesting enzymes.

9. Pineapple
• This fruit is packed with vitamin C and enzymes that are good for your gums and stomach. It can help aid in digestion and may also help fight gingivitis and mouth disease.

10. Bananas
• Bananas contain resistant starch, which can slow digestion and hunger hormones and help you feel full longer, which means eating fewer calories throughout the day.
• Bananas have five-times more immune-boosting vitamin A than an apple.

11. Honey
• Contains antibacterial and antiviral properties to treat diarrhea. It is most helpful in stopping diarrhea caused by antibiotics.
• Do not give raw honey to babies under 1 year old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends honey for children age 1 and older. (I would add “local” honey to keep it in line with your local environment where the bees get the nectar from the plants.)
• Honey has also been shown to help heal wounds and burns.

12. Ginger
• Grated ginger in tea or a bath can help ease muscle aches.
• Ginger root’s oils and pungent phenol compounds may help fight inflammation, the primary cause of congestion in the chest and sinuses.
• Ginger should not be used by people with gallstones, gallbladder disease, diabetes, heart disease or clotting disorders.

13. Club Soda
• This carbonated beverage can ease an upset stomach and alleviate nausea.
• Club soda also removes stains, as the carbonation lifts the stain to the surface.

14. Lemons
• Contain antibacterial properties and acids, which disinfect cutting boards and remove stains.
• The oxidizing agents in lemons can brighten nails. Cut a lemon in half, dig nails into the flesh of the lemon for a minute and let the juice flow into the cuticles and under the nails. Remove your fingers and let the juice linger for a few minutes, then rinse your fingers and nails and dry thoroughly.

15. Walnuts
• Research shows that walnuts can protect your arteries and heart.
• Walnuts can also remove wood scratches by rubbing them into the scratch.

16. Baby Oil
• Can make skin soft and smooth, and reduce nicks and razor burn if used when shaving.
• Baby oil has also been shown to polish chrome.

17. Vodka
• Can disinfect and relieve the pain of a jellyfish sting.
• The alcohol in vodka minimizes bacterial growth in water and can keep flowers fresh.
• The alcohol content of the vodka can help freshen laundry.

18. Whisky
• Contains antiseptic properties and can disinfect cuts.
• The astringent qualities in whiskey can dull the pain of a toothache.
• The high alcohol volume can clean gold jewelry of dust, debris and dirt.

19. Toothpaste
• Toothpaste can stop the itching of a bug bite or bee sting because it is alkaline, which helps neutralize the acidic bee venom. It takes about 15 minutes to work.
• It can treat pimples by absorbing the oil and drying out the blemish out.
• Remove crayon marks from a wall by scrubbing toothpaste over the area with a dry sponge, letting it sit for five minutes and wiping away with a damp washcloth.

20. Vanilla
• Pure natural vanilla extract can be used as an insect repellent. If you are going to an area with severe insect infestation or risk of diseases, make sure to use a stronger repellent.

Thanks Docs! Find more ideas at The Doctors TV Show.

My friend Jan just did. I told her about my cashing in my gold crowns recently – see blog post about it here - and she said, “Boy, I’m writing my gold crowns - that are still in my mouth - into my Will before cremation!”

And you were worried about who gets your 1979 almond toaster!

What’s in your Will?

Who gets what after you pass?

Make sure to add your gold and silver too, from teeth, jewelry, flatware and otherwise. Who knows how high the price of precious metals will go by then, whenever you “then” is.

By the way, Jan is healthy and fine, but great at getting things accomplished and thinking ahead.

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND, AMERICA!

Freedom! …. Food!… Fat. Frustration. Fatigue. . .

Don’t let fatigue ruin your holiday weekend. Mental and physical fatigue are different than ordinary tiredness . Fatigue is disruptive and can be chronic, interfering with all aspects of daily living. About 10 million doctor visits each year are attributed to fatigue, and many of those are tied to arthritis-related conditions.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, 98% of rheumatoid arthritis patients and 50% of people with lupus or Sjogren’s syndrome report fatigue. The percentage escalates with obesity and depression, and complications of secondary conditions such as fibromyalgia, lung conditions, and cardiovascular problems.

WHAT DOES FATIGUE FEEL LIKE?

Patients often feel fatigue is inadequately addressed during doctor visits, likely because there is no quick fix. The impact of fatigue is significant. Many patients describe its effect on their lives as greater than that of pain.

Fatigue is

·         extreme weariness

·         overwhelming exhaustion

·         a feeling of being “wiped-out” and having no energy — even after a night’s sleep.

·         Fatigue affects a patient’s ability to think

·         and its unrelenting presence can cause emotions to change quickly.

Here are 10 Ways to Fight Fatigue on a daily basis to enjoy every day as much as possible. I’m going to start with the basics that even the healthiest of people can do. 

1.       Eat for Health First at Every Meal and In Between

- Breakfast Every Day

To “break” your “fast” is exactly what “breakfast” means! You are eating – breaking the fast from not eating all night long.  So, when you first wake up, your blood sugar is low. Eating a proper breakfast can serve as an energy booster. Skipping breakfast drains your energy, contributing to the fatigue problem. It’s important to eat nutritiously at every meal, but focus on breakfast to start your day off right. Balanced your meal with protein to get your blood sugar back up and balanced.

Eat a well-balanced morning meal with complex carbs, protein and healthy fats. The following dietary guidelines are very helpful in balancing your mood, brain and body chemistry.

-          Eat 5-6 smaller meals a day keeping your blood sugar up and even.

-          Drink less or no caffeinated drinks

-          Eat less or no carbohydrates, gluten, wheat, etc.

-          Eat less or no sugar

-          Read labels: stay away from high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, soda pop

-          Eat less or no prepackaged, boxed or canned foods.

-          Drink less or almost no alcohol, alcohol is a depressant

2.       Drink a Sufficient Amount of Water

Dehydration can cause a person to feel very tired or fatigued. Drinking 8 glasses of water each day should become part of your routine. It seems like such a simple thing, but hydration must be taken seriously.

3.       Exercise Regularly

Moderate and consistent sessions of aerobic exercise, 3 or 4 times a week for 30 to 45 minutes, will help increase your energy level. Even 15 minutes a day will rejuvenate your body and mind.  Though it may seem counterintuitive, exercising regularly actually boosts energy levels rather than depleting them, particularly when you incorporate low-impact workouts that involve stretching, such as Yoga, Pilates, or Tai Chi. Exercise also reduces stress, which is a serious cause of fatigue. Higher-intensity exercise and cardio also reduce stress, providing an outlet for frustrations and releasing happy hormones called endorphins—which also fights off fatigue.  

4.   Lose extra body weight.
      Being overweight can make you feel sluggish. Break the cycle and drop those pounds by eating right and getting plenty of exercise. 

5.       Develop Good Sleep Habits

Get 7-8 hours of (undisturbed) sleep a night. Take charge of your sleep pattern – go to bed at the same time each night, get up at the same time each day, establish a ritual so that your body will recognize it’s time to sleep.  Sugar, caffeine and low nutrient foods can cause sleep pattern disturbances.

6.      Learn How to Control Stress
        Choose your battles, let more things slide off you like water off a duck’s back, don’t react to anything “it too shall pass.” When a person is under excessive stress, creating fear and anxiety, breathing becomes more shallow limiting oxygen that’s available to the body. Start breathing deeply to consciously ward off the effects of stress. Take 5 or 10 deep breaths when you feel stressed and fatigued. Breathing exercises and meditation are techniques you can practice any time; practicing them will arm you with the tools you need to react to stress and fatigue.

7.       Don’t Be a Victim or Martyr to Others

Being the “caregiver” or the one “everyone always depends on” gets no rewards. Take care of yourself FIRST so that you’re humming at 100% to be and attend, assist, care and love others too.

8.       Be Responsible with Your Medications and Be Aware of Medication Side Effects

First, take your mediation “as directed.” Forgetting to take your meds, double dosing, etc. is very confusing and abusive to your body, to your self.

Be Aware of Medication Side Effects: For example, while it is necessary for most arthritis patients to take medications to treat pain and other symptoms, drowsiness is a common side effect of many of these drugs. Some medications list drowsiness as a known side effect. If the medications are part of a daily regimen, drowsiness may add to already-present fatigue.

9.       Get With Other People

Plenty of studies show that when we are more sociable and are in relationships with family and friends, we are happier. People who are happier are less stressed and fatigued, they have friends and buddies to share and vent with as needed, to laugh and cry with too.

10.   Have fun!

What brings you fun? What makes you laugh and brings you joy. . . stories you like to share over and over again? Do something you enjoy every day and make socializing with friends a priority.

  Know we’ll look at a few specific health issues that are fatigue prone.

Chronic pain alone can cause fatigue. Pain also can lead to depression and mood changes that can worsen fatigue. To control fatigue, it’s important to have pain well-managed.

11.   Thyroid Problems

Thyroid symptoms include depression, lack of sleep and fatigue. Taking care of your thyroid health is imperative so that it doesn’t become worse and move into autoimmune diseases. See my list of health care practitioners who are educated in thyroid health (not all doctors are.) If you have a thyroid problem you will find great help in Get Your Life Back! Thyroid Reset Manual (a diet plan good for everyone, even without a thyroid problem.)

12.   Treat Arthritis Pain and Other Symptoms

Higher-than-normal levels of cytokines — chemical messengers involved in inflammation — have been found in the blood of patients suffering from fatigue. It’s important to control inflammation and monitor active inflammation.

Inflammation is also caused by sugar, toxins and chemicals in your diet.  (See #1)

13.   Be Tested for Anemia

Referred to as “anemia of inflammation” a condition where the size and number of red blood cells is affected. Consequently, there is too little iron to bind to oxygen in the red blood cell causing a decrease in energy production.

14.   Protect Your Joints

Joint protection can reduce stress on arthritic joints and decrease pain. There are several joint protection principles which, if followed, will help to conserve energy. Use adaptive equipment to protect joints too. Good body mechanics can also help decrease fatigue.

And, here are a few more good things to do for yourself to ward off fatigue. 

15.   Let Nature Heal You

Get some fresh air and sunshine on your face. If you’re stuck inside all day at work, especially if you have no windows, be sure to step outside a couple of times a day for an energizing dose of fresh air and sunlight. Take a walk outside to maximize the energy boost.

16.   Challenge Yourself to Make Positive Changes in Your Life

Break unhealthy habits like smoking and eating fried foods. Let go of grudges and resentment towards others – those feelings are exhausting. Organize your home or office and get rid of energy-zapping clutter. Pick up a new hobby or sport. Enjoy living.

17.   Mix It Up a Little!

Change your surroundings to emulate brighter colors, use aromatherapy to stimulate the senses, look into natural supplements, or drink teas that are of lower caffeine content with other great health benefits.

18.   Pace, Plan, Prioritize and Organize

It’s important to balance fatigue and rest, but what about those times when you must be doing something? Devise a plan for how to accomplish certain tasks. Plan for all that needs to be done. Prioritize the list and what needs to be done first. Pace yourself as you go through your prioritized list. The trick is to be organized and deal with tasks in manageable chunks.

20.   Time For You

Don’t forget to schedule time for yourself. Time for something you enjoy is the only criteria. Take just a half hour or hour a day for yourself and reap the benefits.

For some people, it seems like they’re tired all the time. Fatigue is a byproduct of so many factors in our lives. Use this list to be more mindful and conscious of all areas of your life that you have control over and can take charge of right now, and for a great Holiday Weekend!

So, what causes your fatigue? Remember that if you understand what causes your fatigue, that you will be in a better position to fight it—and it doesn’t have to require a chemical fix.

Happy Labor Day weekend, America! 

 You don’t have to have a thyroid problem to recieve all the benefits from eating the Thyroid Health Reset Diet that I’ve set forth in my Get Your Life Back! Reset Your Thyroid Health Manual.

I went through Hashimoto’s Disease (hypothyroidism that has moved into an autoimmune disease) Treatment last year. I feel better today than I have in years, and will continue my thyroid diet as my new “lifestyle eating plan” for the rest of my life.

After teaching my Get Your Life Back! 6-Week Jumpstart Your Health TeleProgram earlier this year - in which only about half of the group of 9 women had diagnosed thyroid issues – they all lost weight easily (many up to 15 lbs) and lost symptoms that were keeping them awake at night, feeling stressed and “old” and other issues that stunt a joyful daily life.

The 23 lbs. I lost easily last year on this nutrition plan stays off easily too, which is very nice. Plus, many other symptoms are gone too, which is the focus on the diet – to rebuild ones body, brain and health.

Just today I recieved feedback from a fellow who bought my manual earlier this week that was very nice to hear!

“I will seize this opportunity to tell you that your manual is one of the best documents that we have seen for any health problem. The document is easy to read and to the point with several tools that are not only useful, but helpful.”  Rodolfo, MA, USA 

Photo Source: care2.com

Stress free eco-friendly cleaning tips to make life easier, and easy to do. When it comes to enjoying a clean home with simplicity and ease, some of the best things in life are chemical free. Cleaning without chemicals helps remove the worry of cross-contamination, poisoning surrounding nature and ourselves.  

So, today we put together a quick list of easy eco-friendly cleaning tips (find out more click here) and made with natural products, and some things you can do to make your home more enjoyable for yourself and your family. Use it or lose it.

If you are storing too much stuff, bite the bullet and let go of some of it. Donate items you are not likely to use, and unburden yourself of excess clutter while helping others. You will likely feel better, and enjoy a cleaner living space.Throw stuff away.

Not every household item is designed to last forever. For instance, how old are your pillows? Do they look dirty, lumpy, and old? Yuck! While recycling, reusing, and eliminating unnecessary waste is important, there are limits. Sometimes, it’s ok to throw stuff away. However, washables that seem unsalvageable are often deceptively easy to clean.

Rust on fabrics.

To remove a rust stain without using harsh chemicals, simply douse with juice from a lemon, and then sprinkle with salt. The lemon will neutralize the stain, and the salt will absorb it.

Shine Wood floors.

Vinegar and water, or undiluted mineral spirits, are chemical free, eco-friendly options for cleansing and deodorizing wood floors.

Pest control.

A clean home may not equal a pest free home, but pest control is vital for safety and cleanliness. After all, where there are rodents, there are droppings. Where there are ants, there are ants. Try mixing together baking soda and icing sugar – it’s the solution to all pest/bug problems!

Cucumbers.

Cucumbers send ants marching in a new direction. Away! Simply slice some fresh cucumbers, place them strategically around the home, and hurrah! Goodbye, ants.

Keep rodents at bay the sly way.

Fox urine around the outside of the home is an excellent rodent deterrent, which is highly effective, cruelty free and naturally chemical free. Using an animal’s urine to promote a clean house may sound crazy, but rest assured, it’s crazy like a fox!

How on earth are you supposed to lay your hands on a supply of fox urine of all things? Not to worry, there is no need to go into the wild in search of a urinating fox. Believe it or not, the stuff works so well it is available for purchase.

Pet odors.

A dusting of baking soda is a simple method of absorbing pet odors trapped in carpeting. Allow baking soda to absorb the odors for 30 minutes or so. Do not push or rub the baking soda into the carpeting. Finish by lifting the baking soda from the carpeting with a vacuum.

Cat got your table?

If your feline friend is a bit too at home on your kitchen/dining room table, a few fragrant, zesty, orange peels will persuade kitty to keep paws off.

A safe, clean, comfortable home is easy to maintain. Simply take control of clutter, and take a few queues from nature.

Guest Writer: Sandy McDonald is a part-time cashier at an organic food store and a mom of two busy twin boys. Sandy also volunteers at her local community garden twice a week. - from Readers Digest Canada

Whether you’re watching your pennies because of food prices, or you just want to save money and use it for other reasons, it’s important to learn how to eat healthy on a strict budget.

Many people believe that eating healthy costs a fortune and that there’s no way they can do it on a shoestring budget. Well, that is simply not true!

Once you get in the habit of planning out your meals and making a thorough grocery list, you will find that it is possible to eat real food on a budget. The side benefit? . . . you get healthier with each bite!

10 Ways To Help You Eat Well Without Busting the Bank

1. Plan ahead – Make a detailed list of all of the ingredients you need BEFORE you step foot in a market or grocery store.

2. Don’t shop on an empty stomach – If you are hungry while you’re at the store, you will overspend on food that might not be the best for you. Eat a light snack before you leave home.

3. Clip coupons and watch the sales.

4. Stay on the outer edges of the grocery store – The center aisles of the grocery store are where you’ll find the processed foods. The outer edges of a grocery store are where you’ll typically find the real food – the deli, meat department, produce, and dairy products.

5. Use cash –  We are much more conscious of what we put in our carts when we know exactly how much money we have to spend.

6. Pay attention to portion sizes – “Buying and eating ‘bulk’ creates hulk!” Biggie sizing is not funny anymore.  Not only will watching portion sizes help your grocery budget, it will help you lose or maintain your weight. Go see this fun tool that WebMD has created to help people understand portion sizes.

7. Assess “leaks” in your budget – Do you stop at Starbucks every day? Do you grab a bagel on the way to work in the morning? Do you and your co-workers go to lunch several times a week? These activities can add up to a substantial amount of money over a week’s, month’s, and year’s time – you could easily spend upwards of $20 – $25 a week just on coffee! (Crazy in my book!) That is a massive chunk of change when you’re on a budget (and even when you’re not!) Plugging these leaks will not only give you more breathing room in your grocery budget, it will greatly benefit your health.

8. Shop locally – Not only will you be getting higher quality food, more nutrition, AND be supporting the local economy, many times, farmers markets have better prices on produce, bread, and certain gourmet products than your local grocery store will.

9. Taking cooking classes – Many communities education systems, health food stores and online sites have free classes to learn how to eat healthy and what you’ll need for each dish and menu. This is very helpful so that you don’t buy lots of things that don’t go with anything else, but also to give you new ideas on what’s healthier than old default foods and how to fix them for great meals.

10. Be a healthier food eating groupie! – Find others in your community or in online communities who are learning how to do this too. Learn from the veterans who know how to plan menus, buy, cook and enjoy their food without breaking the bank! Meeting new people adds to stress relief by creating social connections. Friends are a good thing!

Bon appetit!

Thanks for this article idea from The Nourishing Gourmet.com and Delicious Obsessions.com

I’m so excited to share this awesome study I read in the Longmont Times-Call  yesterday. All of these findings aren’t a great mystery to people who work off the land and have gardens, but it is great to have studies like this that make it so clear you can’t miss it!

This study shows that: 

Those with garden plots eat more veggies, exercise more and weigh less.
But, the gains of community and urban gardens is even more
than these good outcomes, they help grow communities and bring people together.

A new study led by University of Colorado scholars shows that community gardeners harvest better health, as well as stronger connections to their neighborhoods for generations. It’s a great thing for all!

BENEFITS

Community Gardeners

• eat more vegetables: Denver-area community gardeners consume an average of 5.7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, compared with 4.6 servings for home gardeners and 3.9 servings for non-gardeners
• exercise more: 720 minutes a week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise, compared with 570 minutes a week for non-gardeners
• weigh less:  the average body-mass index for community gardeners is 24.2, compared with 27.2 for non-gardeners. A BMI of 25 or higher has been a measurement used to suggest that a person is overweight
• feel healthier than non-gardeners (and even home gardeners)

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY GARDEN? 

Community gardens are parcels of land divided into plots in which people can grow vegetables, herbs and flowers. At the Kerr Community Garden, plots range from $48 to $183, depending on size, and reduced rates are offered to low-income gardeners.

COMMUNITY GARDENS AND GARDENERS ARE GENEROUS AND GIVING  – THEY CHANGE THE COMMUNITY FOR GOOD

The study also found that community gardeners tend to feel more attached to and protective of their neighborhoods resulting in less crime and chaos.

We are social creatures, we need to be with others and share, give and receive. Community gardens are the perfect place for these activities naturally.

SCHOOL AND URBAN GARDENS BUILD COMMUNITY

Helping children and school systems learn the entire cycle of a good garden builds trust, lifelong education and generational relationships. Community gardens reach into the community of all ages to build deep and wide security, stability and strong roots for a lifetime of growth.

“We eat out barely at all,” Dillingham said. “When you grow your own food, you cook your own food and tend to eat healthier.”

A sense of accomplishment, satisfaction and personal pride goes a long way toward our health: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.

RESEARCH PUBLICATION

The research team includes Jill Litt, an assistant professor in the CU environmental studies program. The findings were published in the journals “Social Science and Medicine” and “The American Journal of Public Health.”

Now, got get your hands dirty!