By Cynthia Brian
âAdopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.â Ralph Waldo Emerson
No, the title âPace Be With You!â is a not a typo.
Halloween was a few weeks away when retail stores began showcasing Christmas goods. The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas carols were ubiquitous with garlands, wreaths, Santa statues, and twinkling lights adorning every space. As much as I love the holidays, I detest the commercialization. My sanctuary during this chaotic period is to spend quality time in a garden where the flora and fauna abide by the terms of Mother Nature. Here, there is a natural rhythm to life. When we adopt an attitude of patience and pace ourselves, peace is the result. Being in nature will help you achieve these secrets of living mindfully.
I recently rested and rejuvenated on the verdant Caribbean island of St. Lucia where life operates at slower pace. The lush rainforests surrounded by sparking aqua seas envelope this tiny oasis providing a prescription for mindful meditation focused on nature. The wonders of marine life with reefs vibrant and alive with coral and fish compliment the rich tropical jungles filled with the sounds and sights of birds, reptiles, and exotic creatures. Walking through the botanical gardens is a sensory experience, definitely a sublime forest-bathing experience in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku. Everywhere I looked I witnessed what we refer to as âhouseplantsâ growing naturally in the rain forest and on the Pitons. Peace lilies, anthuriums, poinsettias, pothos, ferns, tillansia air plants, gingers, philodendrons, palms-all happily communing in this natural setting. To see the symbiotic relationship between vines, trees, shrubs, and other plants assured me that planet Earth has a will to survive. Whether the weather was monsoon raining or brilliant sunshine, being in such a pristine environment far removed from the maddening crowd gave me reason to pause, pace, and peace out!
Now that the chilly days and colder nights have halted any successful outdoor planting project, itâs time to bring a festive and healthy touch to your indoor décor with living tropicals. The plants from the rain forest will remove toxins, improve the air quality, and add beauty as colorful accents since during winter months when more time is spent inside. On the larger specimens like the fiddle leaf fig, you can wrap Christmas lights and sprinkle ornaments, pinecones, garlands, or toppers to celebrate the season.
Staying healthy this season:
Gearing up for holiday meals may cause you to think of your waistline, but by considering the nutritional values of the foods, youâll be able to devour with delight.
Roasting butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness. It can be paired with garlic, rosemary, cumin, coriander seeds, and peppers for a healthy savory dish or for a sweeter rendition, add nutmeg and cinnamon. (In St. Lucia, every time I asked a waiter what made a particular dish so delicious, the answer would be âthe secret ingredient is nutmeg!â I came home with the nuts to grate) Squash is a no-cholesterol fruit packed with fiber and is a major source of vitamin A providing benefits for your heart, eyes, and skin.
If you grew garlic, leeks, and onions this year, you are enjoying the cancer-fighting properties of the chopping, smashing, and dicing. These tasty alliums contain prebiotics (not to be confused with probiotics) that keep friendly bacteria in your intestines, help you absorb calcium, ward off colds, flu, and heart disease, while lowering blood pressure. Add fresh garlic to your salads and sides for an extra health boost.
Beans are nutritional powerhouses loaded with vitamin K for bone health, fiber for digestion, folate for energy, and magnesium for brains. Eat fresh green beans (never canned, unless you canned your fresh produce) and youâll be fired up with antioxidants.
Sweet Potatoes are very easy to grow and just one cup fulfills your daily ration of vitamin A necessary for vision and bone growth. If you are concerned about combating wrinkles, the vitamins in sweet potatoes decrease creases while hydrating and repairing your skin.
Eat your spuds cold because when potatoes are cooked and cooled, they release âresistant starchâ, a fiber that actually aids in burning fat.
The antioxidants in red wine decrease heart disease and protect against cancer. Share a bottle of Lamorinda wine at your holiday feast to extend your life and your relationships!
Pumpkin pie is not only delicious. It is good for your complexion with its commanding antioxidants. One slice delivers four grams of fiber. Go ahead and have a second slice!
Cynthia Brianâs Mid Month Gardening Tips
BUY bulbs on sale. Many nurseries and garden centers are selling bulbs 50-75% off retail because it is generally accepted that the planting is over. However, I plant bulbs through the end of January because our Mediterranean climate seems to keep the soil a bit warmer. Tulips are always a special treat, although we usually only get one to two years from a bulb. Alliums are a great choice because the deer wonât eat them and the blooms are terrific as a cut flower. For the fragrant scent, nothing beats hyacinth, however always wear gloves when planting these bulbs as many people exhibit skin allergies to hyacinth.
MOW your lawn only every two weeks in the winter with the mower at 3.5â.
SPREAD seeds of a cover crop to add nitrogen and nutrients to a vegetable plot.
DECORATE with tropical plants in varying sizes to dazzle and sparkle. The great thing about tropicals is how easy they are to grow and how long the blooms last. Read the instructions and enjoy the rainforest benefits.
SPRAY paint end of season gourds and pumpkins with gold, silver, or bronze for an entry arrangement with pinecones and evergreen branches.
DONATE to your favorite non-profit for an end of year tax deduction while making the life of someone else more pleasant. Please consider our local youth 5o01 c3 charity, Be the Star You Are!®, www.BetheStarYouAre.org.
STAY healthy by eating fresh fruits and vegetables in season such as pomegranate, persimmon, oranges, tangerines, lemons, winter squash, kale, potatoes, and lots of lettuces and herbs.
PACE yourself. Nature is slowly sleeping and this gives gardeners a chance to revitalize, refresh, restore, and renew. Youâve worked hard all year. Give yourself the gift of peace.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and hallowed holiday month. Patience and peace be with you!
Happy growing! Happy Gardening!
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©2016
Cynthia Brian
The Goddess Gardener
StarStyle® Productions, llc
Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com
www.GoddessGardener.com
925-377-STAR
Tune into Cynthiaâs Radio show at www.StarStyleRadio.net
I am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant.
