Garden of Eden: The Road Map to How We Should Be Living

We open in the Garden of Eden, in the days of Adam and Eve. The world's "First Couple" had everything they needed to sustain their life, as it had been provided to them by God. Life- giving plants, trees, herbs and shrubs had been laid out for their enjoyment. They were entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the garden and all of its inhabitants. Life was good.

We have strayed so far from this outline designed by God. The life we were intended to live and the food we were supposed to eat has been placed on the back-burner and in exchange we became literally addicted to things like "fast foods" and preservatives. Things with no essential life-preserving, natural ingredients and foods that are preserved by chemicals just so they last longer.

I don't recall there being any means for preserving food in the Garden of Eden. Everything that was to be consumed was fresh and ready to eat when ripe and not being chemically transformed into something that lengthens shelf-life, but shortens our own lives.

We need to get back to basics and I think the Garden of Eden is the perfect outline for a plan. Growing your own food and encouraging others in the community to do so can actually be the first step to establishing your Garden of Eden, your Heaven on Earth.

By working together with local growers you can strategically plan what you grow, in order to create bountiful harvests that can feed the entire community. Sharing what you have extra from your garden and receiving what others have to offer creates a community co-op of sorts.

Now, Adam and Eve weren't just "kicking it" all up in the garden, in fact, they worked their butts off to keep the garden in order. It does require a great deal of time, and a lot of patience, but hard work always pays off with big rewards, and there is truth in the quote, "You reap what you sow". Till the earth and keep the soil clean, moist and ready to receive the water and sun, and you can't go wrong.

I truly believe we can all reap the benefits of starting a home garden. Even if you live in an apartment, or condo, or don't have much yard space, you have a place to grow something, anything. There are several online videos on how to create indoor spaces for growing. There's nothing to it, but to do it.

One of the things I can share about first starting out is don't try and over-do it. Don't go out and buy all the bells and whistles, you know, like expensive pots and insecticides and weed killers, etc.

When we started our garden, "Adam" and I, we used empty egg crates, they make the perfect little pods for planting seeds because they are so easy to scoop out when it is time to transplant, or move the sprout to a bigger container for growing.


We also used empty plastic juice bottles. These make the perfect little green houses. And as far as pesticides and weed killers, etc. go, we prefer not to use them. "Adam" and I research and find recipes for all natural products with organic ingredients, that when combined, create nature's finest insect repellents and weed killers that are harm-free for the soil. 

Pre-fabricated, above ground planting boxes are quite costly (http://ow.ly/aqjAQ), but "Adam" used pieces of scrap wood we had in the backyard and built several beds, even a king-size litter box for the cats, but that's another story. My point is, if you see an idea that you want to use, get creative and find a way to obtain the same result for less dollars out of pocket.

Now you may not have the luxury of having scrap wood, nails, hammer, etc. just at your fingertips, but the investment and cost of these items is so much more valuable and definitely cheaper than buying pre-fabricated things that can be made with materials we already have or can purchase for less than the cost of what's pre-made on the shelf.

God's first gift to mankind was the Garden of Eden and I believe we all should have a garden, a small garden if your space is limited, but a garden none the less. Be creative and grow what you like to eat. You will save money over time and the health benefits of eating fresh vegetables that have been prepared in a manner that will not take away the life-preserving properties naturally found in them are well worth the time it would take to start and maintain a garden.

Plant fruit trees and flowers, herbs and succulents, and add water elements to the yard. The sound of running water is soothing and provides therapy to those who are meditating within earshot of the sound of water cascading over rocks.

Maybe even a small fish pond with a waterfall in it would be ideal. Top it all off with a birdbath and bird house. This will encourage pollination, attracting birds and bees.

All of this was in the first Garden and I truly believe the key to having a piece of Heaven here on Earth begins with having your own garden to enjoy and care for, the way God intended, reaping what we sow and having endless supply of food made especially for our bodies.

Plant a seed today and stop delaying your entry to the Garden of Eden.

Money Doesn't Buy Happiness

“None of those material possessions do anything to make your life any better…. I know a lot of people who have a lot of everything, and they’re absolutely the most miserable people in the world. So it won’t do anything for you unless you’re a happy person and can have peace with yourself.”

 ~ Lenny Kravitz

In today's economy it is ever increasingly important to spend your money wisely. It amazes me sometimes how creative we can get when our dollars are few. We find ways to stretch those few dollars to make them last as long as we can. And then when we have one or two dollars more than what the bills amount to we go right back into our old habits of buying "things" - things that we don't really need but things we crave because they make us "feel" better, or look better.

We buy designer jeans and fancy things because we view them, and hope that others who see us view them, as status symbols. The fancier the car, the bigger the bank account, some think. The problem is that most of the time, you are paying for a label, instead of just buying quality clothing. And not to mention that times and fashions change so quickly. That pair of $100 jeans you bought, that everyone was wearing last month, will be out of style by spring. Clothes are only made to last until next season, when the next fall or spring line comes out.

There was a time when we packed away the winter sweaters and jackets, and dusted off our spring dresses and short outfits, maybe only buying something new for a special occasion. We also spend way too much money on new clothes, when there are hidden treasures just waiting to be purchased cheaply at local thrift store. Some pass this money saving opportunity up because their pride won't let them but something "previously worn" by someone else. I bet if your ass was cold and didn't have any clothes, then you would jump in that used, slightly worn coat without hesitation. But that's just my point, we can if we had to. We should live each day as if we have only a few dollars to live off of. Then, invest your money in quality purchases and spend locally as frequently as possible.

I have learned that money well earned should be money well spent. And, I am also learning that my dollars have more than just the economical value printed on the coin or paper; there is value and a chance to make a difference in your community. 

Instead of buying fruits and vegetables from the large grocery stores, who by the way charge more for their products because they have huge overhead demands to meet, we should patronize local small business and farmer's markets. Instead of large fast-food chains and restaurants, we should support the local family owned diners and eateries. I'm not saying don't go to In-N-Out burger or skip a good Sizzler salad, I'm just saying that we should spend the majority of our money in the hood, where it can do the most good.

I recently became introduced to a financial expert by the name of Suze Orman, who broke down some things for me plain and simple. For more information on all things financial please visit her website or check out her weekly show focusing on financial counseling. She has your best financial interest at heart and gives advice to live by not just for today and tomorrow, but information on how to secure your financial future.

Make the money, don't let the money make you. A part of this economy has been designed to keep you in debt and distracted from reality for a various number of reasons. Most of them beyond our control. What you currently have the opportunity to do is find ways to make your money make money for you. When people think of investing, they think of complicated stock market transactions or risky real estate investments.

The truth of the matter is you can grow your own food and sew more of your own clothing, curtains, towels, etc. Invest in a sewing machine and make something creative like custom pillows to sell to friends. Purchase the materials to make candles and soaps at home, for personal use or to sell to family and friends. They also make great gifts.

Invest in seeds and grow a garden, plant fruit trees, grow your own herbs for cooking. Eating at home more often, cutting out fast-food and limiting restaurant meals saves a ton of money. Eating out saves time, not money.

It's time to get wise about these things people. Gas and food prices are at an all time high, and so is unemployment. One day we could wake up and find ourselves in real trouble. Be prepared for natural disasters as well as financial ones. Start the financial emergency kit by growing and consuming as much of your own food as possible and invest money like you grow your garden, in hopes of a plentiful harvest, that just keeps giving.

Reaping What You Sow: Waiting Patiently for Flowers to Grow

I have heard it a million times, "You reap what you sow", but what I learned just recently is that there is a great patience involved, not only when it comes to sowing an abundant garden, but in cultivating healthy relationships and when raising healthy children, as well.

The Patient Gardener ~ With the help of my best friend and lover, I recently began the process of turning our backyard into a "Garden of Eden", a Place of Peace to be enjoyed by family and close friends. Fortunately, my father had laid the groundwork years ago by planting and nurturing so many fruit trees, plants, herbs and other goodies for the yard, like the ground pit for burning small fires. Unfortunately, with the exception of the first few months after he died in Spring 2010, I hadn't given much attention to anything in the yards. I barely watered the trees and plants and had the grass cut only every other month or so.

Last week we planted new lavender bushes along the back fence between two existing lavender bushes, all of different varieties. We also planted some wild flowers in a newly dug flowerbed around a large tree stump and a pygmy palm tree in honor of our fifth month anniversary. The week before last we planted a few herb seeds in some indoor pots. And every morning I wake up and draw back the curtain to give the indoor plants access to natural sunlight, hoping and wishing for a little bud of green life to pop its head out the dirt. A few days ago I was lucky enough to witness just that. Our first sprout was born.

My lover reminded me that even though that one strong seed did indeed sprout, I must wait patiently for the others and I should not get discouraged or think something is wrong if they all don't sprout overnight. Every day when I go out into the yard, I look to see if the new lavender bushes have emerged from the dirt, or if one little wild flower has broken through to reach out to the sun. I look for new growth on that pygmy palm tree and I envision the 4-foot tall tree that will one day be this small baby newly rooted in our soil.

The Patient Lover ~ After being single for  13 years I recently found myself lucky enough to be in a relationship. I began cultivating this love back in September and the past five months have been both an inspiration and a revelation. He inspired me to be a better me, and my inner soul has been revealed to me in the process. I am fortunate to have found someone to share my dreams with, and someone who has common goals and interests. I am learning to be patient in love and taking the time to appreciate all of the blessings this union affords. Knowing all the while that nothing that lasts is built too fast or too quick. Slowly building a solid foundation, and patiently waiting for the many more blessings this life has in store for us as a couple.

The Patient Grandparent ~ Seven month ago my daughter and her two toddlers, ages two and three, relocated to Los Angeles. It has been a great joy for me to be able to help my daughter by watching my grandchildren while she is at work. They are usually in my care from breakfast to bedtime, 5 or more days a week. Dealing with "the little people" requires great patience. Their demands are many and needs are plenty, but the rewards are incredibly fulfilling. The joy of an honest hug and kiss from a toddler, or a simple "I love you", just because, can bring the greatest joy to the soul.

As I said in the beginning, there is great patience involved when sowing a garden, a relationship, and when raising children, and what I have discovered is that the benefits we reap from all three are priceless.