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.

Fasting: For Physical And Spiritual Fitness

It is no surprise that almost all religions observe some form of the act of fasting. Fasting has been practiced for thousands of years, being traced as far back as the times of primitive man.

In ancient societies, the act of fasting was performed for physical, spiritual and ceremonial reasons. Refraining from eating certain fruits, vegetables, and meats during certain times of the year, because they may have been tainted, or out of season and not fit for consumption, was common practice.

Fasting was also performed before spiritual ceremonies and as a form of physical or spiritual purification and cleansing. It was even thought that the act of fasting could ward off evil spirits or even encourage the spirits of the earth to send appropriate weather needed for plentiful harvests.

Fasting is the act of not taking any food or drink (or both), for a specific period of time. There are also limited-liquid intake fasts, "juice diets", that provide the body with nutritional intake while it goes through the detoxification process. Other fasts are less restrictive and only observe eating or drinking less than normal for a period of time, or even just excluding one or two items, such as meat or dairy, from the diet periodically.

Fasting for religious purposes is the most common form of spiritual cleansing although some religions merely practice the act of fasting for the maintenance of good health, such as the ordained Buddhist Monks and Nuns, who do not eat any meals after the noon hour of each day. This is also thought to aid in their meditation practices as well as maintaining a healthy body.



In Christianity, fasting is observed in a various number of ways. The Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox church both observe a forty day partial fast, Lenten, which commemorates the fast of Christ during his days in the desert when he was being tempted. The Ethiopian Orthodox church also observe a partial fast, excluding both milk and meat from their diets, for several weeks during certain times of the year.

The Holy Bible tells of David's fast for the purpose of humbling his soul, Moses' fasting twice in the book of Deuteronomy, and in the book of Acts, Saul fasted for three days after his conversion to Christianity.

In Mormonism, a complete fast is observed every first Sunday of the month. No food or drink is taken for a 24 hour period and all of the money that would have been spent on food for that day is required to be donated to the church as a "fast offering". And, as in many other religions, individuals and families can fast on their own free will to show repentance or as a way to show gratitude toward God.

In Islam, during the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims are prevented from eating any food, drinking any liquid (including water), and engaging in sexual activities. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and considered a highly important act of worship. In addition to restraints from food and drink, one observing the Ramadan fast must also temper his spirit by practicing only "good behaviors"; no swearing, no telling of lies, and no unkind acts or lustful thoughts.

Judaism recognizes Yom Kippur, and it is considered the most important day of the Jewish year. Yom Kippur is one of six fasts that are required of the Jewish people.

Each religion that requires mandatory fasting also has exceptions, like for children of a younger age and the elderly; However, some religions still require that some form of self-pleasuring sacrifice or the making of financial donations to the church instead of fasting is accepted, if you meet the exclusions.

In the book Back to Eden, Jethro Kloss recommends fasting for only a day or two at a time, and he also states that drinking plenty of water and doing concentrated, deep-breathing exercises will be most beneficial. He goes on to say that excluding rich foods and eating small amounts of plain food for days and even weeks will aid the body in ridding itself naturally of the poisons and toxins that have accumulated over time.

Fasting can be used as an effective weight loss plan, combined with eating the right foods and doing exercises on a regular basis. If you are under the care of a physician for any medical reason it is best to consult with your doctor before fasting or starting any exercise regimen.

For those who fast there are multiple health benefits such as increased life span due to the slowing of the aging process and reduced risks of cancer, diabetes, obesity, and disorders of the immune system which leads to all forms for disease.

If you are already not fasting for religious or other reasons, I encourage you to start as soon as you are able. The benefits will increase your overall quality of life and you can be a living testament to others. Here's to your health, and mine!

Take Time To Renew The Physical Self

Is the pressure of life getting you down and making you feel heavy? Are you tired and sluggish most of the time? Do you find that you have become stuck in a rut, so to say? Well, it may be due to a lack of your body feeling renewed, feeling recharged, and feeling refreshed; all necessary experiences for a healthy and physically fit human to continue to be physically fit, but often not our primary focus. We put so much pressure and strain on our physical bodies, always pushing physical abilities to the limits, and rarely taking the time to replenish that which we have drawn from so deeply and so often.

In the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Dr. Stephen Covey discusses the overall importance of physical health and he stresses that rest, relaxation, and regular physical activity are all key actions one must take daily to maintain healthy balance and order with mental and physical health. Other key factors include stress management and nutrition.

You have to eat better and learn to live better in order to feel better.

Set a physically healthy schedule for yourself daily and stick to it. By doing things everyday at a certain time they soon become healthy habits. For example, take your vitamins everyday at the same time, schedule meals and snacks for certain times of the day, take time to exercise and meditate, daily, for at least 30-60 minutes for maximum effect. (Consult your physician before starting any exercise regimen if you are on medication, or under the direction of a medical professional for an existing condition. Exercise is important for everyone, period, but each person must take into account what are the healthy limits for their specific journey).

Wake up and go to bed on time, according to your schedule, avoid taking several naps throughout a 24 hour period, and make time to sleep at least 6-8 straight hours to allow your body time to recharge its battery.

Identify any factors in your life that may be the source of unnecessary stress. Manage those things in your life and never allow them to exhaust any more of your energy than they deserve. You and you alone can control your emotions and ultimately your mood. Your physical health is directly affected by your mental emotions and attitudes. Stress bring upon disease in the body and all the internal stress you hold in will find its way out, and can manifest as cancer, as lupus, as diabetes, and other illnesses.

Eating healthy is probably one of the most essential things one can do to improve and maintain a healthy physically fit body. Choose foods that are healthy for your brain and for your body. Foods that are fresh, and not cooked, eaten raw, like fruits and vegetables, are best for you. Eaten daily, with plenty of water will increase your energy and make you feel lighter. Eating healthy is also a sure fire way to maintain a healthy weight for your height and stature. Avoid fried foods and foods high in calories, preservatives, fats and sugar. None of these are good for you. Try to cut these from your daily diet and only indulge in moderation occasionally.

There is a combination of things one must do in order to maintain a healthy physically fit body. Each person must design a regimen and schedule that works best for them. Don't make the mistake of comparing yourself  to others, or use their failures and successes to define your own. Create a schedule that includes healthy diet choices, exercise, meditation, rest and relaxation, and above all, find the chance to live, laugh, and love your way to a better you.