Coconuts & Lettuce

It's SIMPLE they said.. Plant some things, water it, & watch it grow!

Truth is My First Garden never saw the light of day & yes it broke my heart. I did not attempt to grow, plant, farm, garden, anything for at least 5 maybe 6 years! Yes I know dramatic.

But the truth is I have no idea why they didn't grow. I planted them correctly; close to the top of the soil, & I didn't pack them down.

I water them for weeks; planted them @ the correct time of year. I even put them in an area where the sun was sure to touch everyday.

I guess it was such a let down @ the time b/c I was pregnant with my first child & I was extremely happy or extremely sad every other 5 minutes. I look back & laugh on this now b/c I was so young & so hopeful.

After this I stuck to house plants that quickly taught me we are not your friends, & they would just die on me repeatedly. I watered them enough so I thought, but I was kind of lazy when it came to watering them & once they left & my Husband would throw them out I would mourn them b/c I knew deep down it was my fault & I had killed them.

So for years I went without plants. Although I love plants; green, beautiful, huge, & flowing plants everywhere this was a dream I just couldn't get out of my head.

Until I grew up a little; LIFE happened & I went through it. Some times tougher than the others. I learned that people change, grow, & leave. Almost like plants, but not quite. LIFE taught me "ONLY THING IN LIFE THAT YOU CAN CONTROL ARE THE THINGS YOU GIVE TO LIFE". I decided that would be LIFE, SUBSTANCE, & NUTRIENTS. I can control this; I can do this!

& so I did...

I woke up 1 day & decided that I was  going to be the 4th or 5th generation in My Family (On My Dad's side) to FARM. I mean these people made a living off of this; supported whole families off of this. 

With enough Love & Support I did a little something something. It helped out a lot that My Husband was a Landscaper & My Farmer Father was a phone call away! 

My 2 boys contributed to being farms hands that worked for gloves & icecream. One of my little babies actually stuck around just for treats out of The Compost. (It took Me forever to get him to understand that those fruits were dying & could no longer taste good to him.)

So I said ALL OF THIS to say this Gardening, Planting, Farming, Growing is something you got to feel in your soul. B/c a good day on the FARM is exactly that "SOUL FOOD" (sometimes literally).

So this PLANT is  the same PLANT in the 1st picture up top! Only difference is when we transplanted the plant from our old house to our new house; We surrounded it with our soil that we had been composting for several months. Just so happened in The Compost there was a coconut that we waited to long to eat/drink. 

So the Coconut & Lettuce had been sharing this black container for about 7 months now. Of course the coconut hasn't broken down much @ all (they take a little while longer to DECOMPOSE).

So with my genius idea I decided to remove The Coconut from the pot with The Lettuce, & instantly this is what it did!!!

Instantly I panicked...

I went & got some #starbucks coffee grains; well b/c everyone loves #starbucks (right).

So I added some of course to My Compost, but sprinkled some of it in to My Plants also.

It did okay, but still no drastic change.

So My next great idea was to add more of the soil from out of My Compost into the planters. I even put in more fruits & veggies b/c in My Mind with The Coconut gone it was lacking a somewhat FRESH source of NUTRIENTS!

I didn't know if The Coconut provided some kind of nutrients or maybe just support.

Whatever it was; after a little time it hit me; this didn't happen until I removed The Coconut. So immediately I dug into the compost & found that coconut & put it back!!!

I watered it & gave it more dirt!

Still no reaction!

First time I've been depressed about planting in a long time (I may have even cried).

The next day nothing; so My Son & I moved them into the sun! Still NOTHING!!! 

Then that night as I'm pulling up to the house @ 3 a.m. (from work) they were back standing @ attention green again. It was SO WEIRD! (but such a relief.) 

It was like they had made a bond w/ The Coconut & were angry or maybe even sad b/c it was gone!

This was a LESSON I'm glad I learned.

 I believe there are no rules to LIFE. Just LOVE & if You LOVE It; then It will grow. Sure You can buy a ton of books & read blog after blog, but no one can tell you what you feel & how it truly works for you & your plants. 

We just know what works for us & our plants. Don't get me wrong always take tips & pointers that can better your plants, but follow your intuition on The LIFE You are CREATING!

I'M PLANTING & GROWING IN A DIFFERENT KIND OF WAY!

MY WAY!

& IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING JUST FINE FOR ME!

COCONUT & LETTUCE!

PLANTS & GARDENING TEACHING ME LIFE LESSONS 1 DAY @ A TIME!

I SURE DO PRAY THAT EVERYONE FINDS THE COCONUT TO THEIR LETTUCE!

DETOX DAY

There's so many cheat ways to hold on to a tight frame, healthy heart, & just the right amount of intake on HEALTHY stuff.

Lets TOAST to The Good Life!

Cheers..

So I usual plan for a Detox-Day the night before so that the fruits, veggies, & other ingredients have a chance to infuse its healing or healthy properties into the water.

You don't necessarily have to allow for that amount of time to pass. Just give it no less than a few hours refrigerated with a top on.

Here I'll provide with you My ingredients to make a Detox/Fat Burning Water.

First off the Water alone (either filtered or coconut; I choose just regular filtered) is an aid in HYDRATING. It is actually the best HYDRATION THE BODY CAN'T AFFORD TO be without!

Second there's the Lemon & Cucumber I used to put in this Detox/Fat Burner Water:

The Lemon definitely works to burn fat (It's no secret) add LEMON to your Detox Water to speed up your Metabolism, & flush Toxins out of your body.

Cucumber is Low in Calories, it contains Silica which is good for your muscles & skin. It also contains antioxidants.

Then there's Organic Cayenne pepper & 100% Maple syrup.

Cayenne Pepper is an old remedy to burn fat just by adding it to your water. It increased the metabolism as well as aids in digestion. Anytime the build up in the intestines moving & out is a wonderful thing. (The Cayenne Pepper mixed with the Lemon is a powerful cleanse that the body can regularly afford to have!)

As far as The Maple Syrup:

"The Maple Syrup Lemon detox is very beneficial to your whole system, down to the cellular level. The mixture is high in zinc, magnesium, iron, & calcium. It is low in calories and doesn't spike blood sugar levels. It is sufficient in nutrients and minerals to sustain the body for a long period of time."

"Answer-My-Health-Question-.info

With just 4 simple inexpensive ingredients what's stopping you from truly improving yourself inside & out.

Whoever said drinking water wasn't everything:

HYDRATE. DETOX. BURN FAT. 

ALL IN 1.

It's Easy Being Green

Another quick steal I found.. To make the untraveled path a little more familiar & guided.. 

So I've been eye balling this book @ Dollar General now for about a month & finally decided to give it a go; I mean it was only $3.00(bucks).

I'm so glad I got it..

It's a handbook for Earth-Friendly Living

So everything from how to buy green (shows what labels to look for such as: Not tested on animals, Biodegradable, grass fed, recycled, tree free, & etc.), shopping green Online (websites w/ everything from "Urban chic fashion made of environmentally responsible materials @ coolnotcruel.com"; to body care "formulated with natural plant & fruit extracts @ babecology.com") , to Green-Living MYTHS ("It's hypocritical to advocate & practice environmentally friendly behaviors in some, but not all, areas of my life").

It provides information on where & how to take actions Online or through Public Comment Hot lines to suggest or report ways to help support "The Earth". 

For example: The "White House wants to open more Wilderness areas to oil exploration". So if you have any objections or ideas on other ways to go about the situation This Book provides ways for you to be able to get involved.

Lets just stick with the basics for now...

 Like "Buying Green"

It explains to you:

1. The Law of Green Purchasing "Buy not, Buy less, Buy green".

2. What a Green Company or Product is "Green is a generic term used to describe something that has a benign or moderate effect on the environment".

3. Eco-Labels 

(It gives you Labels & Attributes to look for).

4. Websites for Energy- & Resource- Conscious Online Ordering & Delivering

(I find this to be amazing b/c it instruct you to use the comment box on your ordering form to request used packaging).

(There is actual an extensive list (pages & pages) of websites for any & everything you can think of to shop for.

5. Decreasing usage of Power & Water 

(Includes websites to ask questions about savings on energy efficient products/ www.homeenergy.org).

Even if your expertise is on Green-Living; I feel like this book still has a lot to offer w/ plenty of go to references.

In Our Case (those reading this BLOG) We are learning, & Our Knowledge of this Lifestyle is @ an all time LOW. I feel this book is The Bible to the way of Green-Living. 

Another private way to becoming enlightened on a matter not so popular in Our Communities. Reading & self-educating is definitely a way to build confidence up to be able to speak on & convert others to becoming more aware on preserving "The Earth".

B/c the more you self educate before making it public that this is the LIFESTYLE you choose; the more others will feel comfortable about your trying to convert & enlighten them.

When you know facts & benefits on Living The Green Life you can speak confident & passionate about it.

You can began to "TEACH".

Become a "Green Guru "It's Easy Being Green" A handbook for Earth-Friendly Living. Grab 1 @ your nearest DG, & began your "Green Journey".

100 BEST HEALTH FOODS & MOMMY'S HEART

100 BEST HEALTH FOODS

So I found this $4 deal @ Five and Below.. What an amazing steal. See these are the simple private ways to learn about Health & being Healthy. Yeah you could Google everything you need to know or just read a BLOG, but sometimes it's just nice to have a reference @ home on hand to refer to for recipes or health issue quick fixes.

I've decided to make a series of BLOGS based on Health Issues & Natures go to Medicines found straight from "The Garden"; maybe not your Garden, but definitely from "The Garden".

My 1st HEALTH ISSUE:

The #1 LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN WOMAN:

HEART DISEASE.

So exactly what are you doing to keep up w/ The Center of every FAMILY:

MOMMY'S HEART.

There's something called stress that's wearing us down. Then there's less exercise year by year along with quick not so HEALTHY DIETING.

I'm pretty sure if WE ALL KNEW THE RISK; AS WOMAN; WE WERE FACING BY TAKING CARE OF EVERYONE ELSE BUT OURSELVES WE WOULD SLOW DOWN & TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PROLONG OUR LIVES.

SIMPLE STEPS:

HEALTHY STEPS:

IT'S ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU EAT; FINDING FOOD THAT AIDS IN CARDIOVASCULAR/HEART HEALTH.

IN THIS BLOG I'LL SHARE A FEW EVERYDAY EASY GO TO's FOR A QUICK & EASY SUPER FOOD FIX THAT FOCUSES ON THE HEART..

THIS IS 1 OF THE HEALTHIEST OILS. IT IS RICH IN MONOUNSATURATES (please google this term & comment to let me know if you understood or even got an explanation for it.) & OMEGA-3/6 FATS TO PROTECT AGAINST HEART DISEASE. IT IS PROVEN TO HAVE A BETTER HEALTH PROFILE THAN ANY OTHER COOKING OIL.

(THIS IS JUST SOMETHING YOU CAN QUICKLY & EASILY GET YOUR HANDS ON. NO NEED TO GO TO A HEALTH FOOD STORE; THIS CAN BE FOUND RIGHT @ WAL-MART, TARGET, WHOLE FOODS, ETC.)

THIS IS ACTUALLY A FRUIT THAT AIDS IN PREVENTING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. DEFINITELY EASY TO INCLUDE IN DESERTS & HOLIDAY DISHES.

OF COURSE ANY NUT PROVIDES RAISED ENERGY LEVELS, BUT THEY ALSO HELP TO PROTECT THE HEART FROM DISEASE. NOT ONLY DOES IT PROTECT FROM HEART DISEASE, BUT ARTERIAL DISEASE AS WELL.

THIS NUT CONTAINS THE LOWEST TOTAL FAT THAN ANY OTHER NUT; PROVING TO BE A AMAZING DIETARY SNACK. 

"REGULARLY EATING NUTS IS LINKED WITH CONSIDERABLY LOWER RISK OF DYING FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES."

~100 BEST HEALTH FOODS

THESE ARE JUST A FEW IDEAS OF HEALTHY EATING FOR THE HEART. THIS BLOG WAS JUST TO LIGHT A SPARK IN YOU TO CONTINUE THE RESEARCH ON HOW TO FIND & INCORPORATE SUCH FOODS INTO YOUR DIET FOR A LONGER LASTING LOVING HEART FOR YEARS & YEARS TO COME; NOT FOR JUST YOUR FAMILY BUT FOR YOURSELF AS WELL!

Good Ol' Green Day!

So I was editing through pictures... I looked over a few several times looking for a focal point or a post!

Many times I went through; focusing on My Sister's old van, my little plant, & what looks like Poison Ivy (Not saying that that's what it is...).

But then I noticed the happy little boy in the background. Happy that It's "Work On the Compost Day", happy to be outside, happy to be messing with the water hose, & watering stuff. JUST HAPPY. 

Then there's a moment when I realize how every thing's GOOD & GREEN when we're outside bonding; getting along; pretending like we're off the grid for a bit.

They pick me flowers, help me haul things around, water plants for me, & ask me questions about what we're doing. (So it shows that they're interested in the process.)

(Flowers from My Babies!)

I WISH WE COULD DO THIS FOR A LIVING.

If I could have My Boys w/ me ALL DAY growing & planting; LIFE would be but a DREAM.

Today like everyday we pour goods into our COMPOST; we LEARN; we name off every item that's going in. We learn about the smells coming from the decomposing fruits, vegetables, & etc. & what exactly decomposing is. We take note on the insects buzzing around. We even learn safety on caution procedures for snakes. So they're constantly being educated on how to survive & live off of the land.

Survival Is Key. 

1 main reason I teach My Boys the importance of Farming/Growing/Planting; producing an Organic Life; I feel is because a Man who can completely provide from HIS OWN HANDS is a SUCCESSFUL MAN! (Now this is just MY OWN OPINION.) My Father was a Farmer, My Grandfather was a Farmer, His Father was a Farmer, & like I said before My Husband's a SUCCESSFUL LANDSCAPER (this makes me laugh, it is close enough for me). So this Opinion of Mines runs deep! I just want to raise boys that can PROVIDE FOR A FAMILY NO MATTER WHAT THE ECONOMY MAY LOOK LIKE @ THE TIME.

I truly believe that this planting/growing/composting is therapy. A therapy you can't find @ a Doctor's Office; no Therapist could prescribe anything that could come close to the peace & bonding we receive from Growing Green Together!

One Day; Just One Day We Will Be Blessed w/ The Opportunity to Serve The World from Our Good Ol' Green Days!

Healthy Family Happy Compost

Early Morning w/ some Hot Tea & Raw Honey!

Thought I'd start dinner early today! Roast, Rice, & Fresh Corn. Taking a moment to Thank God for LIFE & ALL It's Opportunities. 

I had the morning off & took some time out just to be Thankful! Unplugged.. from The World.. Well kind of..

I got to catch up on My Favorite Blog: By Joanna Gaines, make my 1st Farmer's Market fruit & veggie shopping bag (In a new line of KiKiMint Organic Life Products), make Blueprints for My New Garden area w/ a very small Pergola & raised beds; w/ an area for My Compost & recycling. 

This will be My Mother's Day Gift. 

A Gift for The Soul!

Breakfast w/ My Baby boy Bwaston Chaning was Interesting. He picked out the Healthy Blackberries; which made me smile; He has been listening. He loves everything Healthy & ask for it by name!

We shared breakfast, hot tea, & brownies; yeah yeah I know; but it's not often We have the day together! It's the little things that count; the ones they actually remember.

As I shared on My Instagram: kikimintorganiclife

A #Healthy #Family makes for A #Happy #Compost

Feed them well all the time & you will always have a feast for Your #COMPOST.

I Love taking care of My Family 1 Healthy Meal @ a time.. Killing 2 birds w/ 1 stone!

Moral of The Story today is to take time out to notice LIFE! Sit & Love In The Moment! Look up sometimes; before the BABIES are grown & SUCCESS fades into retirement. Stay true to "The Soul" & remember DREAMS are The BLUEPRINTS of Our FUTURE!

Thank You to those who SHARE In My DREAM, who take a moment to read My Blog or view My Instagram: kikimintorganiclife (COMPOST ART), those on the same JOURNEY, & those who believe(d) in ME!

Eat Healthy. Pray Often. Love Hard.

Support Local Farmers

  Support Local Farmers: SHOP Farmer's Markets

1. It's better knowing where your #FRUITS & #VEGETABLES come from. 

   ~Some of The Grocery Store #FRUITS & #VEGETABLES are coming all the way from Mexico. Just think of the travel time & I'm pretty sure that they don't have the same regulations as the U.S. even though the U.S. are buying the products & then distributing them in the U.S.

2. More often than NOT @ a Farmer's Market EVERYTHING is picked freshly from "The Earth" that week.

3. Canned or the bagged #fruits & #vegetables have added preservatives for a longer shelf life in The Grocery Store.

   ~Due to preservatives the TASTE IS VERY POOR COMPARED TO  having FRESHLY PICKED.

   ~Preservatives are NOT so HEALTHY. Most of the time ANYTHING added to something to make it last longer on a shelf for days/weeks/months @ a time IS JUST WRONG.. I mean think about it HOW LONG CAN FRESH FRUIT SIT UP IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR OR ON YOUR SHELF @ HOME BEFORE IT'S TIME TO GO TO THE #COMPOST BIN. 

MY 1ST EXPERIENCE B/W A FRESH PINEAPPLE & A CAN OF SLICED PINEAPPLE:

The DIFFERENCE was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING:

It was like I had NEVER had a PINEAPPLE In My Life.

From then on I was hooked to fruit; any fruit; any fresh fruit I could get MY HANDS on.

TRUST ME.

EXPLORE THIS OPTION. NOT ONLY IS IT HEALTHIER FOR YOU, BUT WE MUST REMEMBER THIS IS OUR LOCAL FARMERS LIVELY HOOD. WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM ON TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD HEALTHIER.

I READ A MEME ONCE THAT SAID WE SHOULD PUT SOME THESE DOCTORS OUT OF BUSINESS BY SUPPORTING/SHOPPING LOCAL FARMERS.

THERE'S A SLIGHT PRICE DIFFERENCE BUT THERE'S HUGE HEALTH DIFFERENCE.

NEVER BEEN TO A FARMERS MARKET; A LITTLE INTIMIDATED BY THE IDEA. GOOGLE FARMERS MARKET OR FRESH MARKETS IN YOUR AREA. SHOW UP; EVEN IF YOU DON'T BUY THE FIRST TIME; LOOK AROUND. SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER; CHECK OUT THE PRICES; MAKE CONVERSATION. IT'S ACTUALLY A FRIENDLY COMMUNITY; THEY'RE SELLING & THEY WANT YOU TO BUY. SO 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 THERE'S SAMPLES THERE & THERE FRIENDLY AS HELL. EVEN TOWARDS THE END OF THE SELLING DAY YOU MAY EVEN CATCH SOME DEALS B/C THEY HONESTLY WANT TO GO HOME EMPTY HANDED & A FAT CASH BAG!

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX OF WHERE & HOW YOUR SHOPPING FOR YOUR FOOD! MAKE A HEALTH CHANGE! A LIFE CHANGE!

SHOP LOCAL.