How to stay healthy longer

I’m promoting healthy living by encouraging everyone to get up close and personal with the food they eat, have fun exercising, and socialize. A healthy life consists of the steps and strategies that one puts in place to achieve optimal health. My steps include; maintaining a spiritual relationship, eating to live and not living to eat, staying physical by gardening, swimming and walking, stimulating my brain by reading and teaching and socializing with neighbors, church members, club memberships, cultivating healthy relationships and enjoying life .

Eat foods that are grown organically, it is better for your overall health to grow your own food and eat fresh. However, whether you grow it, buy it from an Eco Farmer or an organic store; At least once a day, eat a fruit, vegetable, or herb that has been grown without chemicals.

Grow a garden, whether it’s a vegetable, fruit, or herb, in a container in your window, on your balcony, on your porch, or in your pristine backyard in your city. It is not easy in the city to grow a garden, but it is possible. At least 1 hour per day is required to care for a small garden that produces food for a family of four (4). I have learned, from experience, a few basic steps to growing a successful backyard garden in the city.

The 10 steps to a city backyard garden are:

1. Soil – Start with healthy, chemical-free soil. It is crucial that you test your soil to determine if it has the nutrients plants need to grow. Planting before testing the soil increases the risk of disappointment with the garden’s production.

2. Location: the garden needs 6 to 8 hours of sun per day. It should be conveniently located between the driveway to your home from your garage, parking space, or driveway to your front door. You won’t have to go out of your way to check out the garden. Make sure the garden is not shaded by trees or shadows when the seasons change. It should also be located near a source of irrigation.

3. Water – Make a habit of watering your yard or include it in your lawn sprinkler system. Watering your garden in the early morning or early evening is a great opportunity to socialize with your neighbors.

4. Tools – The right tools save time, money and reduce injuries. Get a hand fork, a trowel, pruning shears, a shovel, a work bucket, garden boots, a small stool, and a pair of gloves. If you’re starting out with a small garden, your tool inventory will grow with the size of your garden.

5. Plant – Buy seeds and young plants from a reputable source. I recommend that you use seeds or plants that have been designated organic. Plant your seeds or plants as directed on their packaging. Group your plants according to space, humidity and need for sun.

6. Feed – Feed your garden with organic/natural foods, without chemical additives. Compost (defined as the combination of organic material that can be used as a soil amendment or as a medium for growing plants) or purchase compost from a reputable supplier.

7. Grass – Although there are several tricks to reduce the need for grass, you will need to weed your garden, if not daily, then at least weekly. Spreading mulch around plants is more effective at reducing weeds.

8. Protect your garden from diseases, pests, too much sun, cold and harmful animals. This is your responsibility.

9. Patience – Be patient, let your garden grow. Do not over-water or fertilize. And above all, do not panic. If something is wrong, investigate and apply the remedy. Relax and enjoy the process.

10. Educate yourself: Spend some time educating yourself about gardening. Know your area. Once you decide what you are going to plant, read on! Then enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Gardening in the city can be more than an option; it can be a reality, in the backyard of your city.

Of course, eating better is a big part of what it takes to stay healthy, but it needs to be balanced against the other two (2) important factors, exercise and socializing. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Break the worst addiction, a habit, get off the couch, take a break from the computer and TV, and get physical. Gardening is physical, mental and social. It helps keep my bones strong, my mind clear and relaxed, and it’s fun for me. What does that mean for you? Is it swimming, dancing, golfing, fishing, tennis, bowling, rollerblading, boating, hiking, camping, or fill in the blank? Walk on the beach, discover the zoo, visit the flower gardens in the park, become an activist, just do physical exercise! Once you have fun doing it, it will no longer feel like a chore, but rather an essential part of your day. Personally, I want to continue to think clearly, walk, talk, listen and feel good inside and out, and I want that for you too. To achieve that goal, it is a strategy to keep the mind, body and soul healthy.

And finally, socialize with others. To socialize simply means to socially associate or mingle with people. In my family we were taught to socialize to relax and enjoy our friends, family and neighbors. My family taught by example, an example that was passed on like fine jewelry and fine china. It helps us maintain good mental health. Keep it simple, incorporate socializing into your daily life. Stay in touch with a friend. Share information. Join a club where you can share your experience without stress and enjoy the mental exchange of thoughts and ideas. Mentor a child or a business. Go out for coffee once in a while. Invite someone out for coffee. For those of us who have invested in making our homes comfortable and attractive, please share, plan and host a garden party or cookout with your friends, neighbors and family, on a regular basis.

For some of us, staying healthy means making a change. Change is doing something different to get different results. Get healthy and stay healthy, eat organic, exercise and socialize!