Are you looking forward to enjoying fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables, right from your own back yard? The taste always seems so much more flavorful when they are home-grown. They are more nutritious, too, when they are freshly picked and eaten, when the enzymes and vitamins are still intact.
But, of course, they don't just magically appear without any work. Gardening takes time and effort, and for many, it becomes a labor of love.
In many ways, we can compare our quest for health to gardening activities. Creating and maintaining good health is really quite similar to growing a healthy garden. Both projects involve four basic activities. Both can yield bountiful harvests, when properly cared for and nurtured.
PREPARING THE SOIL
Before even planting any seeds, we need to prepare the soil. A flourishing garden requires healthy, living soil. The pH balance of the soil must be right to support plant growth. Minerals are required in adequate amounts and proportions, so we fertilize the soil. Beneficial micro-organisms are needed for many purposes, including keeping harmful ones under control. Soil health is directly related to microbial activity.
In the body, the internal environment is the "soil" that cells grow in. This internal terrain needs to have a favorable pH level - not too alkaline and not too acidic! Our body cells are nourished from the foods we choose to eat. If the diet is too acidic, then the body eventually becomes too acidic. Beneficial bacteria are needed in the body, as well as in the garden, for us to thrive!
WATERING THE GARDEN
Once the garden is planted, it needs to be watered consistently, except when it rains. Without sufficient water, it won't grow properly, no matter how nice it looks. The garden within us likewise needs regular drinks of pure water, if we expect to live. Water transports nutrients to our trillions of cells and carries the wastes away.
Several people are chronically dehydrated. It's surprising how many body symptoms can disappear when we are well hydrated. Don't deprive your body of life-giving water!
PULLING THE WEEDS
Weeds in the garden can rob plants of water, sunlight and nutrients. If they are not eliminated regularly, the weeds compete with the planted varieties, putting them at a considerable disadvantage. A garden that is overgrown with weeds lacks eye appeal, as well. Weeding the garden may not be a favorite activity, but it must be done from time to time.
Within our bodies, weeds represent any undesirable substances that can accumulate, if we let them. For instance, heavy metals and chemical residues in our food, exhaust fumes in the air we breathe, impurities in our drinking water, all create a toxic build-up that our bodies need to neutralize and eliminate. If an overload accumulates, then our internal gardens cannot thrive. The weeds, which we call wastes or toxins, need to be cleansed out of our systems on a regular basis. For most, it is wise to do a body cleanse about twice a year. If you work in a toxic environment, consider cleansing more often. Weeds and toxins both need to be pulled out before they go to seed and take over their environment.
ENJOYING THE HARVEST
I suspect that no matter how relaxing or enjoyable gardening is for a person, the best rewards are in the harvest! And the harvest is dependent on the amount of work done. When each step of the gardening process has been completed, a bountiful harvest can be expected.
Similarly, we can expect a harvest of abundant health if we faithfully tend the individual garden of health within each of us. I wish you a bountiful harvest this summer, in both gardens... and may yours be a labor of love!
Dr. Gail Smolinski, Doctor of Natural Medicine, has her Doctor of Naturopathy degree and is Board Certified in both Traditional Naturopathy and Nutritional Wellness.
She is a Certified Low Intensity Laser Therapist, Master Herbalist, Registered Nutritional Consultant, Professional Homeopath and Holistic Iridologist.
Dr. Gail offers Low Intensity Laser Therapy, individual health consultations, bio-energetic therapies, detoxification footbaths and a wide variety of professional health products at her natural health clinic. You may contact her at 306-783-1261.
This column is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. It provides general information about health and nutrition. It is run bi-weekly, space permitting.
