Health Benefits of a Green Thumb

Whether you have a small patio to decorate or a vast amount of space to tend, the act of making your particular stretch of nature into a haven can be a stress reliever in itself.

Getting in touch with your green thumb
Spending some time in the sun can help you feel more removed from the stressors of daily life. Gardening is a great way to get outside and get in touch with nature. The influx of vitamin D and fresh air are great for your health, and the little patch of beauty you create can provide quite a bit of relief from stress.

Preserve summer staples
Save money and boost nutrition this summer by preserving the fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden. The best part is, your freezer can do all the work for you. Simply wash your freshly picked goods, spread on a tray or cookie sheet and place in the freezer until thoroughly frozen. Pack them away in containers in your freezer and seal completely to enjoy long after the summer has ended.

Prep for fall
Even though the summer harvest is on its way out, there are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to be grown in the fall. Autumn is a time to shift from the seed fruits that we eat in the summer to all the nutrient-rich goodies, like grapes and squash we get in the fall. These fresh foods are not only tasty but can help you feel better, get healthier and may protect against heart disease and stroke.

Pump up school lunches
Don’t let your garden go to waste. A great way to use the fresh fruits and vegetables you grow yourself are in work and school lunches. As back-to-school season gears up, add a little homegrown freshness into lunches with foods straight from your garden. You’ll save money at the supermarket and add more nutrition into your family’s diet.