Growing Your Own Food Is Possible & Extremely Rewarding!!! I’m A Witness!!! πŸŒ±πŸŒΆοΈπŸ†πŸ…πŸ§…πŸ₯’

Tomatoes from my garden. πŸ…

TGIF!!! Have you ever thought about growing your own food? If yes, now is the time to start planting your fall garden!!! I didn’t think it was even possible for me to have my own garden but I stepped out on faith Spring 2020 and I started one. As pictured above it has truly been a fruitful and a rewarding experience from a physical health and mental health standpoint. According to a study published by PubMed.Gov, gardening may reduce depression severity as the participants in that study showed a marked decrease in depression because they were able to focus on the garden and interrupt rumination of which is the focused attention on the symptoms of one’s experienced distress, and on it’s causes and consequences instead of its solutions. (Study retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19999748/).

Working in my garden as been extremely therapeutic for me and not to mention all the natural vitamin D that I’ve been able to absorb from the sun while planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning and harvesting my garden. Most of all the physical health benefit that I get from the exercise and the nutrition that I garner from eating my own organic vegetables.

A recent harvest from my garden.

During this pandemic this has been especially important because staying healthy is your first line of defense. It’s key for us to build up our immune system during this season to help fight against any viruses that could possibly come our way. Eating healthy, reducing sugar/starchy carbs, getting adequate sleep, reduced stress and exercise are key components of that. So stretch yourself and eliminate processed foods. Eat whole foods and watch inflammation start to decrease in your body, your weight will start reducing and your skin will start clearing up. I’m a witness because instead of gaining the quarantine 10, 20, or 30 pounds, I weigh less now than when the pandemic started. In fact I’ve lost 33 pounds since the pandemic started 6 months ago. This happened because when I pivoted and started growing my own food it changed EVERYTHING!!! In addition I get out and walk in my neighborhood everyday at 7am, and then again in the evening with my family at 7pm. I eat a Ketogenic diet and I endeavor to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep in daily. I also practice intentional self-care and intermittently fast daily for 16-20 hours. These are all of the tools in my arsenal and it has worked for me. Choosing Healthy was the best thing I could have ever done. What will you CHOOSE?

Red bell peppers from my garden.

It’s not too late to join my August 2020 Choosing Healthy with Monica Akerele challenge of eating clean whole foods, Keto, IF, exercise and self-care challenge. Go to http://www.monicaakerele.com for details and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more motivation, education and empowerment coming your way later this month to motivate you to CHOOSE Healthy!!! Click the link below and subscribe to my YouTube channel TODAY!!!

https://www.youtube.com/user/monicaakerele

Let’s get it! πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

COMING SOON!!!

https://youtu.be/wmxbiCneQK4

For motivation on your keto, intermittent fasting and exercise journey follow my blog at http://www.monicaakerele.com

Disclaimer: Always get your doctor’s approval before embarking upon a ketogenic, intermittent fasting and/or an exercise regimen. This is not a substitute for professional medical, nutritional or exercise advice this is for motivational and educational purposes.

Published by Monica Akerele, MSW, LMSW

I AM because of God's LOVE and GRACE! Licensed Master Social Worker, Singer/Songwriter, Motivational Speaker, Blogger & Self-Care Strategist

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