Rose bushes rooted from cut roses from my parents’ funerals. The red is from Mom’s in October and the other is from my Dad’s in June… This one is finally taking off and I don’t know what color it is yet. 
MEMORIAL ROSES!
Visiting the Beeeeeeez!
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes!
Banana Babies!
Short video highlighting the fruit production process on one of our banana trees.
Enjoy ~ GG
Everything Happens For A Reason
When we bought our house 3 years ago, not a single plant was in the yard except a few giant Slash Pine trees. We are constantly planting new trees and plants, most to provide future food and medicinal benefits. We are also creating some native grow spaces in our yard. We are so fortunate to live where we live.
We truly believe everything happens for a reason. We never wanted to live in Florida, but moved for family and a promising career that failed and brought us to the middle of nowhere….literally in Central, South Florida….who in their right mind moves to Florida and chooses to live as far from there ocean as possible?! Oh, yeah….that’s us. We never thought we would stay right here. We bought this foreclosure and figured we would fix it up, sell and move coastal. But after 3 years, leaving 2 careers, and now starting our own businesses; THIS is the home that serves us best. We are happiest here! We can grow anything right here and have the space to do it. We can have bonfires in our backyard. We have room for workshops, space to park our trailers, and trees between us and the neighbors.
Something told me this was HOME. Our Realtor and now good friend didn’t even want to show us this property because it was in such bad condition. But 3 years later we now know why this is meant to be our home.
Follow your heart and trust your soul.
So.Much.Love ~ GG
Most Common Plant-based Lifestyle Question….’What Do You EAT’?!!
My food focus is not just plant-based, I also follow a high alkaline diet. Disease thrives in acidic environments. In order to lead the healthiest lifestyle possible, you need to detox your system through consuming foods that work with you and not against you. I often say I follow a ‘Free Eating Lifestyle’; meat free, dairy free, sugar free, grain free, alcohol free, and processed, preservative and chemical free. So, what DO I eat?!!
My basic food list consists of the following, in no particular order:
Leafy greens & raw veggies; cabbage, spinach, kale, romaine, lettuces, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, onion, peppers, celery, asparagus, avocados
Cooked veggies often include; zucchini, yellow squash, butternut squash, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, etc.
I eat a TON of home-made hummus. (I no longer eat store bought due to preservatives.) Typically I use it as a dip with broccoli, cauliflower or celery; but it’s not uncommon for me to put hummus on my salads, or eat it in a bowl with avocado & kalamata olives.
Nuts & seeds! Pistachios, almonds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds are my mainstays. Nut & seed butters, all natural, no sugar/preservatives added.
Oils: sesame oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil are the ones I use most often,
Daily fruits are limited to primarily berries to keep ingested sugar content lower (sugar processes as acidic). I do eat dragonfruit, citrus, pineapple, coconut, wild grapes, lychees, natural bananas and other a few other fruits, just less frequently.
I infuse water with berries and hibiscus daily and most nights I make teas in the french press with a variety of leaves/ingredients; hibiscus, spearamint, rosehips, lemongrass, citrus peels, boiled cinnamon sticks, green teas, chamomile, tumeric, ginger, etc.
I drink black coffee – but I try to find the lowest acidic beans. Typically darker roast coffees are lower in acid. To balance the acid, I will drink berry infused water and/or eat berries before my coffee. Also for iced coffee, I add almond milk (the only ingredients are almonds & water) and I often add 100% cacao (unroasted cocoa beans).
I have never been a ‘sweets’ person, but if I want something sweet, these are my two go-to’s:
100% cacao, mixed with nut butter of choice and coconut oil. Scoop into small containers with nuts on the bottom and freeze into bars.
Cooked sweet potato mashed with nut butter of choice, mixed with 100% cacao powder and baked into brownies.
I am happy to share recipes for those interested. If you would like more information on a high alkaline diet, please research Dr. Sebi’s work.
Let’s Get Grounded!
Find your favorite barefoot destination, take your shoes off, and take time out to get grounded! Allowing yourself time to connect with the elements will balance your energy, relax your body and align your soul. Follow me into the wonderful world of nature. We will explore everything surrounding a plant-based lifestyle from growing your own food; herbalism and medicinal supplements; gardening; landscaping; and many different forms of plant propagation. We will have fun with sustainability by giving new life to items through re-purposing; creating functional works of art; and recycling trash into treasure.
Erin Katniss, Grounded Guru