Truth, Inspiration, Hope.

Ila Bonczek

Ila lives in the Garden State with her family and four chickens. She has been growing produce and perennials for 20 years, and recommends gardening for food and fun, but not for fortune.
The Fascinating Process behind the Beauty of Natural Fibers – Part II: Wool
Continuing our exploration of natural fibers, we’ll look at another classic: wool, or the hair collected from animals — mainly sheep, but also from a surprising number of other mammals. Wool has been a staple...
Spring Cleaning for the Garden
As spring approaches, it’s only natural to feel an irresistible impulse to clear away the final vestiges of winter, and welcome in a new season. Spring cleaning indoors might involve washing windows and drapery, sorting...
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Celebrate Pi  Day With the Best Berry Pie Ever – Recipe
Pi Day, otherwise known as March 14, was first celebrated in 1988 by American physicist Larry Shaw. A few short years later, I was introduced to my all-time-favorite pie recipe by a fellow intern at...
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Feeling Blue? Amigurumi to the Rescue!
Cold, dark and dreary, winter can get the best of us sometimes. While we endure those last dismal weeks before spring brings vibrance and vitality back to the world, a small creative challenge may be...
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Choosing Your Chewing Gum, and Why It Matters
Whether you chew for a purpose or for pleasure, you’ll be happy to know that chewing gum can, in moderation, do little harm; and, if you choose well, it can even be beneficial. While it...
Can Mushrooms Save the World? 8 Great Ways Fungi Can Repair Our Planet and Its Population
Oddly enough, the further we advance in science and technology, the bigger the mess we seem to make. Environmental pollution, ecological imbalance, disease, famine, vanishing natural resources and moral decay are growing concerns that threaten...
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Breeze Through Awkward Moments With Emotional Intelligence
We’ve all run into awkward moments where there’s an elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about; there is a palpable tension between two people; we’re facing an unfamiliar situation or group; or...
The Power of Surrender – Attain Your Greatest Aspirations by Giving in
Surrender is a complicated subject. On the one hand, it is perceived as negative — with connotations of defeat, loss and shame; yet on the other hand it is one of the greatest aspirations in...
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Sowing Seeds in February? You Bet! Early Planting Guide for Home Gardeners
To make the most of your growing season, save a bundle on plant material, and — most importantly — get your green thumb warmed up for a productive year, consider sowing seeds indoors.  If you’re...
Tea in India – An Internationally Recognized Cultural Treasure
Everyone in India has been raised with the belief that the day should begin with tea, and most people also enjoy it throughout the day.  If you take a look, you will notice that nearly...
Spheres: Exploring the Mystery and Mysticism of Nature’s Most Perfect Form
From the microscopic building blocks of life, to the countless cosmic bodies that resemble our own planet; we seem to be both immersed in and surrounded by spheres. Nature has provided so many examples of...
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Embrace Humility and Erase Irritability
Do you find yourself snapping at, or complaining about, or annoyed by others? Do some things just seem to rub you the wrong way? Maybe it’s time to take a critical look at your values....