Ila Bonczek
Ila has a Bachelor's degree from from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Science. She lives in the Garden State, where she has been growing produce and perennials for 25 years.
Join Ila in the exploration of exciting topics like sustainable living, holistic health, and the cultivation of not just plants, but mind and body as well.
Ila’s Top Tips for Tip Top Mushroom Cultivation in Logs
As an unexpected silver lining to the COVID pandemic restrictions and fears, many people were drawn to outdoor activities, self-sufficiency and sustainability. Mushroom foraging quickly became a popular pastime among individuals of all ages and...
Improve Your Posture to Look Great, Feel Better, and Do More
Whether it’s your physical well-being, the way you feel about yourself, or how others perceive you, posture makes a difference. An upright posture has long been regarded as an emblem of strength, health, discipline, morality,...
Bitter Melon – Proper Preparation Improves the Palatability of This Cooling Summer Vegetable
Bitter melon divides people sharply. Some reach for it every summer; others try it once, make a face, and swear it off for life. If you're in the second camp, this vegetable deserves another chance....
For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (S) Sage
While sage is a splendid seasoning for meats, soups and Thanksgiving stuffing, its usefulness extends well-beyond the kitchen. In ancient cultures around the world, sage was a highly esteemed medicinal herb. What is sage? Common...
America The Faithful – 250 Years of ‘One Nation, Under God’
On the occasion of our national holidays, we are often called to remember what America stands for, and to honor those who made great sacrifices for the liberties that we enjoy today. As this year...
Drawing the Line Between Self-care and Self-indulgence
Amidst the tension and tribulations of modern life, it is important to know when to step back and give yourself the support you need to thrive; yet all-too-often our well-intended attempts at self-care tend toward...
Japanese Honeysuckle: Can This Invasive Plant Help You Beat the Summer Heat?
If you haven’t seen it trailing over fences, climbing trees, and occupying the edges and understories of forests, you’ve probably at least caught a whiff of its heavenly scent. Japanese honeysuckle is a vigorous, woody...
How, and Why, to Resist AI
In a few short years, the digital world has undergone a radical transformation. Gone are the days when you needed to put forth an ounce of effort to find something. With the recent explosion of...
Meet Hemlock Reishi, the North American Cousin of China’s ‘Lingzhi,’ or Mushroom of Immortality
Since it was first introduced to the Western wellness community in the 1970s, reishi has gained widespread respect and recognition, but its reputation as a medicinal gem among mushrooms dates back much further. Although reishi...
The Elusive Udumbara Flower Appears Backstage for Shen Yun Dancers
A tiny, white flower, often considered mystical or even mythical, is popping up all around the world, and in the most unusual places. The Udumbara flower (Youtan Poluo hua) is no ordinary plant. It is...
Unravelling the Mystery of Traditional Chinese Herbs: Lily bulb (百合 Bai He)
A lovely symbol of innocence, devotion, and renewal, the lily is widely recognized as a gentle, holistic healer. In many cultures, the beautiful flower is associated with purity and rebirth, while its uplifting fragrance relieves...
Using Frustration as a Tool – 3 Ways Frustration Can Help You
Your project didn’t come together as expected, a colleague is getting on your nerves, someone (perhaps you) failed to meet your standards, or you’re grated by a consistent deficiency that shouldn’t be there. Do you want...