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.
Seasonal Eating for October, and Mushroom Hunting
As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, summer crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and green beans begin to taper off, making room for the return of crisp, cool-season greens and long-term storage...
Eat More Miso – An Ancient Fermented Condiment With Countless Applications
With all the advantages of a fermented food and the fifth fabulous flavor (umami) to boot, one might call miso an underutilized superfood. Short of a brothy bowl accompanying sushi at a Japanese restaurant, most...
For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (C): Comfrey
Of all the medicinal herbs that begin with C — the next stop in our herbal alphabet — none is so widely recognized for its ability to heal as comfrey. As luck would have it,...
Filmjölk – A Delightful Drink That Might Make You Feel Swedish
There is a lot to love about Sweden. A wholesome vitality, elegant practicality, and respect for tradition can be seen in the landscape, the people, and their products — not the least of which is...
Welcome the Cool Nights of Báilù With Dragon’s Eye Fruit and White Dew Tea
Báilù, the 15th solar term in the Chinese calendar, marks the beginning of cooler weather and the approach of autumn as we know it in the west. The gap between night- and day-time temperatures can...
Seasonal Eating for September, and Where Organic Matters Most
September brings cooler nights, a bustle of back-to-school activities, and an abundance of produce. Many plants that just emerged in the spring — such as tomatoes, peppers, squash and corn — are now bearing fruit....
For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (B): Beautyberry
In both the East and the West, before modern medicine there were herbs. People, mainly women, knew their plants and understood their medicinal effects. Valuable recipes were recorded in books or passed along orally through...
Chinese Autumn Begins With Liqiu and the Body is Rejuvenated with White Fungus Soup (Recipe)
According to Chinese tradition, autumn begins in August, with the thirteenth solar term Liqiu (立秋), a period spanning August 8-August 22. These two weeks are recognized as the first solar term of autumn, when the...
Mysterious Memory of Water and Its Astounding Applications
Many ancient philosophies recognize five elements as the fundamental building blocks of all matter. In Chinese, the five elements (wuxing 五行) include metal, wood, water, fire and earth; each of which has its own character...
Seasonal Eating for August, and Preserving the Bounty
August is the month when garden produce is at its peak. At a time when practically everything is in season, the problem is more often what to do with the surplus than what to eat....
For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (A): Arnica
In both the East and the West, before modern medicine there were herbs. People, mainly women, knew their plants and understood their medicinal effects. Valuable recipes were recorded in books or passed along orally through...
The Fascinating Process Behind the Beauty of Natural Fibers (Part VI): Abaca
As we’ve seen in the first parts of this series, natural fibers come from an amazing array of sources. From caterpillar cocoons and animal fleece to plant stalks and seed pods, the natural world provides...