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.
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Remembering Veterans, Both Living and Lost
No one with a conscience likes war. The killing, the destruction, and the immeasurable suffering are all deplorable; yet there are certain things that humans are willing to fight, and even die for, like human...
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Kefir: A Gift From the Gods for the Gut
While kefir has only recently gained popularity in the west, this tangy probiotic drink has been revered and treasured since ancient times in the east. Not quite yogurt, and not quite buttermilk, kefir is basically...
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Toe Shoes: The Ups and Downs of ‘Barefoot’ Footwear
For most of our existence, humans have made due with minimal footwear. Early protection from sharp and jagged surfaces were made from woven twine or animal skins. These shoes were soft and flexible, yet helped...
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Little House on the Prairie – Deciphering Fact and Fiction
Little House on the Prairie, the second book in a nine-book series, and the title of a nine-season television program based on that series, is the quintessential American pioneer book for children. Capturing the life...
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Rescued Rhinoceros Becomes a Proud Papa After Recovering From Poached Horns
Seha the rhinoceros was left for dead by poachers in 2016. Endangered wildlife preservation organization Saving the Survivors discovered the dying animal and brought him to their facility to treat his wounds. Now, five years...
Understanding Aromatherapy: Why Smells Moderate Mood, and More
Many people may see aromatherapy as a mystical practice with little scientific basis. In fact, the use of aromatic plants dates back to antiquity, and is frequently mentioned in spiritual texts. People have been researching...
Sugar: An Addictive Additive That We Would Do Well to Avoid
To understand our relationship with sugar, we should look at its history, the extent of its effects on our body and mind, and the possibilities of doing without. Then we can rationally determine whether we...
Fall Foraging- Wild Edibles (Part 3)
As the traditional time for harvest, you might guess that autumn is ideal for foraging wild edibles. You’re not wrong. From fruits to roots, and nuts to fungi, fall offers a fantastic array of fun...
Read More Classic Literature – It’s Good and Good For You!
A good book that stands the test of time does so for a reason. Classic literature offers so much more than just several hours of entertainment. The best books help us to understand humanity, give...
Singing Can Relieve Stress and So Much More
We are all familiar with the power of music. It can evoke a wide range of emotions, from lifting our spirits, to helping us process grief; yet singing can be even more powerful than listening...
Shaking Out the Best Salts for Health
Salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is an essential nutrient necessary for keeping our bodies in working order. A small amount daily helps to cleanse our cells, maintain a balance of fluid, regulate the circulatory system,...
10 Teas to Enhance Meditation (Part 1)
After water, tea, in its many forms and variations, is the most consumed beverage on Earth. Not only is tea physically refreshing, it can also help calm, soothe, stimulate, or focus the mind, depending on...