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.
Beneath the Sea 2026: An Assembly of ‘Sea Stars’
Saturday, March 28, Beneath the Sea kicked off their 48th other-than-COVID-years-annual expo after a seminar/reception evening for exhibitors on Friday. The Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey came alive for the weekend, with representatives...
Introducing Ila’s Incredible Sprouted-Grain Tortillas – Recipe
When you want to put something delicious into an edible package, you probably reach for a tortilla. Wraps, burritos, enchiladas and even desserts make their way into these flexible flat-breads; but all-too-often, they are the...
What the Heck Happened to Home Ec?
How many teens do you know that can plan and prepare a nutritious meal…maybe a handful? Of those, who can also clean up after themselves — including the spaghetti sauce stain on the oven mit?...
Why We Still Need Physical Books
In an age of efficiency and convenience, digital has become our main mode of communication, entertainment and, increasingly, education — yet mounting evidence shows that we learn better from paper. From reading comprehension to reading...
March Gardening – 16 Tasks to Tackle This Month
March is a pivotal month in the garden, with everything on the verge of springing back to life after a long rest. To ensure a successful season, it’s important to take advantage of the last...
7 Ways Sourdough Is Superior to the Standard Loaf
The prehistoric practice of fermenting sourdough to make bread saw a big boost in interest during the COVID pandemic years. Millions of bakers around the world adopted and maintained a sourdough starter — an exercise...
9 Signs You’re Consuming Too Much Sugar, and How to Conquer Your Cravings
We all know that consuming too much sugar is terrible for your body. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no more than 10 grams (about two teaspoons) of sugar daily; yet Americans eat about 17...
Unravelling the Mystery of Traditional Chinese Herbs: Cornus fruit (山茱萸 Shan Zhu Yu)
As the “foundation of vitality,” the kidney is an organ of utmost importance in Chinese medicine. Traditional remedies meant to enhance energy, resilience and longevity usually include herbs that focus on toning and nourishing the...
Why You Have Too Much Stuff, and 5 Ways to Effectively Declutter Your Life
In an age of instant-gratification and abundance, one might wonder why some 40 percent of Americans suffer from either depression or anxiety. It is a pretty paradox: we have everything we want, except peace of...
Cherish Winter’s Blessings and Embrace the Snowy Season
As the northeast endures yet another arctic blast, we are faced with extremes that test even the hardiest of souls. Winter can be a trying time for plants, animals, and people alike; but it is...
8 Creepy Ways Your Phone is Spying on You, and What You Can Do About It
The other day I remembered out loud that I forgot to pick up toothbrushes when I was at Walmart. Next thing you know, Amazon was feeding me toothbrush ads on my home computer. It is...
Beans of Wisdom or Wishful Thinking? Filtering out the Facts of Mushroom Coffee
Have you transformed your morning routine with the latest and greatest trend, or did you miss the memo? Wake up and smell the mushroom coffee! What may sound like a choke-it-down concoction, is actually catching...