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.
Can Fungi Fix Our Plastic Problem? Polymer-Eating Mushrooms Show Potential in a Variety of Applications
Since the revolutionary discovery of the first synthetic polymers in 1869, plastics have become an indispensable part of everyday life. They were, in their own way, an eco-friendly solution for replacing natural materials like ivory,...
Joint Decision Making – Made Easy
Making decisions on your own can be difficult enough. When it comes to choices that affect both you and your spouse, decision making becomes an art. Conflicting ideas, stubborn notions, and heightened emotions can all...
Traditional Chinese Architecture – The Siheyuan
The traditional Chinese architecture of siheyuan ( 四合院), refers to a collection of residences centered on a courtyard. While they are commonly found in Beijing, which has its own signature style, China has seen many...
Positive Ways To Deal With Negative People
We probably all know a “Debby Downer” or “Negative Nigel,” with rarely a good thing to say and more often than not, complaining of one thing or another. Everyone has bad days when they are...
Understanding Passover – A Jewish Tradition of Faith and Symbolism
Judaism dates back nearly 4,000 years. It is a monotheistic faith, as its followers believe in one God, who revealed himself through ancient prophets. Passover commemorates the liberation of Israelites from centuries of slavery in...
Industrial Seed Oils: A Little-Known Big Health Threat
The modern diet has many known pitfalls: too much sugar, highly processed foods with little nutrition, staples like wheat being contaminated with herbicides, and the ever-more-damning practice of genetic modification; but a new culprit has...
Baby Myles – A COVID Blessing in Disguise
Told from his grandmother’s perspective as a story within a story, Baby Myles is a gift from God. Born amidst fear and COVID and loving support, this baby proved that even a deadly virus can...
Inspiring Success Story Fueled by Family and Fortitude
Griffin Furlong, 26, is writing a book. Not a thriller, not a graphic novel, not even fiction at all; although it may seem like a fairytale. This young man is writing to share his inspiring...
Starting a Garden, Step by Step
With food prices plus a host of world crises on the rise, many are exploring a more self-sufficient and sustainable way of life, and considering starting a garden for the first time ever. While it...
Time Management for Teens – 7 Steps to Juggling a Tight Schedule
With greater responsibilities and growing interests, teens struggle to juggle their time just as adults do. Time management for teens is not a subject taught in school, and many of us fumble along for years...
What Went Wrong With Wheat – Is This Staple Grain Making Us Sick?
With a whopping one in seven adults suffering some degree of sensitivity to wheat, many have explored the factors behind this dietary dilemma and what went wrong with wheat. While some believe it is the...
Understanding the Spiritual Symbolism of Lent
Lent is a 40 day period observed by Catholics in preparation for Easter. Rich with symbolic customs imbued with spiritual significance, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, when observant Catholics embark on a journey of sacrifice...