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.
The Lizard Guys: Educating NJ With Rescued Reptilian Pets
The Lizard Guys, located in New Jersey, have been educating and entertaining children and adults across the state for decades; taking their rescued reptiles to schools, daycares, libraries, and private parties. In an exclusive interview...
Nut Cookies: An Original Recipe for a Low-Carb, Low-Sugar, Full-Flavor Treat
Whether or not you have dietary restrictions yourself, you are bound to have friends who need to avoid certain foods. Refusing foods because of your diet can be embarrassing, painful, and difficult. When someone prepares...
Winterize Your Garden in 6 Simple Steps
With winter just around the corner, for many of us it’s time to put gardening on hold. But before you do, it is important to take measures to protect and prepare, or “winterize your garden,”...
The Tibetan Singing Bowl: A Spiritual Tradition Nearly Lost
A Tibetan singing bowl has the ability to calm the heart, empty the mind, and teach the Dharma, according to a tradition that was all but lost when Communism arrived to destroy culture and spirituality....
Jolly Calle, A Swedish Tale of Being Happy Within and Without
Adapted from the Swedish Folktale written by Helena Nyblom. There was once a young man called Jolly Calle, who really couldn't help being happy. Although he was poor and orphaned, he did not want pity....
2 Native American Legends Remind Us: Be Thankful for Nature’s Gifts
Thanksgiving is an official holiday in seven countries around the world, but there are still other nations that have similar, unofficial, harvest celebrations that remind one to be thankful for a bountiful harvest, family, and...
An Ancient Chinese Story of a Good Deed Rewarded
Repaying a debt of gratitude, or bao en (報恩), is an important concept in traditional Chinese culture, and it is often demonstrated in legends and heroic stories of the past. In this story it manifests as...
Vegetarian Recipes: Five Simple Sides for Your Thanksgiving Feast
These simple, yet sumptuous vegetarian dishes will save you time in the kitchen so you can better enjoy your family and guests, something we can all be thankful for! All the recipes can be made...
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...
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...
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...
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...