There are many ways to practice mindfulness, one which seems to be growing is gardening  (pun intended) . Mindfulness refers to the mental state of being calmly and consciously aware of what is happening not just in our mind and body but in our surrounding area without judgment. The practice of mindfulness stems from ancient Buddhist traditions and practices which purported that mindfulness can help to improve mental clarity, concentration, emotional flexibility, empathy, and tolerance whilst also reducing stress. MINDFULNESS IN THE GARDEN Being fully present and engaged in the garden allows the same relaxing effects to occur. If you are a regular gardener you may have experienced a time where you felt a level of pure peace and tranquility that is associated with being present in nature in the process of gardening. At these mindful moments you really feel the dirt and the potential it has in the palm of your hands, you feel the renewing warmth of the sun and the c...

Have you ever seen those cute tiny gardens in a bottle? That’s a terrarium, a self-sustainable ecosystem with a living, growing plant inside a sealed bottle. Mind blown! As the owner of four cats, creating a terrarium may possibly be the only way to keep a plant indoors without it being chewed on or peed in…. Plus, if you are popular for inadvertently murdering plants, this artistic, low maintenance option may be your saving grace!    This year, I have decided that I will use my passion for gardening to create personalized terrariums for my friends and family as Christmas gifts. Making a terrarium is a pretty easy project and the plant growing inside can survive for decades without any watering or other care. So it’s the gift that keeps on giving. SUPPLIES Ø Glass bottle or jar with a lid - clear glass bottle, soft drink bottle and liquor bottles which tend to be a little fancier, and can make a beautiful enclosure. Recycled jam or pasta sauce jars can w...