Unit 3: Weeds and Needs
When we have weeds in our garden, it can slow and harm the growth of the vegetables and flowers we planted. This doesn’t mean that we should try to get rid of all the weeds in the world—weeds have a special place! For example, weeds may serve as a rabbits’ food in the forest or a home for monarch caterpillars. Like weeds, junk food can compete with our appetites and energy. Does this mean that we should never eat and enjoy sugary sweets? Of course not! Dessert has a special place in our lives, like at birthday parties! Our main message of the Weeds and Needs unit is that balance is key! We should focus on eating foods that give us both satisfaction and energy to nourish our mind, body, and soul.
Gardening Basics: What’s a Weed?
Jennifer here! If we have spent any time in the soil, we know well that our gardens need to be weeded. But what exactly is a “weed”? Often we have developed disdain for these “weeds” that want to live in our garden too, but who can blame them? We provide the perfect conditions for plants to grow: fertile soil, a sunny location, and plentiful water. While our tomatoes and peppers do need the area around them to be weeded free of competitors, it’s important to remember that these “weeds” often play an important role in the ecosystem outside of our gardens. For example, weeds may serve as a rabbits’ food in the forest or a home for monarch caterpillars. And some of our garden plants may not be so good for native ecosystems.
Like weeds, junk food can compete with our appetites and energy. Balance is key! We should focus on eating foods that give us both satisfaction and energy to nourish our mind, body, and soul. Click through my photos to learn more!
Mindful Movement: ABC Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Send little ones out to the backyard to try out this ABC backyard scavenger hunt! It's a fun way to keep kids busy and help them practice their alphabet while connecting with the beauty of nature — weeds included!
What’s Cooking?: Garlic Mustard Pesto
Labeled as an invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, garlic mustard takes root in many native forests across the United States. Instead of tossing this prolific plant, why not use it as a resource? Try your hand at our garlic mustard recipe!
BONUS: Mindful Eating Webinar
Mindful eating can help navigate compulsions to stress-eat. It involves supporting autonomy around food choices, and encourages people to connect to and trust their own inner wisdom to make decisions of what, when, and how much to eat. Learn more by watching our webinar.
