Project Green Thumb: Being Patient!

I am thrilled to see that so many of you have started your own backyard gardens! I think that growing your own produce is truly the healthiest way to obtain fresh produce. Today I wanted to offer you a few tips on being patient as you tend to your first "crop" of fruits and veggies. 

1. Don't give up! The first time your plants bear fruit it will be very small. Don't be discouraged! This is normal. They will get bigger and bigger each time you harvest them. 
2. Pay attention to the weather. Believe it or not, even in Hawaii, we do have seasons. There will be times when it's extra rainy here. If that's the case, check to see if your plants need extra fertilizer. And if it's been unusually dry, make sure to water more often. 
3. Be patient. It's very tempting to pick your fruit or veggies right when you start to see them develop. Give them time to ripen on the vine. 
4. Talk to them. Don't forget to whisper "grow" to your plants! Seriously, I do this, and I'm convinced it is why my plants flourish. Ha! 

I also want to suggest that you plant a pineapple with your family. They take about two years to bear fruit, so it is definitely something you want to start almost as soon as you move to the island. It's something very special you and your family can do to celebrate living in Hawaii! 

Project Green Thumb: Garden Supply List

Last week we demonstrated how to build the structure for an above-ground garden. Today, we’d like to share with you what we used to plant our garden. 

Supply List: 

• Soil. We prefer to use Miracle Grow Soil for Gardens and Flowers.  
• Small lattice work for cucumber vines and tomatoes. 
• Sturdy stakes to pen the tomatoes up with.
• Twist ties to tie plant to the sticks or lattice work. 
• Staple gun (not mandatory) to staple lattice work to frame. 
• Gardening scissors to cut fruits and vegetables. 
• Watering hose (we use a Good Year hose)
• Watering Wand

In our garden, we have herbs, vegetables, and fruits. We planted half herbs, and the other half is split between fruits and veggies that our family likes. Our garden contains:

• Herbs: thyme, rosemary, mint, oregano, and basil. 
• Veggies: green onions, bell peppers, and cucumbers.
• Fruits: strawberries, blackberries, and tomatoes. 

We bought our entire garden as seedlings, not as seeds. This will give you faster results. However, if you want to use seeds, feel free! 

Some more tips:

• Water daily, being sure to saturate the soil. Try your best to not get the leaves of the plants too wet. Always try to water in the morning. 
• Every three months, re-fertilize the soil. We use Miracle Grow, but there are 100% organic fertilizers to choose from. 
• Use flags with streamers attached to keep fruit-loving birds away. I also use a fake owl! 
• If you start to see tiny bugs in your garden, kill them with a simple mixture of water and dish soap. 

Happy gardening! 

Project Green Thumb: Starting an Herb Garden

Herbs are a fantastic way to add wonderful flavor to all your dishes, often eliminating the need for additional salt and fats. Herbs are usually accessible in most grocery stores, but they often are not cheap. At the commissary, this small package costs $1.90:

If you’re looking to save money and have access to a variety of herbs at a moment’s notice, why not start your own potted herb garden? Purchasing a small basil plant at the Garden Center costs less than $5, yet will provide you with continuous flavor year-round. Talk about return on investment!

Today we’ll be providing you with a few tips to start your own potted herb garden. First, you’ll want to decide if you want to start from seeds or if you want to buy the sprouted plant from the Garden center. If you choose to start from seeds, you’ll want to start the plant indoors. If starting with a sprouted plant from the garden center, it’s OK to start the plant outside.

Pots are a great way to start a garden in a small space. To ensure success, make sure to choose the right pots. Most experts recommend using ceramic clay pots with plenty of drainage holes, allowing the roots to grow without interference. Make sure to use a large pot if you’re planting multiple herbs—you’ll be surprised at how quickly they grow and expand. Use a high-quality soil mix as well—if you’re not sure which to choose, consult with an expert at the gardening center.

Most herbs, with the exception of mint and cilantro, thrive in sunshine. (I have killed two cilantro plants by keeping them in the sun!) Try to make sure most herbs have at least 5 hours of sunshine per day. Keep in mind that herbs in containers will dry out more quickly than herbs planted in a garden. Make sure to provide the plants with enough water daily.

Our favorite herbs:

Basil: Often featured in Italian cooking, this herb pairs well with pasta (can you say pesto!), enhances the flavor of tomato sauce, and is delicious in a tomato and mozzarella salad. Basil plants love the sunshine.

Rosemary: This fragrant herb pairs well with pork, chicken, and potatoes. Also favoring the sun, it even helps ward off mosquitos!

Thyme: With a lemony fragrance, this herb is an excellent enhancer for roast chicken and lamb. It also does well in soups, stews, and stocks. 

Chives: This herb is related to onions and garlic, and is an excellent garnish for potatoes, soups, and omelets. Easy to grow and maintain!

Mint: This very hardy herb will grow wild if left unchecked. Mint goes very well with lamb and peas, and is very refreshing in tea, water, and even the occasional mojito!

Cilantro: This herb is a little finicky and prefers temperatures under 75 degrees. Pairs perfectly with many Latin dishes, including pico de gallo and guacamole! 

Organic Living: Hawaii Farmers' Markets

Living in Hawaii, we're lucky enough to have year-round access to a plethora of excellent Farmers' Markets. These markets provide quality, delicious produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, and a variety of other artisan products. Getting your food directly from the source means you can buy with confidence knowing that the product is minimally processed and handled, and doesn't have many of the harmful pesticides that big factory farms use.


Some more great reasons to shop locally: 


1. You'll save money! By buying directly from the farmer, you're eliminating the need for shipping and processing. This will save you money, and to boot, you're getting a better, fresher product. This particularly holds true for organic items. 


2. You'll reduce your carbon footprint. It's estimated that food travels nearly 1500 miles before it gets to your plate. Not only does this contribute to global warming, but it also means that food is stored for long periods of time, draining its freshness and reducing its quality. 


3. Fresher food! Most produce is picked immediately before it's arrival at the farm stand. The food is normally not refrigerated or frozen prior to delivery. As a bonus, most markets also offer fresh meat, eggs, and even homemade cheeses. The quality is undoubtedly superior to what you'll find in a large supermarket.


4. You're supporting local businesses. Small farms are a dying breed. The larger factory farms are focused more on quantity than quality, and the nutritional value of the food often suffers. By buying locally, you're supporting the efforts of hard-working farmers and supporting your area's economy. You're also able to ask the farmer directly about their product, and often times you can even visit their farm! 


Here are some of our favorite local markets:


Ala Moana
Saturdays, 8:00 am-12:00pm


Hale'iwa 
Sundays, 9:00 am-1:00 pm


Hawaii Kai 
Saturdays, 9:00 am-1:00 pm


Kailua 
Thursdays, 5:00 pm-7:30 pm


Kapiolani 
Saturdays, 7:30 am-11:00 am 


This is only a sampling of all the FM's on Oahu. More and more communities are adding their own markets, so be sure to check out your community Web site and also check out this list from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also regularly posts vendor directories and menus from local markets on their Twitter account, @hnlfarmers. 


Tomorrow we'll be posting some helpful tips for buying locally. Hope to see some of you at the markets!

DumBell Fitness: An Introduction

Welcome to the new DumBell Fitness blog! You've probably read by now that we're a Boot Camp program for military spouses. And, you may be asking yourself, "Wait a second, spouses go to Boot Camp, too?" Our answer is, "YES!" 

Our program started in June 2009 as a way to give military spouses in Hawaii access to top-rate physical training in a supportive and convenient environment. On-site childcare is included, FREE of charge, for all morning Boot Camp classes. Each session lasts four weeks, with the intensity and repetitions progressing each week. All levels of fitness are welcome. Make sure to pop over to our Web site and read our client testimonials. The transformations are amazing! 

In this blog we plan to focus on more than just fitness. We'll be regularly featuring pieces on healthy eating, exercise tips, organic/natural foods, and community support. 

DumBell Fitness is growing fast, and we're looking forward to new programs and Boot Camp locations in 2012. We'll be announcing those additions here soon. 

Learn more about DumBell Fitness by visiting us at www.dumbell-fit.com. You'll also find us on Facebook and Twitter.