Introducing: Grow as You Go, an Interactive Blog Series from Side by Side
Looking for a fun, fruitful project to work on during your time at home?
Hoping to learn a little more about nutrition, too?
Our follow along series will combine all the fun of herb gardening at home with the fundamentals of food, nutrition, and body peace.
Perfect for any living space, budget, schedule, and health journey, we created this everyone in mind!
Starting September 3rd, join Kymber Stephenson, RDN every Thirve Thursday for a new interactive blog post with a brief lesson, meaningful activity, and compelling media ranging from videos to mini podcasts.
As we cultivate community through our shared social media challenges, you may just make some new friends, too. We invite you to spread the word and get growing with your circle! If you participate in a majority of weekly social media challenges, you could be eligible to win a free giveaway!
For more information on "Grow as you Go: Lessons from Nature on Cultivating and Nurturing your Relationship with Nutrition," and to see how this opportunity can fit into your life, please reach out at kymber@sidebysidenutrition.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
Sneak a Peek at the Lessons for Each Week
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow...”
Lesson 1) Plant the Seed
Theme: Initiating a healthful relationship with food, bodies, nutrition
Activity: Plant seeds in small pots (video and/or picture tutorials)
Lesson 2) Cultivate Positivity
Theme: Being kind and gentle and proactively positive. Setting a beautiful foundation from which to grow.
Activity: Paint pots (and/or decorate stones/ signs for garden)
Lesson 3) Symbiotic Relationships
Theme: Finding and maintaining a support system
Activity: Making a popsicle stick trellis and/or enlisting help in plant maintenance (teach family/ roommates how and when to water, etc.)
Lesson 4) Pest Control: Life Finds a Way
Theme: Learning from setbacks, warding off negative factors
Activity: Building a simple fruit fly-trap and insect repellents with safe, at-home ingredients
Lesson 5) Bloom Where...ever You Want
Theme: Accepting change, adapting to new circumstances, and knowing when to move to the next step
Activity: Transferring to a larger pot or garden. Plant new seeds if transferring not needed
Lesson 6) Harvesting the Fruits of your Labor
Theme: Enjoying your progress, reflecting on your journey, embracing new possibilities
Activity: Harvest herbs that are ready and using in recipe
Keep reading below for information about supplies needed for each lesson and ways to save with free alternatives.
Here’s what you’ll need for Week 1. As a free alternative to a small pot, you can use a cup, recycled egg carton, or clean jar.
Optional Supplies:
Grow light (only necessary if you don’t have a location in your home with access to sunlight)
Gloves (gardening or rubber)
Small shovel
Small watering can
I highly recommend getting your supplies at the Dollar Tree if you’re looking for the most affordable options with the least running around. If you have any suggestions for other locations, drop a comment!
One-Stop Shop Supply List:
This list does not include free alternatives or optional supplies. The activity instructions will include these options in the post each week. Most free alternatives are materials you likely already have on hand. Most optional supplies are for extra or supplemental activities. Printable shopping checklist is available below.
Small plant pots (1 for each type of herb)
Medium plant pots (1 for every 2 types of herb)
Gardening soil
Herb seeds
Acrylic paint
Paint brushes (small set)
Small stones
Small popsicle sticks (pack of at least 50)
Blank notecards
Clear Tape (such as packing tape)
Permanent marker(s)
Glue (craft, wood, or hot glue gun)
Vegetable oil
Mild soap (such as castille or dish soap)
Spray bottle
Mason Jar w/ lid
Apple cider vinegar
Baking soda
Scissors
Paper towels
Resealable plastic bag
Use this link to download or print the list above:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17E-c7TT2eVu_baYDKvmSUOyczqh47pQ-/view?usp=sharing
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust. ”