August 2, 2022

My Experience With An AeroGarden

Bowl of Lettuce
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

I first heard about AeroGardens a while back but didn’t really pursue it.  An AeroGarden is a self contained hydroponic gardening kit.  It allows you to grow some things year round indoors.

The product consists of a tank, light source, air pump, plant food, power supply, and seed pod starter packs.  Depending on the model there are electronics that keep track of the days since you planted, when to add plant food, and low water reminder.  Most of the units are compact.  Mine was about 18 by 8 inches.

Christmas Present

I finally took the plunge and bought my first kit as a Christmas present for myself.  I used to like to garden, but with a busy life I mostly stopped several years ago.  An AeroGarden seemed like an easy way to get back into it in a limited way. My unit came with an assortment of six varieties of lettuce.  (My unit can accommodate six pods at a time.)

As usual I procrastinated for about a month before opening the box and giving it a try.  Setup was really easy.  It consisted of the following steps:

  • Rinsed everything off.
  • Filled the tank with water to the indicated mark
  • Add two capfuls of the provided plant food
  • Pop the seed pods into holes in the top of the tank.
  • Plug in the Power supply.
  • Set the date and time on the front of the unit

That’s about it.  I heard a little air bubbling and adjusted the bank of lights that provide artificial sunlight for your plants.

Then I just let the unit do its thing.  The light automatically came on at 8:00 AM each morning and stayed on for about 16 hours.  I guess that is the optimum growing time.  It only took a few days until the seeds sprouted and it was fun to check on the progress each day.  Initially I didn’t have to add water very often.  There is a little port on top to check the water level and add when needed.  Every 14 days a red light comes on to remind you to add plant food.  It only takes a very small amount so the bottle lasts a long time.

Soon it was harvest time and I used a pair of scissors to trim off my lettuce.  We’re big salad eaters so it always gets used.  And it tastes great!  Just like you would expect from right out of the garden!

The plants grow big fast and I found I could harvest about once a week.  The amount from my six plants was enough for one day’s salad for my wife and I.  So we had fresh salad all winter and spring.

I’ll probably end up getting another unit and try growing some cherry tomatoes.  It looks like so far you can grow lettuce, herbs, tomatoes and peppers.  I’m sure others will become available over time.

Several Kinds of Units

AeroGarden makes several units from small to very large that would be like having your own indoor farm year round.  You can buy the units on Amazon or directly from the manufacturer.  Sales are common.

Any Cons?

There aren’t too many cons to an AeroGarden after your initial investment.  They do have to be cleaned about once a month.  You do have to be careful not to spill water or plant food while refilling.  And I was a little nervous about leaving the unit plugged in while we were on vacation.  Water and electricity unattended, what can go wrong!  I guess it would be fine as long as someone checked on it once in a while

Great Way to Start A Green Thumb

An AeroGarden is a great way to get that green thumb started.  Give one a try and let me know what you think!

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February 11, 2022

10 Easy Health Changes

Big colorful salad
Photo by Nadine Primeau on Unsplash

Walk daily

This one is probably the easiest and yet the most beneficial.  Walking is just so good for you.  There are physical and mental benefits.  Try different routes outside or invest in a treadmill.  A treadmill takes away the excuse of poor weather!  Just do it!

Park In Back Of Lot

This one is mentioned often but really is true.  It has the added benefit of lessening the possibility of your car getting those nasty shopping cart dings.

Eat A Little Less

I’ve been trying to practice this one myself lately.  It is not a full fledged diet, but those few less calories can add up over time.  I’ve found that once you get in the habit it gets easier.  I read somewhere that it takes a while for your  brain to catch up with what is going on in your stomach.  This means that when you stop eating a little before you feel full you will probably feel full anyway in just a few minutes!

More Fruit, Less Sugar Desserts

You have always been given this advice, and the advice is good.  Experiment and find what works for you.  My favorites have become organic blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and Fuji apples (they are very sweet!)  Give it a try.

Read On Treadmill

This one has become a habit for me.  Some people like music or watching tv, but I’ve found the time flies when I read.  Sometimes I even end up doing extra time when I’m trying to finish a chapter or reading an especially exciting passage.

Eat Less Carbs

This is another area that can be a big help even if you’re not on a real diet.  It is generally understood that eating too many white carbs  is not good for you.  Unfortunately, today’s foods are often full of exactly that.  Besides cutting back on whote carbs there are some carbs that are better for you.  For example brown rice is better than white rice.  Do some research.  There is lots of good information out there if we bother to pay attention to it.

More Salad

This is another of the more obvious ones but we all know those greens are great for you.  There is so much variety available and it’s easy with prepackaged lettuces and spinach.  Go for it but pay attention to that dressing!  (see below)

Find Low Calorie Salad Dressing

The dressing can make a salad into the equivalent of a not so healthy dessert.  Just look at the calories and fat on the label.  And that is usually for only one or two tablespoons, and who uses that little amount?  I’ve fought this one myself forever; I love my Blue Cheese dressing!  And I’ve found that low calorie versions just don’t taste that great.  What I have found is good is simply to drizzle on a little olive oil and apple cider vinegar.  It doesn’t take much.  But I still allow myself Blue Cheese once in a while!

Go To Bed Fairly Early

Some people are night owls, and if that works for you, great.  However most of us need our seven or eight hours.  Start skimping and all kinds of problems can develop.  Also most people are most productive early in the morning, so a reasonable bedtime is very beneficial.

Learn Breathing Exercises

This was a new one for me.  I only learned the benefits recently.  Give it a try to help with all kinds of things, from lowering blood pressure a little, to reducing the possibility of a panic attack.

What ideas do you have?

Filed Under: Health, Personal Development Leave a Comment
September 17, 2021

Being Crazy At 70, 80, and Beyond

Seniors at Beach Viewing Ocean
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash

I’m not 70 yet, but I’m close enough to start thinking about it.  And I really don’t want to think life gets boring at 70 and beyond.  As long as we’re alive and kicking we want life to be interesting and productive.

We all admire those older folks that do things that are a little uncommon for their age.  Think about the 90 year old that gets their college degree.  Or the famous artist that didn’t start until her mid 70s.  I just read about an 80 year old that still hikes up and down mountains on a daily basis.  Some even have the audacity to start a business!

So What is Crazy Anyway?

While things are slowly changing, being crazy just means doing things the world doesn’t expect at your age.  It is still assumed that you shouldn’t do certain things beyond some predefined age.  Just tell someone you have retired.  They assume you mean you have hit the stop button.  No more work.  No more adventure.  No more purpose or productivity.

Crazy is Good

I’d like to propose that crazy is good!  If you retire it just means you are moving to a new phase in life.  You can do most anything you want.  Yes, you may be slowing a bit physically, but you more than make up for it in wisdom.  And you have seen it all before, so you can be a little eccentric, a little different, and yes, a little crazy!

Crazy is Healthy

Crazy keeps your brain sharp.  Most evidence now points to a “use it or lose it” reality as we age.  This is especially true for your brain health.  And physically, while you can’t do the same things at 80 that you did at 20, you probably can do more than you think.  You see examples every day.  I have an uncle that ran marathons well into his 80s.  He did admit that around 85 he did start doing more walking than running!

The World Needs Your Craziness

There are so many examples of older folks making major contributions to society.  Many doctors practice until a very advanced age.  I read about one Japanese doctor that still practices every day despite being over 100.  Writers and artists often do some of their best work after 80.  And while you can argue about politicians making contributions to society, many stay active well into their 80s.  Look at Jimmy Carter and his work with Habitat for Humanity.

So How Can You Be Crazy?

You don’t have to run marathons or save the world to be a little crazy (although who knows what is possible until you try!)  Here are some ideas to get you thinking.

Keep Moving

This one helps make everything else more possible.  Move however you can.  Walk, swim, bicycle, or run as you are able

Be the oldest walking in a marathon or start a group of older gym rats!  Anybody up for softball or touch football where the only requirement is being over 70?

Learn Stuff

There are so many opportunities to learn stuff these days.  Many colleges allow seniors to attend classes for free or low cost.  And the Internet has near infinite possibilities.

Teach Stuff

You know a lot.  Give others the benefit of that knowledge.  You can teach formal classes or maybe make use of a more informal setting like a community center.  You can even learn to create your own online courses. 

Go Places

Go more places than you ever thought possible.  Go somewhere unusual or use an alternative means of transportation.  If you have always driven places try taking the train, a plane or even the bus.  If you fancy foreign travel go somewhere unusual, or spend a little more time than the average tourist.

Read Voraciously

Read, read, read.  It will keep you sharp and make you a more interesting person to be around.  It will give you ideas and help keep your brain sharp. Read what others have done in their “older” years.

Start a Blog

Everyone has a story to tell.  A blog makes it possible.  And even if few people read what you write it is good for you personally.

Write Articles and Books

I cannot overemphasize how helpful writing has been to me.  It can be for you too so give a try.

How will you be just a little crazy?

Filed Under: Health, Personal Development, Things To Do, Travel, Uncategorized Leave a Comment