The harvest

Today is my last full day at Eden Valley Institute of Wellness. The weather is decidedly crisp. Indeed, the past few mornings have had that deliciously palpable undercurrent of sweet wet earth that says all the summers bounty is coming to an end. It’s time for autumn.

I have layered my (now much hated) athleisure (I’m ready to get back to zippers and dresses) in order to insulate a bit better against dipping temperatures that are a bit above frost.

Besides cozy sweaters, boots and the like, autumn is always associated with harvest’s cornucopia bounty. Our modern concept of harvest usually means pumpkin spice latte’s, apple hand pies, sweet and salty cookies and other treats. But our agrarian roots actually inform us to pick and can vegetable’s and fruits that have ripened beautifully through the summer months. Here at Eden Valley harvest is apparent and carries with it a sense of abundance and urgency.

Late this past week, I had the pleasure of meeting with the institute’s Farm Manager Ignacio Perez, to discuss the operational practices of the organic farm that lifestyle guests (that’s me) enjoy during our two week stay. Ignacio, who originally hails from the Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic, graciously shared his story and passion for fresh food and the earth. Ignacio is a humble, smiling man who I can tell enjoys his work and the results it yields. Upon asking whether I enjoyed the food being served in the dining hall and receiving my enthusiastic “Of course, yes!”, I could tell, that response pleased him immensely.

Through his management and careful planning, Eden Valley’s organic farm and orchards provide fresh produce and other goodies like roasted hatch peppers and dried tomatoes to markets all over the state of Colorado. Ignacio works with a team of diligent men and women who leave me in awe. First, because they can navigate the creepy crawlies.

Aside: A small garden snake will send me into a fit and anything inching along fat and oozy will cause me to leap and sprint like a baby gazelle.

Second, their farming practices have me regularly swooning over simple meals of food that tastes like (gasp) FOOD. Each dish is packed with the dense flavors of each ingredient and is so packed with nutrients I feel better for eating it.

What is organic gardening though? I mean, how does one get fruits and vegetables to harvest without them being seized by naturally hungry animals /or non-human pests who graze through the night?

In simple terms, organic gardening could be described as growing a garden in harmony with nature, without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or other such products that upset the balance of the ecosystem. It should be noted that organic gardening is more than simply avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. It is about observing nature’s processes, and emulating that process in your garden as best you can. The most important way to do that is to understand the makeup of your soil and to give it what it needs. If anything could be called a ‘rule’ in organic gardening, it’s this: feed the soil, not the plant.

More than this though, in order to get the most nourishing, nutrient rich and “gut friendly” food means not using genetically engineered (GE) or otherwise modified seed.

Why? Researchers found that rats, fed a diet of fish who consumed GE grain, got fatter faster. Translated to humans, the study suggests: if you dine on meat from an animal which was fed GE grains or consume products made from GE grains like corn, you could get the same adverse life altering effects. You could get fatter faster and retain the weight. These GE foods transfer their effects to you.

Eden Valley’s farm is literally feet away from the table and stays away from these and other harmful non-organic practices.

For me, the lucky consumer of so much hard work, it has been a joy to witness what the chef’s will serve each day. One of the most pleasant moments of my stay was presenting to the kitchen my own harvest for incorporation into the meals. One windy day, I went to visit my bearing peach tree and noticed a host of peaches had been dislodged from their sunny perches and were scattered on the ground waiting for me to gather. Unzipping my backpack I picked among the bounty and filled the bag. I proudly presented them to the kitchen and asked if we could have them for breakfast. I was so pleased when the kitchen staff sought to collaborate with me by graciously suggested ways that the peaches could be prepared that sounded not only decadent but tantalizing. There was talk of cobbler for goodness sake! In the end I thought it best to simply enjoy the fruit plain, peeled, sliced and pitted for full appreciation of all the notes of flavor without dressing or pretense.

There is another harvest. One of body and especially spirit that I am experiencing now. When you plant good seeds in your life; trust in God, rest, temperance, nutrition, fresh air, exercise, clean water, and sunlight you’re bound to reap a rich harvest of good health, peace of mind and body and calmness and clarity of spirit. My harvest, has meant a reset for my body and a focus of purpose.

I’m looking forward to seeing what fruits this detox yields. I want to keep on the plan and for the next eight weeks… and really have no choice as I will be having follow-up calls with my lifestyle coach, Brenda to ensure that I’m reaching my comprehensive wellness goals.

There will be one (or two) more blog installment(s) of this wellness retreat series! Thank you for following along. Let me know what you think about attending to your own wellness? I hope you’ve been inspired to take a good look at what you’re eating, how your spirit is feeling and how your body is functioning.

Please leave your comments or thoughts below. I’d love to hear from you.