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Fall Leaves = Garden Gold + The Art of Eating Mindfully!

Fall Leaves = Garden Gold + The Art of Eating Mindfully!

On a different note, how do you utilize fallen leaves on your homestead?

Cedie Omaña
September 03, 2024

How do you utilize fallen leaves on your homestead?

In Today's Edition:

Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Tuesday! 📊
All Things Homestead: Transforming Fall Leaves into Garden Treasure 🍂
Personal Development: How to Eat Mindfully and Feel Better 🍴
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

Brought To You By:

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Feel free to get your copy here!

Homestead Tip of the Day:

Early fall is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs, as the soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth, but the cooler air temperatures reduce stress on the plants. Make sure to water them well and apply mulch to help retain moisture.

Poll Results From Last Tuesday📊

What’s your favorite fall recipe using homegrown ingredients?

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Pumpkin soup or pie

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Apple crisps or cobblers

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Root vegetable stews

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Homemade breads with herbs

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Others (Feel free to specify your answer after you've voted.)

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

All Things Homestead

Transforming Fall Leaves into Garden Treasure 🍂

As the leaves start to fall and your yard turns into a colorful carpet, you might be tempted to bag them up and send them off. But hold on—those leaves are more than just autumn's leftovers; they’re a hidden treasure for your garden.

Instead of tossing them out, why not put them to good use? Below are some easy and practical ways to turn those fallen leaves into valuable mulch and compost that will keep your garden thriving.

Using Fall Leaves as Mulch

Shred Those Leaves:
- Why Bother: Whole leaves can pile up and form thick layers that block water and air from reaching the soil. Shredding them first helps avoid this problem and speeds up the decomposition process.
- How to Do It: If you’ve got a lawn mower with a bag attachment, run the leaves over a few times until they’re chopped up nice and small. If not, a leaf shredder works wonders. No fancy tools? Even just running the mower over the leaves on the lawn will do the trick.
Spread Them Out:
- Why It’s Important: A good layer of leaf mulch helps keep the soil moist, cuts down on weeds, and adds organic matter to the soil as it breaks down.
- How to Do It: Take your shredded leaves and spread a 2-3 inch layer around your plants, trees, or in your garden beds. Just be sure to leave a little breathing room around the base of plants to prevent rot.
Let Nature Do Its Thing:
- The Magic: Over time, that mulch will break down, adding nutrients to your soil and improving its texture and fertility.
- What to Expect: Simply leave the leaf mulch in place and let it decompose naturally. As the season goes on, you can add more leaves to keep the layer nice and thick.

Composting Fall Leaves:

Balance is Key:
- The Science: Leaves are high in carbon, but to break down properly, your compost needs a balance of carbon (browns) and nitrogen (greens). Think of it like feeding your compost a balanced diet.
- How to Do It: Layer your shredded leaves with things like kitchen scraps, grass clippings, or other “green” materials. A good rule of thumb is three parts leaves to one part greens. This mix helps the compost break down faster and more evenly.
Keep It Moist and Aerated:
- Why It Matters: A compost pile needs just the right amount of moisture and air to turn those leaves into rich, crumbly compost.
- How to Maintain It: Water your pile if it’s dry and turn it every few weeks to add air, which speeds up the process. If it’s too wet, add more leaves or dry materials to balance things out.
Be Patient:
- Why Wait: Composting takes some time, but the payoff is worth it—a nutrient-rich, soil-boosting compost that your garden will love.
- How Long It Takes: Depending on the conditions and how often you turn the pile, your compost should be ready in about 6 months to a year. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s dark, crumbly, and has that earthy smell.

What to Watch Out For:

Skip the Diseased Leaves: If some of your trees had problems with diseases, it’s best to keep those leaves out of your mulch and compost to avoid spreading any issues to your garden.
Avoid Piling Too Thick: Whether you’re mulching or composting, too thick a layer of leaves can cause problems like suffocating your plants or slowing down the composting process. Stick to a 2-3 inch layer for mulch and keep the compost pile balanced for best results.

Personal Development

How to Eat Mindfully and Feel Better 🍴

In our busy lives, it’s easy to eat without really thinking about it—grabbing a snack while working, rushing through lunch, or munching in front of the TV. But what if you could turn eating into something more satisfying and even better for your health? That’s where mindful eating comes in.

Inspired by Jan Chozen Bays' book, Mindful Eating: A Guide to Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship with Food, let’s discuss how you can make eating a more enjoyable and nourishing experience.

Simple Ways to Practice Mindful Eating:

Start with Gratitude:
- Why It’s Important: Taking a moment to appreciate your food can change your whole eating experience. When you think about where your food comes from and the effort it took to get it to your plate, it can make your meal feel more special.
- How to Do It: Before you take that first bite, pause. Think about the journey your food took—from the farm to your table. You might even say a small “thank you” silently or out loud. This can help set a positive tone for your meal.
Use All Your Senses:
- Why It Makes a Difference: Eating is about more than just taste. When you use all your senses, you’re more present, which can make the meal more enjoyable and satisfying.
- How to Do It: Before you dig in, take a moment to look at your food. Notice the colors, the textures, and the smells. As you eat, listen to the crunch of a carrot or the sound of your fork on the plate. By focusing on these details, you get more out of each bite.
Take Smaller Bites and Chew Well:
- Why It Helps: Smaller bites and thorough chewing help you savor the flavors and give your body time to signal when you’re full. This can help prevent overeating.
- How to Do It: Take a small bite and put your fork down while you chew. Really focus on the taste and texture of the food in your mouth. Once you’ve swallowed, then reach for the next bite. This slower pace lets you enjoy your food more fully.
Eliminate Distractions:
- Why It’s Crucial: Eating while distracted—like watching TV or scrolling through your phone—can lead to mindless eating, where you don’t even realize how much you’ve eaten until it’s too late.
- How to Do It: Try to eat in a quiet, distraction-free environment. If you’re eating with others, engage in conversation, but keep your focus on the meal. If you’re eating alone, use this time to really connect with your food.
Listen to Your Body’s Signals:
- Why It Matters: Your body is pretty smart—it knows when it’s hungry and when it’s full. The trick is to tune in and listen to those signals.
- How to Do It: Before you start eating, ask yourself if you’re really hungry or if you’re eating out of habit or boredom. As you eat, check in with your body. Are you still hungry? How does the food make you feel? Stop when you feel satisfied, not stuffed.

Simple Ways to Practice Mindful Eating:

Start Small: You don’t have to overhaul all your meals at once. Begin with one meal or snack each day where you focus on eating mindfully. As you get more comfortable, you can expand this practice to more meals.
Be Patient with Yourself: Mindful eating is a practice, which means it might take some time to get the hang of it. If you find your mind wandering, gently bring it back to the experience of eating. The more you practice, the easier it will become.
Make It a Ritual: Turn mealtime into a special moment by creating a small ritual. This could be setting the table nicely, lighting a candle, or simply sitting down without distractions. Making mealtime feel special can help you stay present.