Itz Holistically Wholesome

My family and I are filled with excitement as we indulge in the delightful taste of our homegrown strawberries. Each harvest brings us closer together, creating cherished memories that we’ll treasure for years to come. There’s something truly special about savoring the fresh, wholesome flavor of fruits nurtured with love right in our own backyard.

For the past five years, I’ve been cultivating strawberries during the warm seasons here in New York. With each passing year, I’ve noticed a steady increase in my harvest. Along the way, I’ve gained valuable insights into the needs of my plants, discovering new techniques that have significantly boosted their productivity. It’s been an exciting journey of learning and growth, and I’m continually amazed by the abundance of strawberries my plants yield each season.

In all my years of strawberry gardening, I’ve never been fortunate enough to see any berries in my garden as large as the ones found in stores. Typically, mine are small, bright red, and possess a taste that’s simply incomparable. There’s an indescribable quality to them — a radiant freshness that makes me feel like I’m indulging in something truly healthy and nourishing.

Let’s not be deceived; those oversized strawberries we often encounter in stores, unfortunately, aren’t natural. They’ve been manipulated to achieve their larger size, but this doesn’t necessarily translate to better health. I recall picking up a pack of strawberries from the store once, and one of them was so gigantic that I hesitated to eat it, eventually discarding it out of caution. It was just too mind-bogglingly enormous to comprehend.

My baby girl had the privilege of tasting the first ripe strawberry from our garden this year. She enjoyed it so much that she wanted more. When I offered her one of the store-bought strawberries we had been eating throughout the year, she refused it and promptly threw it out. Instead, she pointed to the back door and exclaimed, “More strawberries!” She clearly preferred the ones from our garden. If you’d like to see a short YouTube clip of her enjoying one of our homegrown strawberries, please click the link below.

As the season comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the abundance of June-bearing strawberries in our garden compared to the limited availability of summer-bearing varieties. While we’ve relished the joy of savoring fresh strawberries straight from our garden for the past few weeks, it’s bittersweet to anticipate returning to store-bought ones soon.

Oh, how I wish I could extend the strawberry season year-round or have a plentiful supply throughout the entire season! However, I’m grateful for the opportunity my family and I have had to enjoy the authentic, natural taste of a fruit we hold dear, free from concerns about its health implications. I’m sure our bodies appreciate it as much as our taste buds do.

Perhaps one day, we’ll have the pleasure of indulging in fresh, organic strawberries that are free from pesticides and chemicals throughout the year. It’s a dream worth nurturing, and I hold onto hope for a future where such delights become a reality.

I’m also delighted to have shared my strawberries with my neighbor, who appreciated them just as much as I did. It’s heartwarming to connect over our shared enjoyment of homegrown produce while commiserating about the lackluster offerings found in stores. There’s something special about bonding over the simple pleasures of fresh, wholesome food, and it’s moments like these that truly enrich our sense of community and gratitude.

My son and older sister whipped up a batch of strawberry lemonade, and let me tell you, it was the most incredible strawberry lemonade we’ve ever had. My eldest couldn’t help but remark, “I really don’t know what they’re selling as strawberry lemonade out there.” It was a moment of revelation, recognizing the stark contrast between homemade goodness and store-bought substitutes.

Who else is eagerly anticipating the renewal of the earth? Imagine everything restored to its original, perfect state, just as God created it. The thought of enjoying the pure, delicious flavors of nature in their truest form is truly something to look forward to.

Until next time, remember to cultivate what you consume and savor the fruits of your labor this season. May God bless you abundantly and grant you good health. Keep in mind to stay tuned for more updates on what’s growing on my deck and other holistic, wholesome pursuits as we journey together toward faith, family, and well-being.