There’s great satisfaction from growing, harvesting and eating your own home-grown vegetables.

If you are middle aged we suggest you prepare a raised bed or two; it’s a great way to reduce the strains of bending.
My friends have raised planters 2m long, 1m wide and 1/2 metre high. They are north facing, made from pallets and lined with weed mat then filled with compost.

A basic summer vegetable garden might include parsley/favourite herbs, Asian greens, runner beans, onions/shallots or leeks, cucumber, courgettes, tomatoes . . .the vegetables you prefer.
In winter you may grow broccoli, carrots, and other favoured root vegetables for soup and roasts.

If you have the space plant trees and shrubs that provide pleasure and food e.g. Feijoa hedge, Passionfruit Vine (if you’re in a warm area) and espalier grapes or apples along a fence.

Based on what’s in season, design and prepare up to a week’s menus*. My most used recipes comes from The Digby Law Vegetable Cookbook. Each vegetable has it’s own chapter e.g. carrot recipes ranging from savoury main courses to sweet desserts (including deliciously moist cakes).

Doing all the cooking on a weekend night may work for you, making the weeknight dinners quick and simple. Cook in glass or stainless steel (never aluminium*A) and bake in a regular or fan-bake oven (not a microwave*B).
Suggestions include * Stir-fry *Vegetarian Bake *Curry *Vegetable Frittata

*A Aluminium pots are linked to Alzheimer’s
*B Microwaved food changes its molecular structure reducing nutrient
accessibility to the body

Planning ahead will make it less tempting to succumb to fast food and your bank account and body will benefit from your nutritious menus.

Thank you,
Betty