Garden Soul Video- Happy Valentine’s Day

14 Feb 2010 5 Comments

by nadiaqh in Photography, Video Blogs Tags: , , , , ,

 GARDEN SOUL VIDEO

Cats in an Irish Garden

I was thinking of a Valentine Blog that had some soul to it and I came up with this video. Some of these photos were taken in cemeteries throughout Ireland where the feeling of peace met me with each shutter release. The gardens and flourishing greenery in Ireland is breathtaking to say the least. These photos captured a tranquility and appreciation for the soul in life and the beauty of the present moment. It was a great day creating this and remembering the beautiful places once visited and always remembered. This is a video blog about LOVE.

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com   —- what do I know? That gardens inspire me to grow and create.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch…

11 Jan 2010 2 Comments

by nadiaqh in Garden Projects, Vegetable/ Herb Garden, Video Blogs Tags: , , , , ,

Sounds strange when you say it out loud a few times: mulch, mulch, mulch. But strange for the soil it is not! Placing mulch around your planter beds, base of trees and as a topsoil cover adds some incredible benefits to your garden. I use an organic coconut husk mulch which decomposes over time. Mulch absorbs and retains moisture in the soil, keeping the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, it aids in root growth and prevents the soil from getting too compacted. See this link for “The Original Mulch Block” (my favorite mulch) which is made from coconut husks, fibers and coco peat. The niftiest thing about this mulch is that it’s lightweight and packaged in a small, easy to carry cube. The mulch block expands to cover 2 cubic feet after it’s soaked in water. Who knew mulching could be so much fun?

Thanks for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com        - grow, create and inspire!

Garden Meditation Video

28 Dec 2009 2 Comments

by nadiaqh in Garden Design, Garden Projects, Vegetable/ Herb Garden, Video Blogs Tags: , , , ,

A small space is all you need to create a peace garden. With New Year’s Eve just around the corner and recovering from the busy holiday week, maybe this is just what you need! I know I do. Whether it’s a large garden area, or a small balcony overlooking a busy city… both can enjoy the benefits of a visually calming area. This is a place to take a few deep breaths, offer a prayer of gratitude, burn incense, or carve out a moment of quiet time in your day. Check out my video of a few feng shui garden design spots in my yard which were mindfully created for peace, garden tranquility and relaxation.

Looking for garden mirror-balls? Follow this link: Garden Gazing Globes

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com

Create = Grow= Inspire

Making Mint Simple Syrup- Video

14 Dec 2009 6 Comments

by nadiaqh in Cooking, Garden Projects, Vegetable/ Herb Garden, Video Blogs Tags: , , ,

The holidays are here and I have had many requests for homemade gifts from the garden. I like creating gifts from the garden, especially when they’re organic and easy to do. If the only use this mint syrup gets is for placing it in hot or iced-tea, then it’s well worth it.  Create a basket with some white rum and a bottle of club soda and you have a little “Mojito Party Basket” as a holiday gift! Mint syrup can be poured over cooked fruit, fresh fruit, ice cream and mixed into recipes that call for simple syrup. The Retro glass jars were purchased at  Sur le Table for under $4.00 each. I used “typewriter” FONT to print out homemade labels for the jars. Everyone loves a home-made gift and this one is super yummy and simple to make.

nadia's mint syrup

Making Mint Syrup: Also known as Simple Syrup.

RECIPE:

2 CUPS Granulated Sugar

1 CUP Water

1 CUP Packed Fresh Mint Leaves

2 Tablespoons of Corn Syrup

DIRECTIONS: In a small saucepan heat sugar, corn syrup and water to a slow boil until Sugar is dissolved. Add Mint and remove from heat. Stir for 1 minute. Allow syrup to cool back down to room temperature. Pour Mint Syrup into a bowl through a strainer. Store the syrup in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator until ready to use. Syrup will keep for several months.

*makes 2 cups

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com

Create- Grow- Inspire

Seasoned Sea Salt

02 Dec 2009 7 Comments

by nadiaqh in Cooking, Garden Projects, Vegetable/ Herb Garden, Video Blogs Tags: , , ,

Click link here to see video: ORGANIC HERB SEA SALT VIDEO LINK (YouTube)

Organic Herb Sea Salt

It’s time to make some garden gifts for the holidays! I created a “how to” video on you tube and some printed directions below. This is a favorite in our household and I am finding out that each time I give it as a gift, it becomes someone else’s kitchen favorite. It is great on salads, avocados, chicken, soups and anything you would put salt on. Now you can make it too! Or, order one from me and I will mail it to you.

RECIPE:

1 Cup chopped mixed herbs: use your favorite. This one in the video contains Chives, Parsley, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Oregano.

1/2 Cup Sea Salt

1/2 Cup Kosher Salt

1/8 Cup of extra herbs to save on the side.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Blend Sea Salt in the Blender a few seconds until it is the same size as Kosher Salt.

2. Transfer Sea Salt to a food processor and add chopped herbs.

3. Pulse until well mixed and the Sea Salt turns a nice green.

4. Add Kosher Salt and pulse a few more times to completely blend all ingredients.

5. Turn into a pan and add the last 1/8 Cup of chopped herbs, mix well.

6. Cook at 200 degrees for 1 Hour. Mix after 30 minutes and break up all the chunks.

7. Cool completely, Return to the food processor for a few QUICK pulses to blend evenly.

8.  Store in air tight jars. Shelf life lasts months at room temperature.

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

Create – Grow – Inspire

ThanksgivingContest09

30 Nov 2009 Leave a Comment

by nadiaqh in Video Blogs Tags:

BLOGGER CONTEST—-    ENTRY FOR WORDPRESS VIDEO CONTEST. THEME: “what i am thankful for. 30 second max. video blog.”

Garlic Galore!

21 Nov 2009 1 Comment

by nadiaqh in Vegetable/ Herb Garden, Video Blogs Tags: , , , , ,

I had another “first experience” gardening this week, I planted garlic. Here is a very quick video to capture the essence of garlic planting. I planted an organically grown garlic clove that I bought at a roadside vegetable stand here in San Diego.

A few facts about garlic:

* Garlic is great for growing in containers.

* November is a good time to plant garlic.

* Co-plant or “companion plant” garlic next to lettuce, cabbage, roses, apple trees, beets and carrots. The garlic will act as an organic pest repellant keeping aphids, root fly and snails away. This is a great way to organically keep your garden as pest free as possible without using harmful chemicals.

* Follow this link for the great health benefits of garlic.

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com

Create-Grow-Inspire

Seven Apple Cobbler

09 Nov 2009 3 Comments

by nadiaqh in Cooking, Garden Fruits, Garden Projects, Video Blogs Tags: , , , , ,

I planted this “Anna Semi Dwarf Apple Tree” in my garden a year ago and this month 7 apples were ready to be picked. My kids decided something with a lot of sugar would be the appropriate celebration dessert for harvesting our first bumper crop. That sounds like farm talk doesn’t it?, “we harvested our apples.” I searched online for ideas and I have to confess, I chose a cobbler over a pie because cobblers are easy and fast! It tasted delicious, I only wish I could insert the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and baked dough on this blog.

Anna Apples grow great in San Diego County, they are crispy, juicy and sweet. They need full sun and grow to about 10 feet. Did you know that full sun means 6 hours of sun per day? Nice little garden fact for the next get together with your friends!

The blooms on the tree are incredibly beautiful, see this photo link- BLOOM.

This dwarf apple tree can be planted in a very large container. I have a variety of dwarf trees in containers around my backyard.

Thank you for visiting my blog: www.nadiaknows.com

“I know that creating, growing and having fun makes each day an inspiration.”

A Fairy Garden

04 Nov 2009 4 Comments

by nadiaqh in Garden Design, Garden Projects, Photography, Vegetable/ Herb Garden, Video Blogs Tags: , , , ,

Last weekend I photographed a 4 year old birthday party with the theme “A Fairy Garden Birthday.” I am sharing the short version of the video here on my blog. Every detail of this fairy garden party was amazing. Each girl at the party was dressed as a different flower and received a matching fairy wand after a scavenger hunt activity. The tables were set with beautiful china, there was a seed planting activity table, and they got to fly like fairies on the trampoline. This was a party created out of one mother’s incredible talent, imagination and joy. Her love for gardening has spilled over into her children’s lives in a dynamic way and I was so thankful to be a part of it!

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com            I know that growing, creating, and inspiring happens in the garden.

October Pumpkins

20 Oct 2009 3 Comments

by nadiaqh in Garden Design, Photography, Vegetable/ Herb Garden, Video Blogs Tags: , , , , ,

Come with me to an Carlsbad local’s favorite roadside stop, a fruit and flower stand that has charm and character. The red tractor on the lot made a great backdrop for a photo with my kids when they were just tots, years ago. Today I put 3 little pumpkins on it and call it, “Three Sisters” – (yes I have two sisters). On any given day, I can run down to the fruit stand and pick up herbs, veggies, flowers, homemade tamales, guacamole, and even chocolate covered strawberries. Enjoy the pumpkins.

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: create, grow and inspire!

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