When the fig trees started producing in our Growing Domes this summer, I rushed to dry or freeze as much as possible. I knew there would be a jam recipe this fall. It just so happened, that the green chiles were ready to harvest at the same time I found this recipe for a Serrano...
Ready to embark on a culinary adventure? Let’s dive into the world of home canning, where you can transform fresh produce into delicious, long-lasting treats. Canning is a method of food preservation where food is processed in sealed containers to extend shelf life. Those containers can be glass jars or metal cans. For the home...
Drying foods is one of the oldest forms of food preservation. Using the sun or the heat from a fire were the methods used by ancient peoples. Drying removes the moisture from fruits and vegetables, preventing the growth of bacteria or mold. As with many types of food preservation, the recommendations are often changing and...
Pickling includes both preserving food by submerging in vinegar or by fermentation in a brine. Discover the differences and similarities between these preservation methods.
Freezing food is one of the easiest and most common forms of food preservation. It works because the cold temperatures inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Historically, if you lived in a cold climate this form of preservation by freezing had been used for centuries. The quick-freezing methods we use today, are credited to a Canadian...
Come September in New Mexico and parts of Colorado, the onset of Autumn is heralded by the smell of roasting chiles in the air. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or creating a special date night dinner for two, we’ve got a green chile recipe to celebrate the harvest season. In my family, Thanksgiving or Christmas...
This roasted Lebanese Garlic Chicken, Djaj Biltoom, with a Toum dipping sauce will be the unexpected star of your next backyard BBQ. If you’re a garlic lover, skip the chicken and go straight for the toum.
In this article, we’ll look at extending the shelf-life of food by salting, sugaring, and storing in oil. In the modern kitchen, these techniques alone are not safe for long-term storage. As you will see, they are best used when combined with another food preservation method, such as drying, refrigerating, or freezing. Sugars and salts...
Healthy eating, exercise, mindfulness, and meditation have been central to our company's values since we began in 1989. We're thrilled that so many people around the world are now inspired by the blue zone regions, famous for their high number of centenarians, to start growing their own food.
From drying to freezing there are many food preservation methods to make the harvest last longer. Today, we're highlighting the cold storage method and exploring the idea of building a root cellar.
Looking for a nasturtium recipe? Find your fave in one convenient collection: nasturtium pesto, spring rolls, shrimp salad with pine nuts, pickled seeds
The best vegan taco meat starts with whole grains and fresh vegetables. Eat the rainbow with this whole food plant- based recipe. Many of these ingredients can be grown right in your own backyard!
This dairy-free avocado ice cream is sure to satisfy your craving without the guilt! Rich coconut milk and ripe avocados create a delectable guilt free dessert.
Gardening books are a great resource for beginners and an amazing way to expand your knowledge even if you are a seasoned pro. We have put together a list of some of our favorite gardening books just for you.
A unique spin on a Mediterranean classic. Borage tastes like cucumbers and adds beautiful color. Perfect for those looking for healthy meatless meal options! Serves: 8-10 Prep Time: 25 hours Cook Time: 15 minutes
Calling all modern homesteaders, backyard gardeners, and chicken lovers! Can these fluffy dinosaurs help us in the garden or should we leave them in the coop?
Lemons are among the most popular fruit-bearing plants to cultivate in a Growing Dome greenhouse. Because they are available year-round at the grocery store many people associate lemons with fresh lemonade on a hot summer day. However, it may surprise you to learn that lemons are, in fact, considered a winter fruit. Their peak season, when they are most abundant and of the highest quality, typically extends from December to April.
Forget eggs! Bananas are the secret ingredient to light and fluffy vegan pancakes. This easy recipe uses mashed bananas for binding and sweetness, creating pancakes that are bursting with flavor and moisture. Plus, we've thrown in some melty chocolate chips for an extra decadent touch. Serve with maple syrup and fresh banana slices for a breakfast or snack that's as good as it is good for you.
Here you will find a list of plants to grow for food bank donation and how to find a local food bank to donate to during the holiday season.
Discover the art of making delicious Guava Jam using homegrown pink guavas with our easy-to-follow recipe. Ideal for Growing Dome enthusiasts, this guide from Growing Spaces showcases how to harvest and transform pink guavas into a sweet, slightly musky jam with a hint of vanilla or tangy lime. Learn the differences between guava jam and jelly, and explore versatile ways to enjoy this tropical delight, from morning toast to guava margaritas. Our comprehensive instructions cover everything from preparing guavas to water canning, ensuring a perfect batch every time. Plus, get insights on the longevity of homemade guava jam and tips for growing guavas successfully. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned canners, this article is your ultimate guide to creating a tropical treat in any climate.
A sweet and spicy roasted green chili corn cake topped with fresh corn salsa is the perfect way to kick off the start of fall.
Discover a culinary oasis in our Bean and Tomato Salad, a vibrant and nutritious dish perfect for those seeking a wholesome and delicious work-from-home lunch option. This medley of crisp bush beans and plump cherry tomatoes, sourced straight from our greenhouse, will awaken your taste buds and brighten your day. Tossed with the colors of red onion, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, every bite offers a symphony of flavors and textures. Embrace the abundance of your own homegrown harvest, and elevate your lunchtime with this easy-to-make salad that is as convenient for on-the-go as it is indulgent at home. Savor the freshness and feel rejuvenated with each nourishing forkful. Embrace the deliciousness and healthfulness of a power-packed lunch you'll keep craving!
We took inspiration from a dish that Angela Pferdt (@Santa_Woodz) made us during our visit. Here we have turned these mildly spicy flowers into pesto flatbreads, but the nasturtium pesto makes a great addition to pasta, salads, sandwiches, and so much more! Nasturtiums are a great plant to grow in your Growing Dome greenhouse. They...
These Swiss Chard and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms make for an elegant and flavorful appetizer, perfect for entertaining or as a tasty addition to any gathering. Enjoy their savory and creamy combination with a touch of Swiss chard goodness!
Calendula is an amazing herbal medicine that has been used for centuries. From skin healing salves and lotions to tinctures and teas this plant will quickly become a staple on your modern homestead. Plus it is easy to grow and simple to turn into everyday items! From how to make calendula oil, to making this...
Whether you are growing cilantro in your garden or buying it from the store, it is one of those plants you always seem to have an abundance of. This cilantro lime sauce recipe is a great way to use up all that extra coriander. It is perfect for adding flavor to any dish. No matter if you're making tacos, burrito bowls, sandwiches, or salads, this sauce will make your meal even better. It's a creamy, blended sauce that uses cilantro, lime juice, and sour cream as the primary flavors.
If you are like me and do not love the taste of kale, it is a great veggie to mix into other dishes that you normally eat. Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish that combines kale with, my favorite vegetable, potatoes! While Nancy’s kale chips are extremely simple to make and satisfy the need for a crunch.
Wontons, dumplings, pot stickers, or whatever you prefer to call them are delicious, satisfying, and fun to make. This winter we have a lot of nutritious greens, herbs, and veggies to choose from in our Growing Dome gardens. Bok choy is delicious, easy to grow, and can be used in all types of recipes from soups to salads and stir-fries.
We call this Kitchen Sink Soup because we take everything leftover from our fall & early winter Growing Dome harvests & whatever we have in the fridge to make the soup. We put everything in but the kitchen sink! The key is to have veggies, herbs, a grain or carbohydrate, and different types of alliums
Looking for a crowd pleasing unique appetizer for your holiday party? This rosemary and roasted garlic dip is sure to impress!
Basil Plant looking a bit sad in the cooler temperatures? This quick pesto is a great way to use it before it is too late!
Ever heard of Celeriac? It is great for soups, salads, slaws, baked, roasted, and sautéed.
Tis the Season For Squash and Zucchini. This is one of our favorite ways to make a delicious and easy side dish for any grilled protein!
Lucky for us, it’s tomato season in our Domes right now, and if you are like us, you have a variety of vine-ripened tomatoes from your Growing Dome. If you haven’t tried a Dome-grown tomato, you are missing out. The filtered light and temperature in the Dome make a perfect environment to ripen your tomatoes. They are far more flavorful and delicious than any tomatoes at the market or even in the outdoor garden. We also have fantastic fresh garlic, cilantro, and onion that we harvested from the Dome. They make the absolute best fresh salsa!
This rainbow & swiss chard salad is delicious and a fantastic way to use fresh, vibrant, and sometimes underutilized vegetables. Move over, kale! Swiss chard is the new super green! Chard is known to be bitter, so it is often left out of raw, cold salads. However, combining it with lemon zest, Parmesan, and olive oil relaxes the chard and takes away the bitterness. Give it a try. This summery, satisfying salad just might become your new go-to!
This bright, satisfying, yet light lunch keeps you going through your afternoon or you can use it as an appetizer to a favorite Thai dinner entree or even pho. Nasturtium spring rolls are perfect for any warm spring or summer afternoon or evening. Easy to make, the nasturtium packs a punch that is unexpected in A spring roll. They are so pretty you may not want to eat them but they are equally as delicious!
This bright, satisfying, yet light lunch keeps you going through your afternoon or you can use it as an appetizer to a favorite Thai dinner entree or even pho. Nasturtium spring rolls are perfect for any warm spring or summer afternoon or evening. Easy to make, the nasturtium packs a punch that is unexpected in A spring roll. They are so pretty you may not want to eat them but they are equally as delicious!
Cooking with veggies has been a liberating experience for me as a cook, food-enthusiast, gardener, and mother. I have found confidence in my ability to provide delicious, nutritious, sustainable food to my family and friends. Thinking outside the box and using healthier ingredients in everything that I cook. I have cultivated an incredible deeper relationship with food nurturing myself through growing my own sources of sustenance. It's a wonderful feeling going out and gathering ingredients from the garden and the Growing Dome. I know that everything was grown with care, has the proper nutrients in the soil, no pesticides, no herbicides or chemicals. It’s all organic, fresh, nutrient-dense, and local.
There are multiple reasons we suspect lasagna has rotated out of the weekly dinner routine (high fat, cholesterol, carbs, sodium, calories, etc.). But everyone loves a good lasagna, so let’s revise and revisit! Make it modern, healthy, flavorful, skip the side of guilt and opt for a salad.
When I first started cooking more plant-based and vegan recipes I struggled to find a Caesar salad that had the crunch, punch, and protein of a traditional Caesar. This recipe has double the crunch, and double the protein, with a nice punch in the dressing without all the fat, & no oil.
Everyone has their favorite version of chili. Some like it spicy, some like it mild, some like it red, some like it green. If you’re like me, you can eat chili all winter long and be happy as can be. It’s easy to make, stores well, and is the perfect match for many other dishes. Before I had a large family, I used to store it in the freezer and warm it up as needed. Now we never have any leftovers, ever! The kids beg for it, and if it gets approved by them, it’s approved by me. That makes life so much more straightforward, plus it is one of my top favorite things to eat. It also keeps us nice and toasty in these cold winter months in Colorado.
This is the time of year that we are all looking for those soothing, warm us up, type recipes, to help acclimate to the changing cold temperatures outside. This soup says fall flavor as much as pumpkin spice! This recipe is creamy, vegan, nourishing, and is full of cozy fall flavors. It's the ultimate comfort food to keep you full & warm this season. It can be frozen or stored in the fridge for up to a week. If you do have any leftovers, it's easy to reheat for a quick lunch on a cold afternoon.
In spring, early high temperatures are a huge benefit--especially in our mountain location with a short growing season. But as spring turns into summer, the increasing heat in the dome can turn our sanctuary into an oven unless it’s managed correctly. Over the years, we’ve learned how to adapt our growing practices, our plant choices, and even our plant locations to make the most of summer heat and provide much-needed shade for the water tank.
Brussels sprouts get a bad rap. They are notorious for many kids and adults alike having utter disdain for them. Have no fear! These roasted brussels sprouts are delicious, nutritious, and easy! They melt in your mouth, have caramelized outer edges, and a little crunch at first bite. I’m willing to bet, these little bites of goodness will convert any Brussels sprout hater.
My family comes from a long line of deep-fried southern cooking. A whole lot of comfort food made with butter, buttermilk, cream, lard, and pretty much anything that would clog your arteries. Tastes great but we have to be practical about our health these days and try to incorporate some healthy substitutions that will make our classic dishes modern, delicious, and less fat and calorie-dense.
Working at Growing Spaces for more than a decade has allotted me many exciting perks. The one I enjoy the most is having access to fresh produce, veggies, herbs, greens, and fruits all year round. For many years, I have walked into the Growing Dome, like it was the grocery store, at lunchtime and hand-picked my lunch. This shrimp and nasturtium salad is one of my favorite easy Dome Grown recipes.
Artichokes are a beautiful plant. Those who don’t grow them may not realize that they are immature flower buds from the thistle plant. Appetizing? We don’t know who decided first to try these odd little pokey guys, but we sure are glad they did. They come in many varieties, but the most common one that we use in cooking is called a globe artichoke. They can be intimidating, but I’m going to help you with that.
I started making this creamy southern comfort food in 2007. My friend owns a southern, Mardi Gras-themed comfort food restaurant. She gave me the recipe because I was obsessed with how yummy it was! I’ve been making this exact broccoli casserole dish for holiday gatherings and potlucks ever since, and people always want more! My family loves it.
I started making this creamy southern comfort food in 2007. My friend owns a southern, Mardi Gras-themed comfort food restaurant. She gave me the recipe because I was obsessed with how yummy it was! I’ve been making this exact broccoli casserole dish for holiday gatherings and potlucks ever since, and people always want more! My family loves it.
Most people think you can't make restaurant-quality food at home. Well, I am here to tell you if that is your sentiment, you are sorely mistaken. I am going to change your mind! It took me more tries than I would like to admit to getting it right. To keep it clean & healthy, but decadent and delicious.
It’s easy to make and delicious on just about any vegetable, cracker, pita chip, or toast. You can add just about any herb, spice, or vegetable you like to adjust the taste. Bonus points if it was grown in your Growing Dome.
New Year’s is always a good time to make your favorite appetizers, dips, and drinks. I’ve been experimenting with different ways to make my creamy, cheesy spinach artichoke dip over the years. I have experimented with full-fat cream cheese, Neufchâtel cheese, mozzarella cheese, and even vegan substitutes. This is my favorite dip recipe, and it is pretty simple. It melts in your mouth! You will want to double the recipe just for yourself.
Turkey Sammies are craveable all year long, no doubt. Still, after you deconstruct your leftover Turkey into a savory, satisfying, soothing, and soulful soup, you may begin to think that turkey sammies are for the birds?!
Beets are full of good stuff. They contain a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains, which are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying. They are also chock full of vitamins and minerals, especially folic acid, manganese, and potassium. So, I guess you could say that these gluten-free beet brownies are "healthy".
The first time I made kale chips, I remember thinking, “Should they taste burnt like this??” As it turns out, the answer to that question is no. After multiple failed attempts that were either too soggy or too burnt, I believe I have finally found the perfect kale chip. Yes, this is a very serious business, this kale chip business.
It’s peak tomato season, which means it’s also bruschetta season! By bruschetta, I mean the Americanized version of authentic Italian bruschetta, featuring ripe red tomatoes, basil, and garlic on golden, toasted French bread.
We wanted to take a moment and show our appreciation to five outstanding non-profit charities that are actively fighting food insecurity. Navajo Nation, Mattersville Vets, Urban Growers Initiative, GoFarm Coop, and the Food Coalition 4 Archuleta County and the GGP are all working to improve the health and nutrition of the people in their respective communities. See what Growing Spaces is doing to support these great causes, and learn how you can help. We are also excited to announce a new Urban Community Garden Grant opportunity for 2021!
Since I am not a vegan like Kesy I couldn't really do a vegan recipe. Instead, I give you my nana's recipe for the best carrot cake ever with homemade cream cheese icing. She is Sicilian and the only thing I love more than her cakes is her meatballs.
Now that you have read How to Grow Sorrel, I am sure you are wondering what do do with those tangy green leaves. Don't worry. We have your back. This three-step vegan salad is the most straightforward recipe we have ever featured.
Udgar and I founded Growing Spaces in 1989. The process of selling it was like looking for the right partner to pass on the baton in an exciting marathon. Preparing for that moment took extra energy. Our team had become our community as we developed the agility together to master all the moving parts of an evolving company. After retiring, we decided to travel in order to mark the change and to distance ourselves from our results-driven habits.
This skinny buffalo mushroom pizza falls into my favorites category, but who doesn't love low-calorie pizza? It's a lighter, vegan way to enjoy pizza. Simple and fast, perfect for busy weeknights.
Commit to reducing your Carbon Footprint by 10% with a Growing Dome. As most of us are spending the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day in our homes, the Earth is getting a breather.
With the craziness of the world right now, it can be tempting to pick up the remote and start a little vacation in your apartment. However, this can quickly turn into a harmful thing. Staying inside all day can have negative effects if you aren’t working towards positive goals and creating a productive environment. Try to make your work-from-home day like any other workday. But instead of a stressful morning commute, take a healthy morning walk outside. And take the extra time to do some other things you normally would not have time to do on a busy morning.
Optimize micronutrients by eating fruits and vegetables immediately after harvest. There are so many benefits to eating vegetables fresh from the earth. Taste, nutritional value and saving trips to the grocery store. Food travels hundreds, if not thousands, of miles before it makes it to the grocery store shelves and loses critical nutrients along the way.
No cheese at all as a matter a fact, this vegan cheesecake is SO good. You will think I am totally pulling your leg that is actually GOOD for you. You can indulge & be decadent, all you want, and not worry an ounce!
Winter or early Spring is a great time to clean your panels as vegetation is generally reduced, allowing easy access to the polycarbonate surfaces. According to Claudia Stover, long-time Growing Spaces dome owner and greenhouse gardening teacher, not only does regular cleaning of the polycarbonate panels increase the sanitation of the greenhouse but “keeping the dome panels clear of pollen and plant debris also helps reduce disease and pest pressure on your plants.”
Homegrown Chicken Pot Pie with Organic Dome Grown Veggies. What better way to say farewell to the winter growing season than with the ultimate comfort food. Fill your belly with fresh chicken, herbs and winter veggies from your Growing Dome.
Lumpia – Vegan Filipino Egg Rolls I am a massive fan of any spring roll or fresh roll. But this time of year, they aren’t the first dish that comes to mind. The weather often inspires my appetite. When it’s cold outside, I usually yearn for comfort food like chili, soup, hot tea, etc. Lumpia...
Fully Loaded Feel Better Vegan Pho I took a class with vegan chef Tess Challis to learn how to make this dish specifically, and I have simplified and streamlined it here for you. This is a comforting dish from a food culture that I incorporate into my everyday lifestyle. The secret to making delicious vegan...
Stories From Growing Domes Across the Globe Andrew Trujillo – Green Thumb Daddy The Growing Spaces team often refers to Andrew as the face of Growing Dome Greenhouses. Although he doesn’t work for Growing Spaces, he is one of our biggest supporters and provides outstanding feedback, content and wonderful pictures on our social media channels....
These non-profits are working to increase access to locally grown organic food in their communities There are many challenges facing our planet’s agricultural systems. Climate change, pesticides, GMOs, over-farming, soil health, corporate agriculture among many others. Food insecurity is also a major concern, as many communities do not have access to fresh, healthy organic food....
Matt & Christie’s New Mexico Mountain Greenhouse is growing beautiful tropical flowers year-round If you are an avid user of the Growing Spaces Facebook Group “Growing Dome Enthusiasts”, then you are no doubt familiar with our December Growing Dome of the Month owner, Matt Larson. He often posts pictures of his extraordinary flowers in his...
It’s here, the dreaded cold and flu season. I got an early start this year after countless hours in the airport traveling back and forth from Thailand. After two weeks of spicy flu fighters and immune boosters in Asia, I was inspired to come home and share them with you. So, here they are, my...
It’s prime green chile season! If you live in the western United States, then you know all about green chile peppers. If you are one of the few who does not let me give you a little insight. Pueblo Native Americans have cultivated chile peppers for centuries, but the modern renditions of the peppers we eat...
Embrace the flavors of autumn with our luscious Pumpkin Squash Risotto, a dish that captures the essence of harvest season in every velvety bite. As the leaves change and the cool air hints at winter's arrival, this risotto is your ticket to warmth, comfort, and the irresistible aroma of seasonal herbs and squash.
Greek Village Salad In honor of our Tomato Plant of the Month, our September recipe is a Greek Village Salad. This recipe is my go-to for a quick and light meal that easily uses all the excess tomatoes we have at this time of year. Total Time: 10 min Serves 1-2 What you need: SALAD...
Cultivating abundance, both financially and in my garden, has been a long journey for me. When I first became interested in gardening I was convinced I needed to grow my own food because the economy was going to crash and I’d have to know how to be self sufficient in order to survive. This belief...
Artichoke Salad In honor of our Artichoke Plant of the Month, our August recipe is my family’s favorite Italian salad. It can be eaten alone or paired with homemade pasta for a healthy recipe. Total Time: 15 min Serves 4-6 What you need: SALAD INGREDIENTS: 1 head red-leaf lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces1...
Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Tacos Spice up your next taco night with food from your dome and an easy-to-follow recipe from peppers and chickpeas combined with a spicy buffalo sauce and a cooling drizzle of ranch in this flavorful take on traditional tacos. Serves 4 What you need: ⅓ cup hot sauce 3 tbsp sriracha sauce 2...
Ways to nourish your body and your Growing Dome during the Summer Solstice The Summer Solstice of 2019 is upon us, bringing with it a time of intensity physically, emotionally, and environmentally. As we all know, the Solstice marks the day of the year with the most hours of sunlight. On this day, that number...
Gardening Sustains Mental Wellness While Providing Healthy, Nutritious Food: A Win-Win for You and Your Body Gardening in a Growing Dome is an invaluable method to improve and sustain mental and emotional wellness. Growing Domes are coveted, some would argue sacred, retreats to be with nature and one’s thoughts and emotions. At some point, however,...
Janet and I first met Bjorn Oliviusson in Fall 2012 when we arrived to help install the 33′ Growing Dome Greenhouse sold to the Royal Institution of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. As described in Bjorn’s post, it ended up at a school near the university, a pleasant setting, but late Fall in Stockholm the sunlight...
Cara Barnes of Hollyhock Farms in Aspen Colorado talks about sustaining a whole food plant based diet out of her Growing Dome Greenhouse
Cloud City Farm: From Superfund Site to Community Gardens, Thriving High Altitude Farm and Year-Round Growing Dome Greenhouse With only 28 frost free days a year, and living 10,000 feet above sea level, they are growing what at first might seem impossible. Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) is a non-profit 501(c)3...
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa offers a rejuvenating experience in the San Luis Valley of Colorado with a Growing Dome Greenhouse
Growing Gardeners and a Local Foodshed with a Growing Dome® at the Pine River Community Garden Instead of garlic from China and avocados from Mexico, the Pine River Garden Club in Bayfield, Colorado, cultivates their own local foodshed, grows gardeners and teaches how to harvest what you thought wouldn’t grow here. Pine River Garden Club...
75 Year Old Ex-Dentist Reveals Effective No Cost Methods of Improving Health Naturally Following are 7 simple tips to maintain vibrant health, as given by this guy. And unless you’re brand new here, I bet you recognize our fearless leader! Udgar Parsons, the creator of the Growing Dome® and co-owner of Growing Spaces®. You’ve probably seen...
One Healthy Snack You Can Grab On The Go… Without The Burden Of Prep Time You like to eat. You want a healthy snack. You’re hungry…all the time. It’s the same for all of us. We’re all hungry all the time. My kids are always asking for food, always on the prowl for the next...
Boost Immunity and Beat the Flu with these Powerful Medicines Found in Your Kitchen, Window-Shelf Pot, or Year Round Growing Dome® Garden.
As I think about my experience shopping yesterday, as everyone prepares for the holidays in our town, I am struck by the Holiday energy, thoughts about ending 2017, and affirming what will be healthy for the New Year. The offer of a “21 Day Pilates Holiday Slimdown” reminds me of the urge to improve in...
What does food security mean to you? Does it mean that your food is grown organically without pesticides and hormones? Does it mean that you know you will always have food on your table for your family because you can supply it yourself? Maybe it means you have grown enough food to collaborate with...
TOO MUCH SUGAR TOO MUCH SUGAR – This is all we hear in the news and in health magazines. Every news organization is reporting on Americans eating too much sugar. What does all this mean? How much is too much? Most people think “eh, I don’t eat doughnuts and cookies so I should be OK”. ...
Building blocks of a healthier life Our health is so important and it can change so rapidly. There are a plethora of small things that you can do to positively transition your well-being and your lifestyle effectively. The little things really do add up! Before you know it they can create a snowball effect in...
It is the Spring Equinox for 2017….traditionally symbolizing the breaking out of the darkness of winter and the return of light. It’s time for longer days and an “emerging” as birds sing and buds return from sleep to waking. In my world, it is especially significant this year, due to the symbolic darkness of this...
Permaculture and Tending the Fires of Inspiration Permaculture isn’t really about chickens, swales, plants, energy, composting toilets, and buildings; and this article isn’t really about permaculture. It is about how permaculture helps us design for beneficial relationships. Relationships which make the world a better place, regardless if it is between domestic fowl, comfrey, and pill bugs....
Robert Hilger transformed a barren wasteland, a forgotten metal scrap yard, into a living, growing landscape for the betterment of seniors. Now he is transforming an outdated barren mindset of institutions which may not serve us to our highest potentials.
She just flew up to the window as if to say “Are you Awake now?” I am slowly getting there. Attempting to summarize my thoughts, my woodpecker friend evokes the question by testing various surfaces on our log cabin home. What to say? I’m in a reflective mood. In this record heat, all I can...
The Pizza Bed Regenerating Children’s Health By Growing Your Own Food And Regenerating A Culture Connected to The Soil Our kids are fat. I know that’s a shocking way to say it, and with a little license to be politically incorrect, it’s probably accurate. Sadly. And as for adults, the majority isn’t any better off. But it gets...
The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado “Growing your own food is a revolutionary act.” -Vandana Shiva Gardening is Revolutionary. Your garden is significant. Gardening creates a better world, bringing health to your body and health to the planet. It cultivates a quality of beauty that merits direct experience for full appreciation. Even a humble backyard garden plot...
Bountiful Baskets are great. They keep my family of five stocked with quality fresh fruits and vegetables. The other day, while picking up our baskets at the local pick up site, the lady that checks your name off the list greeted me. Then asked half shyly, "Do you guys eat all three of those boxes?" If you’re not familiar with Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op, it’s a great volunteer-run co-op that distributes boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s sort of like receiving a CSA box (Community-Supported Agriculture). The contents are different every delivery, and it’s usually a surprise, to me at least, as to what’s in there.
As I consider the “Return of the Light” as signified by the Spring Equinox, Easter and even the Lunar Eclipse this week, I have to say… “It is welcome!” I have been very moved by the troubles we see and hear about globally, as we enter the next season. Growing Spaces® mission “to help personal...
Claudia Stover, a Growing Dome® owner of 10 years, had a visit this past weekend from Growing Spaces® owners, Puja and Udgar Parsons. I’m pretty sure I counted almost 20 varieties of plant foods that she has growing, and thriving, in her Growing Dome right now, in early January. You probably caught that the outside...
The Winter Solstice: A time to celebrate, a time of re-affirmation, and a time of courage. In the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice is the Winter Solstice, and the shortest day of the year. Although winter is the season of dormancy, darkness and cold, the December Solstice marks the “turning of the Sun.” The days slowly get...
We all know the importance of eating good food. And we all know the importance of exercise, but do you do it? Be honest. Do you get enough exercise? Do you have something in your life that keeps you consistently exercising 4 or 5 times a week? Now, I’m not talking about lifting weights, working...
Growing Domes and Mission: Wolf A Living example of Sustainability and Stewardship “A wolf in a cage is good for one thing…to teach people NOT to put wolves in cages.” Mission: Wolf I applaud the work of our friends over the mountains in Westcliffe, Colorado. Mission: Wolf You won’t believe how they are raising the...
Season’s greetings! What is this season? A time of turning…turning toward snow boots and scrapers and bundling up to scrape snow off the solar panels and help Udgar mount the plow. The smell of wood smoke nurtures my sense of gratitude for our Rocky Mountain home and the outdoor life we get to live. This...
As I begin this Newsletter greeting, I was just watching wild turkeys outside our window scratching for food. I always feel wonder that they return every year and surround our cabin with their good energy, reminding me of the pilgrims and Native American’s offering gratitude. I am preparing a surprise turkey dinner for a friend and...
Yesterday, while focusing on recovery from my dental surgery and the long week of organizing and working with our stellar team, I knew I just wanted to GARDEN in my Growing Dome. I was out in my Growing Dome for about 5 hours, preparing old baskets for new plants, amending the soil and mixing up...
When we started Growing Spaces LLC in 1989, our effort was to build a socially responsible business based on the values and practices we are living. One of them was the idea to “Celebrate Everything.” For me that means the attempt to shift inside, and see the potentials in every experience as well as to...
I have just settled in by the fire, on our coldest day on record in two decades in the USA, according to N.O.A.A. Weather Service online. With the wind chill, my relatives in Minnesota are experiencing 60 degrees below zero today! Lucky for us, it is only 5 degrees below zero in Pagosa Springs, but...
Why are we a Socially Responsible Company? Like so many environmentally aware people, I was really affected by the reality of the unusual super-storms of the past few weeks as the hurricane in the Philippines and the recent tornadoes here in the United States, took away lives, homes, and livelihoods. The Climate Reality project states...
A few years ago I was privileged to be on a panel of CEOs at our annual SW Colorado Women’s Business Conference and asked “How do women do business differently than men?” Although the moment called a response from the three of us that invited us all to recognize that we all possess masculine and...
There is an intangible, but equally empowering peace that comes with the practice of growing our own food. Have you taken the time to understand where this peace comes from? In understanding the roots of this peace we can find ways to expand on it and move the practice over into other parts of our...
It’s Earth Day, and this is being celebrated in many places around the globe (see Earthday.org ). In our own small town, the people of vision were out on a cold day in their booths giving away small trees to celebrate Earth Day. There were many examples of innovation and many contributions to the awareness...
Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver endorses the Growing Dome Greenhouse while visiting Navajo Nation in Arizona
In this day and age of the deluge of bad news, everyone does their best to filter out the pertinent information about what will affect their health and safety. In this article we’re going to do some filtering for you and review important information about the safety of your fresh fruits and vegetables. We’ll offer...
What IF I could live in such balance that the energy needed for my everyday commitments was an OVERFLOW out of the peace and natural enthusiasm I carry within me? What if I could re-set myself, when I was thrown off balance? And make recovery an art form? This has been my developing goal since...
How many people do you know who are affected by depression, anxiety, stress or other emotional illness? Or maybe the better question is: Who do you know that is not affected? The pressures of today’s increasingly fast-paced, high-tech society that demands you know all things at all times and learn to do them all at...
Growing Spaces co-owner, Puja Parsons, subscribes to a number of e-newsletters that keep her abreast of current trends in healthy eating, wellness and sustainability. Many Mondays we come to work and find delicious email forwards in our inboxes with links to great articles. Most recently via Puja’s subscription to DailyGood.org, she shared with us a...
One of our two favorite leaders of Growing Spaces, Puja Parsons, gave a beautiful keynote address to an audience of nearly 200 at the SW Colorado Women’s Small Business Conference in Durango, Colorado on July 13th, 2012. It was a bit of a new frontier for Puja because she had the opportunity to present how...
This Growing Dome Greenhouse owner in New Mexico writes wonderful pieces on healthy off-grid living
Ever heard about the “Children’s Wish Foundation”? Well we had the amazing opportunity to be involved with them in fulfilling the wish of a boy with Leukemia. He asked for his own Growing Dome. We’re speechless about how beautiful a thing this is and are very glad to share this nice article The Children’s Wish...
“For Puja and I, everything is connected, and we are ever awed by the complexity and beauty of the natural world. Offering a product which helps people enjoy and support this beauty and the bountiful ways of nature – while growing an abundance of food – is very fulfilling for us.” – Udgar Parsons, Co-Owner...
As we celebrate the interest from children and young adults in growing organic food, we want to point to major influences over the last few years. I thank the efforts of Jamie Oliver, Will Allan, and Michelle Obama and many Moms and Dads who are convinced that learning “where food comes from” is the beginning...
As you may have already guessed, we’re all about education of all ages here at Growing Spaces and are always searching for new ways to empower people with knowledge about how to live and grow sustainably. We had an awesome opportunity this summer to hire an intern to work in our shop through the local...
I am not very good at baking….there I admit it. I love to cook but have a mental block on baking. It is challenging, to say the least, with all of my food allergies. (Wheat, gluten, eggs, dairy!) So I gave it up long ago but in the recent months the need has come back...
Have you noticed how the off-grid, sustainable living movement is increasingly wired in? You can subscribe to @HomeGrownDOTorg on Twitter and like the Solar Living Institute on Facebook. How strange is the small farmer with his hands in the dirt one moment and his eyes trained on YouTube the next? How odd is the gardener...
Paul Renner of Gabrielle Cousins Living Foods program in Arizona pays a visit to Growing Spaces Greenhouses
Whether you buy your red bell peppers conventionally grown from Chile or organically farmed down the road, you are likely noticing that food prices are rising faster than inflation. This just adds another layer to the already complicated question of, “What am I willing to pay for my food?” Every time I’m at the grocery store,...
As the world turns towards sustainable solutions, the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, stands out as a beacon of hope and innovation. This visionary project, transforming an exhausted quarry into the world's largest conservatory, exemplifies how communities can come together to create impactful, eco-friendly spaces. Its blend of education, tourism, and social enterprise inspires visitors globally, subtly promoting ecological awareness. In Pagosa Springs, we draw from this example, envisioning our own eco-destination with the Geothermal Greenhouse Project. Join us as we nurture this dream, planting seeds for a sustainable future and inviting you to share your green community stories.
Living just 100 feet from the freeway, the Dervaes family lives a self-sufficient life in the middle of LA. They grow enough organic food on their 1/10 of an acre of available “farm” land on their 1/5 of an acre of property in Pasadena, to live year-round without going to the grocery store for food....
Spinach Loaf Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine: Pour into buttered casserole dish and bake 35-40 minutes until inserted knife comes out clean. White Sauce: Whisk together in a saucepan:
On May 26, 2009, Robert Lustig gave a lecture called “Sugar: The Bitter Truth,” which was posted on YouTube the following July. Since then, it has been viewed well over 800,000 times, gaining new viewers at a rate of about 50,000 per month, fairly remarkable numbers for a 90-minute discussion of the nuances of fructose...
Today’s announcement that Michelle Obama is authoring a book on the importance of school, urban and community gardening is another example of the mind shift that is happening in the United States and across the globe. Her support of healthier, more self-sustaining lifestyles is directly in line with Growing Spaces vision. Growing Spaces was founded...
A delicious and nutritious smoothie right from the garden! Ingredients: 1/2 zucchini, peel and remove seeds 1/2 cucumber, peel and remove seeds 5 cherry tomatoes (this recipe uses yellow cherry tomatoes) 10 chunks of pineapple (this recipe uses frozen chunks) 1/4 cup water 1 tsp honey Blend coarsely chopped vegetables, pineapple, water, and honey in...
As I am moved by the amazing colors of the harvest season here in the Rocky Mountains, it seems so appropriate to share why I feel so honored to have Shumei International® teachers arrive as our guests in teaching Natural Agriculture. We Americans were once gardeners and people of the land. My own lineage were...
“The principle of Natural Agriculture is an overriding respect and concern for Nature,” stated Mokichi Okada in his book A Great Agricultural Revolution. This respect leads to minimum intervention in the growing processes. While many modern agricultural practices are based on a belief in the need to control and manipulate the growing process, Natural Agriculture...
Our friends in Taos, New Mexico once published this recipe – we just couldn’t get enough of this yummy treat, and wish to pass it on to our fellow gardeners…(** as originally from a friend of Yart, Janine N; Yart leaves out the ingredients with the asterisks.) Chocolate Zucchini Cake Cream together: 1/2 cup **margarine...
The 33′ Employee Dome at Growing Spaces and my personal 26′ Dome are in full harvest mode now and it’s a little tough for even the most enthusiastic veggie lover to consume as much produce as is ready to eat! For weeks now Richard Miller and I have had a little “co-op” going on, he...
Growing just one food-producing plant at home like tomato, bell pepper, strawberry, lettuce, snow peas, etc. can do more than just save money otherwise spent at the grocery store. Whether you are a family of five, a single-person household, or a community of many, you can make a difference in how you live – today!...
Green Living 101: Grow your own food in Colorado Worried about America’s addiction to oil? Do you want to rely less on oil and live off the vegetables and fruits of your labor? Want to grow your own organic food all year around, even in the dead of winter in the bitter Colorado Rocky Mountain...
Shift awareness and embrace change! Play this brief video, and share with everyone to encourage healthier, happier, and more sustainable ways across our planet! This video by FourYearsGo was forwarded to us through email by a Growing Dome owner.
We are celebrating!! Growing Spaces hosted the first of this seasons four-part Gardening and Beyond class… In preparation for the event, we made a conscious decision to really eliminate the “normal” waste that is created by having such an event with 30 to 40 people. We used real glasses, cups, saucers, silverware and cloth napkins....
Here at Growing Spaces, we are lucky enough to have employee lunches provided by food from the Domes on site. Yesterday, from two 22′ Growing Domes, we harvested enough salad greens and kale to feed a crowd of 12 people. Not bad when the weather outside is still in the teens and low 20s and...
From Janice, (new decade) In an effort to promote positive lifestyle changes, I want to tell you about a company I work for called Growing Spaces. The staff here is very excited to share our passion about the importance of our product, the Growing Dome greenhouse. Half of all American adults have a chronic illness...
It is obvious that we live in unprecedented times. The combination of environmental and economic degradation are catalysts to review how we do business as well as how we live our lives. Growing Spaces has always been “alternative” in a way because we have a product that uses and teaches the use of natural energy...
