The Garden That Healed Me

I was afraid to tell this story at first, because it felt so vulnerable, but I’ve learned that the most important stories we carry are the ones someone else needs to hear.

Twenty years ago, I was a food addict. Every day, I would wake up swearing that this would be the day I finally got control. And every single night, I would end the day surrounded by crumpled wrappers and empty bags of food, full of regret and disappointment.

I lived in a cycle of overeating, restriction, obsession, and failure for years.

Now, at 46, I'm the healthiest I have ever been, and it’s not because of willpower, a strenuous exercise routine, or dieting—it’s because of the garden. I'm going to tell you the story of my transformation and show you how growing a garden has the potential to change your life.

Early Years of Struggle

From ages 16 to 26, my life revolved around food. I thought about my body constantly, I thought about what I would eat or not eat, and I went to bed every night feeling defeated.

It didn’t matter how many times I promised myself a “fresh start.” Once I started to eat, I would go on autopilot and look down to find that my snacks were gone as quickly as I had begun.

The strange thing was that from the outside, I looked like I was thriving. I was valedictorian of my high school, and later became president of my college. But on the inside, I felt tormented. I had a hunger that never seemed to be filled.

A Natural Way of Life in China

Everything started to shift when I moved temporarily overseas after college. I ended up in a small town in southwestern China to study Mandarin.

Life there was completely different. Every afternoon, everyone walked to the market to buy fresh vegetables. People were strong and fit not because they went to the gym but because their daily lives were filled with walking, carrying, and cooking, which kept them that way.

I joined in. I was eating food that had just been freshly picked. I was walking every morning. I was outside constantly. Without even realizing it, I started to heal from the inside out.

Eventually, it was time for me to return home. Back in the U.S., I fell right back into processed foods, driving everywhere, sleeping in late, and within weeks, my body reminded me painfully of the difference.

Back to the USA

It wasn’t until 2011, when my family started our first garden, that things really came together. Suddenly, I was back outside every morning tending to the garden, and I was harvesting fresh vegetables for meals.

That’s when I discovered the concept that changed everything: fill up on the good stuff.

Instead of focusing on “don’t eat this” or “moderate that,” I focused on eating so much good food that there was simply no room for the junk. It was freeing, satisfying, and sustainable.

Out of that realization came ten little hacks, simple practices I use almost daily, that keep me healthy, energized, and at peace with food.

10 Garden-Inspired Hacks That Changed My Life

1. Poop Every Morning

I told you I’d be vulnerable. Here it is: I am obsessed with pooping.

Every morning, I wake up early enough to have quiet time to let my system reset. It is the best feeling to start the day with a clean slate.

Years ago, when I was struggling with food addiction, I lived with constant discomfort and bloating. Now, with a healthy digestive system, I feel light and energetic.

2. Brush Your Teeth After Dinner

This simple habit came from my time in China. There, people finished dinner, brushed their teeth, and went to bed early because they didn't have light or electricity. I may not go to bed at 6 p.m., but brushing my teeth right after dinner signals to my body that eating time is done. It gives my digestion a long rest until the next morning.

It’s a tiny shift that stops late-night snacking in its tracks. Additionally, it keeps my dental hygiene on track, and you only get one set of adult teeth, so take care of it!

3. Live Out Instead of Work Out

I love a good gym session, but I no longer depend on it to “burn off” food. Instead, I focus on living actively all day.

I stretch while I wait for the kettle to boil. I garden, bend, and carry. I walk the dogs. These little movements add up to a life that feels natural with movement, not forced exercise.

4. Eat Sunshine

Most of the time when I used to crave junk, it wasn’t because I was hungry; it was because I was drained.

Now I chase the sun. I stand by windows, I step outside whenever I can, I take walks in the light. Sunlight fills me with energy and lifts my mood in a way no candy bar ever did.

It’s a reminder that true nourishment isn’t just about food. Sunshine also provides us with Vitamin D, which can improve your mood.

5. Don’t Go Inside Yet

Whenever I return home from a long day of work or errands, I pause outside before stepping inside.

I look at the plants, listen to the birds, breathe in fresh air. That pause grounds me. It lowers stress, calms cravings, and keeps me from running straight to the pantry.

The garden in my backyard is a mini paradise where I can ground myself and just be with nature for a while. It interrupts old patterns and replaces them with peace.

6. Listen to Your Body First

I used to think every feeling meant I needed to eat. Tired? Eat. Stressed? Eat. Sad? Eat.

Now, I ask myself what my body actually needs. If I’m tired, I lie down. If I’m angry, I move my body or yell into a pillow.

This simple check-in has saved me from countless unnecessary binges.

7. Focus on Fiber

For years, I lived on processed food that left me hungry and unsatisfied. No wonder I couldn’t stop eating.

Now, I load up on fiber like kale, carrots, celery, chia seeds. Fiber fills me up, keeps things moving (back to hack #1!), and leaves me feeling content instead of deprived. Fiber has become my secret weapon for balance.

8. Eat Fermented Foods

I don’t buy probiotics, I eat them. Sauerkraut, sourdough, kombucha, yogurt.

Fermented foods feed my gut and keep me feeling light and clean. They also satisfy my hunger in a way chips or candy never could.

Now, I aim to have something fermented once or twice a day. It’s one of the simplest changes with the biggest impact.

9. Walk at Sunrise and Sunset

Walking has become my daily reset button. I almost always get out at sunrise and try to make time again at sunset.

The fresh air clears my head. The rhythm of walking steadies my mood. It keeps me from sitting too long or turning to food for energy.

Even when life is busy, the dogs make sure I get at least one of those walks in.

10. Eat an Apple Before Sugar

Sugar is my weakness, but instead of fighting it, I’ve found a hack: I eat an apple first.

I keep dozens of apples on hand. Whenever the craving hits, I grab one and eat it fast. By the time I have the chance to reach for sweets, the craving has softened. It keeps my belly full and my mind satiated from the natural sugars.

I don't have to deny myself of any sweets, but eating fresh fruit reduces the quantity of unhealthy sugars I consume.

Gardening Makes a Healthy Lifestyle Maintainable

These hacks aren’t about chasing a perfect body. They’re about creating a lifestyle that actually feels good.

The garden taught me to fill up on the good stuff—fresh food, fresh air, sunlight, movement, and peace. Those important elements have given me the energy to live the life I want to live.

I sometimes grieve for the years I wasted obsessed with food and shame. But now, I get to spend my days helping others discover the joy of gardening and the freedom of a nourished life.

You don’t need to move across the world to find it. You just need to step outside your back door, plant a seed, and start eating healthy and getting more movement. Growing a garden really can change everything. Don't wait to see how it might transform your life.