Reconnecting Through Recovery: The Healing Power of Gardening at Elijah House Foundation - Elijah House Foundation

Jump directly to garden recipes, fall gardening tips, or information about our supporters!

At the Elijah House Foundation, we believe that recovery is not just about overcoming substance abuse; it’s about rediscovering the joy and purpose in life. Our holistic approach combines reduced-cost substance abuse treatment, outpatient care, counseling services, and back-to-work experience. Central to our program is a unique and transformative element: our organic garden and chicken coop.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening

Gardening offers a multitude of benefits, especially for those in recovery. Scientifically, engaging with nature and nurturing plants can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Research has shown that gardening can improve mood, increase physical activity, and enhance overall mental health. For anyone, whether in recovery or not, the act of planting, nurturing, and harvesting provides a profound sense of accomplishment and well-being.

Why Fall Gardening Is Perfect for Recovery

Fall gardening at Elijah House provides a serene environment that fosters mindfulness and purpose, which are crucial to recovery. The act of preparing and caring for a garden not only promotes physical activity but also provides a sense of responsibility and achievement. Plus, the nutritious meals made from fresh vegetables are essential to fueling the body during recovery.

Ready to Start Your Own Fall Garden?

Whether you’re growing for fun, for your health, or as part of a recovery journey, fall gardening offers a rewarding experience that nourishes both body and soul. At the Elijah House Foundation, we’ve seen firsthand the incredible healing power of growing your own food. Our clients not only find peace and purpose in the process, but they also enjoy the satisfaction of eating nutritious, homegrown meals.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and is in need of recovery services, please reach out to the Elijah House Foundation. We provide holistic, reduced-cost treatment that focuses on recovery, wellness, and reconnection with nature through programs like our therapeutic garden.

Resources

Farmers’ Almanac for the fall gardening tips:

1. Farmers’ Almanac: Provides essential fall gardening tips and advice for planting cool-weather crops.
– Farmers’ Almanac Fall Gardening Tips

2. Elijah House Foundation’s Information: Details on the therapeutic gardening program, the impact on recovery, and farm-to-table meal preparation.

Preparing Your Fall Garden

This fall, take the opportunity to reconnect with nature and the earth as you begin planning and planting your own fall garden. The Farmers’ Almanac suggests that fall is the perfect season to plant cool-weather vegetables like beets, carrots, and leafy greens. With a little preparation, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest well into the cooler months.

Here’s what you need to do right now to get your garden ready:

1. Clear Out Old Plants: Remove any remaining summer plants, including dead or diseased ones, to make room for new crops. This will prevent pests and diseases from lingering in the soil.

2. Amend the Soil: The key to a successful fall garden is healthy, nutrient-rich soil. Add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil. You can also use soil amendments to adjust pH levels if necessary, ensuring optimal growth conditions for your fall crops.

3. Mulch: Adding a layer of mulch to your garden helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Mulch also adds organic matter back to the soil as it breaks down over time.

4. Choose Your Crops: Focus on hardy, cool-weather crops that can withstand frost. Vegetables like beets, carrots, spinach, kale, and cabbage are ideal for fall planting. Be sure to check your region’s first frost date so you can plan your planting schedule accordingly.

5. Consider Companion Planting: Some plants naturally help each other thrive when grown together. For example, planting spinach or lettuce near carrots can help protect against pests, while legumes can add nitrogen to the soil, benefiting all your crops.

6. Set Up an Auto-Watering System: An automatic drip irrigation system can be a game-changer for any garden, particularly when the weather cools down. Chico Sprinkler recently donated a full drip line setup to our garden, and the benefits are immense. Auto-watering systems ensure consistent hydration, prevent overwatering, and conserve water by delivering it directly to the roots. This efficiency allows our clients to focus on other tasks like weeding, planting, and harvesting.

Reconnecting with Food and Nature

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us have lost touch with the source of our food. At the Elijah House Foundation, we emphasize the importance of reconnecting with our food sources as a means of fostering a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us. Our garden and chicken coop are not just about providing fresh produce and eggs; they are about creating a space where individuals can experience the therapeutic benefits of nature.

For those in recovery, this connection is particularly vital. Gardening allows individuals to engage in a meaningful activity that promotes responsibility, patience, and care. Tending to plants and animals helps to establish a routine, provides physical exercise, and offers a peaceful environment for reflection.

Nutrition and Purpose in Recovery

Good nutrition is a cornerstone of recovery. Eating fresh, organic produce helps to detoxify the body, boost energy levels, and improve overall health. At Elijah House, we provide the opportunity for our clients to grow their own vegetables and collect eggs, contributing to their sense of purpose and self-worth. The satisfaction that comes from eating a meal made from ingredients you’ve grown yourself is unparalleled and fosters a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.

At Elijah House, we value farm-to-table meal preparation. Our wonderful cook and SUD Counselors work alongside our clients to plan and prepare healthy, nutritious meals—a key part of the recovery process.

A Foundation Built on Connection and Care

The Elijah House Foundation understands the importance of nurturing the connection between recovery, a sense of purpose, and good nutrition. By integrating gardening into our treatment programs, we offer a holistic approach that addresses both the mind and body. Our clients learn the value of hard work, the joy of nurturing life, and the importance of providing their bodies with nutritious food.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and needs support, please reach out to the Elijah House Foundation. We are here to help you rebuild your life and rediscover a sense of purpose through our comprehensive recovery services. For more information, check out our Treatment Services page.

Recipes from the Garden

To inspire your culinary adventures with fresh garden produce, here are four simple, delicious recipes:

1. Roasted Beet Salad

Ingredients:

4 medium beets, scrubbed clean
2 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, etc.)
¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
¼ cup toasted walnuts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the beets in aluminum foil and roast for 45 minutes to an hour, or until tender. Let them cool, then peel and slice.
2. In a large bowl, combine the roasted beets with mixed greens, goat cheese, and walnuts.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then season with salt and pepper.
4. Toss gently and serve immediately.

2. Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh thyme for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
Add the cubed butternut squash, vegetable broth, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the squash is tender.
Use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with fresh thyme and serve warm.

3. Fresh Garden Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

2 large tomatoes, diced
1 cucumber, sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and red onion.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Toss gently to combine.
5. Garnish with chopped basil leaves and serve immediately.

4. Zucchini and Tomato Gratin

Ingredients:

2 large zucchinis, thinly sliced
3 tomatoes, sliced
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh thyme or basil, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
3. In a baking dish, layer the sliced zucchinis and tomatoes alternately.
4. Drizzle with olive oil.
5. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the vegetables.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the top is golden brown.
7. Garnish with fresh thyme or basil before serving.

By incorporating fresh produce from our garden into these recipes, we not only nourish our bodies but also cultivate a sense of pride and accomplishment. Join us at Elijah House Foundation and experience the healing power of gardening and good nutrition on your journey to recovery.

The Power of Giving: A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Supporters

At the Elijah House Foundation, we understand the profound impact that generosity can have on the soul. The act of giving not only supports those in need but also enriches the lives of the givers. We are deeply grateful for the generous donations we have received from Comanche Creek in Chico, California, and Northern Star Mill, which have significantly enhanced our gardening program and, in turn, the lives of those in recovery.

Comanche Creek’s donation of plant starts has provided us with the essential foundation to cultivate a thriving garden. These plants are more than just future produce; they symbolize new beginnings and growth for our clients. Northern Star Mill’s contributions of soil amendments and fertilizers ensure that our garden can flourish, providing healthy, nutritious food for our community.

🌱 Fall Garden Prep at Elijah House Treatment Center! 🌱

We are so excited to prepare our fall garden beds and couldn’t do it without the amazing support from our community! A huge THANK YOU to Chico Sprinkler for donating a full auto-waster drip line setup, including a timer, pressure regulator, drip hose, and connector valves. This water-efficient system will allow for even vegetable growth and water savings, giving our clients more time to focus on planting, harvesting, and keeping the garden thriving.

We also want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Kinney Nursery and Topsoil for their generous donation of ready mix soil for our raised beds. Their nutrient-rich mix will help our garden produce the best vegetables possible.

🌱 Heartfelt Thanks to Sierra Health and Wellness’s Veterans Program! 🌱

We are deeply grateful to the amazing veterans at Sierra Health and Wellness’s Veterans Program in Bangor, CA, for handcrafting the beautiful garden beds at our treatment center. Your hard work and dedication have created a nurturing space for growth and healing.

At the Elijah House Foundation, we honor our veterans who have served our country. It is our privilege to support them through step-down treatment into our Veterans Supportive Housing, in partnership with Sierra Health and Wellness.

If you or a family member are a veteran needing support for substance use disorder, please contact us at (530) 815-9558. Together, we can cultivate hope and new beginnings. 🌿

#ThankYou #Veterans #Recovery #ElijahHouseFoundation #GardeningHealing

Our Gratitude

These donations are critical to our mission. As a nonprofit organization, the Elijah House Foundation offers reduced-cost treatment to those in recovery, allowing them to focus on their healing journey without the financial strain of high-cost treatment. By integrating gardening into our recovery programs, we not only promote physical health and good nutrition but also foster a sense of purpose and connection to the earth.

Our gratitude extends beyond just gardening supplies. We also accept donations of quality new and used clothing for men in all sizes. These clothing donations help our clients feel dignified and prepared as they work towards rebuilding their lives. Also, we collaborate with food banks and other local businesses to ensure that our clients’ basic needs are met, providing a stable foundation for their recovery.

We invite everyone to join us in our mission. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, your support helps us create a nurturing environment where those in recovery can thrive. Together, we can cultivate hope, growth, and a brighter future for all.

To make a donation, please contact Jessica Medina at (530) 812-4252 or j.medina@elijahhouseliving.com. Your support is much appreciated.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” — Luke 6:38 (NIV)