Cultivating Resilience: How Gardening Is Saving My Mind (and My Body)
It’s the final fling of hot summer temps before October’s crisp air, the changing colours of the leaves, and the glorious end-of-season bounty. For me, these are more than just signs of fall’s death march; they are a vibrant reminder of the power we have to create life and nourishment with our own two hands.
I want to show you my neighbour’s garden. It’s an absolute masterpiece—a vibrant, overflowing tapestry of apple and pear trees, grapevines, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes and scratching, clucking chickens. Then there is my own garden, while a bit smaller, has produced an incredible harvest of organic produce.
I never thought of myself as a gardener. But when I faced my cancer diagnosis, I realized my health journey required a new kind of investigation—one that led me right into my backyard. What I discovered changed everything.
This is an act of self-advocacy, not a cute hobby.
Your First Bonkers Step to Food Freedom
I want you to forget everything you think you know about gardening. You don't need a huge plot of land or a lifetime of experience. All you need is one small, powerful step to reclaim your food and your health.
My cancer journey taught me that we must be the CEOs of our own healing. A great CEO knows that if a system isn't producing positive results or meeting KPIs, you find a new one or create your own. When I realized our industrial food system had prioritized convenience over the essential nutrients our bodies need to thrive and fight off disease, I knew my first CEO change had to start with the food itself. That's why home gardening, simple microgreens and sprouting are so freaking powerful. They're a direct bypass of a flawed system.
That's why home gardening and even simple sprouting are so powerful. They're a direct bypass of a flawed system.
The Power of Growing Your Own
What makes a homegrown tomato so much more flavourful than one from a grocery store? It's the vitality, the vitamins, and the minerals. It’s a direct response to a fundamental problem we have created as we prioritized convenience and ease. Modern industrial farming, described in the documentary Common Ground, focuses on yields and profits over nutrition, creating crops that look perfect but lack the essential nutrients our bodies need to truly thrive and fight off disease.
Growing a garden (big or small) is a powerful antidote. Whether you have a whole yard like my neighbour or just a few pots on a balcony or an indoor windowsill with a tray of microgreens, you can start a simple vegetable patch. It’s a physical, tangible connection to your food that builds a deeper appreciation for what you’re putting in your body.
The Wonder of Microgreens and Sprouting
These tiny plants are harvested as their first leaves develop. They're an absolute nutritional superpower, containing up to 40 times more nutrients than their mature vegetable counterparts. They're easy to grow on a kitchen counter in a small tray (this is the one I use: MICROGREEN TRAY).
Sprouting is another easy way to get started. You’ll need a mason jar, some sprouting seeds (like broccoli, radish, or lentils), and water. In a few days, you will have a nutrient-dense snack that is alive with enzymes and vitamins.
This is not about becoming a full-time farmer. It’s about taking one small, consistent step to reclaim your health and empower yourself. It’s about connecting with your food in a way that nourishes both your body and your spirit.
So, this October, join me. Take a photo of your favourite produce you harvested, or a small pot on your windowsill, or a picture of your plans for next year’s garden. Tag me, @allisonpazuk so I can enjoy it with you.
This is a BONKERS CEO move about reclaiming your health and your life, one beautiful harvest at a time. Want more? This is just one of the mindset shifts I share in my book, Going Bonkers With Cancer. You are the CEO of your own recovery. You can find it and other resources at https://allisonpazuk.com.
