Urban Green Living

Basil, sweet mint, parsley.  Garden of love

When I moved to LA with my other half, I decided we needed to plant some herbs in our apartment building to add some greens and liveliness compared to the painted cement walls. Plants are a great way to add a positive energy, shade and color. I bought a hanging planter and chose sweet mint, parsley, and lavender. This idea caught on with my neighbors and they chose cilantro, bell pepper, and basil. We have our own community garden within our complex!

Mint has a tendency to grow like wildfire so I had to figure out different ways to enjoy it!

Today I made fresh hot sweet mint tea. With a teaspoon of raw honey and a squeeze of lime, Phillip thought it was yummy in his tummy, plus it helps freshen up the lazy mornings.

I dried the rest of the leaves in the oven for 2 hours at 200 degrees. Crushed and store in a sealed airtight container for future enjoyment!

Steep fresh leaves for 8 min in hot water. 1 teaspn of raw honey. Squeeze of lime = yummy refreshing tea

Grows like wildfire

Before I placed the leaves in the oven to be dried out for later uses.

I highly suggest creating your own small garden especially in such a crowded, small city area like Los Angeles. Growing your own vegetables/herbs are beneficial in so many ways (intense organic flavor, fresh oxygen, pleasant view) but most importantly, watching something grow fruitfully by your own two hands is life within life, and it's amazing.