As the plants they go we growing same way, new mercies fresh every day.
As spring makes way for summer on the land where my feet stand at this point in time, colours of creation are introducing themselves sweetly. Winter-wizened trees have recovered and sprung fresh leaves as carpets of green fields roll out to welcome willing feet, happy pets and new broods of geese, swans, ducks and the […]
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Honest self-reflection can be uncomfortable sometimes but necessary a lot…if we truly want to grow forward and beyond any unhealthy thoughts, patterns and footprints of painful pockets of time in the past, we can do the inner housecleaning it takes to walk well, live lighter and love better. It’s easy (and sometimes completely understandable) to […]
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Growing food is a remarkable thing. It’s humbling and strengthening. It can soften a heart while building endurance. Gardening can teach you things without saying a word. It can be a healthy healing use of time and energy to produce more than food, flowers and vegetables. Being in creation listening to birdsongs while you water […]
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Having access to real food is something to be thankful for, and growing food and cooking a meal with some or all of what you grow is a beautiful thing. Even if that looks like a few herbs in a cup on your kitchen sill, spinach or watermelon climbing up a fence or picking fruits […]
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Greetings, today’s vlog shares a visit to an art studio with a beautiful view of the Jura Mountains, a drive through the vineyards of Vaud cruising past The Alps, seagulls liming by a lake and baking penne pie. This was my third trip to Switzerland but the first time seeing these mountain views and what […]
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I love farming and cooking with fresh provisions, veg, herbs and edible flowers. Since moving on a farm and volunteering on another one in 2012, growing food has become a natural part of life. In the casita garden, there are trees like palms, moringa, sour sop, paw paw with mango, avocado and coconut in the […]
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Recently it’s been chilly and as I type this, it’s -7 °C. Today’s post is a relaxing vlog sharing cold weather walks and three cosy vegetarian meals to make:
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Greetings, short post to share a new video but before that I hope you had or are still having a blessed day. So, “Tears They Fall” dub plate WavZ session filmed at Culture Mix is now on Evidence Music‘s YT. Here’s the link to watch it and lyrics to read. Sometimes (only some) I just […]
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Greetings, it’s been a little while – not ’cause I forgot to post or anything like that but have been traveling and recording recently, and blog writing is different from songwriting. One thrives in quiet and the other naturally fuses with pockets of stillness, pressing topics and obvious sound, sometimes at full volume. Today I […]
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Breadfruit is a healthy, filling and delicious staple that grows on a tree in tropical places. It’s a very versatile food that can be boiled, baked, roasted, pickled or fried, and when over-ripe – even blended into drink or made into a dessert. Today, we’re boiling breadfruit, not til it’s soft enough to mash but […]
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Blessed day. It’s no secret that naturally-grown (otherwise known as organic) fruits, vegetables and provisions are good for our health but a lot of the time the nutritious value of the leaves springing from these same plants don’t get as much attention as they could. This wasn’t always so, but change in the name of […]
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Soursop, full of nutrients yet low in calories and high in fibre, folic acid, protein and flavour. It’s a very juicy fruit but like the name says, not the sweetest yet still one of the healthiest natural foods that grows mostly in South America and The Caribbean. There’s a tree in the yard and I’ve […]
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Ever since volunteering as a farmer for a year awhile back, gardening has become one of the beautiful additions to my life. Saving seeds, tending to plants, digging up soil, composting, watering, monitoring weeds and pests, moving stubborn rocks from future garden beds, hands in the earth tilling willing soil, lifting buckets of one things […]
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Delicious, great, satisfying, healing, excellent: words the 5 of us used to describe the dish today’s guest is sharing with us. Our plates were handed to us as we sat under a chastity tree in the yard on an overcast afternoon. Homecooked ital food was on the menu for this creative family who invited us […]
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They’re coming for the remnants of the land she left for her children and grans again. My grandmother’s land in Barbados: the indigenous Kalinago one who helped raised me as a girl – Monica who everybody called ‘Mum.” Her roots trace from Barbados to Grenada, Salybia (Kalinago Territory), Waitukubuli Dominica and ultimately Africa. This fact […]
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The next time you want a light yet filling vegetarian-friendly meal, how about making turmeric rice and brown lentil stew? With the current warnings about global food access, learning how to make resourceful yet tasty meals is something to consider. Today’s recipe features 2 dry ingredients that can be stored well to last long and […]
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Sweet sunrises Birdsong melodies Lush greenery Beautiful scenery Daily rain showers Refreshing breeze At Talking Trees – a comfy, cosy cabin in the countryside of Barbados. I used to live in a village near here for years, but this particular part of “the farmers’ parish” in the countryside of the island where my sistren Angie’s […]
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The new Duronic Slow Juicer arrived and I thought I’d share a short review of it. Since the first green juice post is a crowd favourite here on the blog, there’s a recipe for another blend in this post too. I was advised to get a slow-pressed juicer rather than a conventional one because it […]
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Hi, let’s make some breadfruit cou-cou with curry bodi (long beans) and greens, plus a bonus snack from the leftovers. Have you heard of or tried breadfruit before? If so, you might know already that it can be prepared and eaten so many different ways – roasted whole or sliced and fried like chips, boiled […]
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Breadfruit trees decorate many roadsides of the country and parts of the coast in and around Barbados. Although it’s a fruit, like its name says it’s bready in texture and makes a healthy, wholesome staple that’s so versatile it could be added to most menus on any given day. Otherwise known as ‘Ulu in Hawai’i […]
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Blessed love. Have you ever had vegetable broth? If so, you already know how refreshing it is on an early morning or chilly evening. Even if you prefer a thick, homemade soup with peas, greens, dumplings and ground provisions too, a broth with the right combination of spices, seasonings and vegetables can be just as […]
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Peas and beans are light on the pocket and on the tummy when included in a meal. It still amazes me that we’ve been given food in the form of fruits, vegetables and ground provisions and sustenance and medicine…
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Composting offers an eco-friendly way to recycle food scraps and yard waste, ensuring you get a final use out of such household by-products. It’s also a great way to teach ourselves about sustainability and nature. In this blog, we’ll dig into the joys of compost: how to get started on composting turn your food […]
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Though it’s the third time I’ve been to Germany, this is the first toss staying in a forest. Amidst a humanly un-countable amount of trees (confirmed by the drone flown), deer, wild pigs and wolves nowhere (yet) in sight, there’s plenty of time for reflection and observation of the beauty of creation. What started out […]
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She hated my guts, at that point in time. With the receiver still perched in her hand, the woman who thought I wanted her job eeked out the exact words I’d just said to another caller, “You’re welcome. Hope you have a bright rest of the day,” and hung up with a cold smirk. Though […]
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cozy: (adjective) giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation. Ideally, a home is a safe and cozy place to live in or consistently return to. It may not always look or feel that way depending on your circumstances or season, but whatever the case, there are some steps we can take to create a […]
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What could you do for hours on end without expectation of monetary payment? What would you do more of if money didn’t matter so much? While the word ‘hobby’ is described as an activity usually done for relaxation or pleasure in leisure time, many a thriving career has sprung from just that – a hobby. […]
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Hi sis, how are you today? The answer isn’t really my business but i still care. By the way, guys who are subscribed to this blog and reading now, you are always welcome here and maybe what’s shared in this post can be encouragement for a sister who could do with this message. All of […]
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She was standing there at the crossroads by a traffic light in town a few years ago – looking beautiful and all dolled-up. Waved, smiled and was gonna pass by since my mingling days have been left behind (lovin’ it.) Then recognized something like sadness in her perfectly-lined eyes. Stopped to speak for a bit. […]
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Have you ever been in a slump or just felt kinda ‘off’ for more than a day? It could spring from up from a few things: irregular sleeping pattern, disoriented sense of purpose, burnout, the current times, a disappointing something, eating junk, stress somewhere, feeling ‘ugh‘ about the job/workspace/career choice or an attack by the […]
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Today, some brief but pressing thoughts interrupted my day like flashcards begging to be sewed together as a blog post. So, here it is. You know how I keep sharing reminders that you are meant for more than your career? I say that not to be poetic, but to gently nudge all of us out […]
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Calm mornings can influence our attitude during the rest of the day, at least I find so. It doesn’t mean the day will be without challenges, but greeting it grateful is a healthy start. The start time that works best for you may not be the same as what suits someone else. If you’re in […]
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When you enjoy what you do, it can be tough to press pause for a moment. At first glance, the work-from-lifestyle can seem inviting, luxurious or totally relaxing. If you’re someone who’s driven by checking off boxes on a daily to-do list, exhilarated by constant movement and flashing faces, challenged about setting parameters for your […]
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Greetings, mind if I ask what mood do you usually wake up in each day? It might not be the same every single day (especially if it’s a tough season for you right now) but what vibe or thoughts do you generally start the day with? And why? The answer’s not for me; it’s for […]
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You know that dream you have of becoming a this or that or reaching here or there? What is pursuit of that goal producing in your character? It’s a gentle question with a light reminder that prolonged hunger can sometimes trigger things like irritability, frustration, despair, desperation and just plain stinky-personality syndrome. Our thoughts in […]
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Rainy days can be so relaxing. Find so too? Not those power-washing, tree-grabbing showers that come with stormy weather, but the light yet present rain that cools an otherwise baking day. You know – the one with a breeze that makes you get up and go close the windows on one side of the house. […]
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How busy is your life, and how loud is your space? Before this stay-home season, were you always on-the-go, and was the tv, radio, a podcast episode or playlist always on rotation? Not a quiz but a gentle question. Your answers aren’t my business but your health is my concern. Sometimes it seems like we […]
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Do you work from home…or do you want to? First, let me say this – entrepreneurship isn’t for everybody so please don’t feel like this is the be-all-and-end-all of anything…’cause it’s not. It’s a possibility. Today’s post shares some steps and encouragement for anyone sure about and ready to make the step from busy on the […]
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Growing through and beyond pain is a journey that is well worth the effort. Our thought life and understanding of truth are so important to overcoming whatever situations we’ve faced or circumstances we may still be breathing through. Just like aloes and turmeric leave a residue when not addressed, so too can pain cling like […]
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Healthy boundaries in business are both good for us and our clients. especially when working at home Without them, it can lead to toe-mashing, reason-offering, game-playing, elbow-jabs, arm-wrestling – and stress, and that last punk is no fun. It’s also a health risk, and as someone who has to intentionally keep migraines at bay since […]
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It’s a new day in the ‘Celebrate A Sister‘ series. Today’s special guest heralds from an island next door, somewhere between 108-111 miles away. She shares a page in her story that’s sure to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and bring at least one bright smile to your day. And yes, encouragement is included. Meet Sasky ~ jazz, […]
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One of the things that make uplifting words so meaningful is the fact that each day isn’t the same. Even if this is a bright season for you right now, at some point the imprint of a compassionate message may be just what you need on another day as an encouraging reminder. Today’s post is […]
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Today’s guest in the “Celebrate A Sister” series is Joanne, a clinical therapist, researcher, and mother joining us from the U.S. In this 🎙post, she shares on “rest and work” and highlights the significance of each individually, and together harmoniously. This is something a lot of us struggle with – not so much the working part…it’s the […]
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“Gardening gives me great joy!” ~ JulBeArtGardens Photos from this lovely and elegant lady’s beautiful and bountiful garden decorate social media, showcasing food and flowers grown with love. Here is the first guest post on this ‘Joy within‘ blog, by Instagram gardening sensation, a gracious gem of a lady, Julia Benn. Join us on a journey […]
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Lemongrass tea is sipped to ease nausea, soothe mild skin irritations, calm down cramps, help with digestion and much more. It’s a bright ad fragrant blade grass that bunches together and cascades forward like a waterfall. It will grow to the size of the container or space it’s planted in and also grows freely around […]
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Kalanchoe pinnata | Wonder of the world | Leaf of life | Air plant | Bryophyllum pinnatum. Did you know that ‘wonder of the world’ leaf is edible and it can be helpful to treat headaches, coughs and congestion? I’ve grown, used and munched on this beautiful plant for years, without any side effects and […]
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The parish of St. Joseph is located on the eastern side of Barbados where the water is wild and the land is lush. It is home to Bathsheba, a fishing village and pro surf spot called “Soup Bowl” that also has some nearby sea-water pools carved out in coral reef steps away from the shore […]
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Blessed love and a bright new day. “Kingdom Call” album is officially here and the music video to 🕊 “So Blessed” is now on Reggaeville’s YT and tomorrow right here – both are full of encouragement for the remnant and those who could do with an uplifting message and words of life right about now. […]
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Greetings, so today the blog has officially reached readers in 111 islands and countries. Thanks very much to everyone who’s been here for awhile and to those who are now finding it or eventually will. I started what’s now called itsjoywithin.com to the sound of crickets on a farm in Bim and it’s organically grown […]
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Harmony – “agreement, accord, an orderly or pleasing combination of elements in a whole. A relationship in which various components exist together without destroying one another.” If you’ve been here for a bit you might remember this but if you’re new, sharing something I love to do and have done for countless artists – harmonies. […]
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A Tropical Lifestyle Blog with singer, songwriter Indra. KINGDOM CALL album is here 