Grow your own!
A recent comic in “The Sun,” “It’s the season for ‘buy one zucchini, get five free,’” reminded me to talk about gardeners. Oncologists and other doctors like to push vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts. But there is just something about growing your own produce that makes it taste better, and since you grow it yourself, you know exactly what you put in the soil and what chemicals – if any – were used.
There was a rather astounding rate of gardening during World War II, which of course helped us win the war. Perhaps, we can see a comeback in gardening.
Gardening also has some added benefits, including getting some sunlight/vitamin D and a modest amount of physical activity.
But what do y ou do with the ex cess produce? Well, creative people have done interesting things. Zucchini bread can be surprisingly good. And, of course, there is always garden generosity, sharing with friends and neighbors.
Sometimes, patients share with me, and I am thankful for those vegetables. I have not had a zucchini overload, but I did have a banner year on peaches once, where I took 21 bags of pea ches to the hospital and passed them ar ound.
Late freezes can be a kil ler, however. Dr. Fred Hardwicke practices medical oncology at Childress Regional Medical Center, 901 U.S. Hwy 83.
