Most Punta Gorda parents know about the health benefits of gardening as a family: spending time outdoors, working together, establishing a connection to the food we eat, better nutrition, and many more.
Something not so well known in Punta Gorda is that the dirt itself contains beneficial bacteria that can aid in depression, cognitive functioning, and even in fighting some cancers.
Working with soil in Punta Gorda – digging, pulling weeds, harvesting vegetables – exposes Florida kids and parents to a strain of bacteria called mycobacterium vaccae. Recent research reveals that m. vaccae triggers the release of seratonin, which can elevate mood and reduce stress.
In one study, two groups of mice were fed peanut butter sandwiches before finding their way through a difficult maze. One of the groups had m. vaccae spread on the sandwiches. The mice that ingested the bacteria ran the maze twice as fast and exhibited half as many stress behaviors as the mice that didn’t have the bacteria.
Think of Punta Gorda kids in the ‘good ole’ days,’ running around on unpaved roads, playing in meadows, forests, and dirt piles, and half of the time probably bare-foot. It is quite a different childhood than the sanitized version that exists in our society today. Children not only need more time out-of-doors, but they need to get dirty! Let your Punta Gorda neighbors hear you yell: ‘Kids, go outside and get dirty!’
Sarasota, Tampa, and Miami parents may do themselves and their children a favor by adding to their kids’ emotional, physical, and intellectual health by letting them play in the dirt!
My name is Lynette Henk and I want to help Punta Gorda families raise healthy, happy kids. Issues such as proper nutrition for children and childhood obesity in Sarasota concern me. I am the owner of a Naples area home business that sells power squares.
The following blog post was used as source material for this blog:
Sachs, Naomi, “It’s in the Dirt: Bacteria in soil may make us happier, smarter.” Therapeutic Landscapes Network. (Jan. 24, 2011), http://www.healinglandscapes.org/blog/2011/01/its-in-the-dirt-bacteria-in-soil-makes-us-happier-smarter/ accessed March 14, 2012
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I am Lynette Henk, and I am a Punta Gorda-based XO artisan chocolate member. I joined XO in May 2010. I sell the industry-leading XoVitality Anti-Aging Capsules and power squares online and in Punta Gorda, Miami, Tampa, and Sarasota. Our valued Naples customers recommend power squares because power squares is a great way to get the antioxidants you need to stay healthy.
Our Team is also a fantastic XoVitality Anti-Aging Capsules home-based business in the Naples area. Florida entrepreneurs can supplement their income by cashing in on a high-demand Florida healthy artisan chocolate market. To learn more about Our Team, visit http://LiveForChocolate.com.
Call me at 941-216-5727 to own your own XoVitality Anti-Aging Capsules business in Punta Gorda, Miami, Tampa, or Sarasota.
