By MICHAEL BENAVIDES
Staff Writer
Members of the community will have an opportunity to get in touch with their spiritual side as they learn how to make their own food.
Waterspirit will hold a “Back to Earth: Planting, Eating and Spirituality” interactive workshop that will cover organic gardening, nutrition and cooking and how they relate to a greater connection to the earth, spirituality and cultural connectedness.
The event will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 1 at the Stella Maris Retreat Center, 981 Ocean Ave., Long Branch.
According to a flier from Waterspirit, the group has “a spirituality and ecology program sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace. Waterspirit advocates and educates on the importance of clean, safe water and the care of creation. Waterspirit is inclusive of people of all faiths.”
Lisa Bagwell, who is a volunteer at Waterspirit, said the purpose of the event is to help connect individuals with the spiritual value of growing a garden.
“The purpose of the event is to discuss the often overlooked deep spiritual value of growing your own food and eating from the garden,” Bagwell said. “The cultivation of a garden is beneficial to the mind, body and spirit [and] good for the environment and is a strong connective force to the cycles of nature.”
Bagwell said that this is the first year that the organization is holding this event, which will be great fun and energize those who attend.
“This fun and interactive event is designed to engage the audience and offer several hands-on projects where adults as well as children can touch and feel as well as learn from the experts. Through the dynamic and integrative approach, we hope to energize the group to go home and begin to grow more food, more herbs, more flowers, eat more vegetables and go outside,” Bagwell said.
Individuals participating in the workshop will have the opportunity to join Wendy Weiner in a spirited discussion on growing, learning and living for and from the garden.
Participants will learn how to make their own soil mix, transplant a starter tomato and make seed cookies.
Weiner is a permaculture activist, herbalist, seed saver and teacher.
Individuals will also get to join chef and author Rachel Weston for an enlightening cooking demonstration and learn about the basics of eating seasonal produce from the garden and local farmers markets.
Weston will prepare a soup and salad that will be shared by all. Weston is a food writer, author and chef with over 20 years of experience. She is the author of “New Jersey Fresh: Four Seasons from Farm to Table.”
The workshop will cost $35 per family or $15 per person. For more information, contact Lisa Bagwell at 732-216-3776 or [email protected]. Individuals can also call Waterspirit at 732-923-9788 or visit waterspirit.org.