One of the treasures of my life has been the privilege to enter the lives of those suffering through unexpected diagnoses, disease, physical pain, and emotional distress. I do not take for granted this calling to serve and the blessing of knowing God’s will in my life. Writing, speaking, and communicating with you allows me to reach more, help more, and learn more. This is a part of my evolutionary purpose, stones built upon the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

In 2018 a dying patient comforted me with the words, “It’s okay, I am going to have a good death.” Her peace through her suffering inspired my quest for the answers to “What are the ingredients of a good death?” The ingredients discovered for a good death changed my life and my hope is that they make your suffering a little less and your joy a little more.

I was in my thirties when I met Jesus for the first time. I wasn’t a fan. He had stolen my husband’s heart and I just didn’t get him (Jesus or my husband). However, Jesus pursued me to the end of myself and when I cried out for his peace, his joy, HIM…He answered! He accepted me as I was, deeply flawed and yet forgiven. This is the Jesus I know. He is my Lord and Savior who came to this broken world and suffered on the cross unto death. Yet, He came to conquer death and was raised to the right hand of Father God so that I may one day also survive my death. This is my best death. If you are reading this and do not know him, He is pursuing you too! Stop running.

I hope to share my family with you as we get to know each other. My husband Scott and I share five great children, two fantastic sons-in-law, and eight super grandchildren. We raised our kids with the quote of “roots to grow and wings to fly” and they are each flying in their own journey. When we come together it can be a beautiful mess and not without drama (let’s keep it real here). I love to have Christmas in matching pajamas and don’t be surprised if we show up to Krispy Kremes in our matching flannels. We are a tribe. In fact, myself and the kids are members of the Western Cherokee Tribe.

I graduated from medical school in 1989 and pursued Internal Medicine at Baylor Medical Center in Houston. In 1992, I was recruited as one of three physicians in a new hospital-based program—what we now call Hospitalists. Since then, I’ve spent most of my career caring for patients at their most vulnerable, and in doing so, they’ve become my greatest teachers. In 2009, a medical mission trip to Rwanda changed my life. I felt God say, “This is your place and your purpose.” I expected to build a clinic, but God invited me into a season of growth and waiting. Serving with Africa New Life—as a volunteer, board member, and now Chair—has been a profound gift. That clinic is now a thriving hospital. God’s plans truly are better than ours.

I’m the co-founder of the GrowOya. I’m a certified chef with limited time to spare, but a passion for the farm-to-table movement. Learning about food systems while on the Sustainability Council at the University of British Columbia, led me to want to find the most efficient, sustainable way to grow my own food, while living in a state of "time poverty" (too many things to do and not enough time to do them) that so many of us seem to be experiencing. From this, Growoya was born!

I believe that growing a garden is the greatest act we can do for healthy communities, healthy bodies, and a greener, more sustainable planet.

I'm so grateful to have found gardening at the busiest time of my life. As a new father and as a busy working chef, life couldn't have gotten any more hectic. Gardening taught me to slow down, connect to the natural world around me, and nurture one of my biggest passions, the local food system. Through this post, I'd love to share with you a few of the ways gardening has changed my life, hoping it might inspire you to find some time in the soil, too!
Discovering Mindfulness in the Garden
Mindfulness is the art of being fully present and immersed in the moment. At the time, as I said, I lived in a very fast-paced world. While gardening I noticed time would slow down, which allowed me to be more aware and to pay attention to all that was going on from seeds popping up, insects, and the feel of the soil. For me, gardening became a meditative practice, a time when I could simply be, with my hands in the dirt, under the open sky.

A Boost to Physical Health
Gardening, I found, is surprisingly good exercise. Whether you're turning the soil, pulling weeds, or harvesting, your body is in constant motion. Plus, the added bonus of soaking up vitamin D while I tended to my plants was a game-changer for my health.

Mental Health Miracles
The mental health benefits I’ve experienced from gardening are pretty amazing. It’s incredible how just a few hours in the garden can significantly reduce my stress levels. My garden has become my sanctuary, a place where I can find peace and regain my balance, no matter the chaos of the day.

Emotional Well-being and Connection
Gardening has deepened my emotional connection to the world around me. It has taught me to find joy in simple things and appreciate nature's cycles. This connection has brought a sense of wonder and gratitude into my life that I hadn't experienced before.

Eating Healthier, Naturally
As a chef, I know how gardening influences our diets and overall health. There’s something incredibly satisfying about eating food you’ve grown yourself. The fresh, homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from my garden are not only delicious and nutritious but also encourage me to make healthier food choices.

Fostering Community and Friendships
Gardening has also expanded my social circle. Joining a community garden as well as the online garden community introduced me to a group of people who share my interests and values. These connections have provided me with a sense of belonging and support. The shared experiences and knowledge among fellow gardeners have been invaluable, making my gardening journey all the more enriching.

Contributing to a Greener Planet
Beyond the personal gains, I’ve become acutely aware of the positive environmental impact of gardening. It’s empowering to know that my small patch of green contributes to biodiversity, helps pollinators, and reduces my carbon footprint. This realization has deepened my commitment to gardening and environmental stewardship. A hyper-local and seasonal diet is one of the best ways to love the planet and dramatically decreases the negative impacts of our globalized diet.

A Path to a Fuller Life
Reflecting on my gardening journey, I'm amazed at how it has transformed my life. It’s more than just a hobby; it’s a pathway to the best tasting food, better health, and a deeper connection to nature and community. Gardening has taught me patience, resilience, and the joy of living in the moment.

If you're looking for a way to enrich your life, I can't recommend gardening enough. It doesn’t matter if you have a vast garden, a small balcony, or just a windowsill for a few pots. The act of nurturing plants can bring profound joy and satisfaction. So, why not give it a try? You might just discover a passion that feeds your soul, enriches your body, and brings peace to your mind, just as it did for me.

I’m Idaho Bo, a horticulture
junkie in love with plants since I was a kid, when my German-born mom schooled me in
flower names and natural cures, all while I roamed wild in the 1960s SoCal fields,
mountains and beaches. Forget Barbies, I was catching horned toads and frogs, picking
flowers and growing plants in the backyard early on!
I earned a Horticulture degree in Cali, then hauled my know-how to Idaho, receiving a
Master Gardener certification from Ada County Extension to learn how to tame this frosty
dirt. I’ve worked in many plant nurseries, sculpted landscapes, and drowned neighbors in
so much veggie loot, they started barricading their doors—cue my Food Safety Advisor gig,
where I now can teach the masses to pickle, ferment, and pressure-can like champs.
With Vic, we’re slinging a century of plant-powered sass: organic gardening, sustainable
living, and herbal alchemy —I’ve got a side hustle whipping up organic tinctures and beauty
brews from herbs I grow or sustainably forage on my hikes in this wild Idaho landscape.
Chickens? Check. Goats? Been there. Foraging mushrooms and berries? Oh, honey,
Mother Nature’s my BFF. So buckle up, ‘cause we’re dishing up the dirt with a side smirk
and a dash of love!

Don't forget to check out Idaho Bo's new podcast with co-host Vivacious Vic!

Down and Dirty with Idaho Bo and Vivacious Vic
Join Idaho Bo and Vivacious Vic every other Sunday at 2 p.m. PT for a deep dive into
the art of organic gardening, sustainable living, and the magic of plants. From
homesteading and foraging to food preservation, plant alchemy, and crafting medicinal
and beauty products, this show’s got it all. Tune in for recipes, fermentation tips, and the
secrets of herbs and spices—plus explorations into electro-culture, biodynamic planting,
and Anastasia’s Kins Domains from the Ringing Cedars series. With decades of
gardening experience across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Mexico, and
Wales, Bo and Vic bring practical wisdom and a passion for eco-conscious living.
Expect lively chats with guest experts and answers to the big question: Got land? Now
what? Perfect for gardeners, homesteaders, kitchen enthusiasts, and anyone eager to
live closer to the earth. Perfect for homesteaders, foodies, and eco-enthusiasts. This duo
brings practical know-how with a dash of wild charm straight from the soil to you soul.

It all started with a quest for the freshest food.

I’m the co-founder of the GrowOya. I’m a certified chef with limited time to spare, but a passion for the farm-to-table movement. Learning about food systems while on the Sustainability Council at the University of British Columbia, led me to want to find the most efficient, sustainable way to grow my own food, while living in a state of "time poverty" (too many things to do and not enough time to do them) that so many of us seem to be experiencing. From this, Growoya was born!

I believe that growing a garden is the greatest act we can do for healthy communities, healthy bodies, and a greener, more sustainable planet.

Sunshine's Discount Referral Code: https://loox.io/z/mOWUk6Ggl

Meet Vivacious Vicki, a gardening guru with a green thumb and a knack for making
landscapes practical, sustainable and beautiful. Born in Idaho, Vicki started gardening at
age 10 and has been digging in the dirt ever since. She’s a certified expert with a Master
Gardener certification, a Bach Flower Remedy certificate, and a permaculture
certificate—She approaches all of these interests and talents with passion and respect for
the forces and patience of nature. At the age of 68 it has become very important to add wit
and whimsy to her projects because in her experience the universe often has other plans for
how things turn out and it is usually better than planned.

For 20 years, Vicki owned a garden landscape business, turning ordinary yards into
extraordinary oases. Now, she’s thriving in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and
consulting, and all aspects of food harvest and preservation, helping folks grow their own
veggies and create backyard paradises so stunning, even the squirrels stop to stare.
With her infectious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge, Vicki will have you smiling all the
way to the compost pile.

Dont forget to check out Vivacious Vic's new podcast with co-host Idaho Bo!

Down and Dirty with Idaho Bo and Vivacious Vic
Join Idaho Bo and Vivacious Vic every other Sunday at 2 p.m. PT for a deep dive into
the art of organic gardening, sustainable living, and the magic of plants. From
homesteading and foraging to food preservation, plant alchemy, and crafting medicinal
and beauty products, this show’s got it all. Tune in for recipes, fermentation tips, and the
secrets of herbs and spices—plus explorations into electro-culture, biodynamic planting,
and Anastasia’s Kins Domains from the Ringing Cedars series. With decades of
gardening experience across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Mexico, and
Wales, Bo and Vic bring practical wisdom and a passion for eco-conscious living.
Expect lively chats with guest experts and answers to the big question: Got land? Now
what? Perfect for gardeners, homesteaders, kitchen enthusiasts, and anyone eager to
live closer to the earth. Perfect for homesteaders, foodies, and eco-enthusiasts. This duo
brings practical know-how with a dash of wild charm straight from the soil to you soul.