!["Our gardens offer food & hope to the homeless!"](https://cdn.magzter.com/1650870188/1681997045/articles/EqSS-HHCO1682069073629/OUR-GARDENS-OFFER-FOOD-HOPE-TO-THE-HOMELESS.jpg)
Carolyn Day watched as a frail, elderly man in a wheelchair rolled by her, a bucket of water balanced in his lap. Where is he headed? she wondered, watching him make his way to a garden outside California’s Santa Monica Shelter (SAMOSHEL). It happened over and over: the man steadily making his way back inside the homeless shelter, filling up his bucket and returning to tend the plants. Carolyn—a master gardener—was awed by his great care and dedication.
While continuing to visit the shelter, Carolyn finally learned his name: Jeff. They became fast friends, as he shared that he would soon be leaving for hospice. Choked with emotion, he confided how sad he was by the idea of his passing because he felt that his very first pride in life, his garden, would also fade.
Taking his hand, Carolyn made him a promise. “Don’t worry, Jeff. I’ll care for your garden for you.”
Planting a seed
When Jeff left, Carolyn immediately went to visit the shelter’s social workers, explaining that she would be back to tend to the garden once a week. And with each visit, Carolyn noticed a growing crowd of residents gathering around, curious about what she was doing.
“Can we help?” some asked, as Carolyn welcomed them in. Soon, the crew of helpers was growing as fast as the garden itself, and they took pride in planting seeds, watering, harvesting and learning.
“They’re always asking us when the ‘Garden Lady’ is coming back!” the social workers told Carolyn excitedly. “It’s amazing. Some of these residents have never engaged in any activities here.”
This story is from the May 01, 2023 edition of Woman's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 01, 2023 edition of Woman's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Learning keeps you healthy!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/AcSRFRNo51725454545163/LEARNING-KEEPS-YOU-HEALTHY.jpg)
Learning keeps you healthy!
Explore what your smartphone camera can do (such as taking \"motion photos\"), then practice using these new-to-you features by taking at least one shot of something that makes you happy every day.
!["Help me feel more hopeful"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/4gU4BatS41725454276638/HELP-ME-FEEL-MORE-HOPEFUL.jpg)
"Help me feel more hopeful"
Hopefulness does everything from boost our immune system to increase our success. Here, simple ways to tap this powerful emotion
![Q "I've been getting calls from a debt collector about an old bill that I already paid. It's so frustrating! How should I handle it?"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/B2gaJzs731725454154327/Q-IVE-BEEN-GETTING-CALLS-FROM-A-DEBT-COLLECTOR-ABOUT-AN-OLD-BILL-THAT-I-ALREADY-PAID-ITS-SO-FRUSTRATING-HOW-SHOULD-I-HANDLE-IT.jpg)
Q "I've been getting calls from a debt collector about an old bill that I already paid. It's so frustrating! How should I handle it?"
It’s understandable that you’re frustrated over being hounded about a debt you’ve already paid, but rest assured, you’re far from alone.
!["Great things are coming!"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/r96zUvuCw1725453820835/GREAT-THINGS-ARE-COMING.jpg)
"Great things are coming!"
Good things come to those who wait, and few appreciate that adage more than two-time Emmy Award-winning television host Tamron Hall. Married in her 40s, Tamron never imagined she'd become a mother at age 48.
!['Smoothie off' 3 sizes](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/PYPyBUmcY1725453636580/SMOOTHIE-OFF-3-SIZES.jpg)
'Smoothie off' 3 sizes
We can all appreciate a quick and tasty breakfast-and even more so if it kills hunger and whittles our waists. The easy key? Smoothies made with healthy fats like avocado, flaxseeds and coconut oil. \"The fats add a critical nutritional piece,\" says Harvard-trained wellness expert Eric J. Rosenbaum, M.D. In fact, when researchers had folks sip drinks that were rich in healthy fats as breakfast, their hunger vanished for hours afterward and they shed up to 18.5 pounds in 12 weeks. More proof it works: Texas empty-nester Mollie Sparks, 60, says fat-rich smoothies were her go-to as she reversed constant fatigue and dropped 42 pounds. Read on for Mollie's inspiring story and to discover how fat in smoothies helps melt fat off bellies, hips and thighs.
!["Reiki cured my anxiety!"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/kks2yQDa81725453434511/REIKI-CURED-MY-ANXIETY.jpg)
"Reiki cured my anxiety!"
After her marriage fell apart, Terri Ann Heiman struggled to move forward. Talk therapy wasn't helping, but then a friend introduced her to a simple, natural healing technique that changed everything
![Healthy habits to nix dizziness](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/bhOC0Lt3v1725453306744/HEALTHY-HABITS-TO-NIX-DIZZINESS.jpg)
Healthy habits to nix dizziness
Often wake up woozy? \"Dizziness affects 15% to 20% of the population at some point, and it's more common in those over 40,\" says Monica Kalra, D.O. Here, what causes morning dizziness, plus the top good-for-you fixes
![Heal your gut and boost your health](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/O0NwVoo7Y1725453141858/HEAL-YOUR-GUT-AND-BOOST-YOUR-HEALTH.jpg)
Heal your gut and boost your health
Your gut plays a role in everything from keeping your mood sunny to fending off colds and even calming inflammation responsible for arthritis pain. These tricks boost gut diversity so you feel your best
![Natural fixes for hay fever](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/v7-W9qZxy1725452777734/NATURAL-FIXES-FOR-HAY-FEVER.jpg)
Natural fixes for hay fever
The sun is bright, warm breezes are blowing and plants are blooming all around us—including pesky ragweed. The weed begins releasing pollen in August and keeps producing it well into fall, triggering miserable allergy symptoms such as sneezing, sniffling and itching for 23 million of us. Luckily, relief is at hand: These simple, natural strategies can prevent hay fever flares and soothe symptoms if you’re already suffering
![End of summer gorgeous with probiotics](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/26848/1813613/l9U4ATXF01725452560191/END-OF-SUMMER-GORGEOUS-WITH-PROBIOTICS.jpg)
End of summer gorgeous with probiotics
Dermatologists and beauty pros sing the praises of probiotics, the beneficial bacteria found in dairy foods like yogurt.