March 3, 2020, is a day many Nashvillians will never forget. The night of the tornado destroyed many homes in North Nashville, East Nashville, Germantown, and surrounding areas. High Garden Tea, located on Woodland St. in East Nashville, unfortunately, did not remain untouched. 

High Garden Tea is a social enterprise, founded by Leah and Joel Larabell. The mission of High Garden is to reconnect us with the plant wisdom we instinctively hold. Many became familiar with High Garden for ten years through the herbal and tea shop. The shop was an experience like no other in Nashville. You could walk in the shop and mix some of your favorite herbs and enjoy a flight of kombucha, among many other offerings. That was until the tragic tornado struck. 

Leah and Joel first received news that the tornado damaged their building from their landlord. At that point, their brains would not allow them to imagine anything more than a few broken windows. However, when they arrived at the location, their eyes met the unimaginable. More than broken windows, the building had merely crumbled to pieces. If you saw the images circulating social media, you can attest that it's a scene you can't forget. Though unforgettable, it's not the thing Leah remembers most about that morning. 

What she remembers most is beauty.

When Leah and Joel arrived at High Garden, at least thirty people had already beat them there. They showed up with care and love to help recover and clean up what survived the storm. That's the beauty Leah remembers! She describes, "at that moment, I think I truly learned how to love people." Leah grew up more connected to her squirrel and plant families, so it was easier for her to relate to nature than people outside of her immediate circle. However, that morning of the tornado revealed the beauty in humanity she had never seen before.  

"That's the main thing I remember about that morning. That piece of my heart getting filled up." - Leah Larbell

When it crumbled, Leah and Joel knew they were not going to be able to rebuild ten years of what they grew for a long time. The tornado forced them to begin a new path. As they stepped back a little from the "business" side of things, the next path for High Garden began to be revealed. 

With lots of patience and humility, Leah and Joel are slowly learning and understanding this new path for High Garden. Their goal is to make plants and herbalism more accessible to everyone. They envision a world where there's a plant person in everyone's home.  They are making it happen. Today you can experience the many offerings of High Garden in many ways. Here's how:

__High Garden Online Store:__ Via the High Garden online store, you can find a wide range of herbal infusions and teas. Their products are more than just items; they are creations that grew out of years of study. They hope that through these offerings, they can shine a light on the power and benefit within the world of plants.  

__High Garden’s School of RootWisdom:__ To dive deeper into herbalism education, you can take a deeper dive by enrolling in High Garden’s School of RootWisdom. The first year of the herbalism program is titled PlantFolk Herbalism. This program is at student capacity, but there are more programs to come, so stay connected. 

__Upcoming Podcast:__ Leah and Joel announced to us that they are working on a podcast. No official premiere date has been released yet, but I'm excited for the fact that we will literally be able to learn about herbs on our commute to work! 

There's purpose in pain, and while hearing the recovery and resiliency story of Leah and Joel, it's hard to argue otherwise. Purpose isn't revealed at once; it's revealed in moments. That morning of the tornado was just the beginning of a greater purpose being revealed. Through the pain of the tornado, they could reimagine this vision and purpose of High Garden in more incredible ways.

Be sure to keep up with all the latest news and High Garden's journey by subscribing to their mail list at highgardentea.com and by following them on Instagram @highgardentea.


Beauty Along A New Path

High Garden Tea

Have you ever found yourself searching for a place where you felt like you were represented and included? For Chief Juiceista and Head Yogini, Nielah, that was her story. Nielah moved to Nashville by way of Atlanta, and when she arrived, she struggled to find a yoga studio where she felt represented and included. Though disappointed, Nielah did not allow this to halt her health and wellness journey. Instead, it empowered her to take control of it, and while in front of the steering wheel, she soon arrived at the door of Egyptian Yoga. Egyptian Yoga was new to Nielah, but as she learned and practiced, she fell in love with it for many reasons,  one being that through this ancient practice, she saw herself.  It soon inspired her to create a space where all body sizes, fitness levels, and skin colors were included. Talk about representation! Her passion began to spill over, and after many years and some birthing pangs, this vision began to manifest. InnerG Juice and Yoga was born.

InnerG Juice and Yoga is a one-stop-shop for your juicing needs and yoga flow. The studio offers handcrafted,  cold-pressed juices as well as diverse yoga experiences. After engaging in a session of Egyptian Yoga, you can hydrate on InnerGOAT, one of Nielah's first and favorite juices.  But maybe Trap Yoga is more your thing? No problem. It's understood at InneG that "There's levels to this shift." So, The diversity that Nielah once longed for is reflected in the diverse offerings of yoga classes and juice types for all different levels of yogis and taste pallets. They've even created a system called level G, a simple way to decide which juice or yoga flow is right for you.

InnerG is all about juice and Yoga. However, their mission goes beyond the kitchens of the juicers and floors of the yoga mats. They're on a mission to build better habits that make better people who develop better communities. Historically, systemic racism has contributed to inequitable access to grocery stores, health care, and wellness spaces among many African American communities. So, the core of their mission is about making wellness spaces more accessible to all communities.  InnerG aims to help bridge this gap in many ways, one by going outside of the studio's walls. They have plans to launch  Vitality Zones, wellness pit-stops serviced by cold-pressed juice vending machines, and pop up yoga sessions servicing the Nashville community!

The community is the "why" behind InnerG Juice and Yoga, so it is just so perfect that the studio will be among some other excellent black-owned businesses in North Nashville. Literally in their backyard, you can find  Slim and Husky’s, The Southern V, Willie B’s, and Minerva. So, the next time you're on your way to pick up a V-thang Slim pizza, make a mental note of the studio. Space is still under construction, but the vision is coming together. And as things continue to unfold and come together, we hope to give you an exclusive sneak peek of its opening. The opening date is being planned for the Spring! However, you can order your juice from home or schedule a virtual yoga sesh in the meantime. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and activate your Inner G!


Learn how to activate your "InnerG" from the newest yoga and juice studio coming to North Nashville!

Activate your InnerG

Nielah Burnett

Despite the chaos of 2020, we managed to have an exciting 12 days of Christmas with our subscribers! We had a merry time, from meditating with one of our favorite yoga instructors to catching some major deals at local Nashville businesses. Don't worry if you missed out; we are here to recap. 

__Day 1: Meditate with Yoga Shala__
On day one, we got to highlight Yoga Shala, a yoga studio located in East Nashville. Cory Bryant is the Shala instructor and guides the community in the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Everyone isn't familiar with this form of yoga, so we were excited to share more about the studio. Our subscribers got the heads up that Cory was offering FREE MEDITATION on Christmas Day. 

__Day 2: Order Juice from InnerG Juice & Yoga__
Things got juicy on Day 2 because we got to feature the new Juice and Yoga studio! Inner G Juice and Yoga is described as the new-new vegan and non-dairy "milkman." They're serving up all healthy juices right to your doorstep. If you need a vitality boost and live, work, or workout in downtown Nashville, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Mt. Juliet, and Joelton, they have a Juice Box with your name on it.

Stay tuned (subscribe), so you'll be the first to know about our interview with Nielah, the InnerG Juice, and Yoga founder. We're not only going to be talking all things juice, but she will fill us in on the practice of Egyptian yoga.

__Day 3: Take a walk down your favorite trail__
This day was full of fresh air! Nashville is home to so many parks and nature trails, so we wanted to highlight them. Not only did we shed light on our top five trails, but we also filled you in on how you can get rewards, just BY MOVING! You can get all the details at  http://healthyparkstn.com/. 

__Day 4: Share your favorite holiday recipe__
Sharing is caring, and on day four, we expressed our care by sharing one of our favorite recipes. Founder of nonprofit GRITS Inc. has a black bean burger recipe that we recommend adding to your home's menu. It's quick, simple, and tasty. The recipe demo is available on our YouTube channel. Move Nashville - YouTube

__Day 5: Move well with Urbn Fitness__
The fifth day of Christmas was all about moving well, the Urbn fitness way! URBN Fitness is a goal-focused gym located in East Nashville. It was once your local CrossFit gym, but it has since evolved! You can now experience energetic, fun, and dynamic movement pairings through their core group classes, as well as complete a personalized program. We love that Urbn Fitness allows you to experience all the fun and movement for free! 

They are all about helping you "look good naked" without any long-term commitments. You can learn more about their story here. https://www.urbnfitness.com/

__Day 6: Donate to Nashville's Community Fridge__
On day six, we addressed a need within the community. Food insecurity is a nationwide issue, so we're grateful that the Nashville community is doing what they can do to help address the issue locally. Nashville Community Fridge is a free resource that functions as a tool to help address the food insecurity that impacts 1 in 8 people who deal with food insecurity within Middle TN. 

They are always accepting donations, so it's never too late to give. You can donate produce, bread, cheese, milk, baked goods, canned/boxed foods, baby formula, and packaged meals with listed ingredients. Donations are accepted at either of their two locations.
Locations:
(North) 1411 Buchanan St
(East) 1111 Dickerson Pike

__Day 7: Workout with 80/20 fitness__
Day seven was all about fitness and nutrition the 80/20 way! 80/20 is a fitness studio founded on the ideals that a healthy lifestyle requires 80% nutrition and mindset and 20% fitness.  The Coaches, Kevin, and Jade, help the community find their balance through coaching, expertise, and a positive mindset. I can attest to the positivity in the studio because I got a chance to visit. You can check out the Move Nashville visit here on our youtube channel. Move Nashville - YouTube

__Day 8: Leave an extra tip at a local restaurant__
On day eight, we wanted to encourage everyone to tip a little extra! During the pandemic, big cooperations have been getting richer, while many local businesses have struggled to keep their doors open. These are our neighbors and friends, so we wanted to make sure we took the time to encourage you to support local businesses. As we continue to go through these unprecedented times and beyond, the support keeps us Nashville Strong.

__Day 9: Buy a friend a gift from TNT Goods__
On day nine, we were inching close to Christmas and wanted to help you with any last-minute Christmas shopping. Whether you are Christmas shopping or wanted some cool merch, TNT Goods is the place for you. TNT Goods is a Nashville-based business that specializes in creating custom accessories and handmade home decor. They offer coasters, decorative trays, trinket dishes, soap dishes, keychains, stickers, and pin-back buttons. Their buttons are completely customizable and perfect for brand awareness, conferences, festivals, special events, and gift shops. 

__Day 10: Visit Local Vendors at the Farmers Market__
The Farmers Market is open year-round, so on day ten, we wanted to share that reminder! Throughout the year, you can visit the local farmers market and find ranchers, dairy farmers, cheese-makers, bakers, food artisans, crafters, and flea merchants, as well as farm-direct products like honey, jams, jellies, and more.  The Winter Shed Hours are Friday—Sunday 8 a.m.—2 p.m.

__Day 11: Give to a Local Nonprofit__
Tis' the season of giving, so we wanted to encourage you to give a little extra on Day 8! Whether it's a smile, your time, or a monetary donation, your giving most definitely positively impacts the community.
Here are some tips we share for giving wisely during the holiday season:
1. Find a charity/organization that aligns with your values
2. Find out where your dollar goes
3. Keep a record of your donation
4. Request Charity's tax-exempt letter
5. Give generously if you can, but don't respond to pressure

__Day 12: Spread some Christmas Cheer__
On Christmas Day, we woke up to the news of a bombing in Nashville. A… set an RV on fire. Thankfully no one was injured. It shook Nashville, at the same time, reminded us that we are a strong community. And despite the tragic news, we still managed to spread some Christmas Cheer. We are grateful for the Move Nashville community, and be sure to subscribe for updates on all things community, movement, mindfulness, and nutrition.


Here's a Recap of How Our 12 Days of Christmas Went

12 Days of Christmas 

12 days of Christmas

One out of two times, I ask that question I get that answer. The other half of the time, I get an enthusiastic “Yes!” from a Nashville hipster who loves kombucha, especially kombucha on tap locally.

Whether or not you can relate to person one or two more, I think it’s fair that I give you a brief definition of kombucha. It is not alcohol, it is not vinegar, and it is not a supplement. It is simply sweet tea fermented. Hence the word “simply.”  Kombucha is fermented tea in its most simple form, but it’s kicked up a notch when other herbal teas, natural flavors, spices, and juices are added.

Some people drink kombucha because of its health benefits; some drink it for its taste. Suppose you’re like me, you drink it for both of those reasons. Kombucha’s leading health benefits are noted in its probiotic live cultures. Probiotics are found in some fermented foods, but they are also naturally found in our bodies. The majority of them are found in our GI, more specifically the colon. Our probiotics help support a balanced gut, and a balanced gut is a healthy gut! But it is very easy for our gut to get out of balance due to its sensitivity. Our gut bacteria composition can easily be altered by the environment, smoking, age, antibiotics, and especially our diet. So, many people buy their probiotics, in the form of foods or supplements, to help restore balance in the gut. 

When it comes to food, probiotics can be found in fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha. However, make a note, not all fermented foods contain probiotics. To be considered a probiotic, the food has to contain sufficient live bacteria that survive processing, and the bacteria that survive the processing must benefit human health.  With those requirements in mind, I have to say; not all kombuchas are created equally. Many commercial kombuchas are pasteurized, thus killing many of the live probiotics. Additionally, some companies will add in synthesized probiotics to the kombucha so they can still advertise “billions of live cultures.” 

You see, sometimes, it is just hard to know what you are getting with processed kombuchas in the big-name grocery stores. So here’s my advice, buy your komboocha locally when you can. Local products are typically less processed.

I’m happy to mention that two Nashville local brands Booch and  Walker Brothers pride themselves on no pasteurization, thus preserving the live cultures in the product! Walker Brothers sell their products online and offer free doorstep delivery in Nasvhille. Booch is sold in many local Nashville shops, like E+Wellness Café. A full list can be found on their website. You can also contact them if you’re interested in kombucha on tap. 

Speaking of “on tap,” Here are some places where you can fill up your growler and purchase kombucha on tap locally.

__Float Nashville:__ Float Nashville is a local spa and wellness place that offers kombucha on tap. For CBD fans, some of their daily selections include CBD infused kombucha.

__Turnip Truck:__ Turnip Truck is a full-service grocery store with three locations in Nashville. The East Nashville location is right in the heart of the historic Edgefield neighborhood. Here you can make use of the growler filling station for kombucha and beer.

__High Garden__, *honorable mention*: This is our very special honorable mention because though the shop on Woodland no longer exists, the High Garden legacy lives on. 

*“On March 3, 2020, a class F4 tornado pulled the shop from its roots and flew it for 100s of miles.  We like to think that it became part of nature on that fateful day.  That it burst open ready to become something anew all the while planting seeds from torn open bags of herbs that will come to life for years to come.”- Leah and Joel*

Though we can’t walk into the magical, community filled, “hobbit hole,” and fill up our growler with our favorite kombucha, we are still able to enjoy the presence of High Garden in other ways. High Garden has an online store where owners Leah and Joel sell local teas and herbal infusions. They also offer herb guidance consults in addition to different educational workshops. Leah and Joel aren’t sure what the next installment of High Garden will look like, but they’re sure it will take on a new form. As they eagerly await the vision, so do we.  


One out of two times, I ask that question I get that answer. The other half of the time, I get an enthusiastic “Yes!” from a Nashville hipster who loves kombucha, especially kombucha on tap locally.

Local Kombucha

Kombucha pour

What’s your favorite season? I mean, when it comes to food? Mango Season has to be among my favorites. I love walking down the grocery aisles and seeing all the mango varieties. I would usually go to Nashville’s Farmer’s Market for my favorite produce, but Mangoes aren’t grown in the South. Mangoes thrive in tropical climates and plant hardiness zones 10b-11. 

## What is plant hardiness zones?

Plant hardiness zones are tools to help growers determine what fruits and veggies will thrive in their city and state. Zones are determined based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones. It is common for many seeds to have a label with the hardiness zone on the back. For example, if you pick up a pack of cucumber seeds, you’ll most likely see zone 7 on the back, which is Nashville’s hardiness zone!  

However, what if you’re not planting anything, you’re more so just shopping at your local farmers market enjoying the fruits of their labor? Well, it is still good to know what fruits are in season and equally important, how to pick them! So, I thought I’d share my top picks for Nashville’s summer season!

### Top Picks:

__#PeachSeason –__ When picking peaches, here’s one rule to live by, DON’T SQUEEZE! Squeezing the peach can actually cause it to bruise and ruin its flesh. A better indicator of if it’s ready to eat is its color and smell.  I wouldn’t recommend smelling it unless you have already purchased, especially considering we’re amid a pandemic. But you don’t need your nose in this case because your eyes can tell you a lot! A peach free of bruises with good vibrant color is usually a good pick! It's noted, the more vibrant the color (on the red part of the peach), the sooner it’ll be soft. 

__#GrapeSeason –__ I heard through the grapevine that a good shake will help with the right pick! When picking grapes at your local market, give the bag a shake. If grapes stick together, that’s a good sign. You don’t want to pick grapes that easily fall off the stem. Also, don’t be afraid to pick grapes with that white residue. It's not dust, pesticides, dirt, or powder; it is a natural yeast, referred to as bloom. Bloom is an excellent indicator of freshness!

__#PearSeason -__  Pears may be one of the most beautiful fruits. It has nothing to do with its shape or color, but the way it ripens. Pears are one of the few fruits that ripen from the inside out – isn’t that inside out beauty! And once it’s ripe, you can bite into sweet pear-fection! So how can you tell if it’s ripe from the outside? The neck of the pear is a good indicator. Press on its neck, and if it yields to pressure, it is time to enjoy! On the opposite end, if the pear's body is soft to touch, it is likely overripened! 

__#NectarineSeason –__ Nectarine is like the identical twin to the peach, minus the fuzz.  Similar to peaches, you can tell a nectarine is ready to eat just by looking at it. And you can tell which one may have a better flavor by paying attention to its undertones. Nectarines with a gold undertone will have a better flavor than nectarines with a greenish undertone.

__#ApricotSeason –__ Do you prefer sweet or tart? Don’t worry because you don’t have to choose between the two when you bite into ready to eat apricots. Apricots have a sweet flesh with a hint of tartness. It is like the perfect balance. You know you’ve picked a good apricot when it has a beautiful yellow-orange color and is slightly soft to the touch. 
All of this talk about fruit has got me in the mood for some local picks. No matter the season, you can always support your local farmers. For more information on picking fruits and vegetables locally, visit the Pick Tennessee website www.picktnproducts.org 


What’s your favorite season? I mean, when it comes to food? Mango Season has to be among my favorites. 

Nutrition

Activate your InnerG

12 Days of Christmas

Local Kombucha

Beauty Along A New Path

Activate your InnerG

12 Days of Christmas

Local Kombucha

Growing Season