Leafy greens become both a joy to grow and eat for Navy veteran

In a leafy greenhouse, Navy Veteran Ashley Cramsey wanders from plant to plant, tending growing tomatoes and creating climbing space for growing vines.

Cramsey was not always interested in gardening, but in recent years, her hobby has become her passion. Right now she and her boyfriend are growing tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, peas, and squash. She loves being able to harvest vegetables to put food on the table.

Before she started gardening, Cramsey had difficulty eating well.

“It’s really easy and convenient to eat bad food, that was a big problem for me,” she says, “I noticed that I was feeling a lot more tired and a lot more lethargic.”

Since she began gardening, her meals have gotten much more varied. Once she started cooking the vegetables noticed she had more energy.

Deedee Brandeberry, Registered Dietician, encourages people to include more fruits and vegetables in their diets, whether fresh, frozen, or canned. For daily intake, she recommends 2 ½ to 4 cups of vegetables as they are a good source of nutrition and fiber with a low-calorie intake.

“Sometimes it’s just a question of, you know, doing a little bit of meal planning,” says Brandeberry, “we’re so busy, processed foods are a lot easier and a lot of times they taste good.”

For people looking to manage their weight better, vegetables are a great option. Looking at improving blood sugar levels and controlling diabetes, meal planning for healthier eating can have a big impact on your life.

With each new year, Cramsey and her boyfriend try new gardening methods to keep costs down and to make sure they can have vegetables when they want. This summer, they bought organic dirt to mix with last year’s soil to cut down starting costs.

Right now, Cramsey is excited at the possibility of hydroponics.

“I would like to have fresh salads throughout the wintertime and some of my friends had actually started doing hydroponics already and they’ve had a lot of success,” she says.

The process is complicated, but Cramsey is motivated by how delicious her vegetables turn out and the motivation good food gives her to live a whole and healthy life.

Though winter is setting in, people like Cramsey continue to look for options to stay healthy and mindful of what they are eating. Gardening is one way you can increase your physical activity, while also enjoying the literal “fruits” of your labor.

For more information on healthy eating and great recipes, check out https://www.nutrition.va.gov/Recipes.asp.

Also check out the MOVE program at Alaska VA Healthcare. It’s a weight management program for Veterans to help get you on the right track. Contact Deedee Brandeberry at 907-257-4720 for more info.

Katie Yearley is a Public Affairs Specialist.