Hi my friends 🧡 Hello, everyone! I thought I'd take a moment to catch everyone up on all the wonderful things happening here in Come Grow with Me. This little community continues to grow, and so does our journey together. Over the past few weeks we've been exploring the beautiful world of seafood. We've added new recipes featuring salmon, cod, baked cod en papillote, Mediterranean clams and mussels, and my very special Kakavia recipe—a rustic Greek fisherman's stew that has become one of my favorites. Along the way we've talked about simple ingredients, fresh herbs, good olive oil, and the joy of gathering around a meal that nourishes both body and soul. Next, we'll be turning our attention to one of my favorite places—the vegetable garden. We'll be discovering seasonal vegetables, learning how to grow them when we can, and finding simple, delicious ways to bring them to our tables. I can't wait to share that adventure with you. Our Fruit section is growing too! As the seasons change, we'll continue adding new recipes and ideas, including a special collection celebrating beautiful Mediterranean citrus. Fresh oranges, lemons, mandarins, and more will soon have their own place in our journey. What makes me happiest is watching this community slowly become exactly what I hoped it would be—not a place for perfection or strict rules, but a peaceful place where we can learn, explore, and simply enjoy living well together. Thank you for walking this road with me. Whether you've been here from the beginning or you've just found us, I'm so glad you're here. Now... pull up a chair. We've still got plenty of places to explore together. ❤️ Jo

Good morning, friends! ☀️ I thought I'd take a moment to share everything that's been growing here over the past couple of weeks. If you have a sweet tooth (like I do! 😉), you'll definitely want to visit our newest module, Fruit – Sweet Salvation. One of the biggest surprises I discovered is that dessert isn't something to fear—it simply looks a little different. Fresh fruit, beautiful seasonal desserts, and finding joy without guilt are all waiting for you there. Next, we'll be exploring Fish and Meat. Not because I believe anyone has to give up foods they love, but because learning how these foods fit into a balanced lifestyle helps us make choices with confidence instead of confusion. As always, there are no rules here—only ideas to help you discover what works best for you. You may also notice a new name appearing more often... Come Grow with Me. That really is the heart of this community. This has never been about chasing the perfect diet or following another set of rigid rules. It's about growing together. One recipe. One walk. One conversation. One small step at a time as we discover what helps each of us live well. You'll also be seeing more from Jo's Garden. 🌱 That little corner of our community is where fresh ideas begin—whether it's what's growing in the vegetable beds, what's cooking in my kitchen, or simply the everyday moments that remind us that healthy living doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes the best lessons begin with a tomato plant, a handful of herbs, or a quiet cup of coffee on the porch. And I'd love to hear from you! This is our community, and your ideas are always welcome. If you have a favorite recipe to share, a thought that's been on your mind, a question, or even a milestone you're celebrating—big or small—please post it. We grow best when we grow together, and I'd love for this to be a place where we inspire one another every day. Thank you for being here and growing alongside me. Every time you stop by, leave a comment, try a recipe, or simply read a post, you're helping this community become exactly what I dreamed it could be—a peaceful place where we can encourage one another without judgment.

I'm spending today putting the finishing touches on our Fruit Module, and I'm excited to share it with you. It's about halfway finished (for now!), with plenty more delicious ideas to come over time. Inside, we'll explore how the Mediterranean lifestyle embraces fruit—not just as something healthy, but as something beautiful, satisfying, and meant to be enjoyed. You'll find stories from the Blue Zones, simple recipes, and a few surprises along the way...including a lovely little dessert that's still making its way to the table. 🍓 Thank you for growing with me. This community is becoming exactly what I hoped it would be—a place to learn, share, and enjoy the journey together. Now, if you'll excuse me...I've got some fruit to finish preparing! ❤️ — Jo 🌿

I just finished going through the blue zones. Really enjoyed the visuals I got from the well-written timeline of each zone. I could feel myself sort of relaxing…I want to go…

Good morning, friends! I've been busy behind the scenes adding new content to our classroom, and I wanted to give you a quick update on what's been happening around the table. Over the past few weeks we've traveled through some of the world's healthiest regions, exploring what people in places like Ikaria, Crete, Sardinia, Okinawa, and Nicoya actually eat in everyday life. We've also added our Breaking Bread lesson, where we talked about one of the oldest and most beloved foods in Mediterranean culture—and yes, there was fresh bread involved. 🍞 Now we're moving into a new topic that shows up on tables all over the Mediterranean: 🫘 Beans. Simple, humble, inexpensive, and incredibly nourishing. I'm currently adding new lessons and recipes, including one of my personal favorites: 🇬🇷 Greek Butter Beans (Gigantes Plaki) Slow-baked in a rich tomato and herb sauce, it's comfort food the Mediterranean way. Find that recipe by the way...❤️ And coming soon... 🐟 Fish & Seafood We'll take a closer look at how coastal Mediterranean communities use fish as part of a balanced lifestyle—not as a diet, but as part of everyday living. As always, remember: Health didn't come first. Life came first—and health followed. Thank you for being here and taking this journey with me. ❤️Jo