Publisher Description
Summer Rayne Oakes, an urban houseplant expert and environmental scientist, is the icon of wellness-minded millennials who want to bring nature indoors, according to a New York Times profile. Summer has managed to grow 1,000 houseplants in her Brooklyn apartment (and they're thriving!) Her secret? She approaches her relationships with plants as intentionally as if they were people. Everyone deserves to feel the inner peace that comes from taking care of greenery. Beyond the obvious benefits--beauty and cleaner air--there's a strong psychological benefit to nurturing plants as a path to mindfulness. They can reduce our stress level, lower our blood pressure, and improve our overall outlook. And they offer a rare opportunity to find joy by caring for another living being. When Summer Rayne Oakes moved to Brooklyn from the Pennsylvania countryside, she knew that bringing nature indoors was her only chance to stay sane. She found them by the side of the road, in long-forgotten window boxes, at farmers' markets, and in local garden shops. She found ways to shelve, hang, tuck, anchor, secure, and suspend them. She even installed a 150-foot expandable hose that connects to pipes under her kitchen sink, so she only has to spend about a half-hour a day tending to her plants--an activity that she describes as a "moving meditation." This is Summer's guidebook for cultivating an entirely new relationship with your plant children. Inside, you'll learn to:
Pause for the flowers and greenery all around you, even the ones sprouting bravely between cracked pavement Trust that your apartment jungle offers you far more than pretty décorSee the world from a plant's perspective, trading modern consumerism for sustainabilityServe your chlorophyllic friends by learning to identify the right species for your home and to recreate their natural habitat (Bonus: your indoor garden won't die!) When we become plant parents, we also become better caretakers of ourselves, the people around us, and our planet. So, let's step inside the world of plants and discover how we can begin cultivating our own personal green space--in our homes, in our minds, and in our hearts.Download and start listening now!
“Kaleo Griffith narrates this meditation on the role of plants in our lives in a thoughtful tone…Delivering this pleasing potpourri of information on how caring for plants may help us to better care for ourselves, others, and the world, Griffith sounds engaged, curious, and approachable. The listener acquires a wealth of absorbing insights on plants, nature, and our humanity.”
—
AudioFile
About Summer Rayne Oakes
Summer Rayne Oakes is an environmental scientist, entrepreneur and model whose work centers on three interconnected areas: health, wellness and sustainability. She founded Homestead Brooklyn, a website and YouTube channel, to help people become more attuned to nature in the city. She and her work have been featured in a range of media outlets worldwide, including CNN, the New York Times, London Guardian, Vanity Fair, INC, and others.
About the Narrators
Kaleo Griffith is an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator and classically trained actor. He graduated cum laude from Franklin Pierce University with a BA in theater, holds an MFA in acting from Rutgers University, and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has appeared in such television series as Law & Order and Reggie’s Family & Friends, among others.
Simon Sinek is an optimist, teacher, writer, and worldwide public speaker. His first three books—Start with Why, Leaders Eat Last, and Together Is Better—have been national and international bestsellers. His first TED talk, based on Start with Why, is the third most-viewed TED video of all time. Learn more about his work and how you can inspire those around you at StartWithWhy.com. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, and BusinessWeek. His views on business and leadership have allowed him to meet with a with a variety of organizations, including Microsoft, Intel, 3M, the United States military, members of Congress, and multiple government agencies. He teaches graduate classes at Columbia University.