How often you should water your herbs will depend on if they are dry or wet herbs. Dry herbs should be watered so that the soil is damp, and then the soil should be allowed to dry completely before the next watering. Wet herbs should have soil around them that is constantly moist. Check the soil by picking a bit up and running it through your fingers. If your fingers don't feel moist, it's time to water again.  Dry herbs include rosemary oregano, marjoram, sage, lavender, thyme, and tarragon. Wet herbs include basil, mint, cilantro, dill, arugula, and chives. Once your herbs have reached 6 in (15 cm) tall, you can start harvesting them. Use a pair of gardening scissors and cut off about 1/3 of the plant. Cutting near a leaf intersection will encourage quicker new growth. You can harvest annual herbs gradually by picking a few leaves at a time, or you can harvest all the leaves at once if you plan to use them up quickly or dry them for later use. When the growing season for perennial herbs is over in the early fall, you'll need to prune them. This prevents your herbs from getting too woody (as opposed to leafy) and encourages new growth in the spring. Cut away about 1/3 of the growth in the fall. Common perennial herbs include rosemary, oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, chives, lavender, lemon verbena, mint, and tarragon. Different herbs will attract (and repel) different types of insects. The exact type of herb and insect will influence the treatment, but most pests can be taken care of with insecticidal soap or an organic insecticide.

Summary: Water your herbs according to type. Harvest the plant after it's grown to at least 6 in (15 cm). Prune perennial herbs every fall. Treat your herbs for insects.


Check yourself out from eyes to toes, noting everything that makes you smile, no matter how small. The urge to be critical about things you don’t like will be high, but that’s okay! When you feel yourself getting critical simply move on down your body. Don’t even give these critical thoughts the time of day, and certainly don’t harp on them.  If you’re convinced that “there is nothing to love” about your body, then you need to slow down. From beautiful rose cheeks to strong, powerful legs, really admire yourself instead of jumping straight to negatives. Love yourself first, and loving your body will only get easier. Start with your body, but don’t end there – cover all of your amazing qualities to see that it isn’t all about the your exterior. A big issue with people’s self-esteem is that they start to believe the only thing that matters is their body, putting too much weight on their appearances and not who they are overall. You don’t judge people purely on their body, and people don’t do the same to you. Attractiveness is not determined by your appearance only. In study after study, participants are ranked as more attractive after people get to know them, and know they are a good person. Simply looking and smelling nice each day will do wonders for your self-esteem. Furthermore, take a few minutes each day to develop your own routine. It can be a facial cream, a slow, hot shave, or simply moisturizing before bed. When you treat your body like a temple, it will start to look at feel like one too. It is amazing how much the way you hold yourself dictates your appearances, and even self-esteem. Good posture isn't just about looking "strong," it actually aligns your spine, muscles, and even organs to work more efficiently, meaning you feel better too. In general, you want to think of being upright to improve your posture:  Chin up, parallel to the floor. Ears line up over your shoulders. Shoulders line up over your hips. Hips line up over your knees. Knees line up over your feet. A daily affirmation of how awesome you are is one of the best ways to simply, quickly, and easily reinforce the importance of you in your own life. Give yourself a smile and remind yourself not to hate on your own best friend. It may feel a little corny at first, but that’s okay! This isn’t about being perfect or cool, this is about you being you. And, paradoxically, this desire to just be yourself and not worry about perfection will make you more attractive! At the very least, banish put-downs in front of the mirror. Don't criticize your reflection, and break the habit of doing so.

Summary: Find 1-3 qualities about your body that you love. Make a list of things you love about yourself beyond your body. Keep clean and hygienic, taking some time to pamper yourself each day. Improve your posture. Look in the mirror each morning and remind yourself that you love yourself.


While the broth is simmering, you can begin to prepare the collard greens. Wash them off, then cut out the large, central stem from each green. Use a large knife to cut the greens into rectangular strips that are about 2 ½ by 1 inch (6.3 by 2.5 cm) long. After you have prepared the collard greens, drop them into the pot. Use a spoon to push the greens and try to submerge them in the broth so that they cook evenly. Cook the collard greens, stirring occasionally. When they begin to wilt, around 15 to 20 minutes, cover the pot with a lid. Keep cooking the collard greens, stirring them every ten minutes or so. Cover them again after stirring. You should notice that the greens shrink in size as they cook, and that they will get darker and limper the longer you cook them. As you cook, the greens will absorb the broth. After 45 minutes to an hour of covering the greens, remove the greens and place them in a bowl or on a platter.  Some people enjoy their greens more cooked than others. Keep trying the greens and remove them from the pot when you are satisfied with their consistency and flavor. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste. Collard greens are traditionally served with a little hot sauce as a garnish. If you want to add spice and pep to the greens, pour on a few drops of hot sauce. Mix in the hot sauce or leave it as is so that certain bites of the dish will be spicier than others. If you are already happy with the flavor collard greens, skip adding the hot sauce. Collard greens are meant to be eaten while hot. Taste the greens and make any final adjustments, then serve them while still warm alongside cornbread, cornmeal dumplings, fried chicken, grits, and any other of your favorite Southern-inspired dishes.
Summary: Wash and chop the collard greens. Add the collard greens to the pot. Cover the greens when they begin to wilt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for up to an hour. Remove the greens after around an hour of cooking. Pour in a few drops of hot sauce. Serve while hot.