Meet Jaskrit Bhalla | Herbalist, Naturalist, Educator, and Cook

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaskrit Bhalla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaskrit, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I have been working since I was 15, which is pretty standard here in the Unites States. However, I grew up in an immigrant family that highly prioritized and encouraged entrepreneurship and hard work. I am extremely grateful for this aspect of my upbringing, but it definitely has come with its fair share of difficulties in regards to my relationship with work and play. I always feel like I have to be switched on, working, productive, and achieving success through various barometers.

This mindset and pace of life has led to multiple periods of burnout at too young of an age. I have been actively working to develop a healthier outlook towards live and measuring success through different lenses. For me, success now looks like health, wellbeing, a sense of peace and stability, healthy relationships, service to others and the planet, and going to bed satisfied most nights. It also means spending a lot more time doing things that bring me joy for the sake of being joyful. I have stopped indulging in the “rise and grind” or “hustle” culture of American society.

Creating my own schedule (for the most part) means making sure I take days out of each week to not work at all. I prioritize spending time outdoors, with loved ones, and doing things that are pleasurable. I am lucky that my work sort of forces me to be around lots of lovely people, interacting with nature, teaching, making food and herbal medicine, and working with my hands. I try to do these things outside of work just for myself and my loved ones, too.

What should our readers know about your business?
I founded Inner Garden in March of 2022. My mission is to inspire people to tend their inner gardens through Earth, body, and spirit care. I have a history of mental health struggles, and connecting to nature and food were two of the most healing and consistent practices throughout my journey.

I started Inner Garden because I wanted to share these wonderful things with my community and show people that being well does not have to be expensive or fancy. I make products such as a line of grass-fed, herb and spice infused ghee, and facilitate private and community events and workshops that center around nature, herbalism, and cooking.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned on this journey is that we are not separate from nature. The idea that we are an integral part of nature and a vital piece in Earthly ecosystems is a common philosophy in Indigenous cultures, but something we in modern society have become extremely detached from. We have this notion that there is the human or man-made world, and the natural world. However, the more I deepen my relationship with the land I live on, my local community, and my local food system, the more I realize this separation is fully an illusion. Spending more time outside interacting with native plants and wildlife has instilled a newfound sense of hope and wonder in me, and has taught me more about being a human than I think school or any job ever has.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooh.

I would start by taking them on my current favorite hike: Laurel Canyon in Laguna Beach. It’s moderate intensity and super lush after all the rain this year. Every few feet I spot a new native wildflower, and there is a creek that runs across it at various points. There is also a beautiful lookout point on a bunch of rocks that I would have us stop at for a little picnic and tea break,

I would probably take us on a lot of hikes if I’m being honest. Hopefully they like hiking! Also would need to do lots of beach days. I love cooking with my friends, so I’d have us do a grocery store or farmers market run to make a yummy meal together. Maybe a curry or Italian?

I’d love to take us to my old workplace, The Ecology Center, which is a nonprofit community hub and regenerative farm in San Juan Capistrano. They just opened a cafe and host community dinners on Fridays with different farm-to-table chefs, so I’d definitely take us to one of those.

I would take us to Point Dume in Malibu to watch the sunrise one day, and if we have the energy, stop in Topanga Canyon for another picnic and hike.

For food, my I recently went to this amazing Japanese restaurant called Tsubaki with my friends Andrea and Camila (recommended by Camila) in Echo Park with the most insane Japanese-style salmon latkes and Hojicha soft serve.

Lastly, I would take us to the Orange Circle in Old Towne Orange to hit some of the coolest antique stores ever.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a massive shoutout to my family, my friends, and my boyfriend. I truly could not have accomplished a single thing without any of these people. I don’t believe in being “self-made”; we are all a byproduct of the people we surround ourselves with and I am beyond blessed to be supported by so many wonderful humans.

Shoutout to my community and all the customers, event attendees, and collaborators who have been a part of the Inner Garden family.

Shoutout to my mentor and boss at my day job, Benito Olamendi of Elemental Design. He is a Permaculture practitioner and ecological wizard.

And shoutout to my incredible herbalism and field botany teacher, Shana Lipner of Sage Country Herbs! I highly recommend her 2-year Botanical Eyes program.

Website: innergarden-wellness.com

Instagram: innergarden.wellness

Image Credits
Gemma Totten, Hop, Raymond Eugenio