Thanks for your comment John.
I like your description of mulch in nature as "God's blanket".
Once we understood the value of mulch our garden became much more productive, and we could focus on growing things instead of weeding.

I think any of the three options you mention will be of benefit to your garden.
In winter, during the rainy season, we put new amendments such as seaweed into the compost. This is to ensure the rain doesn't wash away the valuable nutrients we've worked into the soil.

Yes, this will save energy. Frequent on/off cycling does not reduce the effeciency or lifespan of LEDs.

I like the idea of having the count area be your back yards and gardens. This makes it easier to get more people involved, and is an opportunity for people to discover the natural wonders at their doorsteps.

Good solution. Mix in Cheerios or other low sugar brand to dilute the sugary ones.

A dutch oven can stand in well for a crock pot. Yo can can use it on the stovetop on hot days when you don't want to heat up the kitchen for stews, potroast, corned beef, as well as in the oven. In the oven you can leave it and walk away for hours, as you might for the crockpot. Dutch Ovens can be also used for casseroles for large groups or pot luck suppers.
We stock a beautiful enamel on cast iron dutch oven that is a workhorse for any kitchen: http://eartheasy.com/green-home/green-kitchen/5-5qt-oval-dutch-oven-with-lid-by-michelle-b

Thank you Dan for your interesting comments. The word 'empowering' is spot on, and this is the real gift of gardening.
I have learned that first time gardens often are very productive, since non-gardened soil usually contains nutrients and minerals that have built up over time. It is successive years that gardening skills are needed to produce successful yields. We believe that focusing on soil improvement is key. This is not difficult, it just requires tending to. Rotate crops, use green manures, add peat to heavy soil, keep the ph in balance, use mulches liberally. With rich, light soil your plants will be so vigorous that gardening becomes easier and the plants are much more productive.
I encourage you to folllow your intuition to a simpler life.

Well said, Zemella. Thank you.

Great points you make John. I particularly appreciate your comment about the best way being the laziest. This is one of the fundamental points of One Straw Revolution which has influenced me in gardening and yard care, as well as other pursuits. I have come to treasure the simple solutions, such as mulching to combat weeds and grasscycling to improve lawns.

Charles, I very much appreciate your perspective. Well said!