Hello friends and a big welcome to all the new subscribers!
Winter is here. It’s a time when we slow down. Indoors, it’s a time that is quieter and gentler. Think of it as a hibernation period. It’s a time to regenerate and nourish much like nature does at this time. All that time and energy you put towards resting and rebuilding your body will travel with you into the New Year ahead. Nourish yourself with fresh wholesome food like these delicious recipes: Freekeh, Chickpeas and Shallots, and the Butternut Squash & Arame Soup. I’ll be adding more of my favorite recipes to this Winter Issue in the New Year!
If you love chocolate, learn about which brands not only make delicious chocolate but which are also ethically made. It’s really important to support brands that are trying to make a positive difference.
Do you know about the many different names for Palm Oil that are used as ingredients by various manufacturers? Do you know what the RSPO label means on products made with Palm Oil? Being an informed consumer is being an empowered consumer.
From the benefits of selenium in your diet to organically grown food, how to make your own mustard, to why aloe vera can be used for more than soothing burns, are all ways to integrate healthy options into your life.
For many years, when I lived in Los Angeles, I used to go to the Insect Fair at the Natural History Museum. This year, for the first time, I went to the Insectpalooza at what is considered the mother ship for all things relating to entomology, Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York. It was a very informative visit and I loved it, especially learning about the bee waggle dance.
The Cabinet of Green Curiosities has two new additions, one is stringy and one fire-y. They join other unusual and fascinating little known natural treasures or ones created from natural resources that clothe us, feed us, inspire us or… bury us.
I’m ready to catch the next plane to Sweden! I would love to visit the subject of Innovative Design, or in this case, Innovative Thinking. It’s an idea that makes a lot of sense. As we deal with a looming problem I wrote about in this past Fall Issue, which was about what to do with recyclable waste in the near future. On the other hand, on my way to Sweden, I could stop off in England first, and pay a visit to an estate that was re-wilded. It sounds so beautiful!
I have 3 great movies-Living the Future’s Past, Look & See and Secret Ingredients and 3 great books- Wilding, Be the Change and The Forest that I recommend in this issue.
The Gamechanger is a long time friend who has devoted his work to raising awareness about Climate Change. He recently received an award for his photography, a medium that he uses for his environmental activism. Congratulations to him and his awesome body of work!
Back in 2010, I experienced the work of the artists featured in this issue. I was awestruck by what they had built on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.
Until recently, I was only aware of Anton Chekhov’s work as a playwright and then I discovered that he was an avid gardener, knew the health benefits of growing your own food and the medicinal properties of certain plants.
I hope that you will find the December garden chore list helpful. If you are on the east coast, there is very little to do at the moment but if you are on the west coast, I remember it being a busy time.
And finally, the last post has some Christmas history trivia. There are also ideas on how to decorate your home using natural materials, gift-wrapping, where to find a pesticide free tree and how to best recycle your tree after the holidays.
And in case you didn’t see this lovely story before…It’s about a man in Tampa, Florida, who grows food so he can give it away.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season and most wonderful New Year 2019!
Best wishes,
Priscilla
