I’ll take it as an opportunity to relax and do pretty much nothing, a rare occurrence in our busy busy world.

Earth Hour is from 8:30-9:30pm local time.

Will you observe Earth Hour this year?

The hour and fifteen minute workshop was presented by Philip Botwinick and Sharon Kimmelman of Local Energy Solutions.  It was through a chance conversation with Sharon back in December that first got me interested in permaculture, so it was nice to see them at work, teaching.  It was a good basic review and got me even more excited about taking a 72 hour Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course.  I would love to teach permaculture one day.

I think my favorite aspect of the workshop was that most of the answers to the questions Sharon and Philp asked were made by the young kids present.  I loved seeing them so engaged with the process.  I hope they continue to be inspired by the concepts within permaculture that they learned today.

Besides this pleasant surprise, it was great to see friends and meet new people.  I expect I’ll be receiving a lovely hand designed Astoria Park Alliance shirt to wear when helping out in Astoria Park (July 5, here I come).  Met the program director of Build It Green, and got him connected to one of the coordinators with APA.  Hoping we’ll be involved with their block party in May.

Later tonight, I’ll be participating in Earth Hour. Candles (soy!) are ready!

Just a quick note -  on Sunday, I attended the CSA in NYC Conference organized by Just Food. What a great event! I learned an awful lot, met some nice people and heard two of my CSA farmers speak.  It was really good to get their take on a variety of issues.  The Expo was well done and I even brought some amazing raw milk cheese home with me, as well as some tasty cheesy animal crackers.  Hats off to Just Food for a great event.

Image: (c) Just Food

Articles and Blog Posts
Spoiled: Organic and Local Is So 2008 [Mother Jones]
“Our industrial food system is rotten to the core. Heirloom arugula won’t save us. Here’s what will.”

Industrial models for sustainable food? [The Sustainable Foodie]
On the subject of pork, whether or not it’s better to eat sustainable pork grown elsewhere or local pork. Reminiscent of the choice presented to eat organic fruit shipped to NY from CA or local non-organic fruit.

What’s Keeping Me So Busy: Real Food Media, Expo West & the No GMO Challenge [Cheese Slave]
Recent progress on the development of Real Food Media.

Field Report: Table to Farm [NY Times]
“A small-town Missouri restaurant connects the community, one root-beer-braised brisket at a time.”

Upcoming March Events (on the Calendar)

CSA in NYC Conference, March 8
The Green Renter: Green Roofs and the Urban Environment: Applications and Benefits, March 9
An Introduction to Urban Permaculture: Simple Tools for Sustainable Living, March 21-22

I’ll be attending the CSA conference as well as the Urban Permaculture course, which I will of course blog about here.

Greetings!

I am excited to tell you about a new community that I am helping to start here in Queens — the Holistic Moms Network Queens Chapter! Four friends and I have volunteered as the Chapter Leaders to get things started. I am really looking forward to being a part of this group because I am so excited to connect with other moms in the ‘hood.

The Holistic Moms Network was founded by moms and for moms as a community building coalition and it has since grown into a rapidly expanding national non-profit organization for those interested in natural health and mindful parenting. At its core, the HMN helps moms to find their tribe, remember their spirit, and connect to new friends. Offering everything from playgroups to lending libraries, the HMN embraces healthy living for all people. We seek to empower women to make mindful choices that fit their families and their priorities. The Holistic Moms Network began in New Jersey and now have chapters across the country– now we will have one right here in Queens!

We are holding our Kick-Off Meeting on Wednesday, March 11th from 6:30-8:00pm at Arrow Community Center in Long Island City, Queens (35th Street between 35th and 36th Aves). Will you join me for this special event? It will be a lot of fun, we’ll meet other moms interested in a holistic lifestyle in our area, and there will also be a raffle and a goodie-bag with coupons and free holistic products. You can bring anyone you think would be interested in the group with you. The HMN welcomes all parents and is child-friendly, of course!

Our website is http://queensny.holisticmoms.org/ . Use it to learn more or to refer other moms that may be interested. We also have a Facebook group if you are on there.

Ancient Food, Ancient Wisdom: Using Traditional Foods to Create Vibrant Health for Adults & Children

A workshop with Claudia Keel & Angela Davies

Sunday February 15th @ noon at the Park Slope Food Coop
782 Union St (btw 6th & 7th Av), Booklyn

Free (non-members welcome!)

In this workshop we will discuss what traditional foods are and why they are so essential to our health and well-being, as well as for pregnancy and growing children. These traditional foods include enzyme-enriched foods, mineral rich bone broths, animal fats and properly prepared whole grains. We will cover the pioneering work of Dr. Weston A. Price his study of healthy traditional communities, and the underlying factors in a variety of traditional diets that conferred beauty, strength and freedom from disease.

Claudia Keel is an Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist with a private practice in Union Square, Manhattan. She is the co-founder and president of the Traditional Nutrition Guild, an non-profit buying club for traditional foods in metro NY and the New York City chapter leader of the Weston A price Foundation.

Angela Davies is a holistic health practitioner with a private practice in Ft. Green Brooklyn. She is a member of the Coop and the Clinton Hill CSA and the Brooklyn Chapter Leader of the Weston A price Foundation.