Earth Day

Yesterday was Earth Day, but truly, every day is Earth Day, because the Earth gives us everything we need every day: food, water, shelter, clothing, everything. The Earth gives us beauty to keep our souls alive and joyful, and everything it gives is free. And so we should remember and acknowledge this every day, and walk the Earth in gratitude and respect.

Yesterday, Sena and Aiyana and I were driving to Yale for a doctor appointment for Aiyana's Hashimoto's. We came up with three things or challenges to ask people, and ourselves, to do in honor of Earth Day:

1) Reduce our consumption; in particular, the challenge would be to try to cut our garbage output in half from where we are now. This includes all garbage we generate: the garbage under the kitchen sink; the old furniture and TVs and other big stuff we put on the side of the road to have picked up; the garbage we generate when we get take out foods in throw away cups and containers, etc. Recycling is not enough! Recycling requires energy. What we're talking about is reducing consumption, and reusing the stuff we already have. Personally, I don't like to think of myself as a consumer and trash generator. I'd rather be a reuser, one who leaves the Earth beautiful. Here is an inspiring video from Patagonia that my sister shared with me years ago. It's about people and the stories of their well used, well loved stuff.

2) Go without factory raised meat for two weeks. Try it, and then go further. Factory raised meat is polluting and cruel to the Earth and animals that have to endure it. Switching to humanely raised, grass fed meat is one alternative, although it may take a little work to figure out where to get it, depending on where you live, and it may take more money too. But to me, if I had to chose between money and clean water, clean air, and a safe environment for my kids, I'd go with the latter. I know it seems simplistic, but at some level, what you spend your money on is a reflection of your values and what you're choosing to support.

3) Inspire others to do their part. No matter how small. Simple, every day changes that we can permanently incorporate in our lives are what makes a difference. You don't have to quit your job and join an NGO to feed the hungry. That's not nearly as effective. Do something that you can do, that fits in your life as it is right now, and that you can stick with. And inspire others to do the same. Look in your heart and be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do; and then out of that honesty, take action.

I fear that this may come across as preachy or judgemental. That is not my intention. I wanted to put something out without spending hours to revise it because I feel that I must do something, whatever is in my power, even if it will earn me negative judgement.

Last night we had a beautiful thunderstorm, and this morning new leaves unfurled on trees by our house. When I see all that beauty, I feel so grateful and I have this strong sensation that I must do something to keep it beautiful and to allow others in the future to experience it too.

Out of this

 comes this. Amazing, no?

Peace

So Happy!

We let the cows out on pasture today. After eating hay since December, today, they are so happy to have lush green grass again.
And, in case you have not noticed, we created a Facebook page for Shundahai, so you can check that out if you want. Like it, pass it around, do whatever you want. Earlier today I updated pictures of veggies from our morning harvest.

Oshi enjoying grass and dandelion leaves

 Olive is approving of the rye

 Mama Opal in a very undignified pose, but loving the grass too.

Peace

Beautiful days are upon us

Everything is greening up and growing. The sky is clear, the temperature is pleasant, and there is no humidity. Bumblebees are out foraging, buzzing loudly as they go from flower to flower. Dandelions are in bloom. Peepers are peeping in the evening, and birds are chirping morning and night. It is such a beautiful time of year!

 Most trees have not leafed out yet, but one of these days we will wake up and all will be green.

We got new baby chicks last week. They've grown a lot already.

The cats have been watching, will less than honorable intentions, I am sure...

Peace

Alpine pastures, here we come!

Finally, this year we will be taking the trip to Romania that we've been promising the kids since 2010. It's always felt impossible to get away from the farm for more than 3 days at a time, but this year we've planned things out so our workers will be here while we go to Europe. I reserved plane tickets last week. We'll be going for 3 weeks at the beginning of October. We'll be flying to Milan, Italy, and from there driving to Bucharest, Romania, through the Alps!!! I am super excited about this. I've always dreamed of seeing Heidi country (Switzerland), always had this image of her granfather's hut on top of the montain, with the hayloft where Heidi slept and the fresh milk they shared. And now, we'll be driving through the Austrian alps (which to me is close enough to the Swiss Alps), and the Italian Dolomites, and I am so excited. The kids want to visit lots of castles, which should be easy. I want to see cows on alpine meadows and Ed, I think he mostly wants to stay away from crowded places and see how Europeans practice small scale agriculture, which I do too.

Peace

Thank you to my dad, for sharing this with me

Instead of being critical, search inside yourself and be honest about what is true. Then, out of that honesty and understanding, do what you can.

 https://youtu.be/ipe6CMvW0Dg

Peace

Invitation to Shundahai event on GMO foods

A few weeks ago, Ed's mom, the girls and I went to the Capitol in  Hartford for a GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) labeling meeting. I was very impressed by Tara, the speaker and creator of GMO Free CT, how eloquently she presented to our political representatives the case of why GMO foods should be labeled.
As I said before, I want our farm to be a vehicle of positive change, not just grow food, and I think that the GMO issue is one that everyone needs to know about for their own best interest, and that of the environment. So, after that Capitol meeting, I invited Tara to come to our farm and give a talk on GMOs. To my great excitement, she accepted.
Now I want to get the word out to as many people as possible about this upcoming FREE event. Here is the flyer I put together for the event, and I ask that you pass it along and spread the word if you feel so inclined.

Peace

Sena's challenge

For a few months now, Sena has been involved with a youth organization from Ellington, CT, called "Decide to be kind". The mission of this organization is to build a kinder, more compassionate community. One of the ways they hope to achieve this is by challenging people with different goals, such as donating to the food bank, being kind to each other, being grateful, and so on.

Today, Sena filmed her challenge, titled "Be Kind to the Environment".
Here is her video:

The calves were licking Sena's boots almost the entire time she spoke, that's why she was looking down at them at the end, thinking "what are you guys doing?"

Peace

Grape Hyacinths on a misty morning - I wanted to post these especially for my mom, because I know she loves flowers

 Garlic visibly getting greener and taller every day

 In the greenhouse, claytonia, one of our favorite salad greens

And mixed asian greens, also amazing in salad at this time of year

Sena was asked recently to write an article in the Cetacean Society International newsletter about her latest work with helping the whales. I will post it when it is published.

Peace