Trespassing ~

I'm not sure additional words should accompany this image, for the point is made loud and clear.  Although, when I stop to think about it, too few people are actually getting the point.  We need to wake up and restore sustainable, organic land practices to the Earth ~ the soil, the dirt, the very thing we are made of, we live from, we return to.  Is it that hard to do?  Or will the greedy forces of humanity continue to reign supreme when it comes to the use of chemicals, pesticides, genetically engineered seeds, and unethical 'farming' practices?  

I love this planet I call home, the dirt beneath my feet, the food that maintains and keeps my body healthy and alive, the water I drink, the air I breathe, the stunning vista visions which surround me, and I refuse to just accept the common food/farm/agriculture practices of today's society.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed and defeated by what I consider a personal trespassing upon me and my family, I choose to continue to educate myself and make a difference in every way I can. Obviously, I do not have millions of dollars to fight the aggressive conglomerates {aka chemical trespassers}, but I do believe there is power in numbers; people who wish to go back to the days when organic didn't seem to carry the weight of 'privileged and wealthy' but rather as it has always  meant to be ~ simple, pure, healthy living for all mankind.  

[Reverie-Daydream Image]

Bees ~

 

"It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning

no matter what sort of heartbreak is happening."

~ Sue Monk Kidd

This past weekend, we had a little documentary fest at our abode.  One of the  viewings was of Vanishing Of The Bees.  Eye, heart, and mind opening in every way.  Damn us humans for messing up nature's perfect harmony.  Newsflash, in case you didn't know it, BEES are essential to life.  They are vanishing because of pesticides.  I've always been enamored with these buzzing little beauties, but now it's time to BEE the change we need to be in this world to help keep these vital lifelines strong and happy.  

Watch this film and you will agree.  

DIRT! and Ayurveda, art of being were the other two films we enjoyed and highly recommend.  Important stuff that feeds good knowledge to your mind {and soul}.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

Growing ~

This weekend, the crumb and I visited Tara Firma Farms.  I left there a different person, a person seeking a way to be a part of this amazing place.  I'm not sure when or how this is going to happen, but my heart danced there, my senses were in overdrive, and my desire for a deeper knowledge of bio-intensive gardening needs to be nurtured. 

Tara and Craig Smith founded this farm in 2009, and I was blown away that neither of them had any farm background when they purchased this 300-acre property.  The Omnivore's Dilemma is what changed their life causing them to step away from their corporate jobs in order to help balance the needs of environment and nutrition via a harmony with land and animals.  So far, it is remarkable what they have accomplished and are offering to the community. 

Tara gave us a tour of the farm which included baby chicks {biggest deal ever for the crumb}, goats, a new to the world baby bull, baby owls, piglets, and the vegetable gardens.  She spoke freely, proficiently, and brilliantly.  I could have listened to her stories, ideas, lessons, and facts for hours, and I did ask how I could learn more about the bio-intensive farming from their mastermind gardener, Elijah.  I'm hoping a valid answer is forthcoming...

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

POP!

Pop! Pop! Pop! ~ don't you just love to hear the sound of popcorn popping?  The transformation of these little kernels filling up our bowls as we gather around for foreign film night {my vow to learn French one way or another} is definitely a fall/winter weekly ritual.

I'm old-fashioned when it comes to popcorn ~ stove-top popping is the only way {especially since I refuse to own a microwave, gasp!}.  Heat up organic coconut oil, add the golden corn, and let the magic begin!  Upon transferring to the bowl, add a  hefty sprinkle of Himalayan salt.  Voilà: a perfect snack!

Always looking for a few new tasty tricks, so what's your favorite way to add a bit of flavor to popcorn?

Plum Pretty

Ladies (and gentlemen), we all know the importance of finding the ultimate hair stylist/colorist; you know, the one person who can turn those locks into fabulousness! I've been quite lucky for many years to have come across talented colorists, but my luck hit the jackpot of gold when I discovered Danica, the genius and hip goddess behind The Plum Organic Beauty, a fully holistic beauty environment. She works with organic hair color, free of toxins and ammonia, along with organic shampoos, styling products and even organic and bamboo towels in an effort to respect the health of each individual.

Truly, Danica is above and beyond any one else I have ever met in this industry - she fills her very chic space [which includes vintage furniture, reclaimed barn-wood beams as room dividers, and low-VOC paints] with her contagious joy for life and passion for offering healthy, earth-friendly beauty to her clients. Her philosophy sums the Plum up perfectly: a holistic living salon where your truest beauty is encouraged from within and treated organically from without.

I left the Plum feeling incredible! My hair is happy with its vibrant hues of golden bliss, and I am so thankful to Danica for raising the bar even higher when it comes to pure organic living. She definitely rocked my world with her plum pretty style!

****And in keeping with the organic theme, don't forget to enter the Ilha Organics giveaway here.****

Sweet Tooth

I'll admit it...I LOVE really good gelato! It doesn't matter if it's summer or the middle of winter, I gleefully enjoy a petite scoop of this creamy perfection any time of the year. So you can imagine my sheer delight when the most incredible gelateria opened near our house - Cici (pronounced the Italian way, "chee chee").

This gelato is artisanal...meaning Michael and Liana (the owners) make every flavor from scratch in the kitchen above the shop! They use organic ingredients including Straus milk and cream (which is my ULTIMATE favorite dairy farm), organic eggs, and local fruit. The flavors change with the seasons according to what is available fresh from local farms. Some of the flavors yesterday included: Toasted California Pistachio, Organic Blackberry (yes, it's the stunning purple one in the photo! AND they just happened to hand-pick the blackberries on their way to work that morning!), Organic Coffee & Honey, Organic Fresh Spearmint & Chocolate Chip, Organic Strawberries & Cream, Fior di Latte (the Straus dairy sweet cream which is always offered and one of my very favorites), Organic Lemon Sorbetto, and at least 6 other flavors that will make your taste buds swoon!

I'm not sure if having this delectable gelateria near me is a good thing or not because every where we go, I compare the gelato to Cici...and I've yet to find anything that supersedes any of their creamy scoops. Michael and Liana are not only my gelato heroes, but they also operate Cici as a green business (less packaging, compost food waste, eliminate paper waste, and recycle - not to mention they deliver gelato locally via a very cool bike!) because they honor and respect our one Earth.

As you can imagine, supporting this local independently-owned business is a delicious pleasure!

[photo by Reverie-Daydream]