My holiday wish list....

If you like this letter, please share it.

I am asking for a gift from everyone I know, it is not a gift from a store, it is nothing you can buy. What I am asking for is for everyone I know, every friend, family member, neighbor and everyone who reads this, to help save my children and grandchildren. From those who are already working hard I am gratefully asking for even more.
Here is the beginning of the article from the Washington Post that inspired my own gift this year; "Climate researchers now predict the planet will warm by 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century even if the world's leaders fulfill their most ambitious climate pledges, a much faster and broader scale of change than forecast just two years ago, according to a report released by the United Nations Environment Program." (11-25-09) This might be one of the darker predictions but even if you don't fully trust these facts, a small percentage of a chance of this happening is too high of a risk. I personally put seat belts on my children every time we get in the car even though the chance of being in a accident it much lower. This means we have no cushion of time to act and all of our actions must be much bolder than we have as countries, communities and individuals have committed to so far. Now is our time to take our power and defend our future. The facts are scary and I will not go into them, except to say this is a future we do not want to go to. Weaning ourselves from oil and coal needs to become our primary focus. Nuclear is too dangerous to be a real alternative and until truly renewable energy in found this mean we need to safely power down. We need to step up our actions, recycling a few cans is not going to fix it, we need more.
This is as if we have gone to the Doctor and she has told us we have a terminal illness and unless we change our diet and life style drastically we have a very high chance of dieing young. We have a choice, we can become depressed and not even try, we can ignore the Dr.'s advice and keep sitting around eating junk food and then every now and then take a bit of broccoli, or we can really change our diet and get more exercise, not easy, but doable and in the long run more enjoyable. The big difference is that it is not just our own lives we are talking about but that of our children and grandchildren. It is also something we can not do alone. It does not matter what I do if others do not change also and if we allow corporations and governments to go on with business as usual. We must all work and change together.
We need not think of this as a sacrifice because really we can make our community better as we do this. We can have fun, have better connections with our families and neighbors, better health, and more beauty around us.
For my best friends wedding gift I decided not to fly to her wedding in Florida but to give and her future children the gift of working my hardest to save this beautiful planet and all of our grand children. For my own children's gift I have recommitted myself to spreading the word on why we need to change, how now is the time, and changing myself.
I recently heard an essay about Hope, in which it was said that hope is for things we do not have power over. On my way home in the evening I do not "hope" I will make dinner. I say "I am going to go home and make dinner." Scientists agree that Global Climate change is happening and is caused mostly by human activity, that means we can influence it, we have power. We do not need to "hope" that we stop climate change. We can simply say "we will stop climate change."
So again what am I really asking for, for Christmas? That you talk to everyone you know about global warming and how we can slow it. If you have not already joined in the efforts, research what needs to be done and join others that are already working. Demand from our politicians much higher carbon emissions standards and energy efficiency standards. Demand we take away corporate "person hood." Help take back our food system, get out of your car, don't buy stuff, buy local. Hold businesses accountable. Hold each other accountable. Hold me accountable. Support each other, take care of what we have, repair, reuse, relearn...... Let the momma and papa bear that is inside of you out and do whatever you can to protect the future of all of our children...... Blessings and may you enjoy all the gifts you have today.

http://permaculture.tv/wake-up-and-freak-out/ So well done
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE6Kdo1AQmY simple funny but right on
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092402602.html

my first power down day

I posted this on the Trasition web site too but since i have this blog i thought I would keep it up to date!

A few weeks ago Xav Leplae brought up the idea of an off the grid or power down week with me. which I love and am very excited about us possibly doing in Riverwest in the spring. But then as I talked with others and we batted around the idea on the Transition yahoo group I heard about the idea of power down days. So I started inviting others to pick a day with me. The idea as I see it is that every family or individual can choose what power down means to them. If that means a day with out the radio and that is all you feel comfortable and ready for than take that first step and try just that. The idea is not to be uncomfortable but to learn for ourselves what what we truly need to be comfortable, happy and healthy. The biggest thing for me about this day is that although I may do it with just my family we are are not doing it alone, but we are doing it with a community. with the in put of a few friends I picked Saturdays for the power down days in Milwaukee's Riverwest but now I have friends Madison and other places that are doing it too.

For my first day I set using no electric beside my fridge, ( I also left my phone and answering machine on and answered the phone a few times. ) I turned the heat down to 55. I planned on turning my hot water off but didn't get to doing that. I also did not use my car at all even though I had a job across the city.

highlight of my power down day:
one of the best things about this day is that it forced me to not turn on the radio or computer leaving me much more available for my children, a perfect reason to do it on the weekend. Being off the Grid in this way is weird at first if you are used to being able to hook in when ever you want. I have been pushing myself on this before this power down day and it has been so nice for me that I have been inspired to turn them on less on other days and already I am getting used to being less plugged in.

I turned the heat down to 55 but it stayed warmer because it was so mild out and we baked bread to warm up kitchen in am. I think I will try turning down to 50 next weekend, (which it may not go down to unless it is deeply cold out. ) We are getting used to dressing warmer, sweaters, even a hat inside in the evening. I am also learning that if you don't sit at a computer or desk you stay warmer!

most of my bus rides are normally rather short and I have been driving to jobs that are across town. for my first power down day I took two buses to get to 95th and greenfield from riverwest. I must have missed my first bus but as I waited for the bus I relearned how it is a great time to do a few stretches and it was a beautiful sunny morning. after that I had good luck with buses, crocheted 2 washcloths ( I mainly only crochet while the bus is stopped because I get sick if I look down too much, if I didn't I would read and take the bus ALL the time! ) I also got practice talking about the weather and making conversation which really was nice.
Here i will say although I did my ride on Saturday without my kids I find the bus a wonderful way to spend time with kids. waiting for the bus we often have time to play...tag, walking backwards etc. On the bus you can see what your children are looking at and hold little children.
We baked chicken for dinner, than the best part was eating dinner by candle light, After dinner my mom played the piano and we danced by candle light too which was a truly magical way to end the day.
I am really excited about this and see how it is changing how I behave already and am really hoping it will grow!! Power Down with me!!

http://transitionmilwaukee.ning

fruity, nutty 350

I have joined up with Transition Milwaukee and The Victory Garden Initiative to challenge Milwaukee to plant at least 350 fruit and nut trees bushes or vines by Oct 24th the international day of action. Join Us. you can plant one on your own or check the VGI website if you want to volunteer to plant else where. We are working on setting up a few actions people can join in. http://thevictorygardeninitiative.com/ Minors Harden center told me they have lots of good edibles left and they
also my favorite Milwaukee group; http://transitionmilwaukee.ning.com/ hope to post more about this later!
make an actio yourself because this in the number we all need in our heads to save our world!! 350.org

How I do the no knead bread recipe

             This recipe was based on the New York Times no knead bread recipe when I started.   Now I make this bread mainly with fresh rolled grains; oats, wheat, barley, a little flax, lentils, and sunflower seeds etc mixed with some store bought flour for lightness.  Whole grains spoil quickly once they are milled, so it is hard to buy fresh and tasty whole wheat flour and bread.  I believe that this is the main reason many people think they don't like whole wheat.  They most likely just don't like the taste of spoiled grain which gets bitter and dull and makes dry bread.   (Listen to Michale Pollan and Amy Goodman talk about this on D.N)   I make my batches with as much as 4 and 1/2 cups grains and I let it sit sometimes for 2 days, it is not as light but it has a nice mild sour taste.
I recommend making this recipe as I have it below first, learn that texture of the dough then make it bigger.   I don't have exact measurements for a larger batch at the moment.   I like this bread more than kneaded yeast dough that I was making with the bread machine. the crust is a little harder sometimes but it tastes less yeasty and slices nicer. If you bake it just a little on the under done side and add a tad more water the crust can be softer.

3 Cups grains and flour.  Rolled grains have more air or space in them, when I started I did about half flour, half home rolled grain.
1/4 teaspoon yeast
1 & 1/4 teaspoon salt ( I use a little less)
just a hair over 1 & 1/2 cups warm water

mix together until it is all wet
put it in greased baking dish or glass bread pan
cover it and let it sit 12-20 hours, I put it on top of the fridge.
bake at 350 - 400 for around 45-60 min,
Take out of pan but don't wash your pan, after a few uses it get easier to get the bread out.

For a while I made two loaves at the same time because they go so fast.    I also mixed all the dry ingredients together for 6 batches at a time and put the extra batches in jars on a shelf then the next morning I only need to add water and put it on top of the fridge for the next batch while I am baking that days. SO EASY.   for treats add raisins, cinnamon spices etc.

After doing this for a few months I know the right texture and have learned that you can be a little loose with the measurements. ( like I put in a tad less salt a bit more flour and water sometimes...)
here is a link to the grain roller I use.
http://www.lehmans.com/store/Natural_Goods___Hand_Cranked_Items___Roller_Mill_for_Grain___16595?Args=&customField1=W9

Christmas in July

this was my last article in the Riverwest Currents, Christmas in July
Now is the perfect time to get ready for the winter gift giving season. If this makes you feel that I am pushing it as summer has just arrived, think of this as a way to slow down time, to make sure you are not rushed in the end of fall and early winter. A way to make sure you don't waste money and time shopping for gifts that are not needed or maybe even not wanted. Now is the perfect for three reasons;
No. 1 Time is on your side. Start thinking and working now and you can get a lot done with out feeling like you are drudging though anything. Take a hobby you have or have always wanted to learn and materials you may already have around the house and start making small gifts for gift giving to extended family. Knit, paint, cut, nail etc. I am crocheting cotton washcloths this year while I am at meetings, on the bus etc. Bird houses, earrings, homemade stationary, hot pads, soap, paint on t-shirts or personalized shopping bags are all ideas that might help you get started. Homemade candles made out of remnants of old candles might really get burned. some of these projects are fun to do with kids too when you need an activity to fill the summer hours.
No. 2 The Rummage sale season continues and shopping for others is the perfect way to enjoy these sales without filling your own home with things you don't need. Make sure you buy gifts with specific people in mind other wise you do run a risk of creating a stuff problem which most of us still need to avoid. If you are really into this you can keep notes of gifts that might be needed or wanted i.e.: Anna, bread maker, blue plates for mom... or keep an eye out for the materials for those craft gifts you might be making.
No. 3 Seasonal ingredients from your yard, our farmers markets or local farms are readily available and affordable. Herb infused vinegar's (I love mint), pickles, jams and jellies, or elderberry syrup for flu's are all useful, healthy, easy to make with local harvest, and far more affordable if you make them yourself than they are from the stores. This turns the holiday season into a time of trading summers harvest. Be creative with the bounty, there is plenty of information on the internet or in the library to get you started. These gifts also gives us something to enjoy and remind us of the warmer months just when we need it!
No matter what enjoy these blessed summer months when the earth and sun are giving us so many gifts, many of which we can share.

Experts and a few things they got wrong

Experts and a few things they got wrong about my families bodies and health and why we would should change how we live to one of trusting ourselves and sitting on the floor!

As a child my mother taught us that hydrogenated oils such as those in processed peanut butter were bad for us. My memory was that it was bad for your heart and joints. She learned this from an alternative source. It made sense to me.
It took the "Experts" until 25 years to except this idea and tell the masses of people. My mother also told me that prunes are good for relieving constipation. You still to this day will never read that on a label of prunes as it has not been "proven"

I have read and been told a lot of miss information. I have also not been given a lot of correct information.
In 2001 I read in a book by a doctor that my uncircumcised sons foreskin would pull back by the time he was 2 years old. It didn't. When I talked to my neighbor, who also had an uncircumcised boy she had read the same thing somewhere else and her sons also had not.

Experts also miss led me with the use of antibiotics and ear infection. when my first son was less than two I took him in for a well baby check up and the Doc told me that he had an ear infection and her was a prescription for some antibiotics. I knew about the over use of anti antibiotics so I went home to do some research on my own and found a preponderance of evidence that I would be putting my son in harms ay if I did not use the antibiotics. We then started on a long and painful roller coaster of ear infection and antibiotics that did not work until when he was 5 he finally had tubs put in his ear. We will never know if that roller coaster of infections was related to the antibiotics but since than the American pediatrics has changed what they recommend and both of my sons have had ear infections, including burst ear drums, that under the guidance of an experienced doctor we have not treated. these infections clear up easily on their own and I don't have to go to the doctor every three weeks.

Here is another one. Early potty training and diaper use in the US. An estimated 27.4 billion disposable diapers are used each year in the US, resulting in a possible 3.4 million tons of used diapers adding to landfills each year.
As of this writing you can still find all over the internet and at all the MD sites that I found that children are mostly ready to potty train between the ages of 2 and 3. Here is a quote from one site " Before the age of two, the release of solid and fluid waste is generally involuntary. Most children only BEGIN to develop control of these muscles around their second birthday. " they often also say that starting earlier is "risky" It has been suggested that they are protecting me from abusing my child incase he doesn't learn quickly. Well I am sorry but my children don't need to be protected threw misinformation.

It happens again that I have a second weird child, It turns now that this one that knew how to control his own body. He also knew how to take in fluids and some solids at this time so it was helpful that he was aware of both ends. It also happens that many children around the world are like my son and learn to control them selves be for two and most before 3. I am not sure what is in the water in the US that makes most of our children different but I guess they must be something.....!

One of the great things that happened when I was doing early potty training with my son (I don't really like the term elimination communication, it's just too.... ? "experty"
I had been putting my son, at the time around 6 month old, in cloth diapers and cotton pants with no diaper covers or liners so that I would know when he went but I was trying to catch when he need to go. I had been trying to write down when ever he went in relation to when he had slept eaten, nursed etc. I am a bit lazy and I wasn't doing the greatest at this task and was a bit disappointed in myself, when my mother sat down at the piano and started to play, I think it was a moonlight sonata and I found myself humming along right in sink SP? with her and every note. Now I do not play any instrument and do not know anything of how to read or write music, I had never made myself sit down and focus on her playing and yet my brain know every note she was to play before she even played it. Ah the epiphany " My brain is a computer, I don't need to write down the data

Chairs and back pain. Ok so here this one I have no proof about as of yet. there seems to be little to read about this either way unless I do a lot of research...which guess what? I don't want to do so: Low back pain is very significant health problems in the US. Consider these statistics from the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
* Seventy to 85 percent of all people have back pain at some time in their life.
* Back pain is the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people younger than 45 years old.
That is all the information I have except that I know a lot of americans spend a lot of time sitting chairs and unless we come from wealth most of our ancestors didn't. I see my parents as they get older having a hard time getting down on the floor with my children to play and I felt myself getting stiffer also. I also know from talking to those that have visited "3rd world" countries that many people are still very flexible and still spend much time squatting or sitting on the floor or ground. I see this mentioned NO WHERE on websites that talk about back pain. So what am I doing? Last year I put my kitchen table on the floor and I am suggesting you do it too. I also am suggesting you look at all the aspect of your and ask yourself could or did my ancestors do this or eat this? if they didn't is it ok for me. Going to the movie, my great grandparents didn't do go but I think I'll still go. Eating white bread every day? driving to work everyday and not walking no I don't need a study to tell me that isn't right and neither do you.

I am going to post my old greenfolks garden notes reprinted from the Riverwest Currents.....

GREEN FOLKS GARDEN NOTES (from riverwest Currents) January 2009
In November I wrote about the importance of our elected officials supporting the growing food independence movement. I have since learned of a wonderful grass roots movement that is focusing on encouraging just this by asking our future president to put a food garden on the White House lawn. Late this past summer the Who (White House Organic) farm bus stopped in riverwest as they traveled around the country with a mission to spread the word about encouraging our future president to grow food on our national lawn. Currently our tax dollars currently pay for 13 workers to care for the White House lawn and gardens and no food is grown on it. We also pay for the food served at the White House! The gardens proposed could grow produce for the White House and guests, as well as provide extra for local food pantries. What an amazing way to spend money wisely as you inspire and lead by example! It turns out a garden like this wouldn't be the first. Eleanor Roosevelt started one in the 1940's to encourage people to support the war effort. It has been noted that not only was up to 40% of our produce grown in home gardens for a time, but also the activity was a moral booster. Gardening feels good and allows people to actively contribute and care for themselves in troubled times. Urban Gardening is good for the health of out plant because it doesn't create green house gases, shipping food does. Eat the View, another great organization pushing the White House garden, says "On average food travels 1,500 miles from field to fork in the US" and "One half of the greenhouse gas emissions we create come from food and Agriculture." Eat the View also has an inspiring video/photo montage (I have never cried at a picture of a tomato before.) Check out these websites; eattheview.org & thewhofarm.org. Sign their petitions, spread the word and then get ready to be a role model yourself and plant a garden of next spring! Contact the greenfolks at greenfolksgarden@gmail.com or call 372-3824.

GREEN FOLKS GARDEN NOTES (from riverwest Currents) Nov 2008
A new president, financial crises and gardening, what do they have in common? Our need to look to the future both with optimism and realism. The financial crises has reminded us how our interconnectedness can lead to vulnerability and sudden changes. The future is unknowable. What is knowable is that we will all need to eat and sustain ourselves. Leadership needs to help us prepare not just for the present but different possible futures. In some ways our cities have become islands of humanity dependent on a complex agricultural and shipping systems which are totally dependent on cheap oil. This dependency means we are at the mercy of oil availability and prices.
Cuba, a real island, in an interesting example of what can happen. In 1989 Cuba started experiencing a food shortage caused by the combination of trade embargo's and the collapse of the Soviet block. With a sudden reduction in access to both oil for distribution and refrigeration as well as a shortage of imported food there was a real crises. One of the ways that the Cuban people got important nutrients was threw urban gardens. Many of these gardens were organized by the government. Fresh nutritious produce is expensive to ship and refrigerate but can be grown and harvested in small urban plots rather efficiently. Currently 5% of Cuban urban food needs are met by urban gardens and it is predicted that it may go up to 20% in the future. (for info on this I went to cityfarmer.org)
Obviously the U.S. is a very different country than Cuba in many ways and we are not currently facing a food crises but we can learn form Cuba's experience. Urban gardens are an important way we can support our oil independence and food security. We could have campaigns, such as the victory gardens of WWI & II. Instead of victory gardens, I suggest we name them "Independence Gardens" The urban gardening movement is already well underway but political leadership from the national to the local level will help to inspire, priorities and organize these efforts. Gardening is part of reclaiming our power and individual responsibility for caring for ourselves. I am hopeful that the new leaders and representatives that are elected this Nov. 4th will recognize the wonderful importance of urban gardens and farms and join in supporting the movement. And of course if you aren't gardening yet you can join in the movement too! Plan a garden in your yard next year or join the a community garden for more information try www.milwaukeeurbangardens.org, contact the greenfolks at greenfolksgarden@gmail.com or call 372-3824 .


GREEN FOLKS GARDEN NOTES (from riverwest Currents) Aug 2008
The Green Folks Garden currently has only one milkweed plant growing but it is well watched and cared for as milkweed is the host plant for monarchs butterflies. My family has a nice stand of milkweed next to our house from which my son picked some leaves that had the tiny butterfly eggs on them. We have been enjoying watching the caterpillars grow and change into chrysalises. As a woman who has given birth to two children I have a new respect for monarchs. Watching the caterpillar (or larva stage) change into a chrysalis is like watching a creature give birth with its whole body. First after fattening up from about the size of a grain of sand to a fat two inches caterpillar in about 11 days they got nice an sleepy and hung upside down for half a day or so. Then they started to move again, wiggly and writhing until their skin burst open and there was the bright green chrysalis, smaller than I had imagined but beautiful. At first there is a shadow image of the caterpillar still in the shape of the chrysalis but as that fades two perfect bracelets of tiny gold dots appear, one tightly spaced and the other widely spaced. Seeing these gold leaf decorations on the egg like forms does make one wonder if there is some great hand out there that designed and painted them. If you don't already have milk weed in your life I highly recommend planting some. You can plant them from seeds of plants already in the neighborhood or they can be ordered for free from this website: http://www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds.htm If you don't have a yard, come by the GFG and check out our milk weed to see if it has any butterflies growing on it!


GREEN FOLKS GARDEN NOTES (from riverwest Currents) July 2008

"In memory of Walter Kmet, a proud riverwest resident since 1962 whose passion for gardening brought him much joy. His hope would be that this garden also bring you joy." These are the words on a memorial stone that has been added to the greenfolks garden. In Walter's honor his son Ken Kmet, of KWK Electric, donated a generous contribution for purchasing the plots last year. Already Walter's hope and spirt have come true for me and my family as the joy the garden has brought us is immeasurable. I am sure I speak for many in the community when I say Thank you Walter and Ken.

And now on to more serious matters, I am going to admit here in this public forum that I break the law and trespass on other peoples property.....to weed. And worse yet, bad mother that I am, I have taught my son to do this also. Our enemy is garlic mustard and when we are walking across riverwest we and we see a yard with just a plant or two we run up and yank them out with or without permission. Once established garlic mustard is established it is almost impossible to get rid of without extreme effort. Weed seeds do not understand boundaries. Even if my neighbor doesn't care about their weeds, I may care about their seeds as they blow and drop into my yard. Sometimes we ring doorbells of yards that look cared for and have told a number of people who were glad to know what a nasty, invasive weed they had. More than one new gardener had been letting it grow as they didn't know what it was and thought it's green leaves were attractive or that it might be a nice perennial. However we don't always take the time to ring bells,and for this we apologize. We are obsessed and despise the future we imagine of garlic mustard around every bush and tree and beside all the houses except for the few homes where gardeners spray poisons or are fanatical weeders. Three years ago at the Green Folks Garden we had a number of garlic mustard plants show up near the back of our plot. I walked around our neighbors fence and sure enough there were quite a few plants. The neighboring plot is owned by an absentee land lord who had been supportive of the garden so I felt very comfortable stepping among the forgotten day-lilies and pulling the dreaded pest of a plant. I got to it before they went to seed and have been very diligent weeding up any stragglers for the last few years and this year I only found two plants in our whole plot, and none in the neighbors. That experience started my illicit weeding habit. Garlic mustard is spreading through Riverwest and Milwaukee, and there may come a day when we look back fondly on weedy yards of dandelions, plantains, violets and creeping charley but until then it would be great to have more people join the fight, If you don't have a yard and think weeding up such a fun foe might be something you enjoy the river trails are full of it and a battle is currently being waged by many volunteers and nature lovers. If you have kids get them involved as fighting this weed is a great way to channel their natural destructive urges! Every child I have ever taught to recognize this plant has continued weeding it with glee.
Although garlic mustard is fun to hate I also have come to have an odd affinity for it since I heard someone call humans the the mammalian weed. Garlic mustard and people have a lot in common. Like us, garlic mustard spreads wherever it can and takes over, ruthlessly pushing out almost all other species. So I will hate it and I will forgive it as I hope others will forgive me, for being an invasive weeding neighbor. for more info. feel free to contact me or join the Urban Ecology Centers "burdock brigade", there is also plenty of information on line.
As of print there is still room in our July kids activities in the garden: yogakids and story time. contact me Sarahworks@wi.rr.com or call 975-2521

GREEN FOLKS GARDEN NOTES (from riverwest Currents) June 2008
With gas prices rising the cost of shipping a lemon is starting to be seen at the store. A lemon is really pricey if you are looking at an organic one. But I have a solution, (at least for the spring and summer.) Lemon Sorrel, one of the two herbs I have already enjoyed from my garden this year. Lemon Sorrel is a perennial, so it comes back every year, and grows extremely well and care free in my somewhat shady home garden. It may not be exactly like a lemon but it sure is close and definitely satisfies my need for tang. If you use it as a garnish on hot food it does sometimes turn a rather unattractive army green color, but the taste is worth it. The other perennial herb I have used already this year is Anise Hyssop. What I have been using is some of the volunteer seedling I have been weeding up, however the main plant that I have left is growing quickly and I think in just a week or two I will be pinching from it also for its sweet licorice flavor. The flavor works wonderfully with basil so soon I am will be running over to Kellners Green House to get a few plants to go with it, (along with an egg plant and a few tomatoes, some cucumbers... oh thank you last frost date May 15th! ) I purchased the Lemon sorrel from Kellners also but ordered the Anise Hyssops from Fedco seeds, if you ask me in the fall I will have seeds of my own to offer, but I have never saved them as they reseed themselves so willingly.
Next month I plan on ranting about Garlic Mustard, the invasive weed that is the most fun to hate, but now is the time to be weeding it out so if you don't know what it looks like check out http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/invasives/fact/garlic.htm or go the urban ecology center or ask a friend if they know what it looks like because it is marching our neighborhoods and none of us want it in our yards! (I am also willing to meet and show anyone who is interested!)
If you are looking for summer activities for kids the Green Folks Garden is offering two great series: Yoga kids in the garden will be offered July 1st for 6 tuesdays in a row from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Children's storytelling in the garden is being offered Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. June 18th threw July 23rd. If you want to be part of our yoga support group in the garden, a more informal gathering, we are planning on having it on wednesday mornings once things have really warmed up (mid June?) For any info on any of the above or to sign up for the children's activities contact 975-2521 or email Sarahworks@wi.rr.com

GREEN FOLKS GARDEN NOTES (from riverwest Currents) May 2008
Earth Day clean up and work day In the garden was amazing! We had 21 volunteers show up. Our strawberry patch had crept and then walked and finally run over the paths until it was more than double in size so some radical gardening was in order. A lot of Strawberry plants were dug up and transplanted in a new patch but there are still a bunch in pots and flats in the back of the garden so if you want any come help yourself! All of our paths were edged, news papers were laid down and covered with wood chips from a generous piles the city had delivered on friday morning (just in time!) My son Andre had a great time helping and as he was shaking dirt from clumps of sod, he collected a hand full of chicory roots which he presented to me proudly. He had over heard a conversation that some of the other gardeners were having about how you could make a coffee substitute with them. Maybe we will save some dandelion roots as we garden the rest of to roasting with them. I will report back later in the season on how we like it! However I know I like dandelion wine and since I didn't make any last year I am definitely looking forward to making some this spring.
Most of the dandelion wine recipes I found seemed fussy or called for special wine yeast or other ingredients that I don't normally have around the house. So I adapted my own and found that wine is easy to make, (if you aren't very picky) However I I do rely on a lot of sugar. In my experience Milwaukee wants to be a forest, and sugar and yeast want to be wine. I am including my loose recipe so you can see how easy it can be. If you interested in doing it "right" there are tons of recipes online. I use around 6 cups of sugar, a colander of washed dandelion buds and flowers, juice from a lemon or orange or two, and a gallon of water. After you boil it all together for a while strain out the dandelions threw a piece of clean cotton cloth then put a teaspoon of yeast in it and let it ferment for 3 to 5 days. (In an enamel or non metal pot) Stirring is recommended but I often forget. Then put it in old wine bottles loosely corked (so the bottles don't explode) for at least a few weeks. Later on in the year you can siphon it into new bottles to leave the sediment behind. I have yet to do this, I just have wine with a little muck in the bottom of the bottle. The best part of making dandelion wine is having a reason to sit around a park for a hour of so just picking flowers, so have fun with it. If you don't like to drink it it makes a nice cooking wine.

GREEN FOLKS GARDEN NOTES (from riverwest Currents) Feb 2008
We are still enjoying food from the garden. My mother brought me a beautiful blue hubard sqaush that she had grown. It was not in a very cool place in our kitchen so this week a spot on it was starting to go bad and I had to bake it up quickly. It made a wonderful sweet soft moosh. I had been planning on freezing it in portions, to use in muffins, but before I got around to it I used it up. I put it in our morning hot cereal, in pancakes, heated it with apple chunks to serve with bratwerst, and added it to baked veggies and chicken. I never loved winter squash as child but now I love it!!!
In past years I have written in January and Febuary about looking at seed catalogs and day dreaming about spring, gardens and yards. Midwinter is a wonderful time to dream, but now I beleive we must dream beyond our own yards and plots to our neighborhood and city. As gas prices go up so will the cost of bringing fresh food into our city and our need to be more sustainable. I am already planning what Milwaukee and riverwest will look like in 10 years. We will make our city beautiful, people friendly, green and yummy. Our parks will be full of edible landscapes ranging from maple, apple and paw paw trees. There will be berry patches next to play grounds for children to pick as their june afternoon snacks. I also dream of neighborhood veggie farms where neighbors garden together splitting the harvest into shares. In my dream neighbors also encouraging each other to plant more fruit trees and garden their own yards. We are very lucky this year, the perfect event to share dreams and learn more about how to make them realities is happening in Milwaukee at the end of the month (see.... Urban ag...Pollinating Our Future......) The more of us go the closer we will be to making our dreams and plans real and our future healthy. Greenfolks Grarden meetings this month: Thursday the 7th and Monday the 18th (601 E Wright) @ 7:30 For more information call 975-2521 or email greenfolksgarden@gmail.com


GREEN FOLKS GARDEN NOTES (from riverwest Currents) Jan 2008

feed those kido’s their veggies in 2008!

It is mid december as I write this and for dinner last week we had greens from our garden that I picked two weeks ago. First that would be thanks to a warm fall, second to hearty kale and collards and third but not least thanks to green bags. If you don't know about them they are worth checking out. I got mine in the produce section of the Out Post Co-op. I don't remember the technical side of how they work, but they just look like green plastic bags. Your food stays fresh in them at least twice as long as with out them. Once I discovered them I stopped worrying about finishing all my produce before I left for vacation. I just made sure it was all in the green bags. Some of it wasn’t as good as truly fresh but still at least edible, which is nice to have when you arrive home after traveling with a family and don’t feel like running strait to the store.
So on the note of fresh produce, I am going to get a bit preachy here. Please forgive me.
My kids eat their veggies and I don’t think they are special. It’s nice to have a second one to test things out on. Both my babies loved plain yogurt, cooked broccoli and carrots as well as greens from the garden (as long as they are not too bitter) and I think anyone else's could too. What do I consider to be the main reasons? #1 start right and start early and simple. I see no reason to give a baby sweet yogurt when they love plain yogurt. This doesn’t mean babies and children shouldn't get treats, it just means you shouldn’t use a standard set by modern day convenience foods as a way of deciding what a baby thinks a treat is. For my babies fruits, yogurt and cheeses have all been considered great treats. #2 If they don’t like it at first let them try it again, and again and again. Some studies have shown that babies should be exposed to a food between 15 to 20 times before you decide to say they don’t like it. I think this amy be true for every one. When I was 18 I had cilantro for the first time and hated it. Within a year I loved it. Many times a baby seems to be becoming a "picky eater" but really it is just their way of testing their new found independence. If they don’t seem to like it try again later, but don’t just keep adding sugar to help them or your just be adding sugar from now on. #3 So you missed out on starting out “right” with your baby, there are still things you can do with older children. Think fresh. Fresh produce is not only better for you, it taste better. Both Andre and I hate old broccoli but love it when it is fresh. I bet this is why broccoli has such a bad rap as a veggie, too many people have had it old and over cooked. #4 Of course my favorite is grow your own fruits and veggies and/or let them help you cook them. My son loves to eat fresh salad strait from the garden or greens he helped pick sautéed with olive oil and garlic and served with little balsamic vinegar. #5 variety, Its good for everyone and keeps foods special.
I have my 8 year old eat at least a little bit of everything I cook, even if he says he doesn’t like it. But of course there are exceptions. Last month he got the flu after eating a huge bowl of cooked carrots. Needless to say, he doesn’t like cooked carrots any more. I would consider it cruel to make him eat them. Now I just leave a few raw for him. I also have always snuck veggies into our food. You can do amazing things by grating and pureeing veggies. I have put zucchini and pumpkin in our oatmeal, carrots in our chili and kale in pasta sauce! So join the “green folks’ and feed those kido’s their veggies in 2008!