Category Archives: Life

These herbs are fresh

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We became members of the GreenStar Co-op after we moved to the Ithaca area. Co-ops are rather unique because its members are also its owners. Not only do they get the products and services they need, but also have a say in the Co-op’s business decision. As Co-ops go, GreenStar is pretty awesome with three locations in the small college town of Ithaca. I love their progressive focus on building a sustainable future, using profits in the local community, purveying many products from local farmers, supporting local schools and nonprofits, and harnessing the sun for its energy use. They even offer classes on cooking, nutrition, and environmental topics. They are undoubtedly a positive force in the community and we are so happy to be a part of it.

Whenever I walk into the Co-op, I am always amazed how happy everyone seems to be, whether they are working or shopping. Talk about good vibrations! It always seems like a wonderful place to work or volunteer, so every time I passed the employment/volunteer board I would look, hoping to find an opening in the Wellness department with hours that would fit my chaotic schedule. Last fall, I was overjoyed to see the perfect day and time available, and found out it was in the bulk herbs section.  It was perfect! I have a passion for buying in bulk. I even bring my jars to refill and the thought of being around herbs for a morning every week seems like a match made in heaven ~ and it is!

Not only do I get to be surrounded by all the lovely aromas of over 170 herbs and teas, I am learning a lot. I always knew the bulk herbs I was buying were much fresher than the any bottle of herbs but I had no idea how fresh. At GreenStar, they have someone refilling the bulk herbs daily. They order an average of 40-50 pounds of herbs each week. It takes me two hours to make sure all the jars are filled. If an herb is not being purchased on a regular basis, they don’t keep it around because there is no need to waste the shelf space; there are so many herbs vying for space. These herbs are fresh.

Just think about it ~ when you are buying prepackaged bottled herbs, you really have no idea how long they have been sitting on the shelf. In addition, you are committed to that specific amount. It’s not a big deal when you use the herb on a regular basis but from time to time, we all cook something that needs only a tablespoon of a specific herb that we will probably not use again for another year or more. And the cherry on top, over 80% of the herbs are organic while costing less than pre-packaged herbs. Who wants to buy a full bottle? Not me, so it’s a no brainer ~ buy the amount you need from the bulk herb section. It’s fresher and you can buy what you need, not what they want to sell you.

If you’ve never thought about shopping at a Co-op, I suggest you check out your local store. Here’s a directory to help you locate your neighborhood Co-op. You’ll be happy you did.

Learning the natural flow

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When moving to a new home and land, I always felt it was wise to pause and observe it for the first year. Live with it, learn it, collect information; get intimate with its natural flow so you can make adjustments that better suit you and your family. Hey, a new home may feel good, but nothing is perfectly matched, everything needs some tweaks or adjustments. However, it is important to pace yourself and pay attention.

I think this process is especially important when looking at the land. Basically, you need to know what’s there and how the land evolves over the seasons. After being on our new land during most of the summer, it may be shrewd to go through two years without making any major changes. Frankly, I have had very little time to really be with the land and experience its nuances, as I have been so busy with painting, packing and moving throughout the magical time of spring and summer.  Most of my time outdoors has been spent relieving the plants from the strangle hold of vines: Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) and Bindweed/Wild Morning Glory (Convolvulus arvensis). And folks, those vines are very impressive, they do not need much time to swallow up plants let alone trees and shrubs. Although Wild Cucumber can cover entire trees, thank goodness, it is very easy to pull off its hosts but Bindweed really grabs hold and refuses to let go unless you unravel it and get to their roots. They really know how to anchor in deep. Along with removing vines, I’ve widened paths and tried to balance the plants on the land, as some seem to have more advantage over others.

Wild Cucumber

Bindweed

As a forager, my desires and the land’s needs will need time to adjust to each other. I can see now that it will need a lot more attention than I’m wired for. Typically, I help the land awaken in the spring and forage my way around it through the seasons. But I fear that it will no longer be sufficient anymore. Therefore, we will need to come up with some compromises as the relationship of steward and land evolves. I have no idea what that means at this moment but know it will take time to evolve as I live with it, learn it, collect information; get intimate with its natural flow.