| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 01:09:11 AM
THE MAVENS’ HAVEN
October 11, 2008
Mother Hen’s Musings
Welcome to MJ's Heirloom Mavens
Many times I find myself so immersed in this fast paced hectic life of mine that I lose connection. Now I'm not talking some gadget that will instantly connect me to another country. I'm talking about a nurturing connection. A time honored connection. A natural connection to life.
As a whole, Americans are losing touch with where their food comes from. Mass produced, genetically modified foods have led to crop failures, bee colony failures and e.coli outbreaks. People want to know where their food comes from and how it was grown. More and more people are reconnecting with heirloom gardening.
Heirloom gardening is experiencing a resurgence and in my opinion, it couldn’t happen at a better time. Seeds that have been around several decades are making their way back into the mainstream. People don’t care about those perfectly round, tasteless tomatoes in the grocer’s aisle anymore. Nope. People are wanting that old time Grandma's garden tomato so savory, it makes your cheeks tingle!
That s what MJ's Heirloom Mavens are about. We are a group of farmgirls, dedicated to the preservation and resurrection of heirloom seed. Grab a cup of chamomile tea, put up your feet and connect with us, with MaryJanes Farm and with Heirloom seed....
Mama Hen Dawn
The post that started it all…
FOOD~ Most of us know that we have animals that every year are placed on the Danger of Extinction lists, but did you know that there are list of foods that are in danger of Extinction as well? If you wonder why there is a new energy around heirloom seeds and foods it is because we are loosing so many great foods to Genetically modified foods...MaryJane offers so many great learning opportunities about this in the sisterhood with her book lists and more, so if you are looking for a reason to join the sisterhood this is just one GREAT one..And now with winter approaching you will find a little more time to read as you prepare for next years gardening... you can also check out www.slowfoodusa.org But I cannot help but wonder how different that list might look if each of us farmgirls found something on that list and committed to planting it, saving the seeds and passing them on... ha.. and earning a badge or two in the process.......really? endangered food? I don't think I want that on my watch!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
"Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. ~Michael P. Garafalo
This post sparked a fire that’s burned with intensity ever since. At the end of the day on September 30th, three weeks exactly from the initial post, the thread was 62 pages long – a total of 921 individual posts by my best calculation! Obviously Rene hit a nerve here. So come along, post away, and if this is your first introduction to MJ’s Heirloom Mavens and would like to join in, check out the Heirloom Maven’s Beginners Guide for tips on how to hit the ground running, er, scratching. http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=582 Because she has inspired us all to walk the maven talk, Rene Groom, is our……………
Maven of the Month
Like most things in my life, my journey to the Mavens has been a winding one. For those that are the closest to me, they have heard me describe myself as a “three brick learner”, meaning it usually takes God throwing bricks at me in order for me to “get a concept”. And my three brick experience in this journey was a total health breakdown. First being diagnosed with Lupus (a systemic disease that affects my joints and organs), then on the heals of that diagnoses... One of cancer (cervical and then breast)...see three brick~
Luckily the way I am built I tend to question “EVERYTHING”. I have a need to know why, or why not. So when I got sick I needed to know why, it didn’t seen normal that my body would break down the way it did, and all the roads of conventional medicine didn’t seem to work or make sense or answer the “why”. SO I began my own little “dive” into the unknown, the world of Holistic Health. I became fascinated with the genius of our own bodies and how they are capable of healing when given real “food”, not the things that SAD diet consisted of, but the things that are “real” living food, where enzymes haven’t been killed off and destroyed in the processing process. From there it was a short “leap” to Organics and then from Organics to Heirlooms.
To me there is something unsettling about the sense that “MAN” thinks he can improve on nature; there is arrogance in some way… to think that in a lab we can alter NATURE so that a chemical company can have the “upper hand” on the market, speaks volumes to me. I look at Wall Street and see so much of the same mentality. Recently while at a slow food dinner I heard one of the farmers tell another that a certain seed was no longer available in the US because it was now “owned” by one of these HUGE companies... and I have to admit, I sat there, trying to “wrap my head around this” and probably missed much of the rest of the evening…….”How can it be, that a “gift from nature” that was meant to be for “ALL”, was now kept “hostage” by a Chemical company”, I kept asking myself over and over again, I couldn’t grasp that that if you wanted this particular crop.. You had to now buy their seed, their GE seed none the less? How did we get here? was the next question I asked my self.. And how do we go back?
So my journey started at a cross road of health crisis I stood at the fork in the road and asked, WHY? The answers came through so many brilliant people who were willing to walk me into a world I knew little about; the world of Holistic Nutrition, where the word Organic was prevalent. From there; I began listening to farmers and nutritionists who would ask the question of heirloom. I didn’t know what heirloom was, in my mind I “got” that it was “old” crops, until a 90 year old man gently said, “Not old sweetie, just God engineered, not man engineered”. Those few words have haunted me and begged an answer to the question of “do I want food that was originally meant for being the perfect fuel, the perfect nutrition for my body, or do I want “food” that has been altered from its perfected state, that is intended to fill the pockets of a chemical company?” HMMM~ so my journey has landed me here… a maven; not because of all that I know but because of all that I believe. Like with every endanger thing, they need a hero and my goal is that my grandkids will still have the option to eat food as nature gave it, not just as man designed it and that you will do the same and teach someone else to do the same and so on, and so on.. That each of us will choose to be a hero in the lives of our friends, families and communities by keeping the heirlooms a viable option. As I look back down the road of my journey so far I cannot help but to think of the ancient Asian saying, “when the student is ready, the teacher will come”. This student is ready... And I will forever be grateful for all of the “teachers” that have come to help me walk the walk.
**** HOT TOPICS FROM THE LAST FEW WEEKS ****
Journaling
Are you keeping a journal of our travels? Here are a couple of thoughts on journal-keeping from Rene (prosserfarmgirl):
September 11, 2008 – 8:26pm
“I think we should all keep journals of all the things we are learning, all the sites given, all the things we "want" to accomplish etc. I just sense that the amount of "shifting" I will do from today on... Is going to be huge.”
October 1, 2008 – 10:48pm
I love everyone’s passion~ IN the very beginning I suggested that everyone get a journal and write down your OWN goals ~ some will have HUGE plans and others smaller... whatever the pace you choose is "PERFECT" for you. Every little baby step is still closer then we were yesterday. Some peoples contribution will be more then others and that is OK too.........Reading back through the thread tonight I was so impressed by how everyone was able to take a step back and breathe and come back out "ready to roll the sleeves up again".. We are a very diverse group and everyone’s strengths are needed in what ever measure we get them in........Great Job Mavens~
The Amazing List of Links and Books
Thanks to our incredible librarian, Annika (Annika), we have more links than you can shake a golf club at. This has been a group effort as mavens discover sites that are related directly or indirectly to living healthy and GE-free, Annika has organized them so that you can find just about anything the peaks your interest. http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=540
For the bookworms in the bunch – and aren’t we all at some level as we strive to learn more about this topic – there is “The Short, Unsorted Book List.” Be forewarned, it’s not that short but has been sorted (thank you, Annika).
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=553
Recipes
Several of you have shared your recipes and let me tell you, Annika’s West African Peanut Soup is “the best soup I’ve ever had” according to my husband. Check out the Homemade Granola and Dawn’s Rodeo Bars (guess who submitted those), Corinne’s Granola Bars and more. And when you have a spare minute, submit one or more of your favorites at http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=572
Lingo List
Getting lost in the maze of Maven lingo? Get up to date in the henhouse at http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=562
Bumper Stickers
The Heirloom Mavens “Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future” bumper stickers are on their way to Mama Hen! Huge thanks to Tina and her husband for designing and printing them and especially for donating the first 50 stickers to the mavens at no cost. Congratulations goes to Lora (FARMALLchick) for coming up with the slogan: Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future. Bumper sticker purchase price is $1 for your first sticker and $3 for each one after that. For more information, go to the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=582
MJ’s Heirloom Mavens Badge
Our BadgeBadger, Teresa Sue, is in the process of designing our mavens badge. She would like your ideas regarding the design. She started us off with a few ideas. Check it out: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=612
Dawn’s Herb/Garden Thought of the Month
Be sure to check out the October in the henhouse under Project Discussions. “This thread will start my herb/garden thought list for the month. I will list a few crafts and tidbits that I've picked up from books and such. Feel free to add your own advice or anecdote.” – QMD
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=593
**** FUTURE ATTRACTIONS ****
Heirloom Minor at Farmgirl U
Rene (prosserfarmgirl) is currently working on developing a program for those who would like to minor in heirloom gardening at the Farmgirl University. Be watching for more information in the henhouse.
Book Club
The HMBC (Heirloom Maven Book Club) will be getting underway Monday, October 13th, 2008. The first selection is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. If you’re interested, you will find more information at http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=597 This book is one of the requirements for the Farm Kitchen “Know Your Food” Beginner Level badge. For more information on the requirements for this badge and working toward while reading AVM, check out Teresa Sue’s “Badge Alert!!!!” post http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=609&whichpage=1 And for those who are interested but unable to participate this time around, you can catch the discussions at http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=597
Seed-swapping
As we put our gardens to bed and begin planning for next season, visions of new seeds to plant for next year dance in our heads. We are in the early stages of organizing but you can check out this thread to catch up on the seed-swapping discussion: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=561 To post your seeds lists and wants, go here: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=589
Amy Grace (graciegreeneyes) and Marcy (Marcy Jo) are coordinating the seed-swapping clearinghouse so watch for updates from them as we move from putting this year’s gardens to bed and begin planning for next year.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Patchwork Pillow
The mavens are planning a special gift package to present to MaryJane at the next BB&B. One of the items will be a patchwork pillow. Each of us will create a square to be worked into the final design. To get the details go to http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=551&whichpage=1
**** REMINDERS ****
Check out the Heirloom Maven blog site at www.heirloommavens.blogspot.com
When possible, purchase books through Seed Savers Exchange to support their efforts in saving heirloom seeds for future generations www.seedsavers.org
And be sure to e-mail Dawn to get some of her “Wild Maven Seed” http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=546
Mark your calendars for the first annual Heirloom Maven Spring Fling and Farmgirl Round-Up http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=568
That’s all for this week, mavens. It was impossible to cover every topic from the DOE thread in this newsletter so I just hit the highlights. If you’re thinking “Hey, what about……..?” it will be covered in a future newsletter. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please send me an e-mail and I will get back with you a.s.a.m.p. In the meantime, have a great week and settle in with that cup of chamomille tea if you haven’t already and remember to……
Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 09:40:02 AM
GOOD JOB!!!!
WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 07:16:27 AM
WOW, I am always so amazed by the women in this group. The collective talent and heart and while I may not post as much as some I read it always and it inspires me to grow more, do more and achieve more. Karen Job WELL done. Thanks for the HONOR of Maven of the Month.
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Mae West
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| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 04:08:59 AM
Denise, that would be Rene (prosserfarmgirl). She's the sisterhood coordinator and has a real passion for all things healthy and organic, not to mention getting back to our roots. She's a blessing to us all.
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311
P.S. I changed the title of this thread to creating a more descriptive naming convention for future threads. |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 03:58:42 AM
Thanks for posting a newsletter and putting all the links in one place. Very convenient.
I'm looking forward to learning lots. Journaling is a great idea for remembering the things we want to remember to do and where to find information and all. Whoever started this thread THANK YOU!
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
"Take a lesson from the teakettle, though up to its
neck in hot water...it sings!"
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Corinnelouise |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 07:43:21 AM
Karen, I know you are in route but you did an amazing job with the first newsletter and it is a pleasure to see how you could grab the meaning of the threads and make it into the NL. Annika and Ruth you made it happen, it is such a great team work.
Congratulations but most of all MANY MANY THANKS.
Corinne
Sister # 101 |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 07:00:35 AM
thank you Karen for creating this nice newsletter.enjoyed reading it.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| Contrary Wife |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 06:43:37 AM
Kudos to our MAVENS' HAVEN editor, Karen and her advisors for doing such a fine, fine job with the newsletter. Rene was the perfect choice for the MAVEN OF THE MONTH as she started us all on this wonderful journey. Thank you for a job well done.
P.S. In case you were wondering, I like it, I like it! LOL
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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