Because You Asked...Salt Soaps

Many have reached out to ask about our new salt soaps.  What are they and how do they benefit my skin?

In simple terms, a salt soap is a bar of soap with a high concentration of salt.   In our case, Pink Himalayan and Sea Salt added at a rate of 50%.  Because salt diminishes the lather, more coconut oil is added to create a 20% superfat (this is a term used to define how much oil is left over after saponification). This gives our bars a nice lather.

Salts bring several benefits to the soap, such as an abundance of minerals like magnesium, zinc, calcium and potassium.  It absorbs dirt and toxins from the skin, has natural antibacterial properties supporting acne prone skin and is an efficient cleanser and detoxifier.  Combined with our luxury butters and oils along with our creamy goat milk, our salt bars have a rich bubbly lather, leaving your skin feeling clean, refreshed and moisturized.

Here are some benefits of a salt bar:

*Salt soaps are gentle enough to use everyday

*Salt makes a hard, long lasting bar of soap

*Salt soap removes dirt and toxins from the skin

*Salt soap gently removes dead skin cells to promote new cell turnover

*Salt soap can help with acne because of it’s natural antibacterial properties

*Salt soap is rich in minerals such as magnesium, zinc, calcium and potassium which are beneficial to skin health

*Salt soap is gentle enough to use every day since it is made with natural ingredients

*Salt soap detoxifies, drawing out impurities and unclogging pores

*Salt is a natural humectant, it draws moisture to the skin, creating a natural barrier to keep moisture locked in

Salt Soap is a new addition to our Fall line up with four fun scents, try one and let us know what you think. Find them here

Radiance - St. John's Wort

St. John’s Wort, named for one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, blooms around the time of the Summer Solstice and St. John’s Day. It is native to Europe and widely naturalized including in the United States. It grows in meadows and forest clearings, needs lots of sun with well drained, but not so fertile soil. It grows from rhizomes and spreads by runners, and many consider it an invasive species despite its medicinal benefits. The Chrysolina quadrigemina beetle was released in the 1940’s as an attempt to control its spread. It is a pretty, iridescent little beetle and while I release them I hope my stands of St. John’s Wort won't decline.

“Wort” , such a curious word, is old English for “herb, plant or root” and there are a few other “Worts” growing in the forest and medicine gardens at Riverbrook. Motherwort is a plant that is well established in our gardens and is made into a tincture each year for her affinity for the heart. Her latin name is Leonurus cardiaca, lion hearted. Mugwort is another plant in the gardens and Lungwort Lichen grows on the Ash trees in the shade of the forest. The name “wort” was apparently given to plants that are beneficial while the opposite of wort was a “weed”, such as ragweed or milkweed, although I don’t necessarily think this is always true.

It’s Latin name is Hypericum perforatum. “Hypericum” means “over a spirit”.. It was traditionally placed over religious pictures and doorways to ward off evil spirits. The species name “perforatum” refers to the translucent spots on the leaves which appear to be perforated. The oil glands contain many medicinal oils and resins including hyperforin and hypercin which turns the oil a deep ruby red.

Identify St. John’s Wort by its bright yellow, wide open petals reaching out to meet the high sun around the Summer Solstice. Pluck a leaf and hold it to the light to identify the oil glands which are translucent allowing the sun to shine through. Gently squeeze a bud between your fingers and if its ready to harvest it will release its reddish or deep purple oil. 

Ethical harvesting is important so know the area you’re foraging in and  only take what you need and from areas where there is plenty.  St. John’s Wort grows well in my forest clearings, medicine gardens and even on the edge of my chicken yard. It’s best to harvest on sunny days when the flowers are likely to be dry.  It is the aerial parts we harvest and after receiving permission to harvest and giving thanks I strip some of the upper flowers and leaves from the plant.  I meander through the forest filling my mason jar with the beautiful yellow flowers and buds, plucking any stray beetles and admiring the glorious purple on my fingers.

When my mason jar is full, I pour the flowers onto a towel allowing any critters time to escape.  I then place the flowers back in the mason jar and with prayers of gratitude, cover with oil.  I place the jar in a sunny spot for a few days and then bring it in to continue its infusion.  After a few weeks, the oil will turn a deep red.

St. John’s Wort has many uses and is well known for its use in depression. Taken internally, it can interact with other medications so talk with your health care practitioner first if you’re using birth control or other medications.

It is anti-viral and anti-inflammatory and can be used as a tincture, in tea blends and topically. It’s one of my favorite plants to use topically and in skincare products.  Topically, it relieves nerve pain and reduces inflammation and is an important ingredient in our Muscle Mend formula and the Bruise Salve.   It’s natural oils hydrate the skin, regenerate cells and stimulate circulation and with consistent use will firm, and reduce the appearance of fine lines.  Radiant Facial Oil gets its beautiful red color from St. John’s Wort and is my favorite skin care serum, the one I use daily.

Walking Into 2022

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.”

~Rilke

New beginnings. We can never fully understand how they will show up or roll out a new journey.  For many years, our barn and house were occupied by cats, sometimes many cats.  But as our children grew and left home the cats left behind aged out and in the midst of 2018 our last “barn” kitty, Isabella, crossed the rainbow bridge leaving an empty space in my heart and in our barn.  It also sent an invitation to the mice to return and although, two cats remained at the house, they made it quite clear they were NOT interested in applying for the position.

I was pretty sure I didn’t want more cats.  So, I shooed mice off counters, tried not to shriek as they ran underfoot, and put out sticky traps and all the latest devices to eliminate them, all to no avail.  The previous Spring my daughter’s neighbor had kittens, but I wasn’t ready. But as the mice started to overtake the barn, I decided to check back to see if maybe she had another litter.  As it turned out, she had one kitten and she still had the two from the previous year that she was looking to rehome.  I told her I’d take them and drove down a few days later with my carrier.  The neighbor took my carrier into her home while I waited on the step and returned with three very frightened kitties.

CeCe emerging from the barn to explore her new world

I asked if they had names and she told me the black was Bagheera, the grey, Ping and the grey and white kitten wasn’t named.  I thanked her, assured her I would give them a good life, loaded them in the back seat of my truck, and headed home.  The two older cats hid and made themselves small in the back of the carrier while the kitten bravely stood in the front, big eyed, watching as we drove away from the only home she’d known.

The transition was abrupt, from a warm apartment bedroom to a big, cold barn full of hay, goats, and mice. We put a heat light in a corner with a soft blanket to keep them warm as they transitioned to the cold Winter temperatures. Bagheera was an expert climber.  She climbed every wall and explored every height in the barn.  Ping was shy and hid behind the hay only peeking out briefly before hiding again.  Kitten was forward and curious and soon she was playing with baling twine and following us around the barn, climbing in my lap when she was tired and falling asleep.   We named her CeCe although in retrospect, I would call her Mulan in keeping with the Disney theme and, because she is very much a Mulan: Bold, fearless and very loyal.  They followed me around the farm as I did chores, moving goats to different pastures, wandering the trails, and sitting with me as we watched the goats graze.  They began to follow me on my forest walks, entertaining me with their feeble attempts at tree climbing and playing with one another, hiding in the bushes and jumping out in surprise.  The two older cats were sweet to their baby sister, putting up with her rough play,  bringing in mice and birds for her to practice her skills.  

Waking up under a warm light and cozy blanket

Every day is a new adventure when the only world you used to know had four walls. My daily walk is an exercise in patience as I wait for the cats to catch up. Cats don’t walk for exercise, they walk with pure joy of what might be on the trail, which tree might be the easiest to climb or how to find the best hiding place to jump out from. It’s fun to watch their antics and see their confidence grow as they explore their new world. CeCe is a professional (or so she thinks), running ahead and ducking into a thicket of brush waiting to ambush her unsuspecting sisters. Tree climbing remains their greatest challenge and while Bagheera can climb any wall or door jam in the barn, trees are still an obstacle. So I continue to cheer them on with each attempt and praise their progress. My forest walks have become a sweet time of meditation and contemplation, a time for slowing down, noticing the beauty all around me and allowing the song of the Earth to wrap it’s music around me.

The barn is a full, happy place, and each morning I am greeted by three sweet kitties who are happy to see me and ready for whatever adventure is next. They make me laugh, give me love, and follow me on trails to greater understanding. They teach me that today is the gift, reminding me to stay in the present moment and enjoy the journey. In 2022, may we walk the trail as the cats do, ready for adventure and with a spirit of joy.

  . 

Two Simple Ingredients

My journey on Gaia is constantly evolving as I lean more and more toward simplicity and sustainability. This year I became a member of United Plant Savers and placed my 29 acres in botanical sanctuary status with an emphasis on growing endangered medicinal plants and offering hospitality to native species in my area.   As such, I began reassessing how I personally interact with Gaia, how I could be a better steward of her resources with a softer footprint and a mindset toward co-creating a better environment.  Although, I believe essential oils are a better choice than synthetic fragrances in our skincare products, the impact on the plant world to obtain just one ounce of oil is immense and, that’s not sustainable or good for the planet. So I asked Gaia for solutions.

 As someone who loves both the animals and the plants, the answer became abundantly clear...infuse the aromatic plants growing in my gardens in olive oil, combine with the beautiful milk from my goats and create a Castile soap...just two simple ingredients.   Several years ago, I was gifted with several large jars of infused Tulsi so this became my first experiment with a Castile soap without essential oils. The soap turned out beautiful with a light fragrance of Tulsi and a beautiful, creamy lotion like lather. 

Over the Summer I infused Lavender, Rosemary, Calendula and Tulsi in organic olive oil to expand my offerings of this beautiful artisan soap with it’s rich history.  These beautiful plants grown in the gardens at Riverbrook each add a dimension of care for your skin: lavender with its naturally occurring antioxidants may reduce free radicals leading to a reduction of visible wrinkles and overall effects of aging. Plus, it may be effective in soothing common skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dry skin.

Tulsi, more commonly known as Holy Basil, considered the “Queen of Herbs” brightens and cleans pores and because of it’s antibacterial and anti fungal properties may also reduce acne breakouts. Another antioxidant rich flower is calendula with it’s vibrant orange color from it’s high Vitamin A content helps calm inflammation, promote cell turnover and reduce damage caused by UV exposure. And, finally, rosemary balances oil production helping reduce acne breakouts, with antioxidants that strengthen capillaries to help slow the effects of aging, and astringent properties to tighten sagging and loose skin for a firmer more elastic look.

The star ingredient in goat milk is lactic acid, a natural alpha-hydroxy acid that naturally exfoliates for younger looking skin. It’s high in Vitamin A to support the repair of sun damaged skin and contains a multitude of vitamins and minerals that nourish the skin. And with it’s high cream content, it will leave your skin smooth and moisturized. When combined with the herb infused oil, this beautiful Castile soap will put the health of your skin first.  

Castile soap is one of the best natural, bio-degradable soaps used for washing body, laundry, and hair and is ideal for children and people with sensitive skin issues such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and for those undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.   A gentle, cleansing soap that will nourish and moisturize your skin and leave a softer footprint on the planet.

Made in small, intentional batches and available here while supplies last.

A Humble Weed

Plantain, a humble plant carried across oceans and prairies by the settlers to the New World would became known as “white man’s footprint” by the indigenous people of the Americas because of it’s rare ability to be trampled and it’s tenacity to spread and grow where the soil was disturbed. Today it is common throughout most of the world growing along roadsides, in sidewalk cracks and meadows. Much like dandelion, it’s a bane to many who want well kept lawns, yet this simple weed was cherished and used by generations who knew it’s value in their medicine cabinet and carried it with them across the globe.

Plantago lanceolata or English Plantain

There are two varieties of plantain growing on my farm, Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata. Both can be used interchangeably.

Both plants have five parallel ribs on the back of the leaf

Plantain has some specific features that help in making a correct identification. P. major grows in broad, low rosettes with an oval shaped leaf while P. lanceolota has lance shaped leaves growing straight up from the ground, both plants have five parallel veins on the back side of the leaf and present with dental floss like fibers when separated from the plant.

With a nutrition profile similar to dandelion, it is loaded with iron and other important vitamins and minerals and is best harvested early in the season when the leaves are small and tender. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. Some say when cooked it has a nutty, asparagus-like flavor.

From roots to the seeds, the entire plant is edible and can be used as a tea, tincture, poultice, salve or vinegar infusion

Topically, it has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help kill and disinfect pathogenic organisms aiding in the healing and repair process of damaged tissues. Rich in tannins for tightening and mucilage for soothing, Plantain can draw out splinters, stingers, dirt and even venom making it a great plant to know when you’re hiking, camping or exploring outdoors. I’ve even read in some literature that it can be used to stop bleeding. It is a plant whose tough leaves have super hero powers for soothing insect stings, bites, and other itchy, irritated skin issues and all you need to do is chew a fresh leaf or two and apply them directly on the area and within minutes the magic happens.

Plantain leaf infusing in olive oil

While I haven’t used plantain internally, I do love it for it’s topical use for eczema, burns, diaper rash and bug bites. Every Spring I infuse some in organic olive oil and some in high grain alcohol. The alcohol infusion in a 4 oz spray bottle finds it’s way to every outdoor event where mosquitos and other biting bugs happen. While it may not prevent them from biting, it definitely takes away the itch. It also works well on poison oak rashes that I get from milking the goats.

The olive oil infusion is made into salves for bites, burns and rashes and this year some of the infusion will be used to create a goat milk castille soap. The salve is available on the website here

Living close to nature and being in relationship with the plants that I share this bioregion with is a gift I honor. I would love to share these gifts with you through small group gatherings or through private classes in person or using the Zoom platform.

A wise mentor on my plant path once said, “ pay attention to the plants growing nearest to you, they know your need.”

Baby Bumps and Best Friends

As the days begin to grow longer, there is a shift in the daily rhythm.  The forest lush with the fragrance of cedar, fir and moss permeate my senses;  new buds emerge on the Oregon Grape and tender shoots of wild borage burst through the layer of Fall’s spent leaves.  Nature’s promise of new life after the dark, stillness of Winter.

The geese in the bog swim in the water pooled by the rains of Winter, feeding, resting, planning their trip North to nest and raise their goslings while the red-winged blackbird calls out above the honking, announcing his return. And as night falls, the chorus of frogs sing, welcome Spring.  

In the meadow, the goats bask in the sun, nibbling greedily on the new flush of Spring grass, their thick coats pushing up the cashmere that has kept them warm all Winter.  A few more weeks and the shedding will begin providing a soft layer of warmth for the returning songbirds to build into their nests.   Rounded goat bellies bely the impending kidding season just weeks away; it will be early this year. 

Sitting on a fallen log at the edge of the meadow, I soak in the early Spring sun, not quite warm, but welcome nonetheless, observing the does as they engage with one another… mothers, daughters, sisters, friends.  Some have been together for many years, some, last year’s kids, all connected in the circle of “herd”.  Somehow the cats know I’m in the meadow and soon I am joined on the log by their happy purrs and exuberant rubs; all of us enjoying the warmth of the Sun.

  Taking the does into the forest before kidding season is a tradition we look forward to each Spring, browsing on last Summer’s blackberries, nibbling the prickly leaves of Oregon Grape, sometimes finding a fallen fir bough and occasionally munching on ferns.  I trust they are supplementing their dietary needs in preparation of birth, gifts of the forest. 

In the barn I am gathering my midwifing supplies: clean towels, navel dip, gloves, clean bottles, supplemental teas to nourish mammas sustaining their energy as they labor and birth new life.  Every mamma has my undivided attention from the most experienced to the first time mamma, holding space, assisting where needed, honored to witness the miracle in the circle of herd. 

Chocolate for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and I have some delicious, low calorie treats to tempt you!  Over the Christmas holiday I noticed a new treat on the market called a chocolate bomb that you add to your hot cocoa raising the bar on it’s chocolatey goodness.  However, mindful of my immune system and it’s sensitivity to sugar, I avoided the temptation.  Instead, I thought what if I created a chocolate bath bomb?  I can immerse myself in the rich aroma of warm chocolate, nourishing my senses and enjoy the skin benefits of cacao without the calories or extra sugar?  And, it’s a yummy treat for my “me time” routine.

First, there is a difference between chocolate, cocoa and cacao.  All three words are used interchangeably when referring to the plant.  The tree, Theobroma cacao produces flowers that are known as “pods” which produce cocoa/cacao;  however, the difference is in the the production process.  The seeds/pods are dried in the sun to create a natural fermentation which transforms the natural bitterness into the flavor we know and love. Raw cacao is made by cold processing unroasted beans allowing the living enzymes to remain alive.  The cacao bean has over 300 compounds including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytonutrients.  It’s high in magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, beta-carotene and omega 6 fatty acids and when applied topically can protect, feed and produce a healthy glow for your skin. Cacao is calming, restorative and will leave your skin with a radiant glow.  And,  these same topical benefits can be maximized by ingesting cacao too because we know that healthy skin is derived not only from what we apply topically but, from the healthy foods we eat.

So, I hear you saying, isn’t a bath bomb a mess to clean up?  And I would answer, some are.  My youngest daughter loved a popular store at the mall that carried bath bombs in every sparkly color imaginable and some would take days to clean the color and sparkles from the entire bathroom. My self care routine doesn’t have time or energy to clean a messy tub after my “me time”.  My bath bombs are made with naturally clean ingredients that won’t leave your tub an arduous mess.  A simple warm water swish followed by a quick spray cleanser and a damp sponge around the inside wall with a final rinse leaves the tub ready for your next “me time” appointment.  So, draw a warm bath, light that candle, drop in a chocolaty bomb and indulge yourself in some much needed luxury...you’re worth it! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Skincare Inspired by Nature

I’ve always liked simple skincare, no five step routine for me.  In fact, for many years, I just washed my face with bar soap and moisturized with whatever lotion happened to be on the bathroom counter.  However, as I began to get older, my skin changed and I began to see those tiny lines at the corners of my eye and around my lips...from smiling a lot and whistling I noted to myself.  

I began using a popular MLM brand and in fact, for awhile, I became a distributor.  Now my skincare routine was a lot of steps and included the extras like foundation, blush, and the eye makeup thing.  That was nice for awhile and it covered those fine lines....well, actually it “plumped” them and some of the product filled them in creating the illusion of younger looking skin.

And as I began to be more concerned about what was in my food and household products, I also began to look at the labels on my skincare and found that many of the products I thought were safe, were actually on the EWG’s website as ingredients that caused cancers and infertility in women.  What!  The products targeted to women were actually dangerous to our health?  

So, my journey into natural skincare began.  Around this time, we started our little goat farm and I learned about the skin benefits of goat milk soap. So, I learned to make soap and lotion to replace the grocery store brands eliminating the chemicals and instead choosing ingredients with a mind toward a small impact on the land, sustainability, fair trade and nourishment for our skin.  

With this new empowerment in a healthier lifestyle,  I launched into the world of herbal medicine, identifying the plethora of wild plants growing on our acreage as I homeschooled our youngest child.  This sparked my desire to know more so I found people to teach me and read every book I could find on the subject.  Mentors guided me on the principles ethical wildcrafting teaching me to live in harmony with nature.  Herbal oils for salves and lip balms, extracts and then it was on to advanced plant energetics, carrier oils and the life blood, essential oils.  All the time, being mindful of the sustainability and fair trade ethics involved in working with plants and people. 

 These past eight months, I took another step in the evolution of my love of plants and engaged in a co-creative plant study, building a relationship with the plants I live amongst and leaning into the spiritual aspects of their healing.  Some of my partners in healing over the growing season were Rose, St. John’s Wort, Heal All, Mugwort, Mullein to name a few.  Learning to engage in their healing abilities spiritually rather than using them physically, incorporating their energetics into my products.  These manifest as flower essences in some of the products you’ll find on my website in addition to their energetics in some of my skincare products, such as this one  

As Winter Solstice approaches, my new facial oil, Radiant, comes to mind as I revisit the joy of the beautiful flowers I gathered on Summer Solstice.   The vibrant colors, the sunny yellow of St. John’s Wort that turns a deep red when infused in oil, the deep purple blue of Heal All, and the bright rose pink of the Apothecary Rose with her seductive aroma infused with intention in a blend of skin loving carrier oils.   As I enter into this Winter season I find my skin a bit drier and in need of some vibrancy so, I reach for the plant allies of Summer to quench my spirit and infuse my skin with their radiance. Their essence nourishes my skin as their vital force regenerates the cold, dryness of Winter replenishing my skin with the gifts of Summer’s simplicity. 

Living with the rhythm of Earth, participating in her generosity, hands extended in partnership with the plant devas leads my heart on a journey of serving from the well of reciprocity.  Life is a gift, love is the ladle.

Product Highlight...Elderberry Syrup Kit

If someone were to ask me what herb or plant I wouldn’t want to be without,   especially during cold and flu season, I would have to say Elderberry. It is a weedy shrub that grows abundantly in our area and although not all elderberry varieties are used the same, the flowers from our native species can be dried for tea and tinctured for use in fever reduction.  The berries of the Sambucus nigra is the species I grow and use to create my tinctures and syrups.  It is the red berries from the Samucus racemosa you want to leave for the birds.

I bought two Sambucus nigra plants from Strictly Medicinal, LLC a few years ago and then a friend gave me some starts from her plants.  Since it is easy to start new shrubs from cuttings, I began growing more to plant around the farm....some for our apothecary needs and some for the birds.  Actually, the birds eat a lot so I’m planting more this Fall.  

Elderberry is a great anti-viral herb that fortifies the cell walls, helping to prevent viruses from entering and hijacking our cells and replicating.  If the virus can’t replicate, we have a greater chance of staying well.  Viruses don’t have their own nucleus to replicate so they need to steal ours.... it’s a bit more scientific than that but that’s the idea.  

The berries are nutritious, rich in flavonoids, and high in vitamin C, Vitamin A, bioflavonoids, betacarotene, iron and potassium. (Gladstar, 2012); and, they taste good when made into a syrup.  They have been used for centuries with writings found dating back to the 1650’s for it’s use.  It has been referred to as the “medicine of the common people”. 

When the weather begins to shift in the Fall I make my first batch of syrup and begin taking a tablespoon each morning as a preventative.  If I feel a little “off” like a virus is coming on, I up my dosage to 2 tablespoons every hour or so until the symptoms subside. This dosage would be different for children. So far, my hubby and I have been cold and flu free for many years.  This past year has been a bit different and earlier in the Spring when COVID appeared, Elderberry was the topic of some negative press surrounding it’s action to create cytokines since later stages of COVID were associated with cytokine storms.  While elderberry does  create more cytokines to fight a virus,  once you have a  cold or flu, you would discontinue taking elderberry and turn to more specific herbs to fight the specific virus or bacterial infection. So, I feel that Elderberry got some bad press last Spring. 

  All in all, elderberry is a very safe food for most people, including children over two years of age and because it tastes good as a syrup, taking your medicine is pleasant. It can also be added to sparkling water for a yummy beverage or can be used as a pancake/waffle syrup. Food really can be medicine.  

Of course, staying healthy is more than just taking a syrup everyday.  Having a clean, healthy diet of colorful fruits and vegetables, hydration from clean drinking water, moving your body, getting enough rest, reducing stress and removing toxic chemicals from your skincare and household cleaning items are all part of a healthy immune system. 

Our Elderberry Syrup Kit is available on our website with easy to follow instructions to make your own.  It comes with all the dry ingredients to make a pint of syrup.  You just add it to your saucepan with water, simmer, reduce and add your own raw honey.  It will keep in the fridge for 2-3 weeks....but it probably won’t last that long :) 

Gladstar, Rosemary. (2012). Medicinal Herbs A Beginners Guide. North Adams, MA, Story Publishing 

Laurus nobilis

Bay Leaf, Laurus nobilis

A Bay Leaf wreath is a decorative and functional addition to the kitchen. Fresh or dried the leaves are used to flavor soups and stews adding a distinct flavor and fragrance to the dish. For many years I thought we removed the leaf from our food because they were poisonous. however, they should be removed because they are tough and remain stiff after cooking which could be a choking hazard. Bay leaf adds a whisper of black pepper, menthol, pine tree, and an herbal flavor with a subtle bitterness that helps heavy soups and stews digest better. In fact, you can make a tea with bay leaf to help break down proteins helping your body digest food faster and helping calm indigestion. Bay leaves are a rich source of vitamin A, C, iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium so including bay leaf in your meals or incorporating a cup of tea will benefit your health.

To make a simple tea add 3 bay leaves and juice of 1 large lemon to 16 oz of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for a 5-10 minutes. Strain and enjoy. Some of the aromatic constituents in the leaf are eucalyptol, linalool, geraniol, eugenol and myrcene...there are many more terpenes and sesquiterpenes but these are some that are responsible for the calming effect bay leaf is known for. No wonder those soups and stews are so comforting! Bay leaf, like many plants in our natural world, are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and bay also has anti-fatigue properties easing sore muscles and joints making it a great herb for topical use. We use bay leaf essential oil in our Bay Rum Soap and Bay Rum Beard Oil.

We are hosting a Bay Leaf Wreath class in the barn lobby at Riverbrook next Sunday, October 18th with two time frames available. We are limiting class size to 4 persons with plenty of space for social distancing. Face shields and masks will be available. Bring your own pair of clippers and dress for the weather. To sign up go to http://www.rjriverbrookfarm.com/workshops

Enjoy one of my favorite recipes that I love to make when the cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs are at their peak:

Lentil and Tomato Salad

Main Ingredients

1 cup uncooked lentils (I like red)

1 onion, finely chopped

1 quart of water

1 bay leaf

Pink Himalayan salt to taste (optional)

In a large saucepan, combine lentils, chopped onion, water, bay leaf and salt. Bring to the boil, cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until lentils are tender but not mushy. Discard bay leaf and strain lentil mixture into a bowl.

Dressing

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1 garlic clove, crushed

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil.

Whisk vinegar, dijon and garlic together in a small bowl adding salt & pepper to taste. Whisk in olive oil until emulsified.

Tomato Salad

1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes (mixed colors are nice)

1/4 cup diced green onion

2 tablespoons fresh herb (parsley or cilantro)

To serve place warm lentils on plate, top with tomato salad and drizzle with dressing. Makes approximately 4-6 dinner salads or 6-8 side salads

Ever Green....

Oregon, the Evergreen State, with hillsides covered in firs as far as the eye can see.  A majestic icon of strength, durability and medicine used for thousands of years.  It’s wood is used to build and heat our homes, it provides a habitat for forest creatures and our native ancestors knew of her medicinal qualities that healed their wounds and helped them stay healthy during difficult times.  And, while some powerful medicines can be made from the evergreen tree, perhaps the best medicine is simply spending time with her in the forest.  The Japanese call this shinrin-yoku and it was inspired by ancient Shinto and Buddhist beliefs.   The practice of forest bathing, using all of our senses while being in nature, has been shown to decrease stress and improve immunity.

Fall is a beautiful time in the Pacific Northwest and as many of you know, I live simply, nestled among the trees of my forest.  My daily time spent among the trees and other forest life creates balance and helps me stay grounded.  You’ll find me most mornings meandering the forest paths trailed by my three cats.  They enjoy forest bathing too and I’m quite sure that breathing in the clean air and being close to nature is what helped heal their respiratory issues when they first arrived on my farm.  As some may remember, CeCe was quite ill in her first few months with us.  Knowing they enjoy being in my company as they frolic and climb trees has brought much joy to my daily walks. 

Our morning walk

Spending time in the forest heals my spirit and inspires me to create new products, although I rarely share this side of who I am with others.  I enjoy a unique relationship with the plants and animals here and it’s through this relationship with them that new ideas for product emerges. Fir is on my heart this Fall.

Labor Day 2020 brought with it a historic wind storm, coupled with extreme dry conditions that ignited a series of wildfires that destroyed homes, animals and acreage, displacing families throughout a vast swath of it’s path.  It seemed the entire West Coast from California to Washington was on fire with unfathomable loss.  The Sun was blocked turning day into night, skies were red and our lungs were filled with smoke for days as the devastation unfolded.  Finally, after days of smoke and uncertainty, we were doused with a quenching Oregon rainstorm clearing the smoke and dampening the wildfires. 

When the smoke had cleared enough to go into the forest, I gathered some fallen boughs and gave thanks to these trees who lost their lives.  Trees are the lungs of the forest, sweeping the air with their branches clearing toxins and particulate much like our lungs do each time we inhale.  Evergreens have an infinity for the lungs as evidenced by the Doctorine of Signature.  Evergreen oil can be used much like a vapor rub to clear congestion while the volatile oils soothe the lungs.  

From this experience my Evergreen soap was created along with a soothing bath salt and a beautiful fir needle infusion for a lotion or vapor rub as we go into Fall and Winter.  It is soothing for me to create something healing from this incredible loss.  I am much more aware of the sweet fragrance of fir, giving thanks for the new baby trees who will become the new vista of green on the hillsides of this beautiful State. I’m Grateful Regeneration is embedded in the blueprint of life.

Limited Edition Evergreen Soap 2020 is available on the website

Sweet Goodbyes

As Winter gives way to Spring, I look forward to kidding season and welcoming the new babies into my herd and my heart.  This year suddenly changed the way I move through this special time as COVID 19 dropped on our world.  Sharing birthing experiences with new shepherds and sharing new babies with visitors to my farm is how I share my love of shepherding.  COVID changed it all in a blink.  

Kidding still happened but it was different.  In fact, most of my daytime kidders birthed at night...like REALLY at night… after midnight at night!  This shepherd who is in bed by nine was now answering the call to midwife under the light of the stars. This is how Luna and I met.  Sophia, a first time mamma was in labor all day on the 7th of April.  A cursory check around my bedtime told me she was close but I decided to have my husband listen to the monitor and watch the camera on her stall while I slept a bit.  Just before midnight he woke me and I trekked down to the barn under the beautiful, full Strawberry Moon prepared to welcome these kids Earth side.

Her delivery was the most text book of all the does that had kidded so far with the first two sliding out head and feet first, mamma knowing how to clean them up as I stood aside giving her space to be a new mom.  Soon after both kids were up and looking to nurse, Sophia squatted and delivered another package. At first, I thought it was the afterbirth but upon closer inspection, I could see that it was a wee kid still encased in the sac.  Somehow, I knew this wasn’t good...just knew.  I opened the sac and freed the kid...she was alive but incredibly tiny.  I dried her off with Sophia’s help, but she was very frail. I moved Sophia and her three new babies into a clean stall, still trying to assess the tiny one who was still not able to stand to nurse.  I could see that her tiny front legs were bent at an odd angle and had a deep feeling of concern for this tiny new baby.

I sat with them and hoped the wee one would get up, that Sophia would know something to do that I didn’t...but she didn’t.  In fact, she left the wee kid and focused on the other two who were clammering for nourishment and attention.  Probably my clue to leave the barn and go to bed.  But instead, I gathered her wet, cold body up and tucked her inside my shirt, wrapped my coat around us and sat...warming her and waiting for some sign of what to do next.  I sat there for nearly two hours listening for answers.  Maybe because the moon was extra full that night, or maybe because my moon principle in Goodness, holds the animal kingdom, I couldn’t walk away.  With her little body still moist, but warm now, I carried her to the house and with my husband’s help, I slid into my bed and held her while I slept, hoping she would live until morning.

I was awakened by the sweetest little whimpers and a little nose searching for food.  I had brought some of Sophia’s first milk to the house in a bottle but, she was so small and weak that I used an eyedropper to give her the milk.  I took her down to her mom and held her up while she attempted to nurse and gave Sophia space to lick her and be her mom.  I did this every two hours for days before she was able to stand on her own.  I milked Sophia and gave her a bottle every two hours just to make sure she was getting enough nourishment to thrive. 

Her mama and siblings seemed to know she was special and gave her plenty of space to get strong, always treating her with kindness.  As she got stronger and learned to use her bent legs she joined the herd and, in spite of her disability, she began to bounce and show off her little goat moves.  Her special gifts bring joy into my life.  She is my shadow as I milk and takes walks with me in the pasture,  she loves to take naps on my lap while the mamma’s graze, and she loves to be held up to eat leaves on the maple tree.  She still talks to me in that same sweet whimper as she waits for me to heat her bottle... saying goodbye to Luna will be bittersweet.   

  Many of our 13 babies have already been placed in new homes.  Luna has been adopted by a special family with a heart for people with trauma. I think Luna will have much to teach them.  She will be leaving our farm soon with her sister,  Ava and her mamma, Sophia.  She will take a piece of this shepherd’s  heart as she takes her place in the world.

This shepherd’s heart loves big and is trusting Goodness to oversee the details.  I’m giving Luna into the world to deliver her special gifts, hoping I did the right thing that special night under the Strawberry Moon, holding her close and loving her into Life.  Such a sweet goodbye.

In The Wood

Yellow Trout Lily

On my morning walk, I stop to greet the yellow Trout Lily growing just inside the tree line.  I have greeted her every Spring since we first met in 1998.  That was my first Spring in the Wood and I didn’t know the plant Devas as I know them today.  They were a flush of colors bursting open in a timely succession from February through Fall, some familiar and some, totally new.  Trout Lily where I grew up on the Oregon Coast was pink and we called her Lamb Tongue.  I remember my Grandpa coming in from his Spring walk with an armload of pink Lamb Tongues for my Grandma.  She always received them with a smile as he handed her his gift; and filling her nicest vase with water,  she set them next to the sink for all to admire.

Our first few years living in the Wood, we picked more than our fair share of the beautiful wild flowers that decorated our hills.  White Trilliums, blue Borage, yellow Oregon Graperoot, pink Current and others graced our table as the season unfolded. As we explored, we discovered the less known and more rare flowers as well, Lady Slippers, Shooting Stars, Chocolate Lilies, pink Cat’s Ears and Oregon Fairy Bells... these we didn’t pick, just admired their exotic presence in our Wood.  

As I became more connected with the plants, more showed up to teach me;  mentors and teachers also came into my life.  I met Hawthorne, Elder, Dandelion, Nettle  and Self Heal.  Abundant, weedy, wild medicine I learned to harvest and use.  But, I didn’t just want to harvest and use, I wanted to “know” the plants that I lived among and to understand the gifts they offered; our ancestral connection to the web of life.    I took online classes and read tons of books but, it was being with the plants where I began to “hear” and pay attention to what they had to teach me.  I began to live with the rhythm of the Wood.  

My daily Spiritual practice through The Invisible Garment work has deepened my connection to the plant Devas all around me.  My daily walks are not just walks, they are deep encounters with the plants. They invite me to sit with them, to listen, to hear, to taste and know them in the deepest part of myself.   This practice is the conduit that connects the macrocosm with the microcosm...the As Above, So Below,  eliminating the separation of human and plant...of human and other.  

Spring of 2020, marks twenty-two years in this Wood.  She’s a sentient, living being I am grateful to be in relationship with. She has given me good gifts of health, vitality and beauty.  In return, I steward her with love, accepting her gifts of Spring flowers and new plants:  Usnea, Wild Ginger and Red Cedar communicating their wisdom into my Beingness.   Anyone can use a plant, but being connected to the sentience of the plant Devas honors and respects the relationship.  It is with deep gratitude that I listen to the wisdom of this pharmacopia in my Wood. 

Spring Eggs!

Ah, Spring!  After the long, dark winter days I’m hungry for fresh greens, longer days, and Spring eggs.  Some of the first greens to emerge on the farm are dandelion and nettle.  My body longs for the bitterness of Spring dandelion greens and the earthy flavor of the first cup of nettle tea, both give my body the jump start to transition into the next season. 

I feel the same about eggs....for months the hens have been less productive, preferring to stay inside their cozy shelter while the rain and cold dominate the season.  We still have a steady supply but, they lack the zest that only Spring offers.   The first rays of warmth you’ll find the hens venturing out on the pasture; scratching and pecking for plump worms and new, sprouted green weeds.  Production picks up as the days get warmer and the grass begins to grow... soon we are enjoying the beautiful golden yolked treasures in abundance.  Vibrant orange yolks filled with Spring greens, vitamin D and sun rich nutrition with a rich taste like no other season. We will eat them several times a week, over a bowl of sauteed greens, made into yummy, veggie filled omelettes with dandelion pesto or just boiled and enjoyed out of hand.  My body is fortified with the goodness of Spring.  

You won’t find these eggs in any store and if you shop your local farmer’s market, be sure to talk to your farmer about their practices and their birds‘ access to fresh green pasture and clean feed.  I feel blessed that my birds enjoy the freedom to roam in green pastures, eating the things they were born to eat, transforming the energy of Spring into nutrition my body knows how to use.

We have an abundance to share right now, either from our self serve farm refrigerator or, find us at the McMinnville Farmer’s Market at the Grange the first and third Saturdays of every month...while the abundance lasts :)

Living In Rhythm

I know many people rely on the notorious ground hog to announce the coming of Spring but, I prefer the familiar rhythm of livingness I share with this space. I stopped wearing a watch years ago and rarely use a calendar preferring to sync with the moments as they emerge. As the days grow longer and warmer, the red legged frogs begin to crawl out from the mud in the flood plain below and sing out, "it's spring, it's spring"! Their song stirs me, it's depth and resonance echoing back to childhood memories of sitting on the roof outside my bedroom window on a starry night listening to the chorus of happy frogs welcoming Spring.  They are early this year…

Wild Borage

In the wood, wild borage is beginning to poke it’s head through the blanket of moss and leaves, the first to check for light and warmth before sending the signal to the other spring plants to join in. And, like an artist with his canvas and palette of colors, Spring will soon paint the landscape with vibrant hues of blue, yellow and pink...the colors of new life.

The goats are shedding their Winter fur and their rounded bellies hold the promise of new kids bouncing in the pasture. And, the hens are foraging new greens and plump worms, exchanging the energy of Spring into nourishing, golden yolked treasures.

The journey through the seasons happens without a clock or a calendar, it happens even if we don’t pay attention… but where would the joy be in that?

So, I celebrate living in the rhythm, connected to all that came before. Purity that holds the blueprint of life, layers of memory, creating this space I call home. I breathe in the cool moist air, and remember who I am, a sentient BEing connected to the web of life… grounded in the rhythm.

2019...A Year in Reflection

CeCe

I stopped making New Year’s Resolutions a long time ago.  Instead, I prefer to journey back through the year, celebrating what brought me joy and seeking understanding in the harder experiences of the year.  2019 was challenging with my 7 year cycle in numerology…a time of contemplation and creativity. A year of going inward and seeking answers to a steady stream of questions about life and finding a direction that feels right for me; becoming aware that the status quo is simply not good enough any more.  And, although I have been busy in my community, growing my farm and business, and exploring new spiritual paths, I have also created space to be introspective, releasing parts of myself that no longer serve me, and trusting my intuition to take me into my year of Harvest in 2020. Here are some of the gifts from 2019:

I began my second year working through The Invisible Garment with Connie Kaplan and have a wonderful group of inspiring women from all over the world who consistently meet and share their spiritual journey through the wonders of video communication.  This work has led me on a growing spiritual path into her Color Work and Dreaming Wisdom classes;  it will be a growing journey as I enter 2020.   It is my dream to share this empowering work with the women in my local area this year, so stay tuned.  I also completed my 3rd Degree in Reiki and am offering Reiki sessions in my home.

I continue to study herbalism and enjoy spending time with the plant devas.   Two of my favorite teachers in 2019 were  Sajah Popham from Evolutionary Herbalism and Tammi Sweet from Heartstone Center. I will continue in their studies through 2020 and will  be starting an Herbal Healing Circle to share my love of plants.  This will be a monthly meeting to learn about medicinal plants, sustainability, and medicine making.  If you are interested in plants, I hope you will join in. I will be sharing more soon in a newsletter so, if you aren’t on the list, be sure to sign up!

And, of course, animals have been and will always be the foundation of my experiences and learning in this lifetime. Many of you know that I adopted three cats in January 2019 who had never been outside of an apartment bedroom.  It has been a year of joy and tears as they have transitioned from apartment dwellers to tree climbers.  CeCe, the youngest of the three sisters had the most health challenges and after being spayed the end of June, became very ill.   The week of July 4th, we made an appointment to have her euthanized....however, because she had a temp, we opted to give her a round of antibiotics and ran multiple tests for infectious diseases that all came back negative.  She started doing better after a few days of antibiotics and is now a robust, sassy eight pound kitty. 

Sunshine

Sequoia Mountain BP Here Comes the Sun, our Nigerian Dwarf kid from California joined our farm family early Summer and has brought lots of sunshine into our lives.  She is learning to walk on a leash with me and the cats and is in training to be our farm mascot at markets and special events.  We hosted a day of goat yoga introducing our seventeen babies to twenty one people on mats...it was somewhere between a yoga class and a zoo.  We may need to rethink next year and just have an open house to introduce our kids.

Cassie after a long day in the garden.

And finally, the day before Thanksgiving, we lost our sweet Cassie Cat to old age.   Bonfires and gardening were some of her favorite activities in her nearly twenty years on our farm. Our laps are empty and her daily presence in our life is deeply missed.   Letting go of the things that bring us comfort are sometimes the hardest lessons life teaches. And, as I say goodbye to 2019 I feel the tug....letting go of what feels known and trusting that the new chapter in 2020 will bring new love, good lessons and joy.  Here’s to the Harvest!

For the Love of Good Food

Some gals like pretty clothes and painted nails...I like clean food and farming.  

It’s September already and it seems like Summer just got started.  The garden is at it’s peak and the canning cupboard and freezer are filling up.  The Spring kids are teenagers and the does are drying up and soon it will be time to breed for another season. And, as the Summer comes to a close, the June chicks, once cute and fluffy, are ready to go off to freezer camp.  They are a labor of love and one of the tasks on the farm that I have the hardest time reconciling in myself.  

Day old chicks arriving on the farm via USPS

I consider myself a “careful consumer”, one who supports my local farmers, who chooses humanely raised animals for food and one who cares for my planet’s health because I know it impacts my own. It would be easier for sure to just let someone else raise my birds but, I’m picky and want a bird who has consumed organic feed, not just non-gmo , who’s full of green grass, ate a bug or two and picked a fight to defend his girl.  I want a bird who has enjoyed sunbathing and knows he is loved while he is here.  

The caveat is that I’m invested, not only in time and resources but with my heart.  My birds are loved and we have a relationship that makes putting them in the truck and driving to the processing plant bittersweet. I eat differently because of this.  My food is not anonymous; it has a face, a heartbeat, a life and I want it to be dispatched and consumed consciously  with care and dignity.  

This same philosophy applies to the vegetables I grow and the milk and eggs my animals produce. Everything is valuable and life giving from the life that gave it.  And, I hope that by being a conscious consumer, I am contributing to the greater good for our planet.  

Enjoying their last day on the farm

A Nanny for Sunshine

Have you ever made a spur of the moment decision and then said, “what was I thinking”?  Well, that happened several weeks ago when I made a spur of the moment decision to buy a pretty little doe from California.  She was so endearing with her little brown nose that I didn’t play the tape forward to ask myself several important questions, such as: 

 Do I really want to bottle feed three times a day for 6-8 weeks when all my babies are past bottles?

 How much time do I have to integrate a new baby into my herd?

 How will I convince the herd to accept her and play nice?

The first week was pretty standard with a new baby.  She had a separate pen where everyone could smell and see one another. My husband and I spent most of the first week in the barn bonding with her.  It became pretty obvious when we started letting her out to play among the others that playing nice wasn’t going to be on the agenda.  So, the following week we spent more time in the barn with the new baby allowing her to interact safely with the other residents while they got used to her in their space.   She had barn lobby privileges with the other baby girls and played while I milked. She tagged along as I fed at the other buildings and bounced along  morning and evening as I filled water buckets. We were developing a nice routine :)

By the third week however,  the joy of being Sunshine’s goat mom was waning and I needed to find a Nanny.  I needed someone in my herd that didn’t participate in drama, someone respected by the others and someone who could teach Sunshine how to be a well behaved goat.  That someone was Madia, a 14 year old Nigerian doe we purchased in 2011. Madia was happy to take the job, especially since it included some extra grain and free choice alfalfa which she got to enjoy without any competition. 

The duo began to bond and by the fourth week, Sunshine and Madia were mingling with the rest of the herd without a lot of drama. Madia became home base when Sunshine felt threatened and needed a place of protection. As Sunshine began to feel safe, she began bumping back. It didn’t take long before the other kids began accepting her, sharing food and playing together.   

 Sunshine still thinks her humans are her goats and prefers to hang with us; but, she is learning her place in the herd.  It’s always interesting to witness herd behavior...it is not unlike our own human nature. Watching Sunshine navigate her new life with courage and trust has been an unexpected gift.  As I encounter new circumstances and meet new people,  I hope I’ll remember the importance of belonging that I’ve learned from Sunshine :) Sometimes the spur of the moment decisions are the best teachers of important life lessons.

Live, Love, And Eat Local...

I feel incredibly blessed to live in the Pacific Northwest where accessing locally grown food is so easy!  We have always been fortunate to have a little piece of land to grow most of our vegetables, herbs, some of our own meat and of course, pastured eggs.  We have a growing herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats that provide us not only with entertainment, but lovely, rich, creamy milk to drink as well as for cheese and yogurt.  We also use our milk to create lovely soaps and lotions.  So, there is not a lot we need to buy in town.  During the Summer months, we preserve and freeze our produce and are beyond blessed to have access to fresh tuna and salmon from the Oregon Coast.  

This past Summer, I decided to experience living local by shopping and eating within the season from my local farmer's market.   I live just a few miles from McMinnville, Oregon where their Summer market runs through October. So, I set out to get to know the people who bring their products to the market each week to sell.  This is not a big market so it was pretty easy in a few weeks to meet and chat with many of the vendors.  They are a unique collection of people all of who love the hustle and bustle of people coming and going and they love to talk about their farms and what they grow.  They are, for the most part, earthy people deeply connected to the health and well being of our planet and our environment.  Elliot from Wooden Mallet Farm in Yamhill raises pastured pork along with some fresh veggies, pastured chickens and eggs.  This was his first year doing the market and he was friendly and always ready to share what was happening on the farm, sharing funny stories about the new piggies playing in the fields.  Talking with Elliot gave me a sense of how disconnected most of us have become when our food no longer has a face...or, a life that's visible.  I consume differently when I know what my food's life story is/was.  

A new baby is born at Eola Crest Cattle where their beef is raised from birth to butcher.

Jennifer from Eola Crest Cattle in McMinnville, OR  raises angus beef on green pastures; this was her first year at the market as well.   Her booth was inviting and she had an iPad display with pictures from her farm and of her cows.  The pictures tell a story of animals who are loved and cared for along with mouthwatering pictures of some of the beautiful food dishes she has created from their beef.  She also creates beautiful herbed rubs to compliment her dishes which she sells as well.  It becomes evident as you engage her in conversation how woven together their lives are in raising and caring of these beautiful animals.  Theirs is a family business that started with their daughter in 4-H and turned into a love of raising Angus beef.  What makes their business different is that they own the mama cows and the babies are born and raised on their farm.  They grow the crops that feed their cattle and the flavor and quality of their meat shine. 

Quality ingredients for a healthy meal.

Beth and Erik of Even Pull Farm captured my business with their beautiful array of heirloom and unusual veggies displayed artistically and colorfully. Although not an organic farm, they use organic practices to produce their vegetables.  Both are young and enthusiastic about growing food and have integrated their products with some of the local restaurants in our community.  They are friendly and knowledgeable and always happy to chat.  I was also able to buy in bulk for canning which was a bonus!  Because of the relationship I formed with their farm, I decided to do their Winter CSA, which has not disappointed. Their CSA has provided an ample amount of winter foods that have kept us satiated all winter and given us an opportunity to try new foods and truly eat with the season.  

Beautifully displayed vegetables from Even Pull Farm at the Thursday market in McMinnville, OR

After the market closed in October, I decided to continue buying my food locally.  In addition to my Winter CSA with Even Pull Farms, I stumbled onto one of the best kept secrets in McMinnville!  The Farmer's Market at the Grange, a market that has been running for several years, tucked away on Old Sheridan Road off 99W.   It  offers year round organic produce from Dennison's Farm plus, Jennifer at Eola Crest Cattle  sells her beef there once a month through the Winter.  I also met Josh Doss from Doss Family Farms who raises pastured  Mangalista pork!  A Mangalista is a pig from Russia that is known for it's lard. After sampling a few cuts of their pork, we decided to join their meat CSA and are enjoying a nice variety of great tasting pork every month.  They have the best lard!   I had an opportunity recently to visit their farm and meet their pigs. Do you know pigs sing to their babies while they’re nursing?   I feel good consuming meat from animals who are raised humanely and live their lives outdoors on green pasture expressing their unique behaviors...being pigs, or cows or chickens.  I will no longer support a meat industry that raises animals inside warehouses or puts a mamma pig in a metal farrowing crate that doesn't allow her to love on her babies.  These warehoused animals have no quality of life....how can we expect them to have quality of flavor or nutrition?

The Market at the Grange offers a nice selection of vendors; produce, eggs, honey, pastured lamb and several other nice offerings.  I haven't missed the grocery store!  Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the way I see the World going and think I can't change it; I probably can't but, I can make changes in my own behavior that may make a difference.  The grocery store probably doesn't miss my money and that's okay because my money is making a difference to the farmers in my community and that makes a difference in our World.  I encourage you to visit a Farmer's Market, talk to a Farmer and be a change in the World.