Lorax Community

Yes, there is something about warm weather, sunshine and fruit that just screams summer lovin'. In combination these elements are a trinity of Earthly goodness. Today I would like to share a part of that Earthly goodness through this video "Juicy June/July." There are a few ingredients that used and an emphasis on making enough to freeze and save (or perhaps savor) later. In any case I do hope that you enjoy this delicious drink recipe.

*The recipe calls for Kombucha, but could potentially be substituted for 50ml of apple cider vinegar. I recognize that the fermented drink is not accessible everywhere and thus recommend the apple cider vinegar as a substitute.

Many of our gardens have already become inundated with herbs, flowers, and even the beginnings of fruit! Due to our penchant for creating an overabundance of herbs at every turn, some of us are really getting into this helpful, yet inexpensively priced book collection.

Here is an excerpt:

"Because not all herbs grow all year round, it can be of interest to preserve them.
When drying herbs it is important not to dry them in the sunlight as the sun can burn away many of the volatile oils.
To dry herbs perfectly, one needs special equipment yet some can be done at home. Best not to delay too much when drying, begin the drying process when the herbs are freshly picked and placed in a drying cupboard. Make sure you clean the herbs first so they are ready to be packaged and used. Glass is the best storage method for herbs."

 





A publication of Lunar proportions “Kaleidoscope Soup” provides voice to the many perspectives that can be found within this life. California based but internationally focused this zine will be including recipes, poetry, DIY (do-it-yourself) projects, poetry and art of various mediums. Stay tuned and soar with integrity.
Namaste.
Michael Ray De Los Angeles
La Casa Communal Press
Kaleidoscope Soup Editor

http://michaelraydelosangeles.wordpress.com/kaleidoscope-soup/

Namaste community,

 It all started with a pallet, and a very simple vision. That vision has since evolved into a up-cycled garden space that is now home to lettuce, Moroccan and spearmint, thyme, oregano, curry plant, saint john's wart, basil, cilantro, wormwood, and catnip.
[Read full description here]








 It takes a community to raise a child and Peter Quezada has been one of the most influential uncle's that one could ever ask for. Not only did he teach me how to paint a mural but he has done so with so many others. In this video he focuses his attention on the importance of having access to local food within an urban landscape.



 Interconnected with my "Literature of Farming" project, this video demonstrates the joy that can be had when one can effectively read a landscape. When one can appropriately read a landscape not only can he/she find various fruits and herbs but also that individual can also map out where they are located; one of my favorite mapping systems are the ones published by Fallen Fruit.

With election season just around the corner in the USA, the topic of labels for GMO products has become a hot issue. Proposition 37 will be on the ballot in California, which (if passed) will make it a requirement for companies to clearly identify certain food items containing genetically modified organisms. Adding labels to such items would effectively allow consumers to make educated choices in their food purchases, as opposed to blindly buying things which may have been marked ambiguously or misleadingly in the past. Many manufacturers of processed and packaged food items have been fiercely fighting this measure, presumably because they believe it will create transparency in their sourcing and production methods (and subsequently decrease revenue).

Not surprisingly, Monsanto has been at the top of the opponents list, having donated over $7M to anti-Prop 37 campaigns to date. Other donors include Cargill, ConAgra, Kraft Foods, Nestle, PepsiCo, Campbell Soup Company, Kellogg Company, Dean Foods (makers of Silk), Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Sara Lee, McCormick, General Mills, H.J. Heinz Company, Dow, Bayer, BASF, McCain, and many other common household names (some quite unexpected).
Based on the extensive list of corporate opponents,  keeping consumers in the dark is quite obviously a big deal to Big Food corporations - otherwise they would not likely be putting so much effort into blocking Prop 37.

Labels are a basic requirement in 40 other countries around the world, so it's obviously a huge concern for many unethical businesses to maintain the ability to sell potentially dangerous products within the USA. Americal consumers have been blindly purchasing & unwittingly allowing unsafe products into their homes for years, mainly based upon lack of knowledge on such matters.
Clearly marking packages on products could potentially put an end to mass ignorance in many places, and allow consumers to make better educated choices. This seems like a great beginning step toward better health, as well as more responsible relations with our food and suppliers of that which we may be unable to grow ourselves.

Californians, please vote YES on 37. 

For those who may not be quite so GMO savvy just yet, here's an infographic outlining some of the basics for beginners: