Community Green at the Present Moment

In case you were wondering, this blog is a writing sample I submitted for work (part of our job is to web journal about what our teams have been up to). I decided to keep this post on my personal blog, because I haven't written in awhile and this post, formal as it may be does provide an update on my recent life/summer work!

(Photo courtesy of group leader, K. Johnson, taken 06/29/11)

Pictured above are four members of Community Green, standing outside of Present Moment, located near the corner of 36th Street West and Grand Avenue in Minneapolis. Packed with a wide variety of herbs, books and unusual trinkets, this store also provides an office home to Dr. Andrew Lucking, ND, who has practiced naturopathic medicine for over 25 years.

Because part of Community Green's mission is to learn about plants and how they affect human health, the purpose of our visit was to learn more about medicinal uses of plants.

During our meeting with Dr. Lucking, ND, our team had the opportunity to learn about plant medicine and more specifically about 16 commonly used herbs. Starting with Angelica and ending with Zingiber (Ginger), our group took notes diligently and tasted each herb.


(Photo courtesy of group leader, K. Johnson, taken 06/29/11)

Of the many herbs tasted, it was no surprise that licorice was the most popular among our team members...at least at the beginning of the taste testing. For the first time in weeks, group members declined seconds of a sugary treat. It wasn't hard to say "No" after they learned (and tasted) how licorice is actually 50 times sweeter than sugar.

We also learned that licorice is one of the most ancient, medicinal herbs, dating back at least 4,000 years. This perennial shrub grows from three to seven feet high and fairs well in a temperate climate. Its valued properties are found in the runners and the roots, which can be harvested in the fall. As we tasted, licorice root is not used fresh but dried to lock in the medicinal properties.

Considered a "superior" plant drug, licorice is useful in a variety of health conditions. It is anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, etc. In general, licorice benefits the gastrointestinal tract and boosts the immune system. In our case, it boosted our energy, allowing us to pay attention to the remainder of Dr. Lucking's presentation.

At the end of the day, as noted in group reflection, the trip was an overall success. Two members agreed that the field trip helped them learn about natural options to consider when dealing with health problems and that medicinal plants can be a good addition to "regular medicine." Another student journaled, "It was the best!" While our last team member wrote, "Present Moment opened my mind to new things."

As a group, we now look forward to the challenge of unpacking this new knowledge and sharing what we learned at Present Moment in our team's official presentation about plants and health which will be delivered to various, local nonprofit organizations throughout the month of August.

--
Community Green is a group of young adults (14-15 year olds) that are learning about nonprofit organizations and how plants affect the environment and our health. To read more about Community Green and the Urban Garden Youth Employment (UGYE) team, please visit the UGYE website and look for us under Community Green.

Naturopathic medicine blends centuries-old natural healing therapies with the advances of scientific knowledge. In a nutshell, naturopaths believe in nature's healing power and in the human body's ability to heal itself. For more information about naturopathy, check out the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's (NCCAM) webpage.

Work--what does it mean?

After meeting our officiant last night, Jay and I finally have our ceremony put together. When I say finally, I actually mean we sat down and did it all in one day--nothing arduous or well-planned out or anything like that. However, for what it's worth I am pleased with the readings we chose. One is a poem by Maya Angelou and the other piece is an excerpt from Kahlil Gibran's work, The Prophet.



Since I had some time to kill today (or more likely felt like procrastinating), I decided to read Gibran's whole book, and I found it a quick and easy read, with some parts more meaningful to me than others.

I want to highlight his section that discusses work. While marriage and love and all that good stuff is on my mind a lot these days (and Gibran talks about them in the book, as well), so is the important topic of work (and I think this latter topic relates to a lot of people right now).

Below I include some quotes that spoke to me. Interestingly enough as I read through this particular section (On work), I found that love and marriage are actually quite connected to work; in fact, from Gibran's perspective, seems as though love and work are married to one another--they are deeply connected. Gibran also notes that work is one with the earth's energy and being--which I like, of course :)

Gibran says:

"You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth."

"When you work you fulfill a part of earth’s furthest dream, assigned to you when that dream was born, and keeping yourself with labour you are in truth loving life and to love life through labour is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret."

Related to the importance of all occupations and types of work, Gibran notes, "The wind speaks not more sweetly to the giant oaks than to the least of all the blades of grass. And he alone is great who turns the voice of the wind into a song made sweeter by his own loving."

"Work is love made visible."

Food for thought:

* What does work mean to you?

* Do you think that your "work is love made visible"? Why or why not?

* What would happen if mainstream culture found Gibran's observations to be real possibilities in our lives and in our work? What would work mean to us, then? What would the world look like? What would our life be like? What would we be like?

* What holds us back from believing that the work we do can be part of the life we live and that we can be in love with that life and the work?

* In response to Gibran's comment that "loving life through labour is to be intimate with life's inmost secret," what are the implications for the jobless?

* How can we find work for all people? Or, more appropriately, how do we appreciate the gifts each individual brings forth into the world?

* How do we find the work that is already within ourselves, and once we know it, how do we go about sharing ourselves with the world?

My soul is still alive

Just a quick note to let you know that I will be back to blogging more regularly starting soon--when soon is, I am not sure, but it will be soon I know. I've been in the middle of finishing my thesis and preparing for a wedding, so I have not been around much to post.

What I will leave you with is a quote that I have been pondering a lot lately, from Vaclav Havel (playwright, prisoner, former president of Czech republic) about the importance of soul work:

"Consciousness precedes being...for this reason, the salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human modesty, and in human responibility. Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness, nothing will change for the better."

If that's not enough to get you thinking, this quote is a nice pairing for more reflection:

"What is soul? Consciousness. The more awareness, the deeper the soul. When such essence overflows, you feel sacredness around." -RUMI

In honor of Earth Day (3 days late)

Here is a video in honor of Earth Day. Join the new anthem!

Sometimes we must laugh instead of cry. This video makes me laugh.

Beware, you need headphones for this one if you are at work :)

Belated Newsflash: April is National Poetry Month

This month has been incredibly taxing (no pun intended) on our household. We are a little over a month away from our wedding date. My partner is working on finding a new career path. I am less than one month away from being done with graduate school classes. I am starting another "figuring out my life" chapter in my story...will it ever really end? Needless to say, on top of all other daily challenges, there has been a bit of stress happening here.

Recently I have visited my blog wanting to say something or meaning to say something but then feeling like I had nothing to say that could be put into a neat, compact, little motivational/genuine post. Truthfully, lately I have felt a bit without significant purpose in the blogosphere which is most definitely a reflection of how I find myself feeling in "real life".

However, it's been long enough, and I am tired of wandering in thought and not writing something down. So I came on here to write about the first idea that came to mind, and my intial thought is about poetry.

So. Poetry. Do you read it? It's okay to be honest and admit that you don't pay much attention to poetry. I know that I don't. It's also okay to not like poetry. At first I really didn't like poetry much at all.

Honestly, why I'm thinking about poetry is because April is National Poetry Month--I found out on Twitter. So, see, Twitter's not that bad.

Since I heard about it, I have visited various websites devoted to poetry and began my own poetry anthology online. These acts are more than I've ever done for poetry on my own behalf, my whole life.

However, while browsing these sites, I realized that I do not hold many poems near and dear to my heart. And I wondered why. I recognized too, that spoken word outside of musical lyrics seems to be less and less apparent and accessible today. With all the forms of social media that require a minimal set of characters and often no audio-aspect, I can see how poetry seems to be dying.

I also noted that the poetry that I was introduced to as an English major was often poetry that did not always speak to my story or resonate with me. Or I couldn't understand it. Some of that reasoning may lie in the fact that much of the poets I studied were a bunch of really old, dead, white guys. I'm not sure, it's just a guess.

In addition, I admit that I also have felt like the poetry I knew belonged to the upper-class--to those people that frequent theatre and enjoy reciting old poems in Middle-English or telling Shakespearean inside jokes. To this point, just last month I attended a poetry reading happening a mile away from my home in a supper club joint and found that the people there were all white-haired, white people, talking about white problems. Then I thought about the people who show up at the local bar for the weekly, open-mic, spoken word sessions. I wondered where is the space/place where these two crowds overlap/intersect, and I wondered what is poetry, anyway?

I came to the thought that regardless of who it comes from (white dead guy or otherwise), all great poems offer great wisdom for people today and also allow people to express themselves in ways that cannot be heard without the lyrical fusion of one's authentic voice mixed with playfulness. With that said I am now on a hunt for poems that use language and topics that speak to me. I am also back to writing poetry. It's not easy, but it's fun.

In honor of National Poetry Month, I'd like to share with you a recent poem that I became aquainted with, thanks to my future-sister-in-law, Anne. She is always reading poetry up North and around town and the other day she posted a lovely poem online that touched me. It's a simple poem about rain, which I relate to as I have been reflecting on Earth day and watching the Spring raindrops fall in Minnesota.

Capturing the Sound of Rain by Raymond A. Foss

Listening to the timpani
the rhythm of the rain
the rap, the tap,
...the ratta-tat-tat,
the staccato of the drumming
on the roof of the van

The storm raging ‘round us
in the stillness of the parking lot
trying to drum to the beat
on laps and the steering wheel
keeping time with the chaos
the randomness of the clatter

Too few drummers for the task
capturing the sound of rain

Also, if you are still reading you get the bonus of reading a poem I wrote two years ago--the last poem I wrote. It was inspired by love as well as a conversation I had with some friends about how anybody can be an artist.

A poem about love by Yours Truly

Tired minds and worried brows
Will make their mark,
Forget to sow
Those hopes, and dreams, and fears
We can’t remember.

Locked pinkies under the sheets,
Hot legs touched by cooling feets,
I rest my head against your furless shoulder.

Love awakens our holy hearts,
Puts to rest those broken parts;
Heals some memories at the start
Within us, stirring ‘til morning.

At the bright sun, the cock then cries,
“Love is patient, love is kind,”
creating for us, in us, those blind—
Blind-spots.
Hiding all our fears and faults,
Protecting shields from reckless thoughts.
Light rays shine dismantling waves
And every falsehood melts away…

Liquids dissipating
Into thick, heavy air—
The ending nightmare
Bobs somewhere
In atmosphere-
Now plainly forgotten.

But here in bed, still, I lay.
Caressing your calm,
Sleeping arm.
My very core, it plays
Pretty picture shows

They enter in, then out
My soul.

Want to start your own poetry notebook? Check out Poets.org.

Spring cleaning and letting go

As I finish my dissertation I noticed my need to hold onto ideas and words. I take notes like a mad woman, I save documents in my computer of a couple thoughts I may have had. I won't delete anything, just cut and paste "stuff" into another document that I will probably never open again (because it is crap)--but nonetheless it will be saved, because you never know one day it's crap and the next day it's genius, right?

I noticed this habit also presents itself in my daily life. I buy more boards and concrete and add another shelf to my bookshelf before I would consider getting rid of some books. I save every plastic container that cannot be recycled in hopes of finding a use for it someday. I won't get rid of that one dress just in case I happen to need it for an occassion--or my body frame happens to suddenly turn Barbie. I will save an uninspiring piece of jewelry with the intent to make it into something beautiful one day.

As a result of all of this saving and hoarding I am left with an apartment that is quite cluttered and a feeling of stuckness and "unfinished business". This observation brings me to the point, when we surround ourselves with all of these things and ideas that do not quite fit we inhibit ourselves from thinking in new ways, being creative and simply noticing.

In our culture, we are so attached and unable to let go that we do not have a hand truly available to even begin to grasp what might be very important to us. Do you truly love every book on your bookshelf? What is more important a large library with books that you don't care about or a small library filled with all of your favorites? Why do you feel it's necessary to hold on? Maybe it's not books for you, what is it that you grasp? What are you too attached to? This is a question I am asking myself.

Without this discernment process there is literally no room for us to recognize our dreams or our best interests, because we are holding onto countless things, relationships, ideas that keep us occupied and controlled. At least, this is my current reality, as I approach graduation and try to decide where I will spend the majority of my efforts in the next few years. I have never been a fan of choosing, but now more than ever I am recognizing its importance.

Today Shaun McNiff reminded me that deleting and getting rid of things or eliminating is a good way to make room for reflection on the things that matter to us most. He says it much better than I can so I will close by sharing an excerpt from his book, Trust the process: An artist's guide to letting go, one of those works that would definitely be on my small bookshelf of favorites.

While he writes strictly in relation to artistic endeavors, art is the form of life so to me his words also provide good life reflection that help us think about our lives and what is essential to our well-being.

Here goes:

"Elimination is essential to concentration. When you can't find a way through a situation, it might be better to reflect on what is already presenting itself. As you choose what to omit, you indirectly select what to keep.

There can be a tremendous pleasure attached to deleting and throwing out materials that obstruct the flow of what you are trying to express. We tend to hang onto bothersome things, trying to make them fit into our lives like parts of a painting or a story that just don't belong. Keeping these things obscures the essential message we are trying to convey. Moving along can be as simple as designating the unworkable sections and hitting the delete button on your keyboard...

Getting to the core involves a realization that we are in a process that is much bigger than ourselves and that all we can do is make contributions and connections between things, one day at a time, one instant to the next. Trying too hard to find the essence tends to keep us on the periphery. The most vital expressions emerge when we are most relaxed, when we simply immerse ourselves in the immediate environment and trust that something significant will appear...

I approach the making of deletions with the realization that they are a necessity. I cannot get to the core unless I eliminate the clutter and distractions that obstruct concentration on the essential message. There are phases in the making of a painting or the writing of a book that resemble clearing out the barn, the attic, or a cluttered closet in order to gain a renewed sense of spaciousness, and a better use of the environment...

The forward moving process of expression requires deletion...

In the artistic process and in daily life, it is always challenging to eliminate and let go. Today's foreground becomes tomorrow's background...

Whenever we abstract an essence from a life situation or perception we simplify, select, and delete...

Look at your surrounding environment with the goal of abstracting essential elements" (McNiff, 1998, p. 104-107).

* Where can you learn to let go in your life?
* What is holding you back that you can simply delete in order to move forward?
* Can you let go, but then buy something new to replace it right away? Some of us get rid of stuff too much because we have too much. If this might be you, you might want to check out The Story of Stuff, and challenge yourself to ask what you really need and take a personal inventory of your stuff to see what you already have.

Recent fave recipe: "Soba Noodles Verde"

I think it's safe to say that Spring is here. I have packed up my boots and am digging around for a lighter jacket. Phew. It's about time, although I'm not holding my breath.

In the meantime, while I have had a minute to spare I have also been enjoying "Springy dishes" at meal time. Unfortunately tonight was not one of those nights--just eating a piece of toast right now (yikes), but that is not the point. The point is there is this dish that is pretty dece that I wanted to share with you.

The main reason why this meal is "springy" is because of it's green colors (unfortunately not because of the veggies--they don't come into season in MN until May/June). Anyway, it's green and therefore springy, hence it's name Soba Noodles VERDE. Which reminds me, for you Spanish speakers out there, I'm sorry it is incorrect Spanglish, that's what the woman who gave me the recipe called it and I kinda like the ring of it. So lo siento, call it what you like and I hope you like it anyway :)

Two key things to know before you start:

1) Do not overcook the Soba Noodles--if you have ever worked with buckwheat noodles before you will know they aren't tasty if they are overcooked (I think anyway), so be sure to keep your eye on them and taste test them--al dente is best. For me they usually get done around 4 minutes but I also boil with the cover on, so just use your best judgment, its better undercooked than overcooked in my opinion.

2) This meal is very quick to prepare except for the dressing which is made of freshly chopped herbs, which can go quickly if you skip the thyme (because you have to get all those little leaves off the stem), but I personally like the flavor of fresh thyme in it so I add about an extra 20-30 minutes just to get a lot of thyme in the mix--it's therapeutic. If you think that sounds crazy just substitute the fresh thyme for dried thyme and you'll speed right through the prep.

Okay, the rest is easy.

Soba Noodles Verde

Dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil (marinade/dressing), 1 lemon juiced and zested, 3 garlic cloves, 1 cup of fresh, chopped herbs--I use basil, thyme, chives and parsley and put in maybe closer to 1.5 cups of herbs but you can be creative here, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix 'em up, set aside.

Chop into bite size, 1 cup each of: broccoli, zucchini (trust me it's good), and snap peas/snowpeas. Heat medium skillet of olive oil and saute the zucchini for 2 minutes, add the broccoli and then snap peas/snowpeas. Don't overcook, they should be a little crunchy. Set aside.

Boil water and add one package of soba noodles (12 oz) and follow directions on the package but remember not to overcook.

When noodles are done boiling place in colander and run cold water over them to ensure they stop cooking quickly.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the noodles, veggies and dressing. Add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4.

Sorry I do not have a picture to share...next time I make it I will take one.

Happy cooking and eating!