Tag: local

daily inspiration day 1 – morning TED talks: guerrilla gardening in South Central LA

March 25, 2013

I love the concept of TED talks – getting ideas out there, sharing fantastic projects and ideas that are actively addressing social, environmental, and other problems.   But every time I want to look for some inspiration it's been overwhelming the amount of content that is now out there associated with TED (talks! conferences! events! TEDx!).  

So I've come up with a new strategy – in the spirit of starting the day with some inspiration, I am going to watch 1 TED talk per day. 

Today's topic: guerrilla gardening in South Central LA.  Ron Finley makes a great case for "changing the composition of the soil" – our society.  Here's the video:

 

And my favorite points / quotes from the talk:

  • we have to change the composition of the soil – we are the soil
  • "growing your own food is like printing your own money"
  • if kids grow kale, kids eat kale
  • "we have to make this sexy" – gangsta gardeners
  • shipping boxes as healthy cafes

 

 

Local lemons

January 5, 2012

That’s right – local lemons. In Maryland in December. You see, my thoughtful husband gave me a wonderful Mother’s Day gift way back in May that has been quietly growing and producing lovely dainty fruits for months.  We kept an eye on it, watered it, and left it to breathe in fresh air in the bright sunshine.  Then we started to count the fruits as they peeked through the shiny leaves – one, two, three, four, five! – and continued on with our daily lives. But those little green globes kept rounding out and filling up while we were busy with friends and babies, work and play.

They began as little bubbles hidden in the branches and then matured into firm dark green ovals that we weren’t convinced would ever change color. Each was so perfectly green that at one point my husband suggested we cut one open to make sure we didn’t get an accidental lime tree from the nursery. But there was a tinge of yellow on one or two so we held off – reassuring ourselves that it was still within a reasonable range for ripening after some online research.

And then it happened – one, two, three, four, five! – golden orbs appeared as if by magic. It seemed that they all turned brilliant yellow overnight in celebration of intangible holiday cheer.

homegrown lemons

So while not exactly a Christmas miracle, this little tree’s gorgeous gems did brighten our December and we rejoiced in its fruits.  My husband knew that the key ingredient in one of my favorite recipes is citrus, which is not Maryland-grown (for sale at least).  This meant that by definition the recipe was less-than-local-friendly.  But that has been remedied thanks to his considerate present many months ago.

May you also find ways to celebrate local in your everyday in 2012 – cheers to a brand new year!

Lemon cranberry scones