Bee and Squash Blossom

Thoughts about eating well to feed your body and spirit.
I don’t know how I missed this pickling cucumber before it grew to such enormous proportions. I’ve scooped the seeds and pulp and added some water to ferment for a couple of days. Then I will dry the seeds that don’t float and save them for next year. This plant has been more successful than prior efforts to grow pickling cucumbers. They may have cross-pollinated with the Persian cucumber, but I’m trying to expand my seed-saving beyond the easy herbs and greens.
I won’t know how well I’ve done until next year, when I try to grow cucumbers from these seeds. There is a sense of connection to the cycles of life, with such required patience with the changes of season.
And the cucumber falling from the vine, ripe, and ready to go to seed, is a line in the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, chanting to release and aid the passage of spirit from this realm of consciousness.
Here’s the garden after the thunderstorm. Please take some healing, grounding breaths and then take action about increasing federal military presence in cities with peaceful protests.

When feeling overwhelmed by the state of things, I’ve been trying to look for comfort not with the “old normal” methods, but in positive possibilities for the future–building community and sharing sustainable nourishment.


The attempt to make tofu was a complete failure; it did not coagulate. But the coconut, plantain cake I made with the soy pulp from making the milk and leftover roast plantains, was a delicious success.

The cucumbers have begun. Herbs and greens continue. How are you taking care of your health?

Peach pancakes with berries. Starts with same sourdough and brown rice/soy pulp as the garlic chive pancakes.

The week before last, because soy milk was out of stock again, I got a soy milk maker. It is certainly possible to make mylks from soy, grains, or nuts without a dedicated appliance , but it makes it an easy task once every several days.
The pulp left after straining (I’ve settled on a combination of soaked soy beans and brown rice) makes for great pancakes. Shown here: garlic chive pancakes on a bed of herbs, young greens, and edible flowers.
