I was at one of my favorite mid-town green eateries, Tastebuds, when I decided to take a look at the pear tree that I discovered last summer. I discovered it last year growing near a chain link fence in the back an urban parking lot, adjacent to a highway. It was pear palooza. Check out its winter profile, tucked in top branches you will see the outline of a bird's nest. It's nice to have an appreciation for beauty of a plant in all of its forms.
Green The Block 2010 Days of Action: March's Theme, "Women in the Green Economy" Green The Block
It takes a woman to educate a nation baby! Sign up to host a Women in the Green Economy event in your town, just in time for Women's History Month.
One of the best ways to engage folks in the environmental movement is to expose them to the wonders, beauty, mysteries and secrets of their ecological surroundings. Recently I volunteered to organize a hiking trip this summer for my church. I am so excited to have the opportunity to immerse church members in the spirit of God's natural places and foster a zeal for "creation care". The hope is that this trip will open the door for a greener church. Not that I am some great experienced hiker, but what I lack in experience, I make up for in enthusiasm and the ability to collaborate.(My career choices in high school were Park Ranger or Banker, I chose banker because I despise uniforms). The good news is that I have the remainder of winter and spring to plan for the excursion and I get to play park ranger for a day!
In Cleveland, Ohio, we are blessed with two park systems, a national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and our local, state run park system, The Cleveland Metroparks. I am more familiar with CVNP as I have been on its grounds on several occasions, including, a camping trip with my son when he was in elementary school as part of an urban outreach program, diversity training through my job and last summer as part of an early Sunday morning "beat the heat" hike in celebration of my very green birthday. I was a little apprehensive when I initially showed up for that hike, as I was the only black person present - out in the woods, on a back road.....I know. Scary. For a micro-second, I thought about turning around. As I got out of the car with my game face on, I could sense the other hikers asking themselves, "Who is this black girl?" Luckily, my apprehensions dissipated as I absorbed their cheery greetings and advice. The rangers (a decent number are women) are very friendly at CVNP and it runs a very popular Underground Railroad re-enactment. I plan to do a lot more hiking this year, so in addition to planning for our church trip, I am also scoping out some opportunities for individuals or smaller groups. Anyway, the Metroparks system is home to our zoo and spread out over wide swaths of the Greater Cleveland area. I am leaning towards using this park system, as it is closer to home and provides nature guides and customizable programs for groups. I will incorporate environmental education and appreciation into our programs that day. The plan for now is to split the group of 100 hikers into two groups, one group will take a more leisurely, educational hike, while the other will take a more difficult five mile trail, which won't feature as much conversation. Both hikes will last about 1.5 hours. We will all then meet back at a shelter (they are reserved a year in advance, so pickings will be slim), eat, rest, fellowship and thank God for the natural blessings he shares with us. We will play games using creature care and nature related quotes from the bible and knowledge gleaned from the hiking trips. Nature guides will discuss other hiking opportunities offered by the park system and I will handout a few copies of the book by African American park gurus Audrey and Frank Peterman, "Legacy of the Land'. This book chronicles their 10 week journey through the national parks of 40 states and shares little known information about our historical ties to the park system (Buffalo Soldiers were some of the first park rangers). Copies of the DVD "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" by Ken Burns will also be given to winners of the games. I am getting excited just talking about it!!! So are you ready to get off of the couch and into the green woods? Here is a sampling of the variety of ways that you can engage with your local park:
Welcome GreenSoul Movement - "EatRight" Blog A wonderful reader shared this grassroots, soulful, green and raw blog. The website is authored by Crystal Riles and Azalea Blacock McCoy, two passionate and energetic Oakland sisters with a love of all things green, raw and earthy. Currently they are in the midst of documenting a journey of how to feed a family on good green unprocessed, unpackaged food instead of on the dollar menu at fast food restaurants, which unfortunately too many of our families are forced to do out of lack of ends and information. Michelle Obama should be all over this. I love their idea of buying a Vita-Mix (the ultimate raw food machine) for $10 on Craigslist, finding free fruit and veggies on Freecycle and Craigslist sites and organic veggies for $1 at the dollar store. The lovely ladies even provide great smoothie recipes to try out on your kids and other loved ones. This is truly keeping it real and accessible for all of us. I love it!
Keep up the great work Crystal and Azalea!
Everyone seemed to like the raw food singles site I posted, so here are some more options for green, raw, vegan, vegetarian or getting there singles, compliments of VegNews Magazine. A couple of commenters also recommended Greensingles and Veggieconnection. Enjoy and let me know if you meet any cool people with these sites.
GreenChef Russell James Wilted Kale with Chipotle Dressing I'm making this superfood palooza tonight! Gliving has the best raw recipes.
Guide For Transitioning To A Healthier Diet I think that this is one of the simplest and best explanations of the need t0 eat and how to eat a more plant based and raw diet that I have seen to date.
Hello Friends! Please join me tonight at 7pm EST to listen to my first day as Green Living Correspondent for BAP Living Radio. BAP (Black American Princess) Living was founded and created by author, yoga expert, lawyer, social media expert and genuine great lady, Ananda Leeke. Tune in tonight to learn more about present moment living and green living 101. Click here for more details on this evening's event.
Black and Into Green: Raw Food Singles#comments Check out the Greensoul website, referenced in this comment.
GreenChef Russell James Valentines Chocolate Torte This is a more complicated, but decadent raw dessert to try.
