Happy Mothers Day to all mother sentient beings!
Originally I had planned for today’s post to be about kimchee, as a response to many requests and also my Mothers Day gift for 4 special ladies (Mary Ann, Dee Dee, Nancy, & Mum) who have nurtured and enriched my life in so many ways over the years. ♡
However, I managed to completely space out one of the most vital ingredients whilst revelling in the midst of the blissful chaos of this past week’s veganniversary/solar return activities. No ginger = no kimchee = no photo tutorial to share via the blog as of yet. Oops! >_<
Nobody’s perfect, right? 😉
Anyway, in lieu of the originally intended recipe post I decided at the very last minute to simply share a bit of my own insight in relation to motherhood, in relation to personal experiences, gardening, food preparation, and (most importantly) infinite gratitude to our amazing Mother Earth who nurtures and supports all life. 
Thus, this post is dedicated to those named above… and ALL of us as a collective nurturing force in various ways to so many other beings, including ourselves!
Although I once enjoyed full-time work as an au pair for a fabulous family of intelligent, engaging, musical, fun and spiritual vegans in my New York hometown, I often wonder how (or even if) I could find time in my days to nurture human children of my own. Considering all of the time I have put into many non-human animals, plants, and even some adults over the past few years, I’m not quite sure that sort of attentive dedication to the needs of very small children could co-exist with all of my other responsibilities without impeding. As such, I am nothing less than wonderstruck by those who have mastered the ability to handle virtually everything… including incredible management of such very full lives of their own!
I am filled with respect for so many of you, and it is my pleasure to share ideas and via blog and social media to make life simpler and more flowing for all of us as a sort of massive collaborative effort. Thank you! =)
All My Children
As many are already aware from previous posts (in addition to the work I’ve been doing with LORAX Community since its 2009 inception), I myself am a dedicated garden mother. Plants and trees in my care are essentially my children. I look after them with great care, protect them from damage, provide them with pure water, essential nutrients, attention, and love. I also make a point of keeping keeping an eye on many of the little beings who visit and assist with my gardening efforts (which most often include Liz, Fred & Ginger) and even some who may hamper its growth. There is beauty and something new to be learned in each new encounter with these fellow Earthlings. Despite some inconveniences, I find it important to acknowledge each of these beings as a divine visitor experiencing the world we share from a unique perspective. I am grateful for so many positive aspects of my life, of which they have become part.
Garden Love
Speaking of new encounters in the garden, Spring is a great time to get busy with seedlings! Mine have been doing quite well… last year’s seedling trees are now nearly as tall as I am, and even beginning to canopy! This year’s are coming along nicely, so I thought I might share the latest cardboard roll starter pots I’ve made to share with readers of the LORAX Community Veganic Homesteading & DIY blog.
What to do with those cardboard inner spools left over when the toilet rolls (or paper towels, for those who use them) have run out?
Personally, I’m inclined to save mine for projects. Occasionally I’ll use them for food projects, but usually I find more call for them in relation to gardening endeavours. I like using these since they’re small enough to fit onto sunny windowsills until seeds germinate. nce seedlings have begun to sprout, the cylinders (made from unbleached cardboard) may be placed directly into the ground without need to disturb the tender seedling in any way. How easy and convenient is that?
Here’s the breakdown:
1 paper towel cylinder = 2 2/3 bathroom paper roll cylinders
1/2 bathroom roll cyclinder = 1 seed starter
The process is très simple, requiring only
- Cardboard cylinders
- Scissors
- Organic potting soil (or gardening soil, if seedlings will be placed directly into the earth immediately after sprouting)
- Sharpie or pen (useful for labelling cyclinders to distinguish seedlings)
- Seeds (preferably heirloom varieties)
- Water
- Empty tray or jar lids (1 lid per cylinder “pot” to be used, or a large enough tray to accomodate desired number)
- Cut cylinders down to size (bathroom roll cyliners should be cut in half, but use your own best judgement with paper towel cylinders–I never use paper towels, so am unable to provide exact measurements at this time).
- Set cylinder sections into empty tray or jar lids.
- Fill 1/2-3/4 of each cut cylinder with potting/gardening soil.
- Moisten soil with a bit of water.
- Press seed into potted soil.
- Fill remainder of cyclinder with soil.
- Add water to moisten
- Place in a sunny spot until sprouted
- After seedlings are big enough to repot, simply place the entire starter into the ground or planting container.
This year I’ve planted mostly trees, but also have tomatoes, basil, and several varieties of pepper happening thus far by way of similar method. Fused together with the enormous rosemary plant which has now emerged from last year’s wee seedling (along with many amazing elements provided in vast abundance via my favourite family farms) I shall soon have the makings for an Italian feast!
Which brings me to the grand finale of this epic post, just for fun…
Quick & Easy Pesto Yield Expansion Tips
Once again we have waltzed into the season where the nut-free/oil-free thing is not only suitable, but also mandatory by rules of seasonal consumption. Since I’m not terribly keen on pine nuts for numerous reasons (ridiculously overpriced, mostly imported from China, etc.), macadamia nuts are usually my go-to protein/fat for traditional style pesto during the appropriate months. However, I’ve actually become far more fond of my perfectly uncomplicated and delightfully fresh avocado pesto recipe–which (due to the abundance and near perpetual availability of organically grown avocados) can be prepared during any time of the year!
So what to do when larger batches of pesto are needed when basil is limited in supply? Add good green stuff to bulk it up! ^_^
This final element was inspired by my dear friend Terry, who recently shared a funny little item which reminded me to share one elementary little method for expansion.
I hate to tear down my basil plants too much, so always throw some spinach (or other seasonal greens) into the mix to expand the recipe. I love using spinach because of its mild and adaptive flavour qualities, but using chard, kale, tops from vegetables where roots are most commonly (radish, beet, carrot, turnip, etc.) or even milder varieties of mustard also works quite well.
Cruda Pizza Italiana de la Raw Veganista w/fresh seasonal veg & spinach avocado pesto
Raw Pizza topped w/White Chard Pesto Sauce, Tomatoes, Red Jalapeño, Mushrooms & Veggie “Meat”
Final note to all mothers and other nurturing souls (female, male, and everyone inbetween):
PLEASE remember to honour, respect, and care for yourself so that you are in the best possible mental, physical, and spiritual health to properly care for those you love and encounter along the way. An interest in a peaceful diet of raw, vegan, living foods is an excellent way to begin (or continue) your journey, and I am so very grateful for your interest in reading these little snippets from mine.
Peace be with you, and may all beings live happy and free! ♡Ⓥ★
