Farming, Health, and Roundup. Hard Questions.

There are so many articles and studies on the toxic affects of glyphosate, or what you and I best know as Roundup Ready-to-Use weedkiller, manufactured by Monsanto Technology (noted at the very bottom of the Roundup website). To me it should not be taken lightly. Most farming practices depend on it while others are able to find alternative methods. Everyone should research this subject, ongoing and extensively.

Think about this. Veteran's exposed to Agent Orange during Vietnam have suffered and continue to suffer from serious illnesses, many fatal, and they and their families are entitled to benefits through the US Dept of Veterans Affairs. The VA maintains extensive research of Vet's exposed to the agent. 

You may be asking yourself how this is related to Roundup. The government contracted with nine companies for the production of Agent Orange, one being Monsanto. The government may be as much to blame. Monsanto has withstood the controversy and continues to thrive. Unsettling. Roundup anyone?

I say, we can start with supporting our local farmers who are either Certified Organic or if not certified, those who will welcome you to their farm to reassure you of their best practices.

Resources on Farms and Organics:

NC Farm Fresh
Agrilicious, to find local markets
Eat Wild, NC
Organic Growers School

Some examples of Markets and Certified Organic Farms (North Carolina):

Peachtree Market, NC

Wise Acres Organic Strawberry Farm in Indian Trail, N.C.

Poplar Ridge Farm, Waxhaw, NC

Hilltop Farms, Willow Springs,  NC

NewSprout Organic Farms, Asheville, NC



Other Roundup Articles not mentioned above:

Natgeo coverage of Roundup:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150422-glyphosate-roundup-herbicide-weeds/

The Cornucopia Institute on Roundup:
http://www.cornucopia.org/2016/05/new-evidence-dangers-monsantos-roundup/?utm_content=buffer91073&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Change

I am learning, even in my 47th year. Gasp! [Insert sarcasm...] Yes, it is a relief to know that I can still learn something... that I am not all-knowing and perfect. You can relate to this, don't pretend.

Change is inevitable, direct or indirect, whether it be with places or things, with ourselves or with people in our lives, it is certain as they say. Illness, job change, death, friendships, family, relocation, seasons, etcetera, etcetera. It is not always fun and joyous. Clearly there are trying and fearful times to endure. The journey is certain to take us into unfamiliar territory and often times major changes take us through a range of exhausting emotional highs and lows. Self-doubt, fault, resentment, anger, sadness, tragedy, questioning, hopelessness, sense of betrayal, terror, our own accountability factor, it goes on and on. 

So with that journey, how do we adapt and can we acquire confidence, assurance, forgiveness, peace? We each have our own means. Maybe faith, meditation, hopefully special people-pillars to lean on. It takes some of us longer than others to adjust and find that spot of peace and freedom. Especially me. 

The changes in our lives have a place and we should truly recognize that because - HELLO - it means we are human! We must not wallow too long. Only look back long enough to cross-check your behavior with the tools you had at the time. You can't sail a boat without water. But you say, what about all of those emotional highs of self analytical tormenting about right or wrong, confident or doubtful, selfish or selfless? Do the answers to those questions make the situations any different, any better, any worse, any less whatever?  Probably not. This sums up my peace and my freedom....

"The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind." ~Maya Angelou

Translation: Clear the road people because I am not sittin' still! (Oh roll your eyes if you want). That is the beauty of it. What we make of it is our own complete doing... our own bravery. We just have to make a conscious effort. Sure, we have our own truths and many times the event or the person (include self) can be wrong, troubled, unprepared, off on timing, lacking answers, or just plain bad. How we respond to the event is never easy. A decision to let go can be the same as a decision to put up a wall. 

What I am learning is that many times there is no right answer and no right outcome and that has to be okay too because in the end, it boils down to what you are left with emotionally.  What I am learning is to be brave with my lemons... 

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." ~Maya Angelou

Choose to seek the silver lining.... look hard enough and you will find it more times than not.

Happy Sunday All!

The grandest coffee ever, by Briarpatch Bakery and Beans. Visit the Facebook page here. This is also my lovely neighbor! Honestly, it's grand coffee. The beans are carefully selected and roasted to perfection, fresh at order (note: this is an older photo).  Her scones are my #1 favorite, cranberry and walnut.  You just cannot go wrong with this combination.

Follow Up to Garlic Bliss

Final product. Excited to know I'll have this for winter cooking!

Garlic Bliss!

I harvested my precious garlic yesterday, hooray!! I'm sneaking a few to keep for immediate use and culling for some heads to save for my next crop.  The rest will cure, or dry, so that it will store well throughout winter and I'll be able to cook with fresh garlic. Curing can take around 3-6 weeks depending on your bulb size and on how much green remains, and also depending on the temperature and air circulation where they are stored... the key is to prevent mold. 

My garlic could have been left a little longer in the ground probably but oh well. I am just so stinking excited! And probably stinking of garlic I'm sure, but it's a good thing if you love garlic. 

Here's to 56 heads of garlic...