Yurts: Not just for Nomads

Within the past year I have become increasingly fascinated by Yurts. Perhaps part romantic ideal, part living a more simple life dream, but for some reason these round structures speak to my very being; inspire simplicity and thought, ask me to take a deep breath.

Yurt (noun): a circular, portable shelter used by Central Asian nomads for over 2,000 years (yurtinfo.org)

The Yurt. What an adaptable structure. Although initially constructed over 2,000 years ago for use in the steppes of Central Asia by nomadic herders, the basics of these dwellings have been borrowed and modified to allow yurt construction in a variety of weather conditions. One of my first questions when I began getting interested was whether or not the yurt could survive an Iowan winter. Although our winters are not what they used to be (so those who have lived here, and their parents before them, say) I was worried they would be unable to withstand the buildup of snow (which, after I got to thinking, would probably melt due to the heat). I was also worried about what moisture and the freeze/thaw would do to the canvas and wooden pieces that are used in the construction. Not to worry. As I gathered more information and conducted more research (which, I must admit, is still minimal in the scheme of things) I have begun to decide that one day I WILL live in a yurt!

Benefits of Yurt Living:

• Round structure promotes a more efficient use of space


• They are very efficient to heat and there are many ways to heat them (wood, corn, LP, electric)


• Require no internal support system


• Promotes a closeness with nature traditional housing sometimes doesn't capture


• Better sleep--so I hear.

I happened to pick up a brochure for the North House Folk School, located in Grand Marais, Wisconsin, a while back, and while flipping through came upon a course entitled, "Nomadic Pursuits: Building Your Own Yurt." For more information on this, and other classes, I encourage you to explore their website--there is garaunteed to be something to spark your creative interests! I am, as of now, undecided about attending this 5-day course, but with curiosity and interest piqued, I shall continue my exploration of this indigenous housing-style and allow myself to continue to dream!

Sites to Explore!

1. Pacific Yurts, Inc.


2. Colorado Yurt Company


3. Nesting Bird Yurts


4. Yurt Foundation


5. Wikipedia

Enjoy!

Gabi

A Wonderful Winter Herb

I wait in anticipation all winter for spring, and the emergence of some of my favorite wild culinaries--I pace fields, distractedly drive down the road, and can be found on streambanks and in fields that I have no business being in. And what for? Ahh....the power of herbs is not to be underestimated, for they have me totally enchanted.

Yarrow, or as it is known scientfically, Achillea millefolium, is one such native herb. I fell under this plants healing spell during my sophomore year in college, when a woman I was working with suggested that I try yarrow tea in an effort to alleviate my cold symptoms. Always one to try something new, I strolled the meadow behind campus and picked the newest, freshest stems and florets I could find, drying what I wouldn't use immediately, and making a hardy brew with the rest. WOWZA! Once you taste yarrow, you will never forget it, and forever more associate the smell of the plant with memories of its healing properties.

So, after adding more honey that I am willing to tell you, I drank several cups of this tea for a couple days, and within two days, my head had drained and I had perspired enough to release the toxins that were making my body so ill. I felt wonderful, renewed, and empowered. I hadn't used over-the-counter medicines (which, if you've ever tried to give a cat or dog pills....well, that's kinda how I feel about them too), hadn't gone to the doctor, I had used the resources available to cure what ailed me and the encouragement of one very wise woman.

Description: Leaves are alternate, fern-like, and wooly, very aromatic. Plants usually stand 1-4 feet tall, producing white flowering heads made up of many small florets. Member of the Asteraceae family.

Parts to use: Strongest parts are the top branches, leaves and flowers

Recommended dosage: 1-3 cups of tea daily*

Harvest: Mid-late summer while in full flower

Uses: Astringent, increase bile production, relaxation, sleep aid, anti-inflammatory, diarrhea, wounds/cuts, burns, break fevers, induce perspiration, eliminate cold symptoms, muscle aches, gastrointestinal health, improve circulation**

Folklore: Yarrow was given it's scientific name for the Greek hero, Achilles, who was reported to have used this native plant to heal wounds. Millefolium, translated from Latin, means 'thousand leaves', and if you have ever observed this plant, it's quite fitting.

There are some very important things to know about yarrow before one begins self-medicating, cautions, we'll call them:

1. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage.

2. This remedy is NOT for prolonged use as it causes your skin to become very sensitive to the sun.

3. DO NOT take yarrow in any form if you are pregnant.


I would love to hear about your adventures with native plants, natural remedies, or stories of your adventures and discoveries in nature!



*Healing Plants: A Medicinal Guide by Ana Nez Heatherly. New York: Lyons Press. 1998 (this book can be purchase at Ion Exchange)

**These are compiled uses from a variety of sources and not tested or approved by the FDA. Use at your own discression.

A White--I mean Green--Christmas!

How to Have a Green Holiday
11 ways to have an environmentally sound season.

Want to make sure the things you do during the holidays are friendly toward the Earth? Here are 11 tips from the Sierra Club that will help you do just that.

1. Recycle your old cellphone. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/cellphones.

2. Give the gift of guilt-free chocolate. Ever thought you could eat your way to a better planet? Now you can! Sierra Club chocolate is not only organic, it’s fair-trade, and a portion of the proceeds directly supports environmental programs.

3. Make your own wrapping paper. Most mass-produced wrapping paper you find in stores is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Instead, here’s a great chance to get creative! Wrap presents with old maps, the comics section of a newspaper, or children’s artwork. If every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

4. Add organic and local foods to your holiday feast. Support local family farmers who grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, you’ll be doing your part for the planet too. Looking for an organic turkey or ham for Christmas dinner? Find out where to get local green products in your neighborhood by visiting www.sierraclub.org/zoomer.

5. Stuff your stockings with eco-knowledge. Do you have a family member who loves the outdoors? Stuff their stockings with Sierra Club Knowledge Cards, which come in a variety of outdoor themes ranging from survival skills to baby animals. www.pomegranate.com

6. Do a “cool home” tour with the Sierra Club’s energy-saving checklist. Take a pledge this New Year’s to reduce your home energy use by buying energy-efficient light bulbs. Installing only six compact fluorescent light bulbs will save the average American family $60 per year. You also can use our handy “Cool Homes” checklist to see what easy things you can do in your home to save energy. If there’s a fire in your fireplace this Christmas, turn down that thermostat! Lowering the temperature even five degrees can take 10 percent off your energy bill. Check out a complete list of energy-saving tips at www.sierraclub.org/coolhome.

7. Buy energy-saving LED holiday lights. Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season!

8. Get a pesticide-free tree. Search for an organic tree farm near you at www.localharvest.org.

9. Recycle your Christmas tree. Call (800) CLEANUP or visit www.earth911.org to find a tree-recycling program near you.

10. Donate your time or money to an environmental group. Get into the holiday spirit by volunteering!

11. Last but not least: Get ready for dinner-table debate. Are you likely to be the lone environmentalist at the dinner table sometime soon? Win arguments and influence people with the Sierra Club’s famous holiday survival guide (www.sierraclub.org/talk). You’ll find ready responses to the predictable dinner table arguments that’ll be directed at you. Who knows, you might even make a few converts!

Excerpt taken from the December 2007 issue of the Radish Magazine. This article can also be found, in entirety, online at www.radishmagazine.com

The Meaning of Christmas....

What is the meaning of Christmas? When did the tradition of gift-giving begin? Why do we need a specific time to give presents to those we love? Christmas is always a tricky time of year for me, and I am sure many others as well. This year especially, I think, as the cost of living continues to increase, consumers continue to spend, and wages remain relatively the same. Last week I listened to a wonderful broadcast on NPR about our economy and future predictions. The guest was adamant that saving, not spending, is the direction to take if we hope to improve our shaky economy. Saving! With Christmas almost upon us, how can we save!? There are presents to buy for 30-something family members, extended family, friends....save what!

In my expanding search for personal sustainability and community support, I have turned toward my surrounding communities this Christmas to provide me with what I need. Hoping to begin the tradition of a local Christmas with my own family, my goal is to purchase gifts from local vendors, as well as the fixin's for Christmas dinner (the Oneota Co-op has a great selection of local meat, cheese, and vegetables to make this possible). My goal is also to create as many of my own gifts as possible, in the hopes that my home-made wares make my dollar go a little further. Home-made bread, fudge, toffee, knitted hats, quilted throws...and more. This approach, I am finding, requires much more thought than merely purchasing goods at the store. Actually crafting something for someone else takes time and effort, and while this goal may keep me up into the wee hours of the morning, I can't wait to see the smiles on my loved ones faces!

There are great charities to support, local wares and vendors to purchase from, and of course, your own imagination to tap into. Be creative this Christmas in using your the resources that make your area unique and I think you will be amazed at not only your own ingenuity, but also how simple it is to make someone smile.

Enjoy the Holidays!



**Remember to recognize the Winter Solstice, December 21st!!

Lady of the Imagination

Three years ago, before I had even graduated college, I packed my belongings and headed West. A journey I swore I would never take. Iowa, here I come! I was brought here through my desire to grow food, to feed people, to experience life on another farm and get another small farmers perspective—I came to challenge my education and cultivate my field of knowledge. My experiences there changed me, gave me the opportunity to grow, reach out, meet innovative family farmers who are giving their all to keep the family farming community alive. To keep their communities alive. I also had the chance not only to work with several of these farmers, but to work with other interns who shared some of the same passions and concerns. While some people lasted only a month, others two or three, one woman, Katharine, deeply touched me in the relatively short time we worked together, allowing us to form a very profound friendship. I would like to share her most recent project with everyone and encourage support in whatever manner you can offer.

Katharine Smith began work on the Ghana Youth Photo Project in 2005. I remember the fall of 2005, when she set of to Ghana for a couple weeks to work for a non-profit she and her parents were starting, and keep up with the connections she had made there on previous trips. Always finding a way to find the beauty in an object or situation, we used to sit around at the dinner table and talk of food, art, and philosophy. The Ghana Youth Photo Project is just that—Katharine seeing the beauty, and helping others find it.

The photos represent the lives of eleven children from Accra, the capitol city of Ghana. These children are more accurately from Nima, “the worst slum in Accra, and the Muslim section of the city. The kids not only live in poverty, but some also have to deal with the stigma of being Muslim in a Christian dominated city. The Muslim/Christian divide, which seems to be growing further apart, is not only affecting people in America, but all over the world. I not only taught the kids a new skill but also gave them an opportunity to visually represent their country, culture and religion through photography” (www.ghanayouthphoto.org)

The photographs on display are striking; the insight into the world of these eleven kids is beautifully honest. The colorful outbursts and patterns are matched by the darker depictions, challenging the viewer to look at their world with new eyes and find the beauty in their own life. Each photographer has a distinct personality that comes through in their photos, and while it is difficult, and almost seems unfair to choose a favorite, I definitely have mine chosen. I hope you enjoy this site and artwork and I look forward to reading comments and passing them on to Katharine and her students.

www.ghanayouthphoto.org

Thanks!
Gabi