From Farm to Forest:Our Outdoor Journal

   Sage and I try to spend time outside everyday. Some days, we just roll the ball or push the tonka trucks around the front yard. Other days we work in the garden, pulling weeds, eating tomatoes, and watering. Some days we choose to venture beyond our home to local parks where there are slides, swings, steps, and other magical playthings for a toddler to explore. All of these activities have their own value and we have come to appreciate each unique area and the wonderful opportunities provided.

   I needed to go to Denver to run an errand, so we decided to stop at the botanical gardens. What a beautiful site! Sage ran down the pathways like a little elf, grabbing purple sage, yellow brown eyed susans, noticing the buzzing of bees, and swirling scents of catmints, basils, lavenders! The gardens are manicured, but still remain meadowlike in their presence. As we strolled from perennial pathways into the formal herb gardens, I noticed the two most sweet tiny mushrooms standing under a large spruce tree. We snuck off the path, into the wild area and snapped some shots. Lying among all the beauty of those gardens, that were hand weeded and tended to immaculately, was nature's gift perfectly tidy, simple, happy, and sure of it's place in the greater gardens. We sat and marveled at the mushrooms before moving on.

   This week we also ventured to the farm to celebrate autumn equinox. We gathered our friends and hiked around the ranch near our home, seeking out horses and pigs, listening to the baaaaing of sheep and clucking of chickens, and watching Patches the cow munch on some yummy alfalfa. The scents of the farm also stirred up a unique smell for the children. Under the oak tree, we made wind wands, and admired at the fairy sized creek that emerged from a giant tuft of grass. Sage had to take his shoes off and wade around. A red dragonfly darted around, landing on the rock, we studied his transluscent wings and he let Sage touch him.The sun was warm and inviting, and left us wondering if summer was ready to part. The spirit of this day was cheery, uplifting, wholesome. I think these are words we often use to associate with family and small organic farms. Ideallic for sure.

This morning, the sky was grey and a shadow of fog lingered. We decided to head to a nature area close to home. We arrived to the sounds of the running creek, full of life and to autumnal hues caressing the forest. The oaks, mountain mahogany, and current bushes that surrounded the creek were changing colors and creating a crunchy sound where some of the leaves had fallen already. Birds still sang and we watched them for a while- darting back and forth, teasing the squirrels, gathering seeds. Sage likes to watch things for a while and does not easily get deterred which I appreciate in him. He likes to watch the stream move along, listening to it's song. He ran back and forth, across the wooden bridge, inhaling fall's fresh moist air, giggling, and bending over the side as if ready to bolt in. I spotted him of course, but he probably would have liked to go in the water.

  So many experiences can occur outdoors that do not happen in the same way inside. The smells and scents of unique places, the feel of the changing temperature and breeze moving across your face. The sounds of animals and bugs, water, wind, woodpeckers- you name it. There is something about being alive in an area that is full of life. Relationships are all around. This is what sets apart outdoor environments from indoor ones. There is a zestful beauty that being outside offers to children and adults alike. It is easy to understand the world of nature when you are immersed inside of it, easy to remember that we too are nature. I appreciate our outdoor moments so much and am grateful these places are all around us and I always look forward to tomorrow's outdoor time as well. Every child deserves to be outside and to  hopefully to find a special place in their heart for mother nature.
   

Muma Medicine Making

Sage has a wonderful little circle of friends. Each one of the children is unique and so sweet. Yesterday, we had scheduled a playdate at little Ayla's home. Upon waking, I checked my phone and turns out all of the children invited except one had a cold with similar symptoms. We decided to get them together anyway and of course it was a mess. They were genuinely trying to have fun but you could tell there was a case of the yuckies abound. When I got home, I got out my trusty old Rosemary Gladstar book, Herbal Remedies for Children's Health. I had not made homemade medicines since Kaiden was small, and Sage had not really had any sickness yet in his short life. This book always inspires me. So this morning I gathered up the ingredients to make a few simple healing remedies so Sage will hopefully ward off the nasties. With winter right around the corner, there is no doubt I will be needing some remedies on hand.Thankfully I am still breastfeeding, so I can regulate what goes into my milk and make sure I'm taking in immune boosting items that will go to him also! One of my favorites is organic chicken based soup, vegetarians can do miso.

Medicine making for me has been part of my mothering style since day one. I am not huge fan of anything that comes from an unknown source and has multiple possible side affects like tylenol or the like. I feel like masking symptoms helps us cope when we need to get through the day, but rarely is it addressing the underlying conditions. So I feel better knowing I'm going to nourish the yuckies away and help my kiddo feel better with simple natural remedies that are safe for him. Note that many plants and "natural" remedies are NOT meant for children, so NEVER give your child any medicine or remedy that you are unsure about. I do not claim to be a doctor, but I do believe mother's are able to make solid and sound health choices for their families with proper research and experience. For me, medicine making comes from my love of plants, nature, and crafting, along with my many years of practicing herbal medicine on my own and with friends and mentors. I have listed a few remedy recipes that are easy and really do make a difference in healing.So- here's to the medicine making mama in all of us....Cheers to a happy, healthy, and handmade childhood!

Elderberry and Rosehip Immunity Syrup

(my own recipe adapted from Rosemary Gladstar)

Elderberry is an extremely popular children's cold remedy in Europe. If you are going to make this syrup, only use blue elderberries, as the red ones are toxic in large quantities. Also make sure to never eat uncooked elderberries. Rosehips are high in vitamin C and can also soothe fussiness if a child is coming down with something.

1 c. fresh or 1/2 c. dried elderberries ( I use dried since they do not grow around here in CO)
1/2 c. fresh or 1/4 c. dried rosehips
3 c. water

1 c. honey

Place berries and water in saucepan and simmer for 45 minutes on low-medium heat.Smash berries and strain through fine wire strainer into bowl filled with honey. Mix honey and berry juice vigorously for 1 minute, place in jars, and keep in the fridge for up to 3 months. Makes 2 ~ 8 oz. bottles. I like to use dropper lids, so measuring dosage is easier.

Suggested doses for children: Based on one teaspoon (60 grains) for adult dose as recommended from Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Remedies for Children's Health.

12-18 months 7 grains
18-24 months 8 grains
2-3 years 10 grains
3-4 years 12 grains
4-6 years 15 grains

Devotions from a mamacita

I created this blog to try to create a space to embrace, internalize, and reflect, and act upon the utter simplicities or otherwise chaotic notions we seem to encounter every day in our lives. I wanted the word "Devotion" incorporated to define the act of writing these wonderful flecks down for sharing. Whether we choose to embrace them or toss them away is our choice, but being devoted to the process lends us to a greater power I believe.

MAMACITA
1)"Hot mama", "sexy lady" in the U.S. and Central America and Mexico 1)Synomym of "Señorita"- "young lady" in South America. Polite, formal, not sexual. 1( taken from the Urban Dictionary, http://www.urbandictionary.com/)

Yes- I am a mama and a mamacita.

I believe somehow my path has lended me a great respect and attraction to the cultures of the South.(not the U.S). A thread of my journey has intertwined itself into my European Hienze 57 make up to also somehow include a twist of spark, color, and frenzy. I am a mamacita, as are many of the women I know.

Perhaps we are the ones that choose to follow our spirits and embrace the flow-whatever that may be. Strong, passioante, compassioante, sensitive, leaders, healers, lovers, teachers, and direct descendents of the divine goddess and god(Yes..it takes 2, friends)...

So I want to know what folks are devoted to and the path that led you to your devotion.....was there any significant element or experience which caused you to become devoted to something in your world...religion, politics, family, a hobbie, a cause, a habit???

My devotion begins with my family. My family is there and sees me at my best and worst. They see me stumble and fly, sometimes both in one day. I am devoted to them because I NEVER thought that my path would lead me to them at the time when it did. I had a choice...do I venture into an area that I am unsure about, risking my future to change, devoting myself to the unknown or do I tread my path as I had planned,devoting myself to education and pursuing life's dreams?I was very young when Kaiden was born. I had barely been out of highschool. I wanted to travel the world, help indigenous people, SAVE the world!! Then suddenly, I had a choice to devote myself to something I knew (or thought) I knew very little about- being a mother. I visited the feeling many times when I first found out I was pregnant of what it would be like to be devoted to a child. Even in my wildest imagination I could not find the feeling. But it soon just came, like a warm place in my tummy and then I could not imagine going back. I got on the wave and am still riding it. Somehow, I just knew what was right for me and when I would mess up as mom (and still do), luckily it was about things I can laugh about. Kaiden was my first true family beyond my parents and close friends...He still will rest his head on my shoulder when we read together at night and once in a while, I'll look over and he will be asleep, his face not changed much from when he was an infant. Or at least from my perspective. Sequoia is also my family-more on him to come...

So I became devoted to him and everything I thought I was devoted to became even more important to me throughout the years. I wanted him to grow up knowing where things came from, how people in other places lived, that the walls of society did not extend into the Earthly wonders of the world. There are no bad people, just people who make bad choices. And for me, I have become even more aware and stronger and passioante about supporting the worthy causes of the world- buying local, living simply, eating organically, exploring my home and knowing what it looks like from the seat of a bike, the top of the mountain, or rolling in a field. As well, once ina great while, we venture beyond to explore other states with thier own unique offerings and later in the year, we will be off to Brazil!! What a wonderful opportunity to embrace the mamacita in myself while learning and exploring a new place with my best friend and devotee if you will......Cheers!