Sustainable Indulgence: Chocolate, Coffee, and Wine to Save the World

I was semi-guiltily munching on Sunspire chips and reading the label to make me feel better about my sweet indulgence. The chocolate chips have unrefined sugars and natural colorings. And they're so good! Then I read that Sunspire directly contributes in a positive way to the lives of their cocoa farmers. I went online to research; you can read more about their "Caring for Cocoa Communities" on their website.

That got me thinking about other indulgences that can make a difference through practices and policies promoting sustainability and social justice (which are closely related). Here's some of what I found out:

California wineries, producing 90% of U.S. wine, are moving toward organic and sustainable practices like more appropriate irrigation, the Organic Consumers Association reports.

Many wineries are offering biodynamic wines, which Jack Everitt of Fork & Bottle has listed.

Shade grown and organic coffees make a big impact, from improving the lives of the farm workers to providing or protecting habitat for migrating birds.

Tea makers are also moving towards sustainable practices, as reported on TreeHugger.com.

Here is another nice blog about sustainable tea.


So - there you have it. We can have our cake, eat it, save birds, make agricultural worker's lives better, and reforest the land. Ask your local natural grocer to carry these products, buy them, and enjoy!

Organic Gardening outside the U.S. Bubble

I love to read stories about organic gardening and stewardship by normal people in other countries. I read this article about an IT guy in Malaysia and his home garden, and it brought me to this website Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia (CETDEM). Or this article about organic - or ecological - gardening in Tanzania. Or this NPR story about the organic farm Fruit Garden, Fragrant Pig just south of Chengdu. I feel happy and connected to the planet to know that others outside of the American bubble are changing the way they live while facing many of our same struggles, like the high cost of organic food.

It makes me think, too, that I need to give my garden a name. Like Clay Pot, Fat Squirrels. Or Wasp Heaven, Outdoor Cat Box. Or maybe Algae Pond, Lazy Seeds.

Ok. Anyway.

How is your garden doing?

Clea Danaan's Fancy Schmancy New Website

I'm expanding! My new website, still at http://www.IntuitiveGardening.net, is all about the integration of my healing, teaching and writing, the Earth Garden Institute. I have added information on classes, a bookstore, and more. Come check it out!

Global Warming, Reindeer Herders, and Past Lives

I just read a short article and slide show about how climate change is affecting reindeer habitat and traditional Sami way of life. The article leaves me sad, determined, and also strangely spooked. I am looking in a mirror and seeing a face from long long ago.

I realized several years ago that I am likely descendant from the Sami, the semi-nomadic peoples of Norway, Finland and Sweden. My grandmother on my father's side was full Norwegian, and though she died when I was a baby, I've always felt very connected to her. We look alike: dark hair, olive skin, brown eyes. Not your "typical" Scandinavian. When I saw a picture of contemporary Sami people, I knew they were my people, my grandmother's people. I have often been asked if I have Native American blood - I do not. But probably Native Scandinavian. I do not know for sure because I cannot trace my Norwegian ancestors much before emigration. The contemporary Lindemarks (the family name before they came to the states) have no record of my great-great-great grandparents. I think they must have been farmhands who took the name.

Then a year or so ago an astrologer told me my Sagittarius rising gave me "gypsy" leanings. It's true I have never lived in one place for more than four years. Ever. In each house, I tend the land, build a garden, trim the fruit trees, and then move on. Perhaps some of this comes from my nomadic blood.

Either in a past life or in my DNA (or both), I roamed the northern lands tending reindeer. Today I write to save the earth, to inspire people to live in integrity with the land, and the Sami way of life is threatened. I feel great loops of time and love and ancient wisdom.

We are all one as we journey to evolve on a sacred planet.

To read the article and see the photos, click here.