Forgotten, Restored. The Maya Nut Revolution.

 Recently, I came across this article about the Maya Nut and how it is changing lives. At one time, the Maya Nut was an staple food for the Mayan people, providing high levels of important nutrients such as protein, calcium, fiber, iron, zinc and vitamins A, B, C, and E. Today, in the rainforests where the Maya Nut tree grows, people are going hungry. They have forgotten about the nut, and don't know how to use it. Biologist Erika Vohman is working to bring the nut back to the people that need it the most. People in Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. People that are cutting down rainforests to plant food crops - crops that have nowhere near the nutritional value. One Maya Nut tree produces 400 pounds of food a year and is less susceptible to climate change than the crops that have been brought in to replace it. The Equilibrium Fund, of which Vohman is the Executive Director, is teaching woman how to use the nut to make pancakes, cookies, salads, soup and shakes to feed their community year-round.

"The Equilibrium Fund mission is to improve rainforest conservation, food security, women's income, status and self-esteem through production, consumption and sales of Maya Nut (Brosimum alicastrum)."

Women are becoming champions of rainforest preservation.The project is having a positive affect on poverty,health and is impacting gender equality. Balance is returning to these communities. Women are talking to each other again about how to use resources readily available to them - and they are teaching those that 'haven't' remembered yet. One nut. All the difference.


Forgotten food. Forgotten wisdom. Forgotten resources. Solutions right in front of us, if only we remember. Sometimes the best solution is to return to our roots.
I started thinking about cultures and indigenous people and traditions that are passed on through the generations using nothing more than a story and practical application. No books. No Internet. Just Mother to child teaching, demonstrating and talking about the ways of life. Ways to survive and thrive. How is it possible that such critical information to a cultures very survival simply stops being communicated - or heard? We all bear witness to how that happens, what that looks like. In truth, the break down of information can happen in one generation. I am reminded of the shame my ancestors felt in their heritage and how hard they worked to disassociate themselves from it. Language lost. Culture lost. Life skills lost.

I gain hope as I witness many younger people working to restore their cultures, traditions, and languages. The Equilibrium Fund endeavor is an inspiration. What inspires you? What good works have you recently witnessed or learned about that bring you hope? The conversation is open. We would love to hear your perspective.

If you would like more information on the Equilibrium Fund or to get involved, check it out here. You can download the Equilibrium Fund Maya Nut Cookbook here. For information on how to purchase Maya Nut go here.

Photo Credits: Maya Nut Tree and Nuts via Wikipedia Commons Indigenous Woman via istockphoto

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Dolphin Bubbles

Things are a little busy around here lately. I have always loved blowing bubbles. Something so simple and yet never fails to bring a smile to my face. Happy Earth day from me ... and the dolphins.

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These times, they are a-changing.

He proved that the media paradigm is changing. One man's voice has the potential of being equally if not more powerful, sought after and valued than a massive media corporation. And the whole event is making headway for a good cause - Malaria No More. So far, Aston Kutcher @aplusk, Ryan Seacrest @ ryanseacrestand CNN @CNNbrk have donated 10,000 mosquito nets each. Oprah @oprah is donating 20,000. Mashable pipes in with their voice here.

She proved that you just can't judge a book by it's cover. And that it's a good thing to keep dreaming. Susan Boyle performed on Britain's Got Talent, but the whole world watched her amazing moments via You Tube.




Big week for social media. Our voices are being heard.

Ashton Kutcher Photo: AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz Susan Boyle Photo: Andrew Milligan/AP

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That's So Northwest

After about 3 years of talk. 2 years of strategy. 1 year of planning, and months of design and writing effort, I am pleased to announce that TODAY we finally flipped the switch and That's So Northwest is live!



That's So Northwest is another blog I write for. It's powered by Northwest Community Credit Union and I am pleased as punch... proud in a way words can't describe... and thrilled to pieces to act as editor and contributor for it. The company wide support for this adventure into social media has been astounding. There are a total of 6 contributors at this point and though it is powered by a (my) Credit Union - that really isn't the point of this blog. It's about community and conversation. It's about all things Northwest and life in general. It's fun and full of resources. So, take a look at a little bit of what I have been up to on my "work" time - getting this blog from concept to real live story in progress. Let me know what you think!

Photo Credit: Holli True Photography All Rights Reserved

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It's Sunday.

I woke up this morning at 9:30 in a panic because I had obviously over slept and was late late late for work. I started flying around - trying to get ready for my Monday in record time. N. was late too. "Come on honey, it's time to get up - we're late for work." He rolled over and said, "shhhh Thea. It's Sunday come back to bed."


Wait...
WHAT!??? I ran to the nearest computer - not even the wall calendar would suffice because something was terribly wrong. I required digital confirmation. Sunday? How could it be? Yes, it's official, today is Sunday. Happy Sunday Everyone! To be fair - I've been in a flu bug stooper for a few days, so a little disorientation is easily understandable.


What has me mystified is that N. was totally oriented. A complete reversal of morning time roles and what's more....I was utterly unable to suck him into my conviction - even though he has been equally addled by the flu and hasn't been able to keep even frozen juice popsicles down since Friday.

Well, now that it's Sunday.... I am feeling much better about the rest of the day ahead. There were way to many things still to do during my weekend for it to be a good Monday anyway. I decided to finish up a felting project I started as a birthday gift for N.'s preschool teacher who has been a part of the family since he was in preschool and is more like a Grandma.

While I am raving like a fever drenched maniac... I might as well break this news to you. We've created an eye on the side of our dog. Oh, it's not as disgusting as all that - albeit, still apparently life changing.
See it? It started with a tick bite. Poor Zeke had a nasty reaction. The skin around the bite got.... infected (that's the nicest way to describe what happened). We had to shave the fur an apply medicine. Now his hair is growing back darker right where the skin became infected. It also appears that the fur around the dark patch - or iris - is growing back lighter. Creating his extra eye. Maybe it's a sign. Maybe it's just an optical illusion. You be the judge.

It's fair to say that we have a bit of cabin fever going on around here that may or may not be affecting our ability to make good judgments. The critters have been amazing. All cuddly and hanging out with us when we haven't really felt much like  human beings at all.
That is Zeke's current cadre of companions. Oh, and Malachi.
Ok - now nap time. Naps when I don't feel good are best with the soft fur of a critter to sooth my nearly-human-once-again soul. Have a great rest of your Sunday!

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