We Got A Head Start Picking Fresh Home Grown Apples While Taking A Mindful Wellness Weekend Away
2020 has taught me more than anything, just how important it is to support your local network in every aspect of our daily lives.
From creating local native species gardens for pollinators in my own backyard, growing my own herbs and veggies and supporting local farmers at the farmer’s market each week to spending any additional income within independently owned local businesses and financially supporting local organizations that give back to communities in our city.
We have a lot of power with where we spend our dollars and although I have understood that concept for awhile, this year has truly shown me the economic value and power in motion. When we spend money within our community of businesses that support local businesses and employs locals, we are empowering our own neighborhoods and neighbors. Now I built my business model off of that but to see just how crucial supply chains are in a year of crisis, it is clear that this is the route we need to keep moving forward with.
How does this translate to a weekend of apple picking and mindfulness? Let me explain.
Yes, it is Fall and that means apple orchards and pumpkin picking, but after a year of food shortages due to panic and a now visibly broken supply chain it is important to take a moment to thank our agricultural workers and acknowledge just how crucial they are to our daily lives and survival. It seems silly of myself that I was not honoring and recognizing them before this more. I grew up in a home that gave thanks before each meal, but as I got older I lost that tradition and this year has reminded me to bring it back.
As we get back to our roots and celebrate the Fall Harvest, I wanted to look back on just how much this year has taught us the importance of supporting our local heroes. Our farmers, our agricultural workers, our truck drivers, and transportation system workers, our grocers and farmers markets. They continue to work so hard to keep us fed and to prepare for next year.
This summer I found solace in my home garden and shopping the local farmers market every week. I also found peace in berry picking at small local farms and this past weekend as we went apple picking at another local farm, I realized just how healing it has been to feel a bit more free outside picking delicious fruits and veggies. To see the bees buzzing about freely with an entire orchard to harvest on.
As pools and theaters were closed, and much of a normal summer was gone, we flocked to local farms to get outside and I think that is just what we needed. A reconnection to the earth and a reminder of where our food comes from and how important and healing it is to be a part of the cycle or growth and harvest.
I just finished listening to ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ by Robin Wall Kimerer. I highly recommend giving it a listen of grabbing a copy of the book.
