Newsletter #20
Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them at least don't hurt them- Dalai Lama
Hello Friends,
Welcome to issue 20 of my latest love letter to nature. Thank you and welcome to all new subscribers and to all paid subscribers for supporting my work. This time a week ago, I was busily preparing the soft opening of my tiny store The Rabbit Hole, which is located near my house and close to River’s Edge Farm, where I grow, make or find many things that are available for purchase in The Rabbit Hole (a few images are posted at the end of this newsletter). Making another dream come true is a profound, spirit building experience, which also includes this Newsletter, which I love creating. So with no further ado, let’s get on with it!
#1- Miso-Dama MisoMaru
-food for sustenance and survival-
Attending a recent outdoor event called Field & Supply, near Kingston, NY, I discovered this wonderful product called Miso-Dama that is offered by BrooklynMisoMaru.
Their miso balls are gorgeous!
I learned that Miso-Dama's (MISOMARU) history goes back to the late 15th to the mid 16th century, during the civil war era in Japan. Back then, MISODAMA was rolled and fired on the surface then dried under the sun, so that they would keep for a long time while being carried. Soldiers used to pack their MISODAMA along with other foods (such as dried rice, pickled plums, dried mushrooms and rice balls) in their pouch (see picture) and carried them around their body. MISO was a great source of nutrition and medicinal foods for them. Even when they didn’t have access to fire for cooking, they could bite into the ball and eat it like a power bar.
Miso is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, and MISODAMA supported their health during the battles.
Applying to Modern Life
The miso balls made by MisoMaru, keep the same shape and similar recipe as 500 years ago. They individually roll the miso balls by hand, using mindfully resourced ingredients, such as their own blend of rice koji Miso, Katsuobushi (Bonito flakes), Kombu (Seaweed) and Shiitake mushroom powder. Unlike conventional instant miso soup mix, these miso balls are made with healthy, high-quality ingredients, and can be customized any way you like.
These would make a great gift for the holidays or anytime.
*In general, miso is a shelf-stable product. Miso balls won’t go bad within a few days outside of the fridge. This means you can easily take them for a hike, longer trip or to a music festival.
https://www.brooklynmisomaru.com
#2- Do you know why Hemp is so amazing
-it’s a no brainer-
In the last few years, the growth of hemp is thankfully booming once again, a plant that has often been described as having at least 25,000 uses. From textiles to building materials, biofuel and plastics, hemp can be used as a much healthier alternative to many conventional products, especially those that are harming the planet.
Hemp is planet-friendly and sustainable and was a daily staple before it was prohibited back in the 1930’s*
5 Reasons why Hemp is amazing:
1- Hemp can grow anywhere and doesn't require pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Evidence suggests that it can lift heavy metals from polluted soil. It also adds nutrients to soil by tapping into sub-soil nutrients other plants cannot access.
2- Growing hemp can save trees. A worldwide switch to hemp plant paper could do wonders for the Earth. Hemp paper is much easier to make, costs less to generate and lasts much longer. A hemp pulp paper process (much like the procedures used in 1916) can replace the current production means of manufactured corrugated boxes, computer paper, and paper bags. The fiber produced in hemp is also four times more than the fiber that comes from pine trees. The destruction of trees may decrease when paper manufactures turn to hemp for their fibers. Hemp paper also provides the recycling capacity of up to seven rotations. Pine-pulp base papers are only good for three. Hemp is also a far superior resource than trees since it can be grown to maturity in 100 days.
hemp fiber
3- Hemp benefits farming. As a natural fiber, hemp is known as one of the longest, strongest, and most durable of the bunch. It is also one of the safest natural resources to maintain, as cultivation methods require no ecologically damaging chemicals, herbicides, or pesticides. Farmers may find a wealth of opportunities by embracing hemp plants, which fits right in with the rotation of other crops, including corn. Since hemp is easy to grow through a process that in fact strengthens surrounding soil, the plant is a clear friend of the planet.
4- Hemp is used in the world's major currency banknotes because it is so strong and water resistant. It is also a sustainable replacement for concrete.
use hempcrete blocks to build your home
5- Hemp has the potential to replace all major non-renewable raw materials. Hemp fiber is stronger and more versatile than any other plant derived fiber, including cotton and wood. Many also believe the hemp plant could produce a biomass for fuel that would burn cleaner than other well-known ethanol selections, as well as potentially replace petroleum products including plastics.
* Read more about the history of hemp here and why it was banned
and also here
#3- Clearya
-An app that helps to keeps toxins away from your body-
When I was younger, nobody thought about chemicals in the products we bought. Instead, we bought and used whatever was in stores, that looked good, smelled nice and had cool packaging. These days, we are much better informed and aware and can make healthier decisions for ourselves when it comes to choosing toxin-free products to use at home.
I learned about a new app called Clearya , which could be of interest to you, especially if you do most of your shopping online. It’s a free mobile app, which notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your choices of makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe alternatives, all while shopping online. I checked out a mouth rinse brand I like and found out that it contains chemicals I would rather avoid.
Clearya makes it easy to find out what’s inside products before you buy them.
Also, learn to be label smart. Make a cheat sheet to carry in your wallet or save it on your phone when you are out and about shopping for beauty, and skincare products. If you read any of the following chemicals in the ingredient list, don’t buy them.
Benzophenone-2
Dibutyl Phthalate (DEP)
Dietthanolamine (DEA)/Triethanolamine (TEA)
Parabens
Propylene Glycol
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
As always, my regular go to and trusted resource is the EWG
*Full ingredient lists are not always provided by retailers for products online, and toxicity regulations change over time.
Source: LOLA Lots of Love Always, chapter 3, page 35
#4- Migration Map
-If you love birds-
This handy BirdCast Map can help you find out when the greatest number of migratory birds will be passing over your home. Whether you are an avid birder or just want to help prevent unnecessary bird deaths by going light-out during high-migration time periods, this is an awesome resource.
Bird migration forecast maps show predicted nocturnal migration 3 hours after local sunset and are updated every 6 hours. Colorado State University and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology currently produce these forecasts.
You can go to the migration dashboard and explore nightly migration data in your region by clicking here
Tonight’s bird migration forecast
You can also get local bird migration alerts, using this tool to determine whether birds are passing overhead near your city tonight
Tomorrow night’s bird migration forecast
#5- Learn Your Land
Learn Your Land is a media channel created and hosted by Adam Haritan, with the intention to help you develop a connection to nature one species at a time.
Learn
It is what you do, not what the land does for you. It is not the responsibility of the land to teach you, but it might be your responsibility as a human to learn its ways. Learning involves placing attention upon something for an extended period of time. There is no other way to love. Learning, however, is not the same as knowing. Knowing implies that you have reached the pinnacle of your education. Accomplishing such a feat banishes the possibility that there is more to learn. If you are human, there is always more to learn.
Your
This does not imply possession. Is the land really yours? I do not think so. Your in this three-part phrase denotes particularity and specificity, not possession. Learn the land that you live upon today. Those latter five words summarize what is meant by your. Why does this matter? Humans are place-based creatures. To be from everywhere is to be from nowhere at all (i.e. homeless).
Land
Plants, trees, fungi, animals, birds, insects, fish, rivers, streams, lakes, bogs, valleys, hills, mountains, etc.
Click here for the playlists that include the following:
Animals & Insects
Trees, Shrubs & Woody Plants
Medicinal Plants
Edible Plants
Medicinal Mushrooms
Edible Mushrooms
As of today, Adam Haritan has created 175 videos for our learning pleasure.
Watch all videos here
#6- The Rabbit Hole
located near Hudson, NY
This where you will find things that I have found, grown or made that support wildlife or a good quality of life.
To make an appointment to visit, you can send me an email at info@priscillawoolworth.com or text me via instagram @therabbitholehvny
See you soon again!
Till then, be well in all ways,
Priscilla