In the past ten years, we’ve installed solar panels on my house three times. This year we’ll do it again. We save for a while, buy panels, earn our money back on sunshine, electrify more systems in our house and then repeat. Through all the industry changes, the reduction in panel costs, and fluctuating incentives, I’m often asked, when is the best time to buy? My answer: every time. Every single time we spent money on solar panels it ended up being one of the best purchases of our lives. Why? Because financials are only part of the story. While solar panels can, and should, make some economic sense, I…
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Resilience
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene “SPROING!’ That sound came to mind when I was thinking about Resilience. Resilience means being able to bounce back in the face of a challenge, being able to adapt and make changes, and even to innovate. Whether the power goes out, or your job is eliminated, or there is a glitch in the kitchen, resilience means figuring out how to adjust and reorganize in order to cope with those new conditions. Developing resilience is essential to enjoying well-being. Figuring out a new or different way to solve a problem…
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Herbal Plant Companions
Herbs are typically hardy and resilient. In these times of unpredictable weather, herbs provide beauty, flavor, medicine and food for people and pets. One additional benefit of herbs is serving as good companions for your flower and veggie gardens. When certain herbs are planted near or among other plants, they help those plants be resilient, too. Companion planting with herbs attracts beneficial insects or draw unwanted pests away from more vulnerable plants. Here are a few examples of our favorite companion herbs. Calendula This cheery, sunny, fragrant flower (also known as pot marigold) pairs well with eggplant and tomatoes. It attracts a wide variety of pollinators, including striped bees and…
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Resilience Today
Resilience is a frequent topic of conversation these days, especially after a major catastrophe or when planning for some future disaster. The Cascadia subduction zone earthquake comes to mind for the latter. We talk about the need for resilience in our personal lives, in our organizations, in our businesses, and in our city, state, and federal governments. We talk a lot about resilience, which is a good thing, since history has proven the value of human resilience. However, there may be another side to resilience that is not discussed An op-ed piece by Parul Sehgal in the December 1, 2015 issue of the New York Times Magazine, opens with the…
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Portland VegFest
October 5 & 6, 2019 Oregon Convention Center Exhibit Hall A Join 8,000+ people of all ages and 180+ vendors at Oregon’s premier plant-based food and lifestyle event. The largest vegan food festival in the Pacific Northwest, Portland VegFest celebrates its 15th year with 180+ food vendors, favorite veg restaurants all in one place, cooking demos from top vegan chefs, talks from leaders in the vegan movement including doctors, lawyers, activists, business owners and environmentalists, a fitness stage, activities specific to kids and teens, and more. For more info and to apply: portlandvegfest.org
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5th Annual Pacific Women’s Herbal Conference
September 20-22, 2019 Vashon Island, WA Herbal Roots Ancestral Wisdom Over 40 Workshops & HerbWalks Featured Teachers Harvest Moon, Quinalt Elder and Thea Summer Deer, Herbalist A Lively MarketPlace Engaging social time 400 Acre Forest reserve 1.5 miles of beach on the Salish Sea An inter-generational, nourishing, engaging, integrated weekend For more info: www.pacificwomensherbalconference.com/
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National Drive Electric Week
September 14- 22, 2019 A nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of today’s widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. They are fun to drive, are less expensive and more convenient to fuel than gasoline vehicles, are better for the environment, promote local jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Are you considering going electric? Come talk to owners who have successfully done so. For more info: driveelectricweek.org
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Mother Earth News Fair
Aug. 3-4, 2019 Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Linn County Expo Center 3700 Knox Butte Rd. E, Albany, OR The Mother Earth News Fair is your passport to money-saving hacks, health-boosting remedies, and environmental strategies from leading experts and entrepreneurs around the country. In addition to presentations and hands-on workshops, you’ll encounter a vast marketplace abounding with innovative resources and products to enrich your life. For more info: www.motherearthnewsfair.com/oregon
