A Blog Worth Sharing

A friend turned me on to a most fabulous blog a while ago: Deborah Small's Ethnobotany Blog (http://deborahsmall.wordpress.com/).

Deborah explores California native plants, the various cultures who utilize these jewels, and how they go from plant to food/medicine, documenting different beautiful faces and places along the way. She also links us to classes, teachers, and organizations who work to preserve ancient ways of connecting with nature and nourishing not only our bodies but our souls. Educational, inspiring and down right delicious (check out some of the recipes)!

Stinging nettle leaves stir-fried with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. (Photo credit: Deborah Small)

-B. Pearl

Suburban Paradise

This Northeast LA hilltop sanctuary I call home is a sacred space, ever-changing and vibrant with life, providing nourishment for all.

Two of my favorite heirloom seed providers: Horizon Herbs (horizonherbs.com) and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (rareseeds.com).  

This is Lynq. He likes to hang out.

Paradise pickins: homegrown heirloom tomatoes and various herbs

An urban forager's delight

-B. Pearl

Reflecting

It's simple really I love mid summer when fruit is fresh and seasonal and fresh flowers are vibrant.

I was pleasantly surprised today when making a quick salad for lunch and I noticed the colors of my salad were completely coordinating with the colors of my mini arrangement.

My mother always told me your meal should have as many colors of the rainbow as possible and that is how I look at making a salad. I take all of the bright seasonal goodness I love and throw it together.
The Salad- Organic spinach
Layer of alfalfa sprouts
Hearty handful of green lentils (I always keep a Tupperware full of lentils to add to any dish or as a filling side)
1/4 hass avocado
1/2 juicy organic peach
1 oz of cypress grove crumbled humboldt fog goat cheese

Lastly the dressing simple to highlight the flavors already there
Some Ev olive oil
Slash of balsamic
Lime squeeze
Fresh pepper
Done.

All of my ingredients/flowers come from the Hillcrest farmers market in San Diego and Good ole' Trader Joes.

Taste the rainbow
Marchelle Renee

Welcome to our Yum Yard

If anything we can define the Yum Yard as a collective of ladies sharing their lives through eating, gardening, drinking, and most of all simply enjoying life.

Photos by B. Pearl

An introduction to your hosts;

My Yum Yard will take you to my mothers garden where I first learned what a tomato tasted like, into my kitchen to fix up a random assortment of dishes where a recipe is rarely used but for inspiration and tomatos are never refrigerated. I want to share with you my southern Californian community where I walk past at least 3 home gardens in two blocks and farm to table joints are popping up all over. I will cater to every idea of eating whether raw, vegan, primal, carnivore or hardcore foodie critic you will find something to strike your interest or taste buds. I do hope you enjoy.
- Marchelle Renee

***

I will be sharing my experiences interacting with plants here in Northeast Los Angeles. Interwoven will be musings on life, health and ideas inextricably linked to our nourishment as spiritual beings living a human experience. 
-B. Pearl