Winners

Just some of the many immaculate visions popping out at me lately...

Herby bath:)

Lemongrass = current fav

-B. Pearl

Problem...

No outdoor growing space?

Solution:
Have a window with some light?

 I love using chalkboard paint on just about anything. It looks cool and it great for easy and changeable labeling.

-Marchelle Renee

Lechuga

Favorite thing growing right now

Bright and delicious flavor.

Poached egg on top, yolk as the dressing. Lovely.

-Marchelle Renee

Long Love Eggplant

My approach to preparing this beauty was rather informal, no recipe required (like most of what I prepare). Here is what I used, enough for two people to enjoy comfortably:

One Japanese long eggplant (of course)

One Roma tomato

One fourth of a yellow onion

Two cloves of garlic

One Shishito Japanese sweet pepper (also from the garden)

A couple big pinches of salt

A few grinds of white pepper

A hearty dash of curry powder

A lil water to give the dish some juiciness

A cup and a half of brown rice, already cooked

A bundle of fresh basil leaves, chopped for a fresh garnish 

'Shishito' Japanese sweet pepper plant

Shishito pepper fully ripened

-B. Pearl

Sunrise and the Rise of New Life

Yesterday, I awoke early enough to witness the break of dawn.

I spent the morning doing deliciously tiny things, like this...

Thrift store pot: $1. Plants: priceless

I fell upon a marvelous website totally worth sharing (http://www.urbangardensweb.com/). Full of awesome ideas from cinder block gardening to sustainable fashion design (featuring a wedding dress fashioned out of recycled paper embedded with wildflower seeds, crafted by Tessa Zeng).

Emerging bedroom garden

I brought the outdoors in. Wow, what a difference.

Being indoors inspired me out again at dusk... 

Huichol tobacco seedling

Psychedelic nosher 

-B. Pearl 

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