100 Mile Diet Challenge Chez Nous AND UBC Farm Healing Hedgerows Workshop!!!!

Is it local? Maple sugar pie at The Flying Pig in Yaletown

Well folks, it seems our son has volunteered our family for his science project. We're taking on a 100 mile diet challenge with virtually no plan in sight. Strewth!!!! When I told him I'd better phone his grandma to make sure she had ordered a local turkey, the prospect of abstaining from the bird if it did not fall within the required radius was not on. "That's taking it too far!" he said. "Mom, failure will be an important part of this process." It's true--we will fail, but we will fail with style! Luckily we live within a stone's throw of a store called Organic Acres on Main Street which sells lots of local projects. I spoke to one of the owners and he is going to help us map out our food miles. My first seasonal purchase: a pumpkin from Surrey. I also bought BC wheat flour, spelt flour and quick oats which will come in handy tomorrow morning.

I've got to head to one of the Wednesday markets tomorrow to get in some provisions and luckily Saturday I'll be heading to the UBC  Farm to shop at the market and then do a workshop with the amazingly talented Lori Snyder! Please join us!

https://hedgerowsworkshopoct.eventbrite.ca/

Healing Hedgerows for Humans and Bees

Join the Madame Beespeaker and herbalist Lori Snyder for an autumn tour of the Agroforestry hedgerows of UBC Farm followed by hands-on experience making simple home remedies from hedgerow plants (which include weeds and herbaceous plants naturalized around the hedges). Madame Beespeaker will talk about the ways hedgerows can provide a solution to supporting the health of honeybees as well as providing habitat for our precious native bees. Lori Snyder will show you how to forage for seasonal wild edibles and make medicines from hedgerow plants.

We'll begin with a plant identification walk on the farm. Then we'll head indoors where we learn how to make seasonal medicines using natural local ingredients while enjoying herbal tea with infused honey. We will make a wild green salad served with infused wild herb vinaigrettes, and learn how to make rosehip syrup and blackberry shrub (drinking vinegar).

The presenters:

Born and raised in Squamish, BC of Metis descent, Lori Snyder started studying and playing with plant medicine 27 years ago. The interest began when she wanted to know what were the best skin care products to buy. This led into the world of Aromatherapy meeting various teachers and then into the study of herbalism. Lori has two young daughters who she practices on using many different medicines. Personal health is a passion for Lori who enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience of plants.

Madame Beespeaker aka Lori Weidenhammer is a an eco-artist with a passion for bees, birds and the plants that support them. She is also an art educator, a member of the Second Site Collective and she gives talks on how we can support bees. Lori has been volunteering on UBC Farm for over six years, most recently helping out at the honeybee tours at the market. She blogs at www.beespeakersaijiki.blogspot.ca.