En"light"ening David Suzuki Video
This is a link to a video that sparked much dialogue within the initiating committee.  Just over three minutes long, it ties together economy, food, and population growth and drives home the point we don't live on a limitless planet.  We can't invent ourselves into a limitless world but must instead change our relationship with the Earth and how we live upon it.  Discuss!

http://www.upworthy.com/a-smartypants-scientist-makes-an-easy-analogy-about-our-planet-and-now-im-scared

Thanks,
Chuckanut Transition Initiating Committee
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Fire Cider (also known as Dragon Tea)

Use this simple recipe during cold and flu season to boost your immune system, open up a stuffy head, or just to warm up from the inside out.

4 or more cloves of garlic, press, mash, or finely chop and set aside for 10 minutes.
To a ½ gallon jar add
2 cups honey   (local wildflower if available)
2 cups apple cider vinegar (unfiltered if available)
1 large ginger root, grated or finely chopped
1 horseradish root, grated or finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
½ tsp cayenne pepper
Chopped, set aside garlic.
Give the jar a good swirl, and again every day.  Leave in a warm place for 2-4 weeks.  Use a plastic lid or some plastic wrap between the jar and metal lid, as the vinegar will corrode the metal.
Take a Tablespoon (or more) every day as an immune booster, straight up or in hot water for tea.  And don’t let the lack of fresh horseradish stop you from preparing,  just leave out or add later.  Disclaimer – don’t use with a fever condition.  

Kathi Marlowe

Gardening by Moonlight

No, I’m not talking about weeding in the dark (although it does make it so much easier).  This year I bought a Lunar calendar so I can begin to garden by the rhythm of the moon.  Being our closest neighbor, the moon’s gravitational force pulls at not only our Earth’s oceans and atmosphere but also the dirt we plant in.  The pull is so strong that where ever the moon shines its light down, the world bulges between three and six inches.  Furthermore, because the moon’s orbit is elliptic, there is a point each month when the moon comes closest to Earth, increasing its gravitational pull up to 6 percent.  This closest point is called perigee, the farthest is apogee. 

No wonder that many garden in tune with the moon phases.   Here is a short summary from my Lunar calendar:
First Quarter - From new moon to first quarter, plant aboveground annual crops whose seeds are not contained within the fruits.
Second Quarter - From first quarter waxing to full moon, plant above ground annual crops whose seeds are contained within the fruit or if seeds are the desired crop.  Harvest grains for future use or seed.  
Third Quarter - From full moon to third quarter, plant perennials, biennials, root crops and all bulbous flowering plants.  Dig root crops for seed.
Fourth Quarter - From third quarter waning to the end of the lunar cycle, destroy pests and unwanted growth/weeds and turn sod.  Harvest all crops when the moon is growing old and they will keep long and bruises will dry.

January 1st was a new moon at perigee.  An excellent omen for starting or transitioning anything.
Happy New Year!
Sarai Stevens
Gathering Force Farm