the savor project
we grow the good and play with our food
Nature can help us sleep: bringing biophilic design into our bedrooms
This past weekend I spent an hour or so deep-cleaning my bedroom, removing clutter, and exploring ways to bring more nature indoors. Although I’m immensely grateful to have a wooded view outside of our bedroom windows, recently I’ve realized that I need to turn the volume WAY up on my self-care.
Now, more than ever before, we can all benefit from basic sleep hygiene recommendations (and if you’ve struggled with sleep issues for a long time, you might consider seeking help). Even if sleep isn’t a problem, consider giving your nightly routine an additional “nature boost” by incorporating repeated elements of biophilic design, which “emphasizes human adaptations to the natural world that over evolutionary time have proven instrumental in advancing people’s health, fitness, and wellbeing.” A few suggestions:
Read MoreSavoring flowers
The lilac is blooming, and the rain has lifted. Amazing how each garden transition is like a birth. Just like each breath, and each day.
Last night I hosted a short silent meditation session for my Mindful Self-Compassion community, and I read Mary Oliver (of course – she’s been on my mind a lot lately). I’d like to share her poem The Summer Day with you. Read More
“Are you my mother?” nature is here.
For those of you who are parents or have children in your life, you may be familiar with a sweet little book by P.D. Eastman titled “Are You My Mother?”
I can’t remember where we bought our copy – probably purchased at a local children’s resale store about ten years ago. I started reading it to my daughter around the age of two, and I was hooked. My daughter adored it, too.
Read MoreEarth Day resources
Happy Earth Day! So many of our friends are sharing resources today and here’s just a few that I’ve visited:
Free streaming of Love Thy Nature documentary (link courtesy of Nature Sacred)
The Oregon Metro-area Master Gardener resource center
The Children and Nature Network blog
Edible gardening
I’ll be brief because I’m finding it hard to spend much time in front of a screen these days. If there’s ever a time to cultivate food literacy and learn how to grow our own food, it’s now, especially in the face of COVID-19. The psychological and physical health benefits of spending time in nature are well-documented. Also, you know who doesn’t have to disinfect their produce before they eat it? Backyard edible gardeners, that’s who!
Here’s a few tips if you’re new to growing and not sure how to get started, but keep an eye on my Gardening and Urban Agriculture resource page for more information.
Sunflowers and more in a Portland garden
I’m over-the-moon excited to have pictures from my home garden featured on Fine Gardening magazine’s website today.
As many gardeners know, growing is a year-round job (we’re planning and cleaning up, even in winter) and we don’t often get a chance to share. Often, we’re alone when we experience those magical moments….the sight of a hummingbird or dragonfly hovering near a flower bed; the first lush harvest of spring greens; the ripening rose of a tomato; the crinkled tips of kale, waving for your attention and just visible beneath the snow.
And sunflowers – don’t get me started. Next to daffodils, toddlers, and puppies, I think they’re some of the happiest things on earth. Read More
Coping during COVID-19
Greetings, friends. There’s a lot going on in our world, isn’t there? If you’re reading this, I’m glad you’re here and I hope something in this post will serve you.
By now, I hope you’ve accessed the latest science-based recommendations about how to minimize the transmission of the new coronavirus, COVID-19. I highly recommend you check out this article from the American Psychological Association, which includes coping tips as well as links to the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Read More
Mindful food literacy
Over my past seventeen years as a psychotherapist, I’ve helped individuals navigate a myriad of physical and mental health struggles and delivered a variety of research-supported interventions. I’ve also maintained a long-standing passion for health education, both as a tool for recovery and a preventative measure.
In this next chapter that I’ve named The SAVOR Project, I’m bringing what I’ve learned as a psychologist to the (literal and figurative) table to promote a more positive, connected relationship with food. And the journey begins with mindful food literacy, which can be broadly defined as the ability to access, choose, process, and enjoy food.
Read MoreYou’ll find me at the community garden
This month, I’m officially entering phase one of The SAVOR Project! I’ve secured a plot at Ridgewood Park, a SW Portland community garden, and over the next few seasons, I’ll use this space as a demo garden to highlight the benefits of interacting with and cultivating an urban edible garden. It will also serve as the meeting place for a number of low-cost public offerings through The SAVOR Project’s “outdoor school” workshop series. Most of what I harvest from this plot will be given away to workshop participants and the Produce for People Program. Read More
the savor project 