It’s sometimes difficult to balance this blog, which is my passion, with other aspects of my life – namely earning income. It goes without saying that my family comes first, and mothering/partnering will be my number one priority. If only this blog could always be number two!

In the past I’ve been open about my ambition to monetize BA. It’s not my driving purpose here (of course), but I sure wouldn’t shy away from it. Every dollar required to live my life is time taken away from this space. If BA could do a bit to earn its keep, that would change a lot. And becoming a mommy has made my time more precious than ever. Sometimes I find myself asking a very difficult question: is blogging like this really sustainable for me?

I firmly believe in NPR (National Public Radio), PBS (the Public Broadcasting Service), and CSAs (community supported agrigulture), which is why I’ve been operating under a model I call USB – User Supported Blogging. That means that I’ve eschewed advertising dollars and instead relied on contributions from my readers (via my wishlist and the tip jar → ). I am so incredibly grateful for every gift I’ve received, but the undeniable truth is that donations won’t really bridge that financial gap.

Right now I work for my $crilla and I blog for love, and those two investments become competing factions in the ”War On Sayward’s Time”. And since family always come first, and since the sad truth is I do *need* to make money, in the end it’s the blog that suffers.

My ultimate dream is to someday marry my income obligations to that which brings me true joy. In other words, I’d love Bonzai Aphrodite to become lucrative, so that I could channel all of my extra energy right here. I have such Big Dreams and Grand Plans (yes capitals!) for this project, if only I could devote the time!

I’m not trying to get rich. I don’t make much money right now and I don’t need that much to maintain my lifestyle. But, well, a girl’s gotta eat. (And this girl’s gotta eat organic!) Life costs money, and I do need some.

So here’s where I would love some input. I’m decidedly disinterested in hosting advertisements, but I have been considering ’sponsorship’. Essentially, featuring a company whose product and ethics I can completely get behind.

Do you see a distinction between advertisers and sponsors? Do you think allowing sponsorship would compromise the integrity of the site? (Or conversely, would you appreciate being exposed to responsible, green businesses?)

I’ve also considered other avenues of income via BA, such as selling quality merchandise like tees and totes. (Which, personally, I think could be so fun!) How would you feel if I offered BA-inspired garments and goodies? Would you be interested in buying them, or do you feel like our relationship would change if I were “selling something”?

My integrity is more important to me than anything. I always want you to trust that I’m operating above board and in honor of the principles I advocate. So I put it to you, my readers, my community, my ’shareholders’ – what do you think?

This meeting is now called to order . . .

The book itself is totally unique, a dynamic artistic mix of photography, collage, and sketch. Our narrator is a finger (yes, a finger), our protagonists are plush dolls, and there’s some really cute illustrated snails. And on top of amazing art it packs a powerful pro-veg message.

From a press package:

“This new, innovative children’s book . . . raises questions about who we eat and how it feels to be food. When two enthusiastic Vikings decide to use snail shells as a nutritious supplement in juice, their mindful friend Thora challenges the Vikings to think about the effects of their actions.”





This book is recommended for children ages 6 and up, and was probably a bit advanced for wee Waits Rebhal. Still, he sure did love chewing on it! I’ve read it to him a number of times, and unlike lots of other kids books, I appreciate this one because it keeps me interested as well. The multi-media design is clever and creative and keeps my grown-up mind engaged, which is so nice.

Waits even took a turn trying to read it!





Garlic-Onion-Beet-Spinach-Mango-Carrot-Grapefruit Juice is a thoughtful book with an important message, but it certainly doesn’t take itself too seriously. Super sweet, often silly, and with a simple lesson in compassion that subtly encapsulates the veg*n ethos.

Seriously, I’m kind of in love with this book. I highly, *highly* recommend it -no matter your dietary preference! It would really make a great gift for any little ones in your life. So support an independent artist and check out Thora Thinks. If you don’t, Waits will give you frowny face:

Oh well, I can’t complain! In this odd year of mostly hands-off-farming, I’ve actually learned a whole lot. And I’m so excited for next year! I can’t wait to implement all my new insights, and I just can’t wait to see this baby beast all covered in dirt and sprinkling seeds as he toddles along. We’re gonna have so much fun!





So speaking of seeds, I sort of have this grand idea. I want to organize an international seed exchange for Bonzai readers! I’ve always been enamored with the idea of saving seed – there’s something so inherently whimsical about this incredibly practical act. There are tons of really great reasons to do it, not to mention the fact that it’s just plain fun. I mean, talk about recycling!

I’ve written a bit about various seed-saving techniques, but the truth is, it’s fairly universal no matter the species. First, remove the plant part that holds the seeds. If it’s a pod or a flower, allow it to dry completely and then liberate the seeds. If it’s a fruit like a tomato or gourd, simply excavate the seeds and then allow them to dry out. Either way, collect your fully-dried seeds and label them clearly, storing in an airtight container (old spice jars work great). Easy as pie!

So this autumn as your garden begins to wind down, why not save as many seeds from as many plants as you can? Then email me, tell me what you’ve got and let me know what you’d want, and I’ll do my best to get everyone matched up for a great trade. I’ll post more info as the time draws near, but for now just remember to let some of your stock go to seed!

~~~

And now, a little look into my pitiful plot, haha. But I swear it’s not all my fault! It’s a similar story in every raised bed across the city. All the plants are petite; each bloom and fruit is delayed. I don’t know anybody who got homegrown blueberries, and even the Farmer’s Market produce is showing up late for the season.

What a strange year it’s been . . .



One thing I haven’t had any issue with is my gourds! Funny, since last year I planted a ton and didn’t get a one. But check ‘em out this time! They’re lovin’ it!



My very first homegrown pumpkin! There are a few of these guys already, with hints of more to come. I’m so excited!



I think this guy would grow up to be an acorn squash. Alas, I’m pretty sure he won’t make it. One of the casualties of heat + weekends away . . .



These are my first ripening tomatoes. Yes, my first tomatoes. It’s basically September. The best thing about waiting so long for your garden to get it together? Man, these are gonna taste soooo good.



What’s left of the chard. It was super lush but never got very big. But it still made many a smoothie! (of course!)



Beet greens . . . I wonder if there’s actually anything going on under there? Ah well, if nothing else the greens will be delicious!



My basils are finally starting to take off. I just hope it’s not too late! Pesto ahoy!



Summer is never complete without sunflowers! My big beauties are finally getting ready to bloom. They’re just about 7 feet tall already!


So tell me my dears, how has the season been where you live? Any luck in the garden this year? If so, I hope you’ll be saving your seeds!

Regulars here on BA may be checking in to see what sort of mission I’ve set forth for us this month. Will we be cutting consumption of plastic? Or saving our change for charity? Or maybe we’re giving up toilet paper? Well . . . no, not quite.

Dearest readers, this month I need to ask of you a favor. I’m asking that you allow me a self indulgent interlude. And if you love Bonzai Aphrodite and you believe in what we’re doing here, then I’m asking for your help.

See I’ve always dreamed big, big, BIGGER for this little webspace. Now it’s time to begin the process of, er, biggering! I’m ready for BA to grow! (a bit) And of course, I want you to be a part of it.

Thus, I’m officially declaring September 2010 as “Get Out The Bonzai!” month.

I need you to Get Out The Bonzai! I’m hoping you’ll help to spread the word about BA and what we do here. I’ll be tasking you with outreach projects each week, as well as unveiling some exciting, new, reader-supported features. It would mean so much to me if you would join me this month in my effort to take this dream to the next level!

~~~

The first mini mission is an easy one. Do you have a Twitter? If so, I’d love it so much if you’d follow me. Then, at some point this week just tweet about BA – maybe link to an article you like, or talk about why you dig the site, or just encourage your followers to check it out. That’s it! Easy peasy!

And stay tuned for updates, announcements, and all sorts of news as the month progresses. I’ll be setting forth a framework for the future, as well as introducing new additions and facilitating discussion. We’ve got so much excitement coming up!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

I rolled in to town from vacation laaaate last night, closed the contest, and took the ol’ random number generator for a ride . . .





Congratulations Gretchen!

Divine indeed! I’m emailing you right now. =)

Thanks to everybody for playing along, and a huge THANK YOU to Michelle and Chad over at Funk Off!

And now, happy weekend!!! It’s time to get our chillax on, and as always, here on Bonzai it’s time for comments, critiques, thoughts, support, and suggestions.

So lay it on me! Let me have it! What are you up to this weekend? What’s your current obsession? Tell me three random things that make you happy today! (mine = half caf latte, a very clean house, Waits discovering how to make splashes in the bath) And here on Bonzai, what do you want to see more of? (the food? the farm? the fashion?)

As usual, the Feedback Forum will remain here at the top of the page all weekend, so if you’ve got an idea or a question or you just want to introduce yourself and say ‘Oi!’, you can stop back by any time. This is your community, so get involved and have your say!

I’ll be away all weekend, even *gasp!* without internet. It’ll be great to come back to all your comments! Shasta county, here we come! Woo-hoo!
Have the bestest weekend!

This month I’ve been especially focused on two joy-promoting techniques: setting a smile as my default expression, and being a super mellow super thoughtful driver. These have not been easy for me! I’m often deep in thought while walking my dogs or running my errands and this results in a tense face. It’s been sooo interesting for me to [try to] maintain awareness, relax my face, and smile while I do my deep thinking. Let me tell you, not only does it change how strangers regard you (they smile back!) but it also changes your thought process. Really, amazing stuff.

Okay, I admit it – I *may* have a little bit of road rage. I think it stems from my Hyper Productivity Disorder™ and my desire to go! go! go! all the time. So this month I’ve been forcing myself to relax behind the wheel, by driving slower, waving the other car ahead, and *always* giving the right of way to bicyclists. (I sure do appreciate it when I’m on a bike!)

I feel like these two things have worked wonders on my psyche, and I KNOW I’m putting more goodness into the world this way. Of course, I’ve also been dropping love bombs all over Portland (like inspiration notes, illuminationPositive! cards, butterflies) Love it!

But enough about me, what I really want is to hear from you guys! What have you been up to in our quest to make the world grin a bit bigger? Tell me tell me, I just can’t wait to hear!!!

The absolute delight of getting a package that smells amazing, filled with wonderful handmade soaps and salves, from a [mostly]* vegan company!

I recently had the pleasure of this experience when I received a small box of goodies from Etsy seller Funk Off. The little shop is run by partners Michelle and Chad, and promises “To Keep You Fresh Not Funky”. They asked me to put their motto to the test and sample a variety of their products. Um, yes please!

* Funk Off is now in the process of selling out the last of their non-vegan items and will be switching over to an entirely cruelty-free, animal-free line! Yay!





Kiss This! Vegan Lip Balm – Vanilla

Of course, I dove right in with the chappy. See, I’m a lip balm freak and I gotta say, the vegan pickin’s are pretty slim! I’m slowly going through all the available options out there, to put together a comprehensive review. And, well, this one just shot to the TOP of the list!

This is my ideal balm: not too gummy, not too grainy, not so sweet I actually want to eat it, haha. It’s got a lovely smoothness that leaves my lips feeling moisturized with just the tiniest tint of shine. Truly, the *perfect* texture. And the scent is spot on: appealing but not edible. What can I say? I LOVE IT!





Keep It Fresh Body Spray – Lavender Vanilla

Mmmm, this is delicious. This one is a bit edible-smelling, but luckily it’s not made for mouths so you’re safe. The biggest problem may be that your sweetheart tries to eat you up – not such a bad thing!

The vanilla definitely dominates here, with the lavender hiding in the background for a certain je ne sais quoi. I’ve been spritzing this on after my daily dog walks, and I find it super refreshing. Just make sure to give it a good shake, as the oils tend to settle at the bottom.


Later, Gator Lotion – Oatmeal Milk and Honey (but vegan!)

This lotion is rather intense – very spicy, like strong chai or holiday baked goods, haha. It’s not an unpleasant smell, but it’s just not so much my style. I prefer a more subtle scent in lotions, as I use a lot at once (whole body). I found it a bit overwhelming for me.

That said,the consistency is great and it goes on very well. I’m a self proclaimed lotion snob and I can attest that this is a quality concoction. Not too greasy but not at all thick, it rubs right in without any issue. For those that like a heavy scent, this is a great lotion.








Vegan Soaps – Assorted

These are really, really great soaps. They smell strong but not overpowering, and are elegant in their presentation. Each bar has a layer of ground apricot seed pressed into the top for an interesting visual affect. When you use the soap the apricot seed disperses, creating a grit in the lather. At first I was freaked out by this – “hey man, there’s sand in my soap!” But I quickly realized that this is an AWSOME built in, all natural, exfoliant. Insta-love!





I was sent 8 samples to try: spring mountain mint, lavender vanilla, sandalwood vanilla nag champa, moon goddess, vanilla blackberry sage, sapmoss bonsai, oatmeal milk and honey, & cool mountain moss. Of course I tried sapmoss bonsai first!! Not that it matters since preferences vary, but my favorites were lavender vanilla, moon goddess, and omg the vanilla blackberry sage is so yummy!

~~~

Conclusion: I feel like there are two schools of body products – the ’spicy/musky/incense-y’ variety, and the ‘cool/light/mild’ type. Funk Off is definitely the former, with bold aromas that are meant to be fully experienced. It can be a bit much (for me, personally) in an all-over body lotion, but I love that richness in a fancy soap. It’s indulgent and ancient and absolutely soothing.

Overall, I’m very pleased with these products. I love to see vegan ingenuity and it’s great that there’s a growing market for awesome compassionate care items. I think these would make perfect gifts for the coming holidays, or as a sweet treat for yourself (because don’t you deserve it?!)

And speaking of gifts, Funk Off is offering a little goodie bag to one Bonzai reader! All you have to do is visit their site, and then leave a comment here telling me which product you’d like to try. It’s that easy! The contest will close at midnight on Sunday 29 August, and I’ll draw the winner on Monday morning.

Now, get thee to funk off!

If you already have a yogurt maker you’re super stoked – and you can still use this recipe, but follow your machine’s directions when it comes time to culture. If you’re interested in making lots of yogurt at home, a yogurt maker may be a good investment for you. They’re really quite cheap – especially if you can find one secondhand (check Craigslist!).

But, a yogurt maker isn’t necessary! I make yogurt in my crock-pot, which is one machine that’s worth the money for all sorts of reasons. (I <3 my crock so much!) But even if you have neither a yogurt maker nor a crock-pot, you can *still* make yogurt at home! Just see the note at the end of this post.


Alright, yogurt time! Here’s what you’ll need:

• One batch of homemade alt milk (about 4 cups) (you can try subbing store bought – let me know how it goes)
• 2 heaping tablespoons tapioca starch (available at health food stores, specialty shops, or ‘ethnic’ markets)
• 1 tablespoon organic evaporated cane juice (or sugar; I’ve tried maple syrup with no luck)
• Some sort of culture (If this is your first time you have three options: 1 tablespoon store bought non dairy yogurt, 1 non-dairy probiotic capsule (refrigerated only, as the shelf stable ones are not alive), or a non-dairy yogurt starter.) (Every time you make a batch of yogurt, save some of it to use as a starter for your next batch. this will save you a lot of money!)
• A small pot
• A candy thermometer
• A slow cooker
• Dish rags/towels and a large blanket

Step One
Pour the entire batch of alt milk into the pot, over medium heat. Whisk in the tapioca starch and the sugar. Allow the milk to heat slowly until it reaches 180º F, whisking frequently. Don’t let it boil!


Step Two
When it’s reached 180º remove it from heat. Give it a good whisk, cover it, and set aside to cool. It will take 1 or 2 hours to cool down completely. You may be tempted to expedite the process by putting it in the fridge but I don’t recommend this. It can lead to tapioca lumps! Stir every so often to help prevent the lumpies.

At this point, place your crock-pot in the center of a blanket or big towel and turn it on to ‘low’. Leave the crock-pot on with the lid off while the alt milk mix is cooling.

Also, remove your starter, whatever it may be, from the fridge. You want it to be room temperature when you add it to the mix. I’ve tried various soy and coconut milk yogurts with equal success. Just make sure that whatever you use is plain, unpasteurized, and explicitly says “live active cultures”. If this is not your first batch of yogurt, you should be using the last few tablespoons of your previous batch!


Step Three
The mix needs to cool to below 110º F, but closer to 90º is better. If it’s too hot it will kill the starter cultures. When it has appropriately cooled, add your starter and whisk thoroughly to combine. Don’t add too much! More does NOT equal better – the bacteria need ‘room’ to grow. A full tablespoon of store bought yogurt or a few tablespoons of leftover homemade yogurt, or a single probiotic pill.


Step Four
Pour the entire mixture into a large glass jar. Cover with the lid but do not tighten it. It needs to be able to ‘breathe’.

Turn off and unplug the crock-pot. Wrap the jar in towels and put it in the crock-pot, put the lid on, and then wrap the whole shebang up tight in the blanket!

Now, leave it alone for a good 12-18 hours.


Step Five – Done!
You will know your yogurt has ‘yoged’ if it has a bit of a tang to it. The longer you let it culture, the more sour it gets. Be careful – it can get pretty sour! When it’s done transfer it to the fridge, without stirring or shaking, and let it set up in there for a few hours. It will thicken, but probably not as much as traditional yogurt.

Yay! Enjoy your yogurt! It’s awesome straight up with fresh fruit or nuts, or you can use it to make all sorts of incredible dishes, like . . . dairy-esque dips and dressings, labneh, tzatziki, raita, mango lassi, or frozen yogurt! It’s also delicious in – you guessed it – green smoothies! (Am I predictable or what? Ha!)

So have fun playing with it – it’s just so good for you, you can’t go wrong!

*** If you don’t want to use a yogurt maker or a crock-pot, you can try the heating pad method, or the cooler method

We’ve been doing a bit of traveling lately, and I’ve missed a few weeks of this beloved ritual. It’s amazing how much I miss it! I can’t quite describe why I feel so fueled by my weekly visit . . . something about the connectedness . . . sensing my place in a bigger picture. Abstract threads of food and community . . . Oh lord, I’m so crunchy!

Anyway, these pictures were taken over a few different trips, from all of July to early August. Enjoy!

Behold the glory of endless greens!

Tomato starts! I couldn’t resist . . .

This was definitely the year I discovered fancy mushrooms. omg LIFE CHANGING

Lots and lots of love from P-town!