Thursday, July 30, 2009

Food, Inc, New Studio and More Projects......



For most of us who live and pay attention in this world we are well aware that the marketplace has changed drastically. My message is simple....and proven.....after growing my own food for about 20 years or better.....definitely 14 continuous years (not just a year or two)....I can honestly say...the health effects were amazing. I and my children were never sick....no not even a cold. I am 61 and so far still have no signs of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or any other ills. I am constantly told I look 10 to 15 years younger than I am.....and have the energy to go with it. I have a firm belief that lifestyle afforded me many healthful benefits......both physical and mental. I am no longer able to grow all my own food due to living in a far smaller space than I was once accustomed to...but still attempt a small garden every year....the last two years I have been dealing with Black Walnut trees and Pecan trees...so I have a lack of sun and toxicity due to the walnuts. The wood is great for smoking meat and is very durable....but anything growing with in a 60 to 70 foot radius is fairly doomed. The black raspberries, several flowers, herbs, lettuce, onion and tomatoes do pretty well, so do the peppers, onions and beans occasionally but everything else does not and wouldn’t it just figure; poison ivy doesn’t mind juglone ( the toxic substance produced by the tree and its roots) and will thrive under a black walnut tree. If you can....grow as much of your own food as possible...of course if you have the availability and I am sorry to say the affordability of organically grown food...it is a great substitute....but no substitute for the closeness and sensitivity you get from working with the earth and animals...not to mention the satisfaction and physical exercise.
I am happy to say I am having an impact in a small way....several people quit buying bottled water after I wrote about it....if I wasn't an artist I would write a blog about good living practices ( I am still learning.... but made quite a lifestyle out of it for many, many years and I still believe we need it) and the choices we make that have an impact on the environment...but I am an artist first...and I don't write about these other things but occasionally...here is some one who does...have a look. The blog is called 365 Days of Trash.....go take a look
I want to take a moment here to thank Pam Imbeau for sending me the most beautiful stainless steel portable beverage container I have ever seen! It is made by EarthLust and it's a beauty!! Thank you Pam and we are looking forward to your visit in August!




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Okay....so the studio is done...pictures taken with the lights off!!! Patched, painted, woodwork cleaned up and finished, curtained and practically completely moved in....thank goodness....I need to get to work! The effect of this will further lighten up some other rooms that are over crowded.....simply by moving a few things around. We hope to do the entry way next...it has a lot of wall space and makes a lovely small gallery.....but the wall plaster has seen better days and better wallpaper. So stripping, patching, cleaning up the woodwork and painting is in order here also! Fortunately none of the woodwork has been painted in this old Victorian home (except the kitchen and one bathroom...which is okay)....so I don't have to strip it! Max will take a break for awhile before tackling another project....don't know what I would do without him. I am sooo lucky to have him!There's the news for now....until next time....
best of everything to you and yours, Theresa


12 comments:

Joanne Licsko said...

Growing one's own food is healthier, the food is fresher, and I believe is the way we will best survive the future.
Your comments about the walnut tree came just in time. I am planning a new garden within the year and a walnut tree placed without thought could make things difficult. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I grow some bits and pieces in a large raised bed behind my garage: a bit of dead space in the garden that wasn't used for anything. i filled it with organic soil and have fantastic lettuces, runner beans, radishes, carrots, brocoli etc as well as a separate herb area near the back door. it was my mum who said that my lettuce took her back to her childhood...
thanks for bringing the benefits to everyone's attention:)

Marian Fortunati said...

Congrats on your healthy life and lifestyle!! AND on all the hard work to make your home and studio more comfortable and beautiful... That in itself is an art!!

James Parker said...

Wow..interesting Blog, Theresa. And congrats on the new studio.

Peggi Habets Studio said...

So true!!! Great post. I haven't seen "Food Inc" yet, but have read "In Defense of Food" recently. Scary and eye opening. It's amaizing how hard it is to find locally-grown, organic produce on a regular basis, but it's worth the effort.

Your studio is beautiful. Congratulations.

eldon warren said...

Hi Theresa, long time, yes? Your new studio sounds terrific! Anything like that takes a lot of work and it is so worth it. Now you can start painting again. A new studio...new ideas?
Can hardly wait to see what comes from the studio now.
EW

TSL said...

Theresa, glad you are up and running again in new working digs. Happy to learn about your healthy lifestyle to see that water bottle is stainless! Yea! Have you seen how many aluminum ones are in the stores? Just trading one bad idea for another with the aluminum. Nice post, enjoyed, wish I had some of your home grown goods.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

In the past we've grown tomatoes, eggplants, and that's about it. Our next door neighbours used to have a huge vegetable garden and load us up with zuccinis and beans and other treats. We shop at an organic market when it's open in the summer, and try to buy organic food year round. I agree with you 100%. Some of the bottled water in our area comes from a pure spring. The drinking water comes from Lake Ontario which is dirty!!! You can't purify what's in it with any kind of filter. So that's a dilemma.

I love you writing about this. You are trying to live an artistic life. How you stay healthy is part of it. Your room looks great. I have a yellow room, because in the north, it makes me feel sunny.

Your work is beautiful. I was in Nova Scotia and missed this super post. So glad to catch up.

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

Gary Keimig said...

congratulations on the new studio. You are going to love it. I sure did mine when I bit the bullet and built it.
Loved your info on other artists colors. Thanks.

Unknown said...

Just found your blog and am glad I did. Excellent art, and I absolutely agree with your lifestyle choices. I love gardening and I FEEL healthy. Also important to me that my young girls are too.....I'm 31 and hope to feel young for a very long time. I will continue to be a "follower", lol! Great post.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks for the informative and inspiring post! (and congrats on your new digs :)
Here's to a life of creativity, longevity and optimal health!

Best,
J

Trevor Lingard said...

Hi Theresa
Yes you do look a stunner for your age. I believe that "everything in moderation" is also good philosophy.
It is good to communicate with you again.
Kind Regards