Happy days, birthdays and summer days, independence days and abundance days. We waved our green, white and brown colors proudly this July 4th celebrating our 35th year of life here in the forest. Our morning began in silence until midday where we gathered around the fire pit and shared the intention to live with peace while connecting and projecting this rainbow around the world. Other ways that peace has shone here in the forest this week is in the sharing of knowledge which is an integral part of every day in the forest. We had basket fulls of chantarelle mushrooms arrive, foraged from a forest nearby and while those were being sauteed up with a bunch of our garden’s garlic, colbert, one of their discoverers led some brave staff and guests on a forest walk pointing out the do’s and don’ts when it comes to wild edible plants.

Our vegan baking workshop week was as much of a success as our willing bellies could handle. All of our treats used flax as an egg substitute and non-dairy milks and we got to enjoy Banana Bread, Granola Bars, Fresh-picked blueberry cobbler, Carrot cake mmm, and raw (you betcha) flax crackers. Whether we take on a vegan, local or conscious omnivore diet, whether we choose to use CFL’s in our homes, whether we ride a bicycle or carpool, whether we begin our mornings with yoga to bring our mind in to a relaxed state of peace or whether we take re-usable bags when heading out to get groceries every conscious chose for improvement that we make is an improvement. We make these choices so that for another 35 years we can enjoy our forests and our water and our seasons together.

May the Forest Be With You

The Hostel Staff