The word change comes from the Latin, cambire, to exchange, and so this potentially abstract concept of growth and evolution can be understood as a mere conversion from one way of being to another. Change can be one of the most difficult things to actively initiate and requires a sustained passion and intention if any improvement is expected and as a human race we are in constant “grass is greener” mode, we are continuously craving betterment. As the Hostel in the Forest passes hands once again there is the renewed faith in the fact that the intentions to make change, to be change in the world continues and the lights that turn on in our minds will continue. Whether we choose to be ‘better’ for our selves, for our community, for a deity or for the recovery of our planet it is so simply obvious to notice the difference that this positive, creative choice makes. Whether the change be buying local produce, making intentional choices when buying, limiting energy use, refusing to use toxic chemicals to cleaning our homes, thrifting or just choosing to be aware and to educate ourselves and others the wave becomes greater and you become part of a superhero team that is doing rather than thinking, is creating rather than destroying. The Hostel is a catalyst for change and is in constant dynamic expansion as guests and staff move through and share knowledge and skill and leave, taking that creativity into the world. I say thank you, namaste and know that the Forest will always be with me. Faryn…

May the Forest Be With You

The Hostel Staff

How often do you buy fresh fruit or vegetables and where do you purchase/obtain fresh fruit and vegetables? These are just a couple of the questions on a Food Access Survey taken by the Savannah Local Food Collaborative which is a small collective of residents dedicated and passionate about providing access to fresh, local food.

From this sprouted the Forsyth Farmer’s Market and Teri Schell, a founding member visited us this weekend with her daughter. There was an exchange of creative crafts, from handbags made from old tshirts to Sockits®, adorable creatures made from socks or salvaged fabrics. We savored yummy gluten-free vegan meals as usual which included a garlic ice-cream made with coconut milk and a raisin, brazil nut paste as well as some vegan mac-and-cheez made with a decadent three nut pesto. Our Figs are coming in pretty late as the heat continues to beat down but otherwise we’re harvesting peppers, almost harvesting eggplants and are still harvesting okra. If you have any recipes for okra that we haven’t tried feel free to send them over. I guess this is what preserving is for…May the abundance of okra and . . .

May the Forest Be With You

The Hostel Staff

With chlorine and other unpronounceable three-letter anagrams flowing out of city faucets with our water I am proud to say that at the Hostel in the Forest we strive yet again to create a local source of quenching and cleaning from our own forest. This past week invited the construction sounds of a bustling city into the Forest but what came out was a 750 foot brand new well that will provide us with our much needed water source.

We said goodbye to two rock-star team members but not before sharing another spontaneous workshop on the wonders of fermentation. Matt, on exchange from Omaha, Nebraska, helped us get started on repairing our recycling alley and with that comes the requirement that guests that float through the forest be oh so mindful of the containers that they bring into the forest. Because everything that is brought in has to be taken out to be recycled we ask guests to take with them on leaving all that they have brought as well as some of the recycling that we produce here as we supply our kitchen.

When we buy we can make choices to refuse the extra plastic bag to carry onions, bananas (which already have their own protective, natural casing), we can buy in bulk and refuse the excessive amounts of plastic, we can refuse before we have to decide how to reuse. Teri Schell and her husband will be presenting this next weekend on Building a community food system in the nation of plenty and the artistic creations that can come out of using recycled materials. Until then,

May the Forest Be With You

The Hostel Staff