I spent most of the winter away from DC this year, and I'm
happy to report that I returned renewed and refreshed. Almost a dozen times
over the last two months, I got the flight safety spiel, you know:
"put on your oxygen mask first, before assisting others in
need."
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| Gail Taylor manages 3 Part Harmony Farm in Washington, DC |
It goes against our instincts to help ourselves first
before the child next to us. That's a great revelation about
humanity- in the end we do all want to help others even if only instinctually.
It's an instructive piece of advice though: if we don't take care of ourselves,
we can't take care of others and then no one on the plane will survive.
Perhaps because I spend every day of every week either at a
vegetable farm or at a yoga studio, the importance of self-care is always at
the front of my mind.
Whether it's taking the time to make nutritious meals for
myself, carving out time to focus on mindful breathing and meditation,
putting my hands in the soil, or fiercely guarding my 30 min. morning
coffee/ newspaper ritual, I want to focus this year on making sure that my tank
is always full before stepping outside to face each day.
I hope you'll do the same, and realize that it's necessary
not selfish.
Eating well and engaging with plants every day is a great
way to stay on track with a self care routine. Three Part Harmony Farm offers a
few ways to bring these kinds of opportunities into your life. Planting a
garden is a great way! I recently was at a local female owned hardware
store - Annie's Ace Hardware in Brookland, NE Washington, DC.
I answered seed starting questions and brought all of my
seed catalogues and offered everyone a chance to VOTE for the tomato varieties
we'll grow this season.
I encourage you to grow your own garden! Immense joy comes
from caring for plants whether on your balcony, in your backyard, or at your
community garden plant. Three Part Harmony Farm is proud to partner with
Annie's Ace Hardware (in Petworth and Brookland, Washington, DC) to sell healthy starts that
are specifically chosen for their ability to thrive in this region. We expect
to have spring seedlings available as early as mid-march: stay tuned!
I wish everyone a happy, healthy 2017,
Gail
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For you local to
Washington, DC, we're taking sign ups for our 2017 CSA now, online. The full
season members pay for 23 weeks during a 33 week period (that goes from April -
November) so you skip any 10 weeks you like without missing out! In addition to
being flexible, the share is a multi-farm offering that includes non-produce
items such as seedlings, flowers, eggs, mushrooms and medicinal herbs. Sign up here.
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Gail Taylor is the owner/ operator of Three Part Harmony Farm, a vegetable operation located on the grounds of the Oblate residence, Washington, DC. A longtime resident of the District, Taylor has worked in the Latin America Solidarity community, with affordable housing organizations, and now with the food sovereignty movement. A farmer, yogi and social justice activist, Taylor lives in an intentional community in Petworth, NE Washington, DC.
