Either planted by the birds or the rats. I know for sure I hadn’t planted any squash seeds. They’re technically wilds. Wherever it came from, I’m thankful and it just goes to show that nature is always there to provide. Plenty more to harvest and share. A neighbor got the first one and said it was one of the best flavored squashes she has ever had. So much so that she planted the seeds to have them in her yard as well. It just amazes me how growth happens and how everything truly is connected. ・・・ #growninhaiti #calabaza #squash #joumou #haiti #ayiti #abundance #natureprovides #sharingiscaring #growth #cycles #allone #nogmos #organic #nopesticides #wild #mountainlife #foodforest #agroforestry #vine https://www.instagram.com/p/B--RjqtlPsK/?igshid=14k5e89mwt4rw

Every morning as I walk to my woodstore I see this guy getting fatter and fatter and can’t but help view him as one of those cartoon birds just about ready for the roasting dish .

Mangos growing like weeds after mango season. We don’t give ourselves enough credit for the amount of seeds we disperse. Just like birds dropping seeds after a meal, we naturally do the same. Walk while you eat after picking a mango and you’ll simultaneously be full filling your roll in nature by bringing that seed to a new location as it was intended. It got to the point that I had to make a rule that no seeds be randomly tossed in the yard. Last year I had to transplant out at least 2 dozen mangos and close to 30 mamey apples! ・・・ #growninhaiti #Mango #sprout #propagation #weeds #abundance #haiti #ayiti #reforestation #agroforestry #foodsecurity #natureprovides #balanace #seeddispersal #growth https://www.instagram.com/p/CC5t_VxlDui/?igshid=1pwjrlgi9x6sx

Collecting Blackberries on the farm in the morning ready to go on our poridge breakfast .

Imagine... 88 seeds came out of one small custard apple. Can you picture if each one of these seeds grew and gave just one fruit per year that had this many seeds in it. Can you do that math and see the abundance? But the truth is, each tree provides dozens, sometimes hundreds of fruits with this many seeds and more. Certain trees fruit multiple times a year! What I’m trying to figure out after doing this simple math is why in the world are people saying they lack? I’m honestly confused by this. Nature gives you everything, and I mean everything for you to thrive yet we often choose to ignore it instead for superficial goods and status. I don’t think I will ever be able to make sense of this even after experiencing being one of those people trying to climb a ladder leading to nowhere 😒. ・・・ #growninhaiti #abundance #seeds #natureprovides #confused #whydowelack #haiti #ayiti #love #sharingiscaring #plantatree #feedyourself #agroforestry #reforestation #foodforest #sustainability https://www.instagram.com/p/B9E3vujlX-b/?igshid=1mybdv78vdbjh

Did you know how versatile the calabash is? This plant is best known for its hard, dry fruit shells, which have been used for millennia as vessels for liquids and as cups, bowls, plates, spoons. and musical instruments. Probably native to southern Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. The tree originally spread in prehistoric times to South America. It is adapted to a wide range in temperature and precipitation, growing in tropical and subtropical climates or in regions with distinct dry season. This fruit was introduced into tropical Africa and Asia. I’ve read that they can be eaten which I have yet to try and not sure if I want to. Te very unripe, tender fruits are preserved in vinegar or candies. The edible seeds are occasionally roasted, salted, and eaten as a snack or used in a protein-rich drink. ・・・ #growninhaiti #calabash #CrescentiaCujete #edible #medicinal #useful #kitchenware #homemade #natureprovides #haiti #ayiti #foodforest #agroforestry #reforestation #diy #homestead #mountainlife https://www.instagram.com/p/B85zlJklLMx/?igshid=jhqwmjxsrywr

Time to make more calabash bowls! I’ve read that people eat the insides but I’m not so sure about that…Has anyone ever tasted it? #growninhaiti #gourde #calabash #bowl #diy #doityourself #natural #organic #haiti #ayiti #nogmos #nopesticides #noherbicides #reforestation #preservation #useful #natureprovides #craft

I posted some pics last night on Organic Wellness along the Pacific Northwest of Vancouver Island that shared the surprise gift of nature that attracted focus yesterday. Nature provides all the nutrition and elements we need for our health from the inside and outside. For me, this means integrating its treasures to explore the connections including skin care from source. ie. living and/or fresh foods. This little package is filled with omega oils and Vit C so, what can a girl do with it? Make a face and neck mask of course. I have been looking for something for the quality of my skin in my neck and this morning there's a difference. I am surprised to see such a difference in only one use. It helps make the decision on how to process this gift from nature. The only choice is to discover how to process it for this purpose in the best way. As I typed the last sentence and tapped the period at the end I knew the best way to preserve it for this use is to infuse it into an oil that is also for skin health. This surprise is definitely one I will begin to forage in my region now that I have discovered this. #urbanforaging#naturehealth#natureprovides#naturelove, #cocreatinghealthwithnature#simplelivingskincare, #whatgoodfortheskinisgooforthegut