NOTO's Weekly Green by Carrie

When I used to shop at the mall, I always mused about how skipping my usual food court lunch would divert what little cash flow I did have into more purchases. And as an added bonus there would be me, looking hotter in what I did buy! 

As an adult, I have found there to be a profound relationship between the foods and drinks (and sometimes media!) I consume and my outlook on life.  I mean, who cares about fashion, or anything for that matter, when struggling with chronic complaints and a foggy disposition? 

Luckily, I have also discovered the direct enemy of a poor diet induced foggy disposition: a good diet with plenty of raw, organic foods.

I’m not just talking apples and bananas either (though there’s nothing wrong with those) but an amazing array of superfoods- foods with a huge nutritional punch that are often quite energizing and uplifting for the user. 

Ever heard of the goji berry, ?  According to Ani Phyo author of Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen, goji berries are considered to be one of the most nutritious food sources on the planet.  Rich in cancer fighting antioxidants, vitamin A, B-complex vitamins and containing 500 times more vitamin C than oranges, they are known in their native China for their anti-aging benefits.

But the real reason behind my focus on gojis is that at NOTO we intend to grow them.  Yep, I said grow em. I’ve tried them from the health foods store and found them to be yummy, though quite expensive, so good only for an occasional buy. 

Because I’m a strong proponent of incorporating local foods into my regular diet, I’m always looking for ways to do the superfoods thing with stuff that grows here.  That was when I found a local, exotic fruit growing magician who told me that the goji plant is a hardy, woody perennial that is highly adaptable.   That means he and others are having success growing the goji plant here and we are going to try too.

Within the next few weeks we are getting our hands on ten goji bushes.  As part of our Green NOTO project, we are gonna give it our best to get our gojis planted and happy in a large pot, though we will not expect them to produce berries for one to three years after planting.  

We might have a few extras available for purchase. 

Ready for the sunshine,

Carrie