I worry about water. Expanded populations cause us to bump elbows and fight for resources. Sadly, in this human fight we are more motivated to take what we can find and run away than to take what we can find and share it with our neighbors. Also, we continue to “want-what-we-want” and “get-it-now”, instead of living more lightly on the Earth and conserving resources. I want to change this culture of resource gobbling for two main reasons. First, I worry about our children’s future. Second, I believe we can infuse our lives with more love and passion.

When we are gone, what kind of world will be left for the future children? Will they live with more stress? Less choices? Higher prices? Less species of plants and animals? Fewer clean rivers and more pollution in the air? Babies and young children need parks and ponds, clean dirt, trees and open space to grow into healthy adults. It’s possible to protect our future by changing the way we use our resources today; recycling, buying well, mending more, sharing some, and simplifying. I call the whole thing “Conservation in the Kitchen.”  What we do at home in our kitchens has the power to change the world around us, and within us.

Take avocados for instance. They are so delicious! And a California Hass Avocado is a miracle!! It has the perfect combination of flavor and texture, because it grows on a tree in the perfect climate in Central California. You can get avocados all year around, as they are imported from Chile and other places, but plants have a growing season. Our culture has disrespected this fact. Worse, our culture has forgotten the beauty of longing! Of missing something and wishing for it! When the avocado season has ended, (and it is a long season – spring to fall) we should weep a tiny bit, and then STOP BUYING them.

For a while, since you’ve been gorging on avocados in guacamole, on burgers, topping toast, cooling hot summer chilis, it won’t be so hard. But by January you’ll be getting sad, and by February’s end you’ll be waking up in a sweat in the middle of the night after dreaming of avocados, whichever way you like them best. The day you see the first California Hass Avocado for sale in the market will be a great day. You might call your loved ones or send a pix message. You will feel joy! And this would not have happened without the natural deprivation of the resource; its season.

Now imagine the raspberry 🙂 and the sweet and lovely English Pea. They have very short seasons. Imagine having dinner parties because of them!