On the Thirteenth Day of Christmas: Two Cheddar Cauliflower and One Pair of Aubergine Hunter Rainboots

A Rain Shower Washed our Garden

The Garden Enchanted with Winter's Charm

Matthew A. Schiller, our very own GreenTeam Co-President, bends down to inspect GT's Cheddar Cauliflower.  The Cheddar Cauliflower made her debut in our garden this fall semester, along with her entourage of Chard, Kale, Spinach, Butter Lettuce, German Camomile, Radish, Carrot, and Basil to name a few.  She is a gorgeous plouf of shapely Rubenesque form and is the tint of pastel yellow.  I thought it was neat when Matthew pointed out from the outermost to the innermost leaves, they provide shade and protection to the cauliflower head to ensure it is tender and moist at harvest.
We would like to award the "Largest and Most Beautiful Cheddar Cauliflower" Award to Ken and Libby Perrin, who have been married for 53 years.  They were one of the first couples to join our community garden and maintain a plot of their own alongside our GreenTeam students, faculty, and staff.  We can learn a thing or two from the best, especially from the love they share and a relationship symbolically represented in the growth (with proper water, sun, soil, and care) of a stately, blossoming cauliflower.  Congratulations and Thank you.
The Garden will be maintained over the winter holiday by some of our GreenTeam students, along with Resident Faculty, and Facilities, Management, and Planning Staff.  We appreciate your help and we look forward to growing with you in the garden next year, January 2012!  Merry Christmas.

The Joy of a Jaunt at the Malibu Farmer's Market

I went to the Malibu Farmer's Market yesterday and walked around enjoying the fragrance of fresh produce, pressed juice, and homemade treats.  The wisps of sound reached my ear of people discussing the growing of this or that, the making of this soap and that jam, and the ingredients to their creations as totally organic and without preservatives.  How wonderful!  I tried fresh, raw Amish cream with lime juice and then bought two bottles of Rosa's Fermented Hibiscus Tea (it was so delightful and quenched my thirst after working out at the garden for an hour or so).  It was full of healthy probiotics and I read on the label the ancient Egyptians Pharaohs used to drink Hibiscus Tea.  That made it even cooler.  Rosa's Tea also uses special water in making their tea that at molecular level is pure and easy to penetrate one's cells for optimal hydration. For more information and to see this product go to: [http://agroindustriasrosas.com/]  It is sold at the Farmer's Market every Sunday from 10h00-15h00 in Malibu (across from the new park) and PCGreens (a grocer on the PCH, just past the Malibu Pier).

I encourage you all to consider healthy and succulent options as the holiday season begins, and also to visit the Malibu Farmer's Market for perhaps a refreshing drink and some color therapy in looking at all the wonderful produce God has made and in which humans have mindfully and carefully cultivated.  Also, I wish you all good health and happiness.

Blessings,

Emilyrose Reeder

Co-President, GreenTeam

[p.s. the photo above I took last year in Nice, France.  You will notice the Euro sign next to the price.  France's farmer's market are absolutely incredible and bursting with delicious produce.  Of course, the French know what is the best.]

Updated Calendar of GT Events

Date.Time.Place. Description.

24 November. Happy Harvest, Happy Thanksgiving.
7 December. 10h00-12h00. Malibu Lagoon. Outreach to Young Children Nature Walk. Contact Pepperdine Volunteer Center, Brittany Thompson.
8 December. 19h00-22h00. Green Living Project Hosts "LA Sustainable Films Premier."Stage 22 at Bellevardo Studios (Silverlake) 2107 Bellevue Avenue LA, CA 90026. GreenLivingProject.com/

losangeles11 for more information.
25 December. Merry Christmas! Love, GreenTeam
Spring 2012. 
17h30. Nutrition Cooking Lab in AC. GT California Cuisine Cooking Class. 
17h00. Elkins Auditorium. GreenTeam Sustainable Film Series Premier - Dirt! The Movie, King Corn, and Queen of the Sun.
Gardening Days Frequently on Saturdays.

11h00. Garden site. Pepperdine Organic Garden Opening Ceremony to the University.

4 April. 12h00 - 14h00. Adamson Plaza. Earthday Celebration.

The Stillness of the Garden

after a long day of planting.  Can you see we have an ocean-view property? :) The University gave us this land to grow on.

Our Blue Bird Bath

A Labour of Love

This photo is evidence of all the unique and beautiful people who cross the threshold into our garden.  We are so blessed, to be blessed by others, and to experience so much love as we tend to our plants, and essentially, one another.

Thank you Malibu Biodynamic Compost

for helping make our garden healthy and beautiful.

"Going Green Gets Personal Benefits" by Lauren Burnham

A beautifully written Pepperdine Graphic Article Detailing Some Personal Insights into our Community Garden: "Going Green Gets Personal Benefits"

The Raw Green and Fighting Bean Machine - A Recipe

The Raw Green and Fighting Bean Machine - A Recipe

By Emilyrose Reeder

Ingredients

1 bunch of dinosaur or fluffy leaf (lacinato) Kale (stems removed and discarded, thinly rip up with hands or slice leaves)

3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 juice from a lemon

1/4 cup sprouted + dehydrated pumpkin seeds (can make or buy brand GoRaw)

1 tsp Sea Seasoning Organic Triple Blend Flakes

1/4 tsp Himalayan Sea Salt

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1 ripe avocado, cut into cubes

1 can of Eden Organic Aduki Beans

1 gallon of joy and love

1. In a large bowl, combine kale, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, joy, and love.  Massage kale thoroughly with your hands in the bowl and you will notice it break down from the oil and lemon and turn bright green.

2. Toss in Sea Veggies, Pumpkin seeds, Avocado slices, and Aduki Beans.  Let sit for a few minutes for ingredients to mingle.

Notes. 

Kale is a mega leafy green chock full of vitamins.  It is so good for you, add it to soups, stews, salads, etc. Avocado is a super healthy source of fat and Aduki Beans are also chock full of vitamins and protein. Himalayan Sea Salt has minerals, cayenne pepper kills colds and parasites. Sea Veggie Flakes are high in iodine and is crucial to healthy hormones and fighting radiation poisoning. Essentially sprouting and dehydrating pumpkin seeds means maximum nutrition from the mighty little green seed.  See, http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/living-with-phytic-acid for more information on soaking, sprouting, and dehydrating your seeds, nuts, and grains.

FALL GARDENING DAY

SATURDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2011. 10h30-13h00. We will be planting again!  Join us for a day of fun and learning at our garden on campus. [Located below the practice inter-mural field and just up from Tower's Road.]  Also, all are welcome - both from our Pepperdine community and the greater Malibu community.

The Cauliflower and Butter Lettuces Are Happy

A Puppy Visits Our Garden

GreenTeam Bible Study Reflection - Three

This week we will read an excerpt, Chapter Three, from The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis. Here, we see a philosophical approach, solely abstract, to the theological predisposition between man and nature (a.k.a. all of creation).It is engaging for the way it portrays our relationship to God's creation and without even making notice of God. For this reason, it offers a logically sound and philosophical approach to the dilemma of Man's dominance over Nature.  You can read the chapter online, click this link here.

GreenTeam Bible Study Reflection - Two

We would like to focus this week on the passage of Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane [Matthew 26:36-46] - it is a most crucial prayer from Christ to Our Father.  In Verse 42, "Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your Will be done."" 
As we read and reflect, we recognize Jesus' obedience to God.  He is committed to the purpose and plan of God - "Your Will be done."  How extraordinary, how divine is the Son of God!
How can we be obedient to God?  How can we submit ourselves as servants of the Most High and live in the time we have been given on earth to fulfill His Will for us?  Pertinently, how can we meditate now, in our own garden, and listen to what the Lord has to lay on your heart this morning?
In the Love and Light of Christ, 
Pepperdine GreenTeam

Nick, A Little Garden Pioneer

Nick came down to our garden to help the GreenTeam on one of our gardening days.  Putting on our "Pioneering Christian Stewardship" tshirt and jumping in (literally, into our load of dirt) - he inspired us with his eager heart in helping us shovel our soil to their respective boxes.  He is a huge part of why we do what we do - to ensure the health of our future, especially in these precious little ones!

Please help GreenTeam with a pertinent survey, should take about 20 seconds: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RJW7YGH

GreenTeam Bible Study Reflection - One

If you would like to follow along with our Fall 2011 Club Convocation Series we are currently reading The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13.

Here are some questions to think about:

What strikes you as pertinent from Jesus' use of agricultural parables? Do you think there is a message about environmental concerns in His teaching that would enhance our faith? Soil, shallow soil, good soil, thorns - What about the imagery of the seed in the various terrain do you think relates to you and your own personal development?

"GreenTeam Plants Seeds" - Pepperdine Graphic Print Edition

Cover photo and last page (A8): http://www.pepperdine-graphic.com/printed-edition/pepperdine-graphic-print-edition-10-6-2011/

A Beautiful Garden in the Making

"GreenTeam's Garden Breaks New Ground" - Pepperdine Graphic Online Exclusive

Article: http://www.pepperdine-graphic.com/news/green-teams-garden-breaks-new-ground/

How Far We Have Come

GreenTeam Breaking a Sweat

The Mighty GreenTeam

Emilyrose and Libby plant the first plant in our garden.

Our Sponsors

Thank you to all those who have contributed their love, time, prayers, wisdom, tools, and money to the fruition of our Organic Community Garden.  We are so blessed.

Outstanding Pepperdine Students

Executive Team Spring 2012: 
Juan Godinez (Co-President), Melissa Marzigliano (Co-President)
Lorina Jasso (Vice President), Hannah Berbos (VP), Kelsie Wilber (VP), Mirtilla Alliata (VP), Alex Smith (VP).
Executive Team Fall 2011: 
Matthew Schiller and Emilyrose Reeder (Co-Presidents), Juan Godinez (VP), Lorina Jasso (VP), Kelsie Wilber (VP), and Hannah Berbos (VP).
Executive Team Fall 2010, Spring 2011: Clifford Champion (Co-President, visionary), Emilyrose Reeder (Co-President)
Matthew Schiller (VP), Melanie Sollitt (VP), and Melissa Marzigliano (VP).
Executive Team Fall 2009, Spring 2010: Clifford Champion (President), Melanie Sollitt, Melissa Marzigliano, Kristopher Leslie, and Lisa Ikeda.
Jessica Herrera, volunteer
Kayla Ferguson, videographer
Kristopher Leslie, social media coordinator
Sarah Attar, photographer 
Efrain Gonzalez, for always showing up
Carson Byrd, Rochelle Gordon, Kelly Larson, + Samantha Jacobi, for investing time into GreenTeam's future
Alison Johnson, in the history of G.T. the first to submit a garden application
Rebecca Faulkner, because she loves honeybees
Wojtek, Jack, and Graham - ATO strength
Inter-Club Council
Student Government Association, Executive Team and Constituents
The Pepperdine Graphic - covering our cause in the student paper

Wise Pepperdine Faculty

Dr. Christopher Doran, faculty advisor - works tirelessly for our cause, in the classes he teaches to the conferences he attends to the advice he gives to us.

Kathryn Linehan - who believed in GreenTeam since it began
Edwin Cahill, donated tool shed for our gardening tools

Exceptional Pepperdine Administration and Staff

President Benton and Mrs. Benton - donate their acute attention to our GreenTeam dreams, hold huge responsibility for the present outstanding stability of our University, and play a huge role in the furthering of the Christian mission Pepperdine stands by
Rhiannon Bailard and Peter Duby - Center for Sustainability - tremendous support

Betsy Burke, donates her love and positive outlook, donated a sustainable PolyWood garden bench (made from recycled milk bottles)

Heidi Jaeger and friends, potted lemon tree

Heidi Bernard and Crest Associates

Phil Phillips, Chief Administrator Officer
Leslie Seah, donates her love and light every time we talk with he, also a fabulous, imaginative cook
Gloria Serleto, forever young, inspires us at the garden
Mark Davis, Dean of Student Affairs
Stacy Rothberg, Director of Dining Services
Connie with Pepperdine Dining Services 
Sarah Jaggard, supporting our GreenTeam Bible Study Club Convocation titled "Pioneering Christian Stewardship"
Kapua Kauhane, Director of Inter-Club Council 
Marie Thomas, Inter-cultural Affairs Director

Peter Betancourt, Eric, Tony, Rick Leech, Bob Bullard, Dave Heetland with Facilities Management and Planning, donated countless hours, an irrigation system both in parts and installation, raising our entire garden for water safety, providing virgin Pepperdine soil to mix with our compost to plant our seeds.

Lovely Malibu and Greater Community

Dean Miya - donations of exorbitant strength, time, and a neatly name plated measuring tape
Clark Cowan, owner of Cowan Landscaping and father of Pepperdine student - donations of advice, truckloads of gravel, rolls of weed barrier and chicken wire all free of charge

Denise Ritchie, founder of Malibu Compost - rich, biodynamic compost bags to start our garden

Ed Jaeger with Ironclad Performance Wear - high quality gardening gloves
Andy Lipkis (founder) and Ryan Allen (director) with TreePeople - a plethora of fruit trees for our garden
Jeff and June Louks, Malibu Agricultural Society - love, education, inspiration, and delicious food
LCDR Silver and her U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp's Troop - for swarming our garden with gusto one lovely afternoon to help us dig our plots out, we could not have done it without them.

Contracts and Reduced Prices

John Lyons and Adam with The Woven Garden - built 12 beautiful redwood garden boxes at a fair price, advice on planting

Republic Fence Company, Brian Wolff - built our 70' x 40' fence

Bob Vineyard, Pacific Sands, Inc. - discounted garden water filters to ensure quality water for our garden produce
Bart with Hmlty Clothing - discounted our GreenTeam garden tshirts, custom designed, + had them done in remarkable time. www.hmlty.com
Robert Kofke, President of Central Piedmont, Inc. - discounted our 5' white backless Patio PVC Shoppe garden benches

Thayers Natural Remedies - sent us three boxes of Rosewater with Aloe Vera to give away on Earthday, natural skincare

EcoSphere Company - discounted our gift purchases eco-sphere.com

Calendar of Events for the Fall Semester 2011

Date.Time.Place. Description.

Wed. 14 September. 11h00-14h00. Joslyn Plaza outside the Caf. GreenTeam Organic Food at CultureFest.

Mon. 19 September. 8h00. Garden Applications will be sent to your email - you may register individually or with an organization you are part of.  You will appoint a Garden leader and three Garden members from your group to learn about the soil, planting, watering, and general maintenance of your plot throughout the semester.  If you are not on our mailing list, contact us to receive an application.
Applications will also be available in hard copies outside HAWC120 office.
Mon. 26 September. 18h00(6PM). PC191. Mandatory GreenTeam Garden Meeting, Free Tshirts.

Wed. 28 September. 20h00 (8PM sharp) GARDEN APPLICATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS (STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF) DUE.

Sat. 1 October. 10h30. Garden site on Campus. Mixing Soil and Planting Fall Crop at Garden, free tshirts, appetizers, and apple cider.

Wed. 5 October. 9h00. Garden site. GreenTeam Bible Study Club Convocation (limited to 12 people, sign up on convo webpage).

Sat. 8 October. 10h30. Garden site. "Maintaining Your Plot and Composting" Class.

Sun. 16 October. 8h15-12h30. Tend a Community Orchard with TreePeople's Fruit Crew and the Pepperdine Volunteer Center.  Special Programs meet 8h15, Contact: Brittany Thompson or sign up on the PVC webpage.

12, 19, 26 October. 9h00. Garden site. GT Bible Study Club Convocation.

2 November. 8h30. Meet at end of Baxter Drive to go on GreenTeam hike to the cross.
4 November. 8h00-14h00. Drescher Large Auditorium. SEER Symposium on Sustainability with Grazadio Business School.
9 November. 9h00. Garden site. GT Bible Study Club Convocation.

17 November. 18h30-19h30. Malibu Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. 23835 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265. "Going Green While Saving Green" Free Lecture. +310.456.9025
Contact rnelson@malibucity.org
19 November. 10h30-14h00. Garden site. Planting and Tending to the Garden. Free tshirts, food, and water.  BYOreusable waterbottle
7 December. 10h00-12h00. Malibu Lagoon. Outreach to Young Children Nature Walk. Contact Pepperdine Volunteer Center, Brittany Thompson.
8 December. 19h00-22h00. Green Living Project Hosts "LA Sustainable Films Premier."Stage 22 at Bellevardo Studios (Silverlake) 2107 Bellevue Avenue LA, CA 90026. GreenLivingProject.com/losangeles11 for more information.
Spring 2012. 17h30. Nutrition Cooking Lab in AC. GreenTeam California Cuisine Cooking Class. 
Spring 2012. 17h00. Elkins Auditorium. GreenTeam Sustainable Film Series Premier - Dirt! The Movie, King Corn, and Queen of the Sun.

April 2012. 11h00. Garden site. Pepperdine Organic Garden Opening Ceremony to the University. Garden Site on campus.

12h00 - 14h00. Adamson Plaza. Earthday Celebration.

Organic Community Garden.

Our garden is almost ready to go - soon we will add soil, seeds, water, sun, and love.  Voila!  Edible Pepperdine Garden.  Join us at the garden on the 1st of October at 10h30 to plant.
God Bless, Pepperdine GreenTeam