The Outdoor Issue

End of summer 2013

luri & wilma

The Outdoor world Issue girl

Printed in Washington, DC on recycled paper.

Print Edition #2

The Outdoor Issue | July/August 2013 | luri & wilma

the green team Charlie Heck Editor-in-Chief & Design charlie@luriandwilma.com

Roy Moody Director of Photography moody@studiomoody.com Julie Smolinski Production Coordinator julie@luriandwilma.com

Beth Barrett Fashion Editor & Stylist beth@luriandwilma.com

General Inquiries info@luriandwilma.com

Advertising Inquiries advertise@luriandwilma.com

Chris McLaurin Megan Paranick Mandy Pellegrin Fallon Keplinger Citlalli Sanchez Amber Paranick Victoria Shubert Beth Eller Bruna Siloto Michelle Goldchain Raessa Belnavis Shilpa Iyyer Shamael Al-Rizaiqi

Food Editor Food Contributor DIY Editor DIY Contributor DIY Contributor Smart girl reads, Contributor Hair & Makeup Artist Marketing Intern Design Intern Editorial Intern Fashion Sketches, Intern Editorial Intern Editorial Intern

Much love & gratitude to...

Tom Heck, Tolga Erbatur and Margaret Waters.

Contents 10 13 15 16 17 20 24 25 29 30 34 36 38 40

The Outdoor Issue 2013

Editor’s letter Into the woods: Smart Girl Reads Back to nature: A brief history on...

A little history lesson on the Girl Scouts A look at the eco-friendly swimwear market Sustain-a-biz: Pearmund Cellars Barton Springs Pool Henderson Beach: a backyard paradise Girl on the up: Meredith Sheperd Sketched out Biking beauties Fur-friendly outdoor accessories Summer-to-fall gardening essentials Outdoor accessories

FASHION 42 Into the west...

48 Into the water...

53 58 60 63

SEE & DO An ode to outdoor drinking All-natural first-aid kit Vintage suitcase speaker system A rooftop patio picnic

FOOD 66 Southern-inspired rooftop BBQ 71 1 ingredient / 3 ways 74 A guide to edible flowers

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet & the winds long to play with your hair.”

-Kahlil Gibran

The Outdoor Issue | July/August 2013 | luri & wilma

Charlie Heck

Editor’s letter: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson May I present to you the second print edition of luri & wilma. This issue delves into all things outdoors. And, I must admit this is the most fun I’ve had yet!

We work very hard on each issue and I truly couldn’t do it without the whole Green Team - the contributors, Mr. Photography, the interns and marketing people. We come together each issue, without any compensation, and strive to bring you the best in smart features, vintage and responsibly produced fashion and those yummy food and fun DIY pieces.

Because of them, this outdoor issue, this is the best we’ve done and I’m so proud to admit that. We did it! We changed our branding, came together as a team and produced a high quality, printed publication.

And, I got to work with my brother, Tommy, on our Into the West fashion feature, in my hometown - yet another bonus!

I grew up out in the west Texas town of El Paso. I was raised by the “hippy” mom (with her all-natural remedies and whole foods) and my father is a rancher. I was raised in the outdoors. and taught to respect Nature and learn from her. But, I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a tried and true city lady. Give me noisy nights, mass transportation and grocery stores within walking distance. and I’m a happy camper.

But it was time to get lost in the desert again! In this issue we highlight tough vintage fashion in the west, eco-friendly swimsuits in the east and our picks for all those things you need to get lost in nature. Smart lady features include a little history lesson on the Girl Scouts, organic wineries in Virginia, the rebuilding of a Florida beach affect by the BP oil spill and more.

So let’s all jump in…

-Charlie

editor’s picks

Protect Yo’self!

A Hat a Day How does your garden grow?

Squeaky Clean

Charlie’s outdoor essentials:

How does your garden grow: use this “From the Garden of” stamp kit to add a personal label to all your homegrown produce, flowers, and herbs. Perfect for summer gift giving! www.yellowowlworkshop.com Protect Yo’self: bugs be gone, the eco-friendly way, of course!

This 100 percent organic bug repellent is just as tough as its not-so-green counterparts. www.bubbleandbee.com A Hat a Day: keeps the skin doctors away! This classic panama style hat has a wide brim for excellent sun protection. Certified fair trade. www.panamas.co.uk

Kind Cleansing

Squeaky Clean: Mrs. Meyer knows how to keep you mean green clean! Made with a 100 percent pure vegetable base with olive oil, this all-purpose soap can be used for hands, body and that outdoor shower! www.mrsmeyers.com Kind Cleansing: look fly even in the most outdoorsy setting with Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes. Coconut water infused natural towelettes gently cleanse your face while removing toxins, oil, pollutants and make-up from your skin without water. Papaya, a natural exfoliant, helps revive skin and remove dead cells. www.pacificaperfume.com

smart girl reads

Into the woods: Smart Girl Reads Outdoor Edition

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Amber Paranick Pack your picnic baskets, sleeping bags, tents, whatever you need to get outdoors. But, don’t forget your reading material! Here are our smart girl picks for your outdoor travels.

Travels with Charley

BY JOHN STEINBECK A story of a writer on a cross-country journey alongside his French poodle, Charley, in 1960.

Into the Wild.

JON KRAUKAUER The true story of recent college graduate Christopher McCandless’ odyssey and his journey to find a simpler life in nature (that ultimately ends in Alaska), is both heartbreaking and profound.

Out of Africa.

KAREN BLIXEN A memoir spanning the 17 years Isak Dinesen, (a pen name used by the Danish author Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke), spent on a coffee plantation in Kenya. The great Ernest Hemingway touted her as one of the best writers of his time.

The Edible Wild: A Complete Cookbook And Guide To Edible Wild Plants In Canada And North America.

BERNDT, BERGLUND First published in 1971, the guide provides a description of edible plants (and poisonous plants) found in nature and how to use them in recipes. So you can flex your foodie muscles even in the thick of the woods.

Ansel Adams : 400 photographs / edited by Andrea G. Stillman.

This breathtaking collection of photographs by renowned photographer Ansel Adams spans the years from 1916 (when he was just 14 and creating a visual diary of where he had been) to his later work in the 1960s. You’ll be taken on a journey from Glacier National Park in Montana to a sunrise captured on Mount Tom, Sierra Nevada, California

Walden (or, “Life in the Woods.”)

HENRY DAVID THOREAU As much as you love being around people, you still sometimes dream of running away to a secluded cabin in the woods in Concord, MA near Walden Pond, a la Thoreau. In Walden, Thoreau provides us with his experiences over the course of two years, two months and two days in his cabin.

10 Smart girl reads

smart girl reads

Back to Nature:

a brief history of the outdoorsy mag

by Amber Paranick

Despite its foray into articles on subjects like aviation, natural history, and American dependencies over the years, the magazine never lost Mr. Bell’s vision to become the vehicle for carrying the living, breathing, human-interest truth about the great world to the masses.

In the mid 1890’s, perhaps due to a shorter workday, the United States experienced a new enthusiasm for outdoor sports and play; more time could be devoted to leisurely activities.

As such, magazines had a field day and the age of special interest publications was born!

These newfound special interest magazines, like American Cricketer, Outing (devoted to the interests of the modern-day cyclist), and Turf, Field, and Farm focused on specific recreational activities.

One of most well known magazines devoted to all things outdoors is National Geographic.

Established in 1888 as the publishing arm of the National Geographic Society, the magazine’s content focused on geology, volcanology, oceanology and was written by the explorers themselves.

In 1896, subscriptions were opened to non-members and flashy covers were added. Now the masses could explore the ends of the earth (from Peru to the Mount Katmai volcanic region in Alaska) from the pages of the monthly publication.

It was Alexander Graham Bell, President of the NGS, who broadened the reach of the magazine by placing the science of geography into the homes of the people.

The advent of color in 1910 allowed the Geographic to print beautiful and brilliant, illustrative pieces on expeditions of exploration and discovery. It was the first of its kind to use photographic illustration and published the first natural-color photographs of undersea life. With every single issue containing resplendent, informative material sought to promote the preservation of natural resources; there’s truly nothing like it in the world.

Today, a number of nature-minded periodicals exist like Backpacker, Outside and Women’s Adventure. Wilder Quarterly is for this generation of nature lovers and the next.

Modern Farmer considers global, agricultural issues for backyard gardeners, career farmers, and everyone who wants to know more about how our food reaches the table.

Image credit: Library of Congress General Collections.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Amber Paranick

A Little History Lesson:

“Be Prepared”: A short history of the early days of girl scouting in the US. October 31, 1860: Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon, known as “Daisy” to her friends and family, is born in Savannah, GA. She marries William Mackey Low in 1886, against the wishes of her family. In 1905, after her husband dies, Juliette, a world traveler and explorer in her own right, sets out to fulfill her lifelong dream of fostering a sense of citizenship and camaraderie in young people. She becomes inspired & excited by the “youth movement” happening in Scotland and London led by Sir Robert Baden-Powell and wastes no time in familiarizing herself with the Boys Scouts and Girl Guides in Britain.

Every year, Girl Scouts continue to celebrate Founder’s Day in her honor.

18: The number of girls in attendance at the very first American Girl Guides meeting, held on March 12, 1912 in the carriage house of Juliette Low, the first President. Low’s niece, Daisy “Doots” Gordon is the first registered member. A year later, in 1913, the name of her organization is changed to Girl Scouts, and history is born.

1912: Proficiency badges are hand-stitched by volunteers.

3: The number of leaves on the membership badge (pin) that stands for a part of the Girl Scout promise, featuring an eagle, a shield, a shaft of arrows, and an olive branch. The design is patented on February 10, 1914.

1917: The Girl Scout magazine, The Rally, a print publication of Girl Scout news and reports of activities, is distributed across the country. Starting with the June 1920 issue, the title changes to American Girl: “A magazine for Girl Scouts and Girls who love scouting.” For many years, its considered to be the most successful and widely read magazine for girls in America.

25 cents: The amount of dues for an annual membership in 1915.

1921: The First American Indian Girl Scout Troop is established in Syracuse, New York, followed by the First Mexican American troop in Houston, Texas in 1922. From its earliest beginning, the group took pride in making Girl Scouts available to all races, religions, income levels, geographic locations, and nationalities. $50, 000: The amount given to more than a dozen European countries in 1943 from the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund as postwar recovery efforts.

3 million: The number of Girl Scouts in the US in the 1950’s, an all-time high.

Consequently, the sale of Girl Scout cookies boomed, with varieties such as Chocolate Mint, Shortbread, and Peanut Butter Sandwich.

12 A little history lesson

1963: A massive reorganization brings four distinct categories of Girl Scouts: Brownie (ages 7-9), Junior (Ages 9-11), Cadette (Ages 11 to 14) and Senior (Ages 15-17).

October 1, 1984: The date the first Daisy Girl Scouts are registered.

1998: Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Company introduces Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie Ice Cream, making the famous cookie available all-year round.

November 2002: GSUSA & Lands’ End clothing company reach an agreement for the manufacture of adult uniforms, which includes polo shirts and shorts in “Desert Khaki” for both men and women.

November 2006: The Girl Scouts establish an online presence, www.girlscouts.org.

2002: Girl Scout Research Institute, a center for research & public policy information on the healthy development of girls, is formed.

2012: The Girl Scouts celebrates its centennial celebration.

3.3 million members: the approximate number of Girl Scout members at present.

Odina Surf

A Look At the Eco-Swimwear Market:

Shamael Al-Rizaiqi

Go mean green in your swim routine.

As summer finally peeks upon us, some of us are probably still on the hunt for the perfect new swimsuit to match our freshly toned physiques. Or, we’re ready to shop those sale bends! We likely repeat the usual routine – visit our favorite retailers and e-tailers, scour through racks and pages of possible investments, marvel over the never ending options, before finally making a purchase.

And just like that, we have our new season appropriate attire (or lack there of), without the thought of how it’s made. But when we think about it, do we actually know how harmful some bathing suits may be to our lovely planet?

Materials such as spandex, polyester and nylon, all of which are non-biodegradable, are discarded into our natural surroundings every day while we bask in the sun.

Now here are some guilt-inducing statistics that might shock you: polyester uses large amounts of water for cooling and manufacturing Nylon creates a greenhouse gas 310 times stronger than carbon dioxide! Not only are the fabrics harmful, but also the dyes used can end up coloring the rivers and oceans – a big NO NO! While we advocate vintage and second-hand swim attire, some of us may be iffy about the pre-owned goods, so on to eco!

We had the opportunity to get to know more about this niche market from Aaron Taylor, the Marketing Director at Odina Surf.

The million-dollar question is, ‘What makes Odina Surf a sustainable, highly functional swimsuit line?’ According to Taylor, Odina’s “first priority is to make suits that are fashionable and functional.” Odina worked with surf teams in Hawaii to see how they could create THE perfect sustainable swimsuit. On their quest to discover the perfect fabric, the brand looked into different options around the world by testing a number of sustainable fabrics. Odina found the best match - gathering excess nylon, grinding it, and re-blending it to make 100 percent recycled nylon. Odina also uses a bit of Lycra in its material production to give its swimsuit durability. Not only does the company help the environment with its sustainable swimsuit line but also the design and manufacturing is local.

“The creative process is forever ongoing, Odina is always trying to think of new designs, ideas, and patterns. Because we are only limited to what’s out there, that gives us creativity. To Odina, it’s a constant kind of push, we keep improving what we found then work with it and just add,” said Taylor.

Odina Surf uses the best fabrics in the US, which is why the suits have a long life. “We have our athletes and teams use our suits on a daily basis, beat this stuff up and it lasts for years” said Taylor. But before Odina was able to manufacture their durable swimsuits, it took them about a year of research and development to create their first line. Since then, they’ve added new designs to the table with each taking three to four months of testing and tweaking.

According to Taylor, the eco-friendly market is still a pretty small market, and we have to agree. We’ve only found a handful of companies in this emerging industry.

One of those is La Isla, the first small company in California to do a hand tag with the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots non-profit environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches.

According to CEO Enrique Sanchez-Rivera, the company is testing a new fabric in Columbia. Made from recycled bottles, this material would be used to fully integrate eco-suits into their clothing line. La Isla also offers its eco-mindedly customers a range of clothes that are 100 percent environmentally friendly and OEKO-TEX 100 certified.

The next time you go about your yearly routine of finding the perfect suit, remember these three criteria: What fabrics are used (anything recycled is A-Okay).

Does the company have any green certifications?

And lastly, is the company aiming for sustainability in any way?

If these apply, then you have the perfect swimsuit!

Shop Odina Surf at www.odinasurf.com and flip to page 48 to see it in action.

Learn more about La Isha at www.laislabrand.com.

We took a look at the emerging market of eco-friendly swimwear within the eco-clothing industry. Yes, you heard us right; there is such a thing as reducing our carbon footprint with fashionable swimwear. So what makes a bathing suit eco-friendly?

One simple answer – the fabrics used.

Got an awesome shop?

Well then stock the issue, darling!

For more info, visit:

www.luriandwilma.com/stockists or drop us a line @ info@luriandwilma.com.

into the great outdoors...

The Outdoor Issue | July/August 2013 | luri & wilma

Charlie Heck

The Bee’s Knees

Urban bees & their city-dwelling keepers Just as urban gardening started as a way to bring locally grown fruits, veggies and herbs to the city dwelling resident, free of pesticides, so is urban beekeeping to honey.

And, just as modern day produce production has changed from the small farmer to the mass corporations, so has honey production.

Keep in mind, the main job of a bee is to pollenate a crop. Honey is just an amazing offset of their hard work.

So what’s the problem?

In 2006, the first indication of Colony Collapse Disorder this century was reported. CCD happens when adult worker honeybees suddenly flee the hive and end up dead somewhere else; then the colony rapidly dies. The queen is still present and there are no dead bees present in the hive. Often time’s honey is still present as are immature bees.

There is no explanation for it and a 2013 USDA report says they essentially don’t know what is causing it.

16 Urban Beekeeping

If scientist can’t pinpoint the cause, the economic and environmental damage could be severe.

In an effort to learn more about urban beekeeping, we enlisted the help of new beekeepers, Brannon Walsh and Sinata Vergara. Both are Washington, DC dwellers and just set up their first hives.

“Honey normally comes from large commercial keepers.

Their main goal is to pollinate crops. The bees are cultivate mostly in the south. They’re taken to the northeast for the blueberries, to California for the pecans, etc. and if these crops are not grown organically, they’re exposed to pesticides they wouldn’t normally be exposed to.,” said Brannon.

Photo by Sinata Vergara

Photo by Charlie Heck

Brannon and Sinata enrolled in an 8-week class at BANV, Beekeepers Association of Northern Virginia. “The class paired us with a mentor who works with you so you’re not all the sudden up in a beehive, without any knowledge,” said Brannon.

features

They got “splits” from two other beekeepers in DC and started out on their own. With the stamp of approval from a local community garden, the hives were established.

With two hives set in the back corner of the garden, Brannon and Sinatra’s peek bee production could reach 50,000 to 60,000. They started with just 500. “When you first start the hive you are feeding them, we go in once a week or so and feed them sugar water,” said Brannon. By winter time, the bees should be just fine on their own.

Photo by Sinata Vergara

“Commercial beekeeping is based around the service of the bees, not the honey. It’s based around agriculture, not the best environment for the bees and their production. They get shipped around because of their pollination ability, which may or may not be an additional stressor on their lives,” said Sinata.

So these DC bees will room where they choose to room. But, right now they are doing their work in the community garden.

And, we certainly know the gardeners are happy to hear them buzz.

The stats on honey bees: Photos by Charlie Heck

•Bees pollinate 80 percent of the world’s plants including 90 different food crops.

•1 out of every 3 or 4 bites of food you eat is thanks to bees.

•The honey bee is responsible for $15 billion in U.S. agricultural crops each year.

•Honey is the only food that does not spoil (bacteria can’t grow in it, and because of its low moisture content and low pH – honey can last indefinitely).

•Bees maintain a temperature of 92-93 degrees Fahrenheit in their central brood nest regardless of whether the outside temperature is 110 or -40 degrees.

•The honey bee is the only insect that produces food eaten by man.

•Man’s first alcoholic beverage, mead, is a wine made with honey. *Provided by www.honeylove.org

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Charlie Heck

18 Alice Kuban | Kilse Fashion

Sustain-a-biz Pearmund Cellars

Photography & copy by Beth Eller

Beth Eller

Virginia is for vinos

All you foodies and wine experts out there know exceptional vino when you taste it, right? And even if you are among those who cannot tell the difference between Three Buck Chuck and a remarkable Cabernet you know enough to associate places like California and Italy with the term wine country.

But did you know that in 2012, Wine Enthusiast magazine voted Virginia one of the top 10 wine destinations to visit?

That puts Virginia among the ranks of California and other locales that have set the standard.

In an attempt to find out how Virginia made its mark in a typically impenetrable market, I set out on a wine tasting and ambiance sampling adventure and what I found was a winery that is making its own mark in Virginia, and they’re doing it the green way!

Nestled near the end of a tree lined, winding road, dotted with old Victorian, Colonial and farm homes, Pearmund Cellars instantly welcomes you with its quiet beauty and peaceful air.

The vineyard is situated on a farm that has been bearing the fruits of its labor for over two centuries.

20 Sustain-a-biz | Pearmund Cellars

It was with the farm’s rich history in mind that owner, Chris Pearmund, began the hard work of designing and building a winery that would protect limited resources and have as little impact as possible on its surrounding environment.

An ingenious geothermal heating and cooling system, double thick exterior walls, and strategic placement of the building (to make the best use of sunlight for heating and light sources), enable Chris Pearmund to run his winery on about the same amount of electricity per month as it would cost to maintain an average size household.

A remarkable feat when you consider that the fermenting wine must be stored at around 55 degrees. When it comes to maintaining healthy crops, Chris says that he “likes to utilize biodiversity and minimal impact on the land.”

He is reluctant to label his winery as organic, though, pointing out that when it comes to pesticide use, he uses specific pesticides to target specific pests, “not necessarily pesticides labeled as organic.” This practice is much less stressful on the land and the local insect population.

In addition to all this remarkable eco-friendliness, Chris also raises honeybees and blue birds on the property in an effort to strengthen dissipating numbers of some native Virginia species.

For its brilliant geothermal design and marginal impact practices, Pearmund Cellars was awarded as one of the top ten greenest businesses in the county of Fauquier, Virginia.

sustain-a-biz

If all these reasons are not enough to entice a visit, then you should also know that the wine happens to be extraordinary!

If a white is what you crave, they have an award winning Chardonnay, or for a sweeter side, the Riesling is light with a perfect hint of sweetness. For an impeccable red, the Petit Verdot will tantalize your taste buds.

Chris maintains that he did not set out to design an eco-friendly building, raise indigenous, threatened wildlife, and practice biodiversity just for the sake of being green. He does it because “It’s the right thing to do.”

“It isn’t our (Pearmund Cellars) goal to be bigger, but to be the best in our region,” said Chris. He and his staff are all about staying local, and they work hard to create wines that are solely Virginia wines.

There are so many good reasons to visit this winery. Exceptional wines, a peaceful ambiance and eco-friendly practices make Pearmund Cellars a perfect outdoor destination for almost any time of year.

One visit here and you’ll know why Virginia is wine country and Pearmund is a sustainable biz!

Pearmund Cellars 6190 Georgetown Rd, Broad Run, VA 20137 540.347.3475 www.pearmundcellars.com

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Amber Paranick

Barton Springs Pool On a recent trip to an archival conference in Austin, TX, I asked some local shopgirls where they spend their off-days. Over and over, I was told: visit Barton Springs Pool.

A man-made swimming pool, in the heart of Ziker Park, Barton Springs is THE SPOT for Texas summer relief. This local watering hole is three acres in size, fed from underground springs and is, on average, 68 degrees yearround.

Spanish explorers first discovered the springs in the 17th century and around 1730 erected temporary missions at the site.

Long before the pool was built, the springs were considered sacred and were used for purification rituals by the Tonkawa Native American tribe.

During the 1920s, the city undertook a construction project to create a larger swimming area by damming the springs and building sidewalks.

Today, those springs are open year round..

22 Barton Springs Pool

For a mere $3 a day, you can swim or sunbathe on the hillside. Pups are welcome too! You might want to wait until mid-summer if you prefer your pool temps to be above 70 degrees.

Barton Springs Pool 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX

Photos & copy by Amber Paranick

features

Henderson Beach:

A Backyard Paradise Photography & copy

by Beth Eller

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Low, gray clouds roll overhead, thunder rumbles in the distance, and light rain patters on the windshield as Dan Laird, the Henderson Beach Park Ranger, and his 10-year-old daughter accompany me around the pristine park they call home. As I glimpse the unusually rough Gulf Coast waves, Mr. Laird points out some surfers on the neighboring county beach who are oblivious to the double red flags, suggesting dangerous waters, posted on every pier. Or, maybe they are not oblivious and it’s those double red flags, telling instead of a surfers’ paradise.

Every year people flock to Destin, Florida. Most stay in high-rise condos or one of the countless beach houses that have been erected every few feet along the shoreline. It is nearly impossible to find a piece of this beautiful shore that remains untouched.

Henderson Beach, however, is a 227 acre slice of paradise that still resembles Mother Nature’s original blueprints for this area. Sand pines, over 150 years old, stand on original dunes, beautiful magnolias bloom out of the brush, and sea gulls, turtles, ospreys and hawks find shelter in this protected environment. A brown rabbit hops around the periphery of the thick sea oaks and salt grass that grace the ancient dunes and Mr. Laird’s daughter calls him by name.

Robert, as she’s named him, hops away into the growth and I can’t help but think what a lucky girl she is to have this complex utopia as her own backyard.

Paradise Lost This coast has survived unimaginable hurricanes and tropical storms. Charlie, Ivan and Katrina, to name a few of the more recent, have ravaged this area over the years. Nothing, however, has taken its toll on the Gulf more than the BP oil spill that began on April 20, 2010.

A sea floor oil gusher flowed freely for 87 days, while gulf residents, and the world, watched helplessly until it was finally capped off on July 15.

The sealing of the gusher was bittersweet. The leak was contained but the crisis had only just begun. Infinite numbers of ecosystems were turned on their heads that spring and summer as oil began to surface and tar balls floated up on shores all along the Gulf Coast.

At Henderson Beach, populations of protected birds, fish and other sea life were threatened, while the emerald waters and the powdery white beach were dotted brown and black with oil as far as the eye could see.

Dan Laird says Okaloosa County, the county Henderson Beach is located in, was actually one of the less impacted places along the shore.

According to Laird, “About 600 people were staged here (at the park) by BP for cleanup following the spill, and only 39,918 pounds of oil contaminated material was removed from the county.” Laird says any amount of waste is too much, but when compared to nearby Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties who weighed in at close to 3 million pounds, Henderson Beach does seem to emerge as one of the lucky ones.

“Most of the cleanup efforts here focused on helping clean oil covered birds and other sea-life, and removing tar balls along the beach.

There was also some impact on the fish population in the surrounding water due to the surfacing oil,” says Laird.

Flight of the Sea Turtle Perhaps the biggest impact the spill had on this complex ecosystem, however, was on the sea turtle population that nest on the Gulf beaches between April and November.

Each year, female sea turtles come to shore at night and lay over one hundred eggs. Once they hatch, these sea turtles await uncertainty as they head for the sea, in some cases only one survives. These hatchlings return thirty years later to lay their eggs on the same shore where they were born.

In the spring of 2010, after the shores of Henderson Beach were tainted with oil, all the sea turtle hatchlings were relocated to Coco Beach, Florida. Laird says they are unsure how this will affect the protected but endangered turtle population of the park. They will not know for sure until it is time for the turtles to return in about thirty years.

Beth Eller Restoring Paradise The beach is quiet today, except for the surfers taking advantage of the tropical storm churned waters. On a beautiful sunny day people can be seen all along the shore of the park looking for the perfect sea shell, building a sand castle, or trying to catch a glimpse of a crab peeking out of its hole.

Sea gulls fly overhead and don’t hesitate to swoop down to the white sand, no longer speckled with tar balls, or to dive for a fish in the famous emerald waters, clear once more. If nature is any indication, things are finally getting back to normal at Henderson Beach.

The park is even piloting an exciting new program for low impact hammock camping. This will provide suspended camping hammocks that will cause minimal impact on the park environment. Volunteers can regularly be seen around the grounds removing harmful litter or checking for remnants from the spill, and Laird says that anyone wanting to help can simply, “Contact the park and volunteer with any of its many programs. We even have shore bird, sea turtle, and other endangered species monitoring programs that need volunteers.”

The Coast Guard officially ended the cleanup response efforts in Florida on June 1, 2013, but Laird says, “ The real tale-tell will be during hurricane season when the waves churn up all that oil off the bottom of the ocean.

Mother Nature has a way straightening up the damage we can inflict.”

Watching tropical storm Andrea build overhead, I can’t help thinking about the impending hurricane season and what it might wash up.

Has the Gulf truly healed from the devastation, or will the different native species and residents like Mr. Laird and his family, that inhabit this 1.3 mile stretch of paradise, continue to feel the effects of the spill for years to come?

Planning a trip to the gulf this summer or fall and want to do more than just lie around and soak up sun? You can visit the website serve.gov/oilspill to find out how you can help.

26 Henderson Beach | A backyard paradise

Henderson Beach State Park is located just east of Destin on U.S. 98.

Girl on the up!

By Julie Smolinski

Crisp veggies fresh from the backyard may seem near impossible to the hard weathered city dweller, but Meredith Sheperd is making it happen, one vegetable plot at a time.

Sheperd’s business, Love & Carrots brings home gardening and organically grown food to urbanites all over the nation’s capital. Whether you’re a novice or a wellseasoned gardener, Love & Carrots will help design, install and even maintain an organic garden that’s just right for your residence. And those with black thumbs need not fear; Sheperd and her staff offer garden coaching, working side by side with clients so they can learn the ins and outs of successfully growing and harvesting their own food.

Growing your own ingredients for supper? That’s DIY at its most delicious!

Not to mention, it’s super eco-friendly. While installing organic gardens may seem a mere matter of convenience when it comes to preparing dinner, Meredith notes that it makes a considerable difference for creating a more eco-friendly city.

“Home gardening converts lawns from biological deserts into productive ecosystems,” she explains. And besides the obvious perks of providing healthy food for residents, home gardens also reduce food miles (food miles being the distance food travels between its production source and the consumer). The less fuel and energy spent transporting food, the better!

And with the rate Sheperd’s business has been growing, we can definitely hope for a much greener capital. After merely three years Love & Carrots has gained huge momentum. “It began with just my Subaru and I and has expanded to 120 gardens,” say Meredith. On average, Sheperd and her staff help install 1 to 3 new gardens a week and does garden coaching for about 52 clients. In addition to residential gardens, Love & Carrots maintain plots for local DC businesses like Big Bear Cafe and has collaborated on different community gardens. Thanks to Sheperd and her team, the Children’s Health Center, in Washington, DC’s Shaw neightborhood, has a beautiful garden that is used for classes on nutrition and healthy eating.

girl on the up

Meredith Sheperd *of

The business’ success has not gone unnoticed. This spring, Love & Carrots received Green America’s People and Planet Award, a title given to businesses for their commitment to building a green economy.

Though Sheperd has a long career in agriculture and gardening (before Love & Carrots, she managed Chailey Farm, a Virginia farm that provides ingredients for some of DC’s restaurants), it was the unique challenges of urban agriculture that compelled her to start Love & Carrots.

“Living in a city, it is easy to forget where food really comes from when you have a Safeway or market on every corner. I want people to know what it’s like to eat food grown on your very own property. The city is where the lack of gardening education lies and so that simply brought me onto the map for urban gardening.”

DC’s layout and architecture- its considerable green space, its lack of skyscrapers and all the homes with just a teensy bit of extra land- made it a great starting point.

Of course as Meredith points out, it’s not just DC’s physical landscape that make it a prime place for the local food movement, but its political landscape too. “There’s so much potential for food production in this city, and as the capital, DC could be a leading example for the rest of the country.”

No doubt! And with businesses like Love & Carrots at the reins, who’s to say we’re not on our way?

Want to see examples of Love & Carrot’s work? Go to www.loveandcarrots.com and check out their backyard veggie plots, rooftop gardens, and yes, home-installed beehives!

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Into the west Photography by Roy Moody

Styling, makeup & hair by Jennifer Jeremias & Charlie Heck Models: Breanna Gerbitz & Tommy Heck

Jewelry provided by Nashville artist Jennifer Jeremias. Pieces available at www.jenniferjeremias.com and select Nashville retailers.

Women’s vintage clothing & accessories

by Jennifer Jeremias are available at the monthly Nashville Flea Market in the Sports Arena Building. Visit her blog, www.julesandjuniper.com, each month, for more info and location details.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

44 Into the west

fashion

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Into the water Photography by Roy Moody Styling by Beth Barrett Makeup & hair by Victoria Shubert

Models: Londyn Douglas, Sean Jones & April Stettner

Swim

Clothing, from top left: Bikini sperates from Odina Surf, available at www.odinasurf.com. Aqua shorts & crotchet vest from Via Gypset in Washington, DC. Blue vintage t-shirt and yellow plaid shorts from Blues Hard Goods in Washington, DC. One-piece swimsuit from Odina Surf, Floral wrap and green vintage bangle from Via Gypset in Washington, DC.

48 Into the water

fashion

Picnic Clothing, from top right: Blue Hawaiian shirt and red plaid shorts from Blues Hard Goods in Washington, DC. Orange & black chevron shorts and yellow blouse from Via Gypset in Washington, DC. Tan & blue embroidered dress from Via Gypset and Havana hat from Blues Hard Goods in Washington, DC.

50 Into the water

An ode to outdoor drinking

An ode to outdoor drinking

Story, photography and recipe adaptations by Mandy Pellegrin When the weather starts to warm up, I’ll often find myself sitting at work, eyeing the clock, allowing my mind to wander towards visions of refreshing cocktails – always on the rocks and best served on a patio. Outdoor drinking, my friends! In recognition of this great, American summer pastime, we are sharing four of our favorite summer cocktails perfect for sipping on a balcony, a rooftop or a backyard.

Arnold Palmer

Gin & Tonic

INGREDIENTS: 1 part Sweet Tea Vodka, 1 part Lemonade

INGREDIENTS: 1 part Gin, 1 part Tonic Syrup, 2 parts Club Soda*

DIRECTIONS: Stir ingredients together in a glass of ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.

DIRECTIONS: Mix ingredients together in a glass of ice. Garnish with a slice of lime. *If you don’t have access to a specialty tonic syrup, substitute the tonic syrup and club soda for 3 parts tonic water (but spring for the good stuff, won’t ya?).

52 An ode to outdoor drinking

good drink s

Limoncello Spritzer

The Pimm’s Cup

INGREDIENTS: 1 part Limoncello, 3 parts Club Soda

INGREDIENTS: 2 parts Pimm’s, 5 parts Limonata Sparkling Lemon Beverage, 4 parts Ginger Beer, 1 part Gin

DIRECTIONS: Stir ingredients together in a glass of ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.

DIRECTIONS: Stir all ingredients together in a glass of ice. Garnish with a lemon twist and sliced strawberries.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Outdoor friendly diys from patio picnics to first-aid kits to a super awesome vintage suitcase speaker set.

See & Do

see & do

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Citlalli Sanchez

All Natural First-Aid Kit Photos & copy by Citlalli Sanchez

We all know how important it is to keep a first-aid kit handy to treat any minor emergencies that might occur. Most of us are accustomed to buying first-aid kits at our local pharmacies, but did you know you can use a variety of essential oils and all natural remedies to create your very own kit? This is extremely beneficial considering the fact that these natural remedies are easy to use and the best part is that we don’t run any risks of side-effects.

The following oils and remedies can be found at your local health food store:

Homeopathic Arnica pellets can be taken orally; put them under your tongue and let them dissolve.

They help reduce swelling and inflammation. Arnica is used to reduce shock, treat bruises, strains and trauma. Arnica creme/pomade can be used topically to alleviate bruises, and sprains.

Rescue Remedy is used to relieve shock, trauma, panic and fear. It is made from the following five flowers: impatients for stress, clematis for loss of consciousness, rock rose for panic and terror, Starof- Bethlehem for shock, and cherry plum for desperation. It is great to give to anyone in distress as well as anyone administering care who might be under stress. Is your pet a bit panicky? They also make a version of rescue remedy for animals.

Antiseptic soap is used to clean wounds. Soaps containing lavender and tea tree essential oils are especially good since they both have antiseptic properties.

Aloe Vera is one of the best remedies for sunburns, irritated skin and it helps reduce inflammation. It acts as an analgesic by preventing and relieving itching. It is also a disinfectant and anti-biotic, anti-microbial, germicidal, anti-bacterial, anti-septical, anti-fungal and anti-viral.

Tea tree essential oil is one of the best non- irritating antiseptic, anti-fungal and antiviral essential oils. Apply to cuts, mosquito bites, stings, rashes, sprains, burns, and fungal infections. Dab it on pulse points to use as insect repellent. Apply to toothaches, and dissolve a couple of drops in a glass of water to treat a sore throat.

Lavender essential oil is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic; not to mention it smells heavenly! It can be applied topically to insect bites, bruises, wounds, burns and blisters. It has a calming effect when inhaled, and it comforts during times of trauma. It also reduces pain, risk of infection, and it stimulates skin regeneration.

56 All natural first-aid kit

see & do Echinacea can be used both topically (in tincture form), and internally (in tablet form). It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic. It is great for preventing and treating infection.

It can be applied topically to treat wounds, boils, insect bites and any skin infection. It stimulates the immune system when taken internally.

Wellness formula is a great immune supplement that contains a combination of herbs, antioxidants,vitamins and minerals. Take it when you feel any sickness coming on, during the time of sickness. It can also be used to maintain your immune system. Keep your defenses up!

Charcoal capsules are made of pure carbon from burnt wood. It absorbs toxins as well as collecting substances on it’s surface, preventing poisons from entering the bloodstream. It is usually taken internally at the time of food poisoning. Mix the contents of capsules with enough water to make a paste and apply to stings, bites or infected wounds.

Other essentials for your first-aid kit should include: Personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers.

Plenty of band-aids, butterfly bandages, sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, pair of scissors, a non-mercury (non-glass) oral thermometer, and tweezers for removing any foreign objects.

Now that you have all your natural remedies ready to go, keep them all in one place! Grab a chocolate or old cookie tin can. You might have one saved from the holidays, or you can find one at almost any Goodwill. Most essential oil bottles are small enough to fit, as well as the rest of the supplies.

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Remember that the remedies above are just a few of the countless ways Mother Nature helps us heal. Please consult with your local health food store with any questions/concerns you might have about the remedies provided. Note that these statements are not meant to be taken as medical advice. For serious emergencies always contact 911.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Fallon Keplinger

Vintage suitcase speaker system

Photos & copy by Fallon Keplinger

I saw a picture of vintage suitcase speakers and instantly fell in love! Nights on the beach or in the camping tent with music; who could resist? Unfortunately, the price tag for said speakers was $200.00, which didn’t include shipping and handling.

What you will need: Vintage suitcase (purchased from Craigslist for $15.00) Sony speakers (purchased from Goodwill for $7.00) T- Amp (purchased from Amazon for $20.00) AUX stereo input cable #2 Phillips head screwdriver Flathead screwdriver Box-cutter Scissors Tape measure A pencil

1.

Step 1-Remove the speakers from the original casing. Use the flat head screwdriver to pry the mesh casing off of the speaker. You might have to hit the end of the screwdriver with a hammer to get the process going.

Step 1.5- Remove the smaller speaker. The smaller speaker is attached to the mesh casing. When prying the casing off, be gentle not to rip the smaller speaker and the wires. Use the # 2 Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew the smaller speaker from the mesh

2.

58 Vintage suitcase speakers

Step 2-Remove the larger speaker. Use the #2 Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew the larger speaker from the wood casing.

Repeat these steps for the second speaker.

see & do

Step 3- Measure the width of the suitcase. Use the tape measure to measure the width of the suitcase so you can get an idea of where you would like to place your speakers.

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Step 4- Make speaker template. Use the wooden speaker casing to trace (with a pencil) where on the suitcase you would like the speakers to go.

Repeat this on the other side of the suitcase.

Step 5- Cut the hole for the larger speaker. I decided not to keep the suitcase lining. I was able to rip the lining out, if you are not able to do so, use a pair of scissors to cut out the lining of the suitcase. Use the box cutter to cut out the hole for the speakers. Repeat this on the other side of the suitcase.

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Step 6- Place the smaller speaker. Use the smaller speaker to trace a hole where you would like to place it. Keep in mind the smaller and larger speaker share cords, so the speakers have to be relatively close. I placed the smaller speaker at a 45 degree angle from the larger speakers.

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Step 7- Secure the frame. Take the original wood frame that the speakers came in, to use as a support structure on the inside for the speakers.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Step 8- Strip the wire. Strip the wiring so there is a positive (red wires) and negative wire (black wires). Use these wires to hook up to the T-amp.

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Step 9- Attach wires to T-amp.

Place the wires into the corresponding negative and positive outlets of the T-amp. There is also an outlet for the audio cable you will use to hook up your smart phone or iPod to the speakers.

60 See & Do

The Outdoor Issue | July/August 2013 | luri & wilma

Mandy Pellegrin

Rooftop BBQ diys

Photos & copy by Mandy Pellegrin Our rooftop BBQ relies on clean, natural colors and materials to create a relaxing, inviting, but not overly-fussy backdrop for a fun afternoon with friends. And the best part is that the centerpiece transitions perfectly to your windowsill and the favors will become a reminder to your friends of your awesome entertaining skills for seasons to come.

Adorn your table with starter herb and vegetable plants featuring ingredients used in your dishes. We featured peppers, dill, and mint – all ingredients in our tasty menu items. Let your guests bring the theme home with personalized seed packets of the same varieties.

Create all the personalized pieces with a simple set of letter stamps. For the favor placeholders, stamp plain muslin bags, kraft paper gift tags, and wooden shapes. Stamp a few more wooden shapes for the centerpiece plant markers.

1. If they don’t already have one, drill a small hole in the bottom of each of the plant marker shapes, and attach a wooden dowel with a dab of glue.

2. Slip a seed packet into each of the muslin bags 3. Thread a kraft paper gift tag and personalized placeholder shape (drill a hole, if necessary) onto the drawstring of a muslin bag and tie the ends to hold in place.

1 62 BBQ DIYs

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Recipes by Chris McLaurin Photography by Roy Moody

64 A Southern inspired BBQ

Rooftop BBQ

BBQ Pork

food

Ingredients:

1 pork butt 2 Tbsp black pepper 2 Tbsp coriander seed 4 Tbsp salt 4 Tbsp brown sugar 1 cup apple cider vinegar Putting It All Together: Toast Coriander Seeds. Grind coriander and black pepper. Mix with salt and sugar. Rub dry ingredients on pork butt. Place butt in roasting pan. Pour vinegar into bottom of pan. Roast at 300 until outside of butt is nicely browned (between 1-2 hours).

Remove roasting pan from oven and cover with plastic wrap and foil. Return to oven and cook until meat is tender 5-6 hours. Remove butt from oven once tender. Once slightly cooled, using two forks, tear meat apart.

Chipotle Honey BBQ Sauce Ingredients:

1 small can chipotle peppers 1.5 cups apple cider vinegar 1 cup water 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup honey 5 garlic cloves Putting It All Together: Mix all ingredients and add to pot. Bring to a boil.

Allow mixture to boil for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid will coat the back of a spoon.

Add sauce to a blender and process until smooth.

Cool.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Chris McLaurin

Slaw

Ingredients: 1 head purple cabbage 1 lb. carrots 1 red onion 他 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. champagne vinegar 2 garlic cloves Minced 1 tsp. celery seed 1 tsp. mustard seeds salt and pepper Putting It All Together: Thinly slice cabbage and onion. Grate carrot and add to cabbage and onion.

Mix all remaining ingredients together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Mix dressing into vegetables and adjust seasoning.

66 A Southern inspired BBQ

food

Bean Salad Ingredients:

1 lb. green beans 1 cup cherry tomatoes (any small variety will work) ½ red onion olive oil lemon juice ½ cup mint Leaves ½ cup dill salt and pepper

Dress with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving roughly chop herbs and mix into salad.

Putting It All Together: Remove stem end from beans. Blanch in heavily salted water until beans are a vibrant green and no longer waxy. Immediately shock in ice water.

Once cool, drain and dry on paper towels. Slice red onion. Mix beans with onion and tomatoes.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Chris McLaurin

Jalape単o Cornbread Ingredients:

1.5 cups cornmeal 1.5 cups all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 3 eggs 1 cup buttermilk 1 yellow onion 5 cloves garlic 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese 1 cup pickled jalape単os 1 stick butter Putting It All Together: Dice onion and mince garlic. Saute until fragrant and translucent (around 5 minutes). Allow to cool.

Mix dry ingredients. Mix eggs and milk. Make well in center of dry ingredients and pour in egg mixture.

68 A Southern inspired BBQ

Slowly mix together. Just before the mixture is fully combined, add onion/garlic, cheese, and jalape単os. Mix just a bit more.

Place large cast iron skillet in oven, at 350, with 8 Tbsp. butter.

Once butter is melted remove from oven and pour in corn bread mixture.

Return to oven and bake 15-20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

food

Berry Tart Ingredients:

1 pie shell 1 pint blueberries 1 pint raspberries 1 pint blackberries 1 pint raspberry jam Putting It All Together: Bake pie shell as directed. Allow to cool.

Add jam to a pan and bring to a boil. Once boiling remove from heat and add berries.

Stir gently so berries do not break apart. Pour into pie shell and allow to cool.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Special guest chef: Tolga Erbatur

Bacon Grease Biscuits Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 2/3 cup buttermilk 2 tsps. baking powder 1 cup cheese 1/4 cup bacon grease butter

Putting It All Together: Preheat oven to 450°. Grate a cup of your favorite cheese and set it aside. Personally, I prefer aged white cheddar, but you can use whatever you have.

Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl. Microwave bacon grease until it is about the consistency of molasses. With my microwave, it takes about 15 seconds, but tweak the timing as needed for yours.

Stir the bacon grease into the powdered ingredients until they form a crumbly mixture. Add the buttermilk and about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese and stir until all the flour has been moistened.

Sprinkle a bit of flour on a flat, clean surface and roll the dough flat with a rolling pin until it’s about 1/2 inch thick throughout. Punch out circles of dough with a cookie cutter or biscuit cutter and place them on a greased (or nonstick) cookie sheet. Lightly sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of each biscuit. Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes.

For bacon grease: Place 2 packs of uncooked bacon on a sheet and tray bake at 375 about 15min.

1 ingredient/ 3 ways Recipes & copy by Chris McLaurin Photography by Charlie Heck

Chris McLaurin

Corn

Don’t get tired of corn this summer by just eating it with butter, salt, and pepper. Instead change it up and try something different. This tasty vegetable is great raw or cooked, grilled or fried. And while it’s not the healthiest of choices (it’s high in starch) enjoy it this summer while it’s sweet and fresh.

Mexican Corn Ingredients:

4 ears of corn ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup sour cream 1 bunch cilantro 1 lime juiced Parmesan cheese salt and pepper Putting It All Together: Shuck corn and remove silks. Grill corn.

While corn is grilling mix mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and lime juice.

Once corn is nicely charred; remove from grill, slather with mayonnaise mixture, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.

72 1 ingredient/ 3 ways

food

Corn Soup

Corn Fritters

4 cups fresh corn kernels 1 yellow onion 2 cloves garlic ½ cup dry white wine 2 cups vegetable stock 1 cup half & half salt and smoked paprika

1 cup cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 2 cups buttermilk 1 cup corn kernels 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack Cheese vegetable oil for frying

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

Putting It All Together: Putting It All Together: Dice onions and sautĂŠ in olive oil until soft and translucent, about five minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.

Add white wine and simmer until it has mostly evaporated.

Add stock and corn to pot and bring to a simmer.

Simmer until the corn is soft, around 30 minutes. Add soup base to a blender and blend on high until smooth.

Put through fine-mesh sieve and add half & half. Season with salt. Rewarm if needed and top with a dash of smoked paprika to serve.

Mix dry ingredients together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk. Slowly incorporate.

Just before the mixture is homogenous, add the corn and cheese. Continue stirring just until the mixture has come together.

Bring at least one inch vegetable oil to 350 degrees. Add tablespoon sized balls of batter to oil. Once the bottoms have browned flip and allow fritter to finish cooking.

Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate.

Season with salt.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Megan Paranick

Too Pretty To Eat: A Guide to Edible Flowers

Chefs and foodies alike have long since incorporated flowers into their recipes, for both their aesthetic and flavor.

Amazingly, just like other fruits and vegetables, there are many health benefits that go along with consuming flowers. Now you can have your frosted rose petal cake (and eat it, too!).

Here are a few tips to keep in mind: ●Eat flowers only when you are positive they are edible. ●Only eat flowers that have been grown organically. ●If you have hay fever, asthma or severe allergies, you should avoid eating members of the daisy family because they could trigger an allergic reaction. ●Remove pistils and stamens from flowers before eating. ●Eat only the petals.

Guides to keep by your side: Edible: an illustrated guide to the world’s food plants.

Cooking with Flowers.

Flower Cookery: The Art of Cooking with Flowers.

Daylily Most lilies aren’t edible, but nearly every part of a daylily is delicious.

Raw flowers, leaves and stems taste sweet, crunchy, faintly like chestnuts or beans. Cooked, they may take on more of an asparagus or zucchini flavor. The rhizomes can be chopped and cooked like potatoes, and are said to taste sweet like corn. Even the tuberous roots are edible raw or roasted, and have a nutty flavor.

A word of caution: Eat in moderation. The young shoots and flowers contain alkaloids, which can act as a laxative and can be toxic in large doses.

Prepare them directly before serving. After the roses have Rose gone, don’t miss out on harvesting rose hips, a delicious tart Their flavor is perfumey and can range from sweet to bitter, berry-like fruit that’s rich in vitamin C. depending on the variety. You can only eat the petals and you’ll need to remove the white part – that means the blooms won’t last long, Pansy and Violet These purple, white, pink and yellow delicacies have a sweet, delicate flavor and are a great compliment to fruit salads. They’re fragile, so pick them early in the day and keep them in the refrigerator with water and a drop or two of vinegar to maintain freshness. Different types have different tastes. Violets can be very sweet, while pansies might come off a little tart on the tongue.

74 A field guide to edible flowers

Dandelion Dandelions can be like a bad ex; showing up on your lawn when he’s knows he’s not wanted. Dig them up at will; but don’t toss them in the compost. Dandelions have a delicious secret: Young buds, fried in butter, taste like mushrooms. All parts of the plant are edible, but you’ll need to cook or ferment them. Yes, I said ferment. Dandelions make a potent wine that tastes a bit like mead (which is, by the way: an alcoholic drink of fermented honey and water).

Floral recipes we dig on:

Hip to Hibiscus Tea. Hibiscus is mostly used in tea for treating loss of appetite, colds, heart and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling, fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation.

This tea is wonderful on a hot summer day.

You’ll need: 5 cups filtered water (divided) 3/4 cup agave syrup (you may want to add more at the end) 2 dried hibiscus flowers 1/8 cup dried strawberries 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers 2 1/4 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice Directions: In a 6 quart pot, bring 5 cups of the water to a boil. Add the agave and stir with a whisk.

Turn the heat down and put your dried strawberries and hibiscus flowers into the water. Simmer for 6 minutes. Turn off the heat.

Lavender Lemonade For a relaxing and invigorating summertime treat, you’ll simply mix the following 3 ingredients in a large pitcher: 1 cup lemon juice 4 cups water 1 cup lavender simple syrup For the syrup you’ll need: 1 cup water 3 Tbsp. fresh or dried lavender flowers 2 cups sugar Bring water and lavender to a boil. Stir in sugar until fully dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, strain out the lavender. Pour into bottle and keep in the refrigerator.

It will store well for about 1 week.

Add the dried lavender flowers and let the water cool down completely. Strain the cooled herbal mixture and put into a large pitcher or jar. Add the other 5 cups water and the lemon juice. Stir again with your whisk. Add agave if this tickles your fancy.

Sautéed Daylilies You’ll need: 10 -12 large daylily flower buds 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine 2 whole scallions, minced 1 teaspoon chopped parsley 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or 1/2 teaspoon tarragon salt & pepper, to taste Directions: Trim the stems from the buds.

Rinse in cold water and pat dry on paper towels.

In a skillet, melt butter and sauté scallions for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add buds, parsley, oregano (or tarragon), salt and pepper.

Sauté and stir for 5 minutes, just until tender.

The Outdoor Issue | luri & wilma

Shilpa Iyyer

hidden gems

Into the dark: Glowing Ideas for Summer Fun

Time off this summer but bored of your usual haunts? We’ve got you covered! We know exactly how to save you from your vacation humdrum, starting with the question that revolutionized the 90s toy industry: what if it glowed in the dark?

From hiking trails on green Michigan mountains to the glittering waters of Puerto Rican bays, we hope this list of glow-in-the-dark vacation ideas can add a bit of creativity to your summertime plans, and help you make the best of those hard-earned days off!

Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico For those of you lucky few who have time for a Caribbean jaunt, you can’t miss this bioluminescent bay, located on the cozy island of Vieques in Puerto Rico. The plankton in the bay are bioluminescent organisms that light up upon sensing movement in the water. The effect is a breathtaking, almost supernatural glow around boats and swimmers. A hike across the scenic and popular Cayo de Tierra trail will provide you a great view of the glow. Nature at its best, we think. Be sure to bucket-list this one, if you can’t make it any time soon!

Porcupine Mountains, Michigan The nation itself has its fair share of phenomenal, glow-in-the-dark views. Hiking these damp, green Michigan trails might bring you an encounter with some fairy fire. In case that sounds too Wonderlandy for your taste, science calls ‘em bioluminescent fungi, and they’re a sight you’ll never want to unsee. The mushrooms are found on rotten, dead bark (not the most pleasant of hosts!) so you’ll have to be on the lookout for some damp trees as you go. But the scene, once found, is one for the books.

Big South Fork, Tennessee Hikers, the Big South Fork is the one challenge you’ll want to rise to and then take a picture of. The sandstone bluffs at sunset make for a humbling and stunning scene that won’t leave you quickly. But hike toward the North and South Arch in the night to see a greater image on full display. Fireflies, our favorite symbol of summertime idyll, rove blithely around the sandstone in delicate, almost choreographed patterns you will absolutely need to see.

Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Australia The hardy, world traveler understands that the Land Down Under offers inimitable scenes of nature’s majesty. In that category, we must include the remarkable phenomenon that occurs in the mystical, luminescent waters of the Gippsland Lakes. Similar to those in the Puerto Rican bay mentioned above, these aquatic microorganisms too respond to motion in the water with vibrant and ethereal blues and greens. We gotta say, the ripple effect gets a whole lot cooler when it glows in the dark!

San Juan Island, WA Bioluminescent waters that you can kayak in. Paddle through these powerful currents and watch as light drips and streams from behind your strokes in silvery-blue ripples. The water’s chill and illumination will be perfect for a few summer evenings spent away from home.

So this summer, before you embark upon the annual trip to the family beach house, or flit off to the fashionable tumult of Paris or Madrid, take a moment to think hard about exactly what kind of scenes you haven’t yet seen.

Michelle Goldchain& Bruna Siloto

Geneva Ivey Day School (GIDS) is a year-round youth development center that refers to itself as “a new school with old

school values.” At luri & wilma, we applaud GIDS’ holistic approach to education.

GIDS educates children from the ages of 2 to 12 years old in the historic Woodridge community, and is soon to add a new facility off of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. According to their website, their education fosters “real life experiences” while involving “lessons in recycling, gardening and how to care for their environment.”

GIDS offers transportation, summer camps, and is partnered with The Green Scheme, a non-profit that promotes environmental awareness and social justice.

Find out more about the Geneva Ivey Day School on their website www.thegenevaiveydayschool.com.

“...in every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.�

-John Muir

Independently published in Washington, DC. Printed on recycled paper. www.luriandwilma.com Order it in print here.