Miso, Bokashi, and Mochi

So, I was told that "Radiation Forest" isn't a common name for the woods surrounding the campus. I just heard the name from the right person. Bummer.

Anywaaay, there are days when we may all come together to prepare a particular unique food or some other thing of the like (so far just food). This would a day of learning something new for everyone (or most at least). I find this an intriguing part of intentional community.

We had a ARI community event last week that was miso making. Not miso soup, but the paste. After watching a short Japanese video on the process of making it we divided into groups and... began. There was a huge pot of black soy beans that had been prepared for the miso. we mashed the beans until you couldn't tell what they were anymore, and often got distracted by conversation. Then, mixing it with rice that was mixed with cups and cups of salt, balls were made. My beautiful balls lived a very short life because we really just made them to easily take the air out and pack into buckets. Now we wait as the miso ferments for several months! So much salt is used. And now I understand what miso is. groovy!

Bokashi even more interesting. Although, this was just for volunteers one morning led by the TA and TA-to be/volunteer. I had done an internship 2 summers ago that involved learning about compost and finding the best way to do it. I should have considered bokashi that summer! Anyhow, I like the idea of how to speed the process of preparing organic fertilizer since it takes months to get a pile of vegetable compost to breakdown and be ready. It focuses on the idea of giving micro organisms the space to reproduce. We give them a home (the soil and rice husk charcoal), we give them food (aged manure), water, and air to breath. Turning the pile everyday, we get to see those IMOs grow!!

Today we made mochi for lunch. There was a large wood stump carved into a bowl that we used to pound the cooked rice. Everyone took a turn pounding with LARGE wooden mallets/hammers. One played bongo drums while we cheered on those doing the pounding. It was difficult for me to do with an injured finger. I enjoyed this because food should be made with many people; even though now I am socially exhausted and would love to pitch a tent alone in the woods (it'll be reeeallly exhausting when the many international participants come in March).

I find it difficult to cook food on my own, or with one other person for the consumption of many, but to do it with many people is far more interesting. I've discovered it would be difficult to describe ARI without mentioning the food as an important philosophy to life- not just for income and general consumption.

Earth Community is defined in a number of ways, and I think that ARI contributes to that definition. Its about welcoming an egalitarian narrative to the biosphere, and breaking down hierarchies. ARI gives integrity to the Earth by giving integrity to the leaders, who give integrity to the farmers who cultivate the land. They seek to feed the grass roots organizations that also commit to similar ideas. The power of the big industries that sell chemical fertilizers, or the confused government systems that regulate and unknowingly hurt communities, are challenged. Communities can be empowered, and the Earth happier. It is enriching to be here, even if I have to be in the office for most of the day for now.

By the power of miso, bokashi, and mochi, may peace and community be with you.