Appreciation and acknowledgment to the Native People, the First Nations, the Indigenous People of past, present, and future on whose lands I reside, work, and explore. I recognize I'm on stolen land and see the privilege of calling these lands my home. In my childhood in southern Idaho, I learned of the local Shoshone-Bannock and Nüümü (Paiute). Today, residing along the mighty Columbia River, I honor the Chinook, Skilloot, Kathlamet, Stl'pulmsh (Cowlitz). Thank you for your dedication, stewardship, and protection of Turtle Island and the biodiversity of life. I give honor and thanks to the brave and incredibly talented folks who've dedicated their lives to keeping cultural traditions alive and extending their knowledge through education. Our indigenous peoples offer generational examples of sustainable ecological agriculture and aquaculture through regenerative approaches. They partner with nature's power and recognize microclimates require diverse unique needs. I respect this knowledge and wisdom and am doing my best to honor an indigenous approach with the garden I tend and lands on which I forage. 

Together we can find balance to the challenges brought by planet and body. Let us honor the indigenous practices by demanding sustainable approaches of the corporations we Purchase from, by strengthening networks for BIPOC farmers, finding power in home gardens and ditching the grassy lawns, by establishing nutritional security for all and building coalitions for effecting positive sustainability, by disrupting and reinventing the food systems to ensure everyone has access to nutritionally rich rainbows everyday and especially when the next pandemic or large scale emergency strikes. Let us work to ensure a brighter future for the next generation and at least seven more beyond. I am learning and committed to Supporting local businesses, volunteering, cheering on women, and amplifying the voices and standing in solidarity with APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans), BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), and LGBTQ+ + peoples. 

I wish for this collection to be seen as celebrating cultural diversity and bringing awareness, not as cultural appropriation. For each copy of this book sold, a Portion of profits are donated. I have selected a variety of causes that I believe are doing good for this world. Recipients can be found on the website. Also there, you can get involved by nominating a cause close to your heart. Let us continue to spread joy through active allyship.