Marc Williams – is an ethnobotanist and has studied plants intensively while learning to use them for food, medicine, biological conservation, and beauty.

His training includes a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies concentrating in Sustainable Agriculture from Warren Wilson College, over a decade working at a multitude of restaurants, various farms, and travels throughout 22 countries in North/Central America and Europe. In those travels he has visited over 70 of the best botanical gardens in the world. Marc has taught hundreds of people about the marvelous lives of plants and their respective uses. Marc continues to work incrementally on a master’s degree in Appalachian Studies concentrating in Sustainable Development with a minor in Geography and Planning from Appalachian State University. Marc’s major research is on the most useful plants of Appalachia. However it is clear that a holistic appreciation of nature irrespective of utility will be necessary to create the new paradigm that are current global situation calls for. Marc first came to the Hostel in the Forest in March of 1998 and was immediately transformed through a first time sweat lodge experience with Tom Dennard the hostel founder. Like Mycol many of the principles that make the Hostel in the Forest such a special place have informed his expression of life in this world ever since. Further info can be found at www.botanyeveryday.com

Teachings – will start Friday evening and end Sunday afternoon.

Workshops will include: *Botany 101 presentation, WildFoods/Medicines walk, Super Food preparation presentation Botanical Beach Walk Fermentation Overview with Honey Mead Making and sharing, Botanical Slide Show slide shows of various parts of the world including Latin America, Africa and Europe.

The cost will be $100 per person, which includes accommodations at the Hostel for the Friday and Saturday night as well as a beautiful vegetarian dinner on both nights. Make sure to call ahead and book.

Bring your notebook, any relevant books you have, a camera, a loupe if you have one, water bottle, rain coat etc . Handouts will be provided

“Teach a man to fish, ya got food for life. Let your food be your medicine.”

“The forests and fields are a table always spread” Henry Thoureau

Mycol Stevens – has a masters in aquatic ecology and has worked as a restoration ecologist/botanist for the Florida Fish and Game across the state of FL since 2004. He has traveled much of Central and South America and Africa, and has learned from some of the best teachers including Frank Cook. Mycol has been teaching ethnobotany and edible mushrooms on the side since 2005. He also lives off-the-grid on an “ecocentric” permaculture homestead where he eats from the wild almost daily and propagates and cultivates his own organic foods. Mycol’s philosophy is to ween off the “system” and to eat your food as medicine. Mycol has been inspired by the Hostel since the mid 90’s and much of it’s philosophy is reflected in his way of life. Knowing the living world around you, connects you to the living world.

Teri Schell from Savannah, GA will be sharing a workshop in Building a Community Food System in the Nation of Plenty. Opening a farmers’ market is not an easy task. What was once as simple as an exchange of food from the hands of the farmer to the hands of the consumer has become a commodities system of legal documents, red tape and scare tactics. To muscle past the corporate food system and create a sustainable and just, community food system takes perseverance, hard work, and compassion.

With the Forsyth Farmers’ Market as a model, Teri Schell will hold a workshop on community food systems work to include the topics:

Farmers’ Markets/Mobile Markets – who, what, where, when, why

Food System Definitions – food shed, food security/insecurity, foodscapes, sustainable agriculture/commercial agriculture, food deserts, etc.

Food Access Issues – poverty, homelessness, obesity, junk food vs. whole food choices

Food Justice – Starting a food policy council, advocating for a just food system

Recycling

There will also be a creative workshop playing with what is trash to some and what can be treasure to others.

Sept 10, 11, 12, 2010 – Ethnobotanical Intensive

Marc – Williams is an ethnobotanist. He has studied plants intensively while learning to use them for food, medicine, biological conservation, and beauty.

His training includes a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies concentrating in Sustainable Agriculture from Warren Wilson College, over a decade working at a multitude of restaurants, various farms, and travels throughout 22 countries in North/Central America and Europe. In those travels he has visited over 70 of the best botanical gardens in the world. Marc has taught hundreds of people about the marvelous lives of plants and their respective uses. Marc continues to work incrementally on a master’s degree in Appalachian Studies concentrating in Sustainable Development with a minor in Geography and Planning from Appalachian State University. Marc’s major research is on the most useful plants of Appalachia. However it is clear that a holistic appreciation of nature irrespective of utility will be necessary to create the new paradigm that are current global situation calls for. Marc first came to the Hostel in the Forest in March of 1998 and was immediately transformed through a first time sweat lodge experience with Tom Dennard the hostel founder. Like Mycol many of the principles that make the Hostel in the Forest such a special place have informed his expression of life in this world ever since. Further info can be found at www.botanyeveryday.com

Teachings – will start Friday evening and end Sunday afternoon.

Workshops will include: *Botany 101 presentation, WildFoods/Medicines walk, Super Food preparation presentation Botanical Beach Walk Fermentation Overview with Honey Mead Making and sharing, Botanical Slide Show slide shows of various parts of the world including Latin America, Africa and Europe.

The cost will be $100 per person, which includes accommodations at the Hostel for the Friday and Saturday night as well as a beautiful vegetarian dinner on both nights. Make sure to call ahead and book.

Bring your notebook, any relevant books you have, a camera, a loupe if you have one, water bottle, rain coat etc . Handouts will be provided

“Teach a man to fish, ya got food for life. Let your food be your medicine.”

“The forests and fields are a table always spread” Henry Thoureau

Mycol Stevens – has a masters in aquatic ecology and has worked as a restoration ecologist/botanist for the Florida Fish and Game across the state of FL since 2004. He has traveled much of Central and South America and Africa, and has learned from some of the best teachers including Frank Cook. Mycol has been teaching ethnobotany and edible mushrooms on the side since 2005. He also lives off-the-grid on an “ecocentric” permaculture homestead where he eats from the wild almost daily and propagates and cultivates his own organic foods. Mycol’s philosophy is to ween off the “system” and to eat your food as medicine. Mycol has been inspired by the Hostel since the mid 90’s and much of it’s philosophy is reflected in his way of life. Knowing the living world around you, connects you to the living world.

We are currently planning new events to take place at the Hostel over the coming weeks. Details of these will be published very soon.

We are currently planning new events to take place at the Hostel over the coming weeks. Details of these will be published very soon.

If you have a reservation with us July 4th be sure to bring a dress-up cause we’ll be celebrating yet another year, responsibly of course, of hostel love and progression. There have been some words on the street about a Glass-House Extravaganza etc etc but be sure to bring a festive spirit.

Vegan baking week: Beginning the week of June 28 we will be experimenting with a different vegan baked goody every day in the soul kitchen. please email us any recipes you think would be an animal-friendly delight at info {at} foresthostel {dot} com or if you have a reservation get ready to join us for some bowl lickin’ come Monday.

The Hostel in the Forest is hosting a fundraising retreat on the weekend of May 21-23 2010. Guests should plan to arrive early Friday evening to share in our scrumptious, wholesome (vegan) communal dinner. The cost of the retreat, including dinners for both nights, Saturday and Sunday brunch, and all yoga classes will be $100 per person. We have a limit on the number of guests we can accommodate for the event so please sign up early…Proceeds from the event will be contributed to the Hostel’s Land Trust to assist in the acquisition of land adjacent to the Hostel.

Friday May 21st. Night - Meditative and Contemplative Practice – After dinner on Friday night we’ll gather for a candlelit Meditation practice with healer, massage therapist and yoga instructor Lucy Lynch.

Saturday May 22nd. Morning - NIA with Dragana Zappia – NIA, an acronym for Now I Am, is a practice to condition, heal and express your self through movement and sensation. It is a dynamic blend of nine movement forms incorporating the dance arts, martial arts and healing arts like Jazz, T’ai Chi and Yoga. Dragana, a native of Serbia and Montenegro, is a healer through energy movement, Reiki practitioner and Feng Shui consultant.

Saturday Afternoon Karma Yoga Project – The tradition of yoga includes “Karma Yoga,” which translates as “selfless service.” Saturday afternoon we will join together to work on ongoing projects at the hostel.

Saturday Late Afternoon Yin Yoga Class – Before dinner on Saturday we’ll gather for a Yin Yoga practice led by Brent of the Yoga Co-op in Savannah. Yin is an all level practice, suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners. We’ll explore specific postures that are held for 3-5 minutes to access the dense, connective tissue of the joints; typically in the hips, lower back and sacrum area. Yin’s long holds help develop mental discipline and help create greater self-awareness.

Saturday Evening Labyrinth Walk/Meditation – After dinner on Saturday we will gather at the labyrinth for a candlelit walking meditation. When walking a labyrinth, you meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees as you enter each new circuit. When you shift your direction in this way, you also shift your awareness from the right brain to left brain. This is one of the reasons the labyrinth is believed to induce receptive states of consciousness. It is also said help to balance the chakras.

Sunday May 23rd Morning Sunrise Vinyasa Practice – Vinyasa yoga links each pose with the breath, creating a flowing, meditative practice. Longer holds on some poses will allow for time to find precision and alignment in each pose. Arm balances and/or inversions may be introduced awakening the morning with Christine of the Yoga Co-op in Savannah.

This intends to be a weekend of shared wisdoms, magical food, serene environment and healing of body, mind, and spirit and as a valuable fundraiser for the preservation of land adjacent to the Hostel.

Namaste

We are currently planning new events to take place at the Hostel over the coming weeks. Details of these will be published very soon.

Mycol Stevens has a masters in aquatic ecology and has worked as a botanist for the past 4 years for the FWC throughout FL. He has traveled much of Central and South America and Africa, and has learned from some of the best teachers including Frank Cook whom recently passed.

Marc Williams is an ethnobotanist. He has studied plants intensively while learning to use them for food, medicine, and beauty. His training includes a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies concentrating in Sustainable Agriculture from Warren Wilson College, over a decade working at a multitude of restaurants, various farms, and travels throughout 22 countries in North/Central America and Europe. Marc has taught hundreds of people about the marvelous world of plants and their respective uses. In May he will receive a master’s degree in Appalachian Studies concentrating in Sustainable Development with a minor in Geography and Planning from Appalachian State University. His thesis is on the most useful food plants of Appalachia.

Amongst the fresh blooms and new life of local spring flora, workshops will include a Botany 101 presentation, an Ethnobotany Walk, a Photo Exhibit, a Beach Walk, and Honey Mead Making.

The cost will be $100 per person, which includes accommodations at the Hostel for the Friday and Saturday night as well as a beautiful vegetarian dinner on both nights. Bring your notebook, any relevant books you have, a camera, etc. Handouts will be provided.

“Teach a man to fish, ya got the food for life. Let your food be your medicine.”

Energy Awareness Workshop Saturday March 13th with Cindy Zsolnai. This workshop will focus on our energy system and holistic practices that can help keep our energy balanced. The first session, from 10AM to 12PM, will focus on the energy system, specifically, the chakras. The second session, from 2PM to 4PM, will focus on holistic therapies, color, aromatherapy, herbs, sound, and movement, followed by integrating all by doing some movement and meditation. Cindy began her journey towards holistic health and wellness almost 25 years ago. Having studied aromatherapy and herbal medicine for personal reasons she eventually took it a step further and became a massage therapist and energy practitioner. Deeply fascinated with the connection between the mind, body, and soul she pursued and received a Master’s in counseling. Today she enjoys teaching others how to understand and connect to their energy systems for self healing, personal growth, and awareness. The cost of the workshop is $15 dollars per person.

We are currently planning new events to take place at the Hostel over the coming weeks. Details of these will be published very soon.

Please Note: The March Sweat has been moved to Saturday March 27th.

We are currently planning new events to take place at the Hostel over the coming weeks. Details of these will be published very soon.

Fermentation Workshop:Wednesday January 13 at 7 pm: Come experience how simple it is to make your own kimchi, kefir, and other fermented delicacies. Learn about the healing qualities and nutritional importance of live-culture ferments, as well as their illustrious history and integral role in human cultural evolution. Empower yourself with simple techniques for fermenting these healthful foods in your home. Be part of the fermentation revival!

Sandor Ellix Katz is a fermentation revivalist and author, who travels widely teaching and sharing fermentation skills. His passion for fermentation developed out of his overlapping interests in food, nutrition, and gardening. His books are Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods and The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America’s Underground Food Movements. For more information visit www.wildfermentation.com.

Sandor Ellix Katz aka sandorkraut www.wildfermentation.com Author of The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America’s Underground Food Movements and Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods

cost is $15 (in addition to the $25 per person per night)

Learn how to make you own hula hoop.Materials cost $10, but the instruction is free and you can keep your hoop!

Ongoing event as long as supplies last; just see Whitney to participate.

We are currently planning new events to take place at the Hostel over the coming weeks. Details of these will be published very soon.