So I bought a bottle of biodynamic wine

A short time ago I came across Rex Hill Winery in Wilamette Valley, Oregon and was intrigued by two things.

The first being obviously PINOT NOIRS (my favorite variety at the moment) from my favorite new AVA (silly American abbreviation for appellation) called Willamette Valley (which if you haven't heard is the new IN spot for tantalizing delicious Pinot Noirs).

The second being the fact that Rex Hill Winery practices biodynamic viticulture (fancy word for oragnic grape growing).

I had heard this term thrown (meaning Biodynamic Wine) around a lot in the sustainable living community, and although I knew it was somehow eco friendly, I really did't know how. Following my curious mind and any excuse to drink more wine, I decided to do some research and find out exactly what this method meant.

Everything I learned was both fascinating and new to me ( I didn't realize how little I actually knew about organic farming & viticulture). The whole theory behind Biodynamic Agriculture was from a man named Rudolf Steiner who was WAYYY ahead of the organic farming movement, with teachings that are surprisingly not just about being organic but also very spiritual. Back in 1924 he taught an Agriculture Farming course that taught farms to be ecological and self sufficient by helping the farmers to create an interconnected living system to their farms. The part I find most fascinating is that Rudolf Steiner taught that the cycles of the moons, planets, and the stars all influence the way plants grow and by following charts you can find the best days to plant, prune, and harvest grapes for creating delicious organic wine.

Because biodynamic wine is indeed organic, while drinking it you can be assured that no pesticides or chemical fertilizers were ever used. The Steiner method teaches the use use of herbs instead of pesticides, these herbs when planted around the grape vines attract the 'good' insects (which EAT the bad insects). However because a bit more goes into Biodynamic Viticulture, you may find that the wines are a bit more pricey then your standard organic wine (however after drinking this Pinot Noir from Rex Hill, I can tell you that the price is worth the $35-$85).

Weather or not the moon, stars, and planets effect the growing of the vines, I can tell you that the meticulous detail and extra effort that goes into Biodynamic Viticulture is evident in the taste. And if you don't believe me, all I can say is that trying Biodynamic wine will be the only way you can tell (BTW Rex Hill Winery ships anywhere in the USA)!

Check out their website and learn more about Rex Hill Winery at www.RexHill.com

xoxo

Noelle Lynne

Please note that I received wine from Rex Hill Winery as a gift, however all opinions are my own (meaning I 100% recommend and have already become a loyal customer myself)!

Interview with MADE LOKAL

photographer DANI OSHI — photographer **DANI OSHI**

Such an honor to be interviewed and included with other inspirational individuals and companies that are all fighting to make the world a better place in MADE LOKALS blog ML DREAMS.

Find out why I started Florum Magazine and a bit about my life at editor of Florum via my interview on eco online boutique MADE LOKAL (Click HERE)

And for those who don't yet know MADE LOKAL, be sure to check out their full website, they have created an online marketplace that is more like a haven for the slow living movement (not heard of it CLICK HERE).

XOXO Noelle Lynne

JC Penny's new ad campaign #HereIAm

The latest ad campaign from JC Penny, is a beautiful thing as it encourages self love for women of all sizes and shapes.

Some statements from the video that I loved were:

"You can't love your body for what you hope it turns into without actively loving yourself for what it is today."

"My size isn't an indicator of my worth."

However to speak frankly, we are now in a crisis of an obesity epidemic (especially the United States). With that stated, what I do not like about this video is that it is not encouraging women to be more more healthy, it is instead saying that obesity is okay and that change is not needed.

Obesity, Anorexia, and Bulimia all go hand in hand, as they are all eating disorders. Starving yourself, binges followed by purging or simply overeating all do harm towards your body and all shorten your lifespan and/or will kill you.

So while this video and advertisement, helps to bring the message towards happiness in women, I want to see a stronger message that teaches healthy. Such as this quote below, from the book The Champagne Diet.

The Champagne Diet -Cara Alwill Leyba - Green Lifestyle - Florum Fashion Magazine - Here I Am Campaign for JC Penny - Noelle Lynne

Acceptance is something that we all need for each other, and with acceptance comes encouragement in becoming more healthy as well as encouraging our family and friends without judging them.

I recently read the book 'The Champagne Diet' by Cara Alwill Leyba and loved the message that it directed towards the readers. It was both uplifting and encouraging to love yourself and do everything possible to become the healthiest version of yourself. If you're looking for a good read or a change in your life, this is fabulous book to pick up.

xoxo Noelle Lynne