I’ve always been amazed at the Pacific salmon’s cycle of life.  After being born in the rivers, they head out to sea only to be come back again in their adulthood to spawn.  And after the purpose of laying new eggs is over, they die.

This year’s salmon run hit a record high. This is good news for all that feed on the salmon. From people and bears to other wildlife. Plant life also benefit too. To keep the cycle going, we must have healthy and clean oceans.

Reuters News reported that the last twenty years saw a decline of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River.  The reason for the bumper harvest of salmon this year remain a mystery. But Carl Waters, a fisheries expert at U.B.C. zoology’s department mentions that it coincided with a “dominant-run” year.

Every fourth year is the dominant year when the biggest run comes in. The year after that is sub-dominant. Then you get two really low runs,” Walters told Reuters.

Out of the five migratory species of Pacific salmon, the sockeye travels the farthest.

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Sea buckthorn sounds more like a sea creature. But it’s really a beneficial plant originating from the mountainous regions of Russia and China.  It is a winter hardy, deciduous shrub with bright orange berries.  The plant is mature for harvesting purposes at 4-5 years.

This branch is brimming with berries.  Photo from Z Natural Foods. They are also known as Seaberry, Siberian pineapple, or Alpine Sandthorn.

Sea buckthorn oil and powder is commonly used in skincare and soaps. It can also be taken internally as herbal medicine. The oil is full of are vitamins A (derived from -carotene), vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (-tocopherol). If taken internally, it is full of antioxidants and is good for your intestinal tract too.

Sea buckthorn oil is mainly used to promote the healing of skin such as burns and eczema. It also helps improve skin condition, especially with dryness and wrinkles. Sea buckthorn oil reminds me of other good oils such as Rose hip and carrot seed oil.

Last summer I saw real sea buckthorn bush at the International Fruit Orchard. I don’t remember if there was any fruit at all. Next time I visit, I will have to take a photo of it and try sampling some of the berries.

ln Europe the fruit is made into sauces or jellies and as a base of liqueurs. The juice is sour and has an orange passionfruit like flavor when sweetened. Blended with other fruits, or by itself, it makes a delicious juice. It is also used widely in Europe and Asia as a healing oil and for other medicinal purposes. - Raintree Nursery

They are suppose to grow well on fairly bad  or sandy soil. If possible, I would like to grow some of these at my mom’s backyard garden too. Across much of northern China, and in other countries, it is grown to prevent soil erosion. And it is also used in food and medical preparations.

Sasktchewan, Canada also has cultivated sea buckthorn that was originally brought over from from Siberia in the 1930s. Sea buckthorn oil from Saskatchewan yields a high quality product.

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Here are some neat photos from the annual sand castle contest held at Harrison Lake (near Vancouver). Thanks to M’s mom for forwarding the photos to us.

These competition are big business.  They bring revenue to the local (host) cities.  And security has to be tight as they don’t want any vandals hanging around, especially at night.

I like this one the best.  It’s a bit fairy tale and she looks like she’s dreaming.  These sculptures remind me of what they can do with wood and marble.  The participants here are trained professional artists that usually work on ceramics or bronze.

Often the competition includes a People’s Choice award where the appeal tends to range from comic narrative to popular beauty. Sculptors’ Choice awards incorporate more intricacy and difficulty of engineering. Often the images include fairytale or historical elements, allegorical tableaux or even religious iconography. - Simon Keiran

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I’ve always wanted to try commercial goat milk soap from the brand Canus.  I’ve seen them at our local drugstore many times, it has a cute picture of a happy goat on the box.  But luckily I’ve had the chance to try another goat milk soap from Canada.  It’s by Natura, a brand I’ve never seen here in the U.S.  But it would be great to find a local retailer that does sell them.

Goat milk soap.  Savon au lait de Chevre.  Made in Quebec, Canada.

Goat milk contain capric and caprilyic acids, which reduces the alkalinity of the soap and brings it closer to the PH of normal skin.  And the goat milk’s rich emollients can be absorbed without stripping away your skin’s natural protective oils.  Dermatologist like to recommend skincare products containing goat milk for those suffering from eczema, acne and psoriasis.

The quality of this soap couldn’t be any better than my handmade soap.  It’s possibly one of the best manufactured soap I’ve ever used.  Even better then Burt’s Bee Buttermilk soap or Basis soap.  I’ve used it for a couple of days and don’t want to speak too soon, but so far it’s been really great for my skin.  It lathers up really smooth and creamy with big bubbles.

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