Gretchen Kruesi
We’d like to propose a toast…to cider! It’s time to push aside those basic cups in the cabinet and make room for some real glasses for cider. Below are some from Claude Jolicoeur’s very own collection. The following is an excerpt from Cider Planet: Exploring the Producers, Practices, and Unique Traditions of Craft Cider and…
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“All of us who care about the future of Planet Earth must be grateful to Vandana Shiva.”—Jane Goodall, UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Vandana Shiva is a world-renowned environmental thinker and activist, leader of several forums and movements, twenty-time international award recipient, author and editor of a score of influential books, and a tireless crusader for…
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In Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World, Lynne Pledger and Ridge Shinn discuss how regenerative grazing can offer health benefits for consumers, livestock, and the environment alike. This practice has the power to not only improve our health and the broken food system, but can also provide a variety of environmental benefits as well. The following…
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Mushrooms. What can’t they do? You can grow them on a log, a compost pile, or even your jeans. Throw them in your favorite dish, or save them to brew beer and infuse spirits– the possibilities are endless. So go ahead, make friends with the fungi! RECIPE: Maple Mushroom Martini Permaculture designer and author Michael…
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Eating well doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. We don’t need to go on the latest fad diet, count every single calorie, or exercise for an hour each day to reach optimal health; all we need to do is remain mindful of what we’re putting into our bodies and how we’re consuming these foods.…
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How can we learn from our mistakes and pave a way for sustainable, nutritious, local meat? In Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World, Lynne Pledger and Ridge Shinn take readers on a journey through production agriculture to show how regenerative grazing can benefit our climate and environment. The foreword below by Gabe Brown, bestselling author of Dirt to Soil…
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Make some room, Champagne and Prosecco. Sparkling cider is here to stake its claim as the superior bubbly beverage this upcoming holiday season! Crisp and refreshing, this apple-based delicacy serves as the perfect addition to any family dinner or friendly gathering. So raise a glass, and get ready to toast to the wonderful world of…
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Vandana Shiva has been described in many ways: the “Gandhi of Grain,” “a rock star” in the battle against GMOs, and “the most powerful voice” for people of the developing world. For over four decades she been at the forefront of seed saving, seed sovereignty, and connecting the dots between the destruction of nature, the polarization…
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On your way to the store for a soda? Stop right there! Your backyard has plenty of delicious ingredients to make an all-natural soda. Pick and choose your own herbs for a custom, fermented raw soda without all the unhealthy sugars and additives. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Fermentation by Pascal Baudar. It has…
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Glyphosate, the world’s most common weedkiller, is everywhere. But there are ways to combat the infiltrator. The best way? Eat well by sticking to the outskirts of the grocery store where items aren’t prepackaged and the list of ingredients is completely pronounceable. The following is an excerpt from Toxic Legacy by Stephanie Seneff. It has…
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Fermenting apples is a key component of the cider making process. Along with all of the different strategies that go into fermenting apples, there are also traditional and modern methods that makers utilize based on preference and conditions or availability. In Cider Planet, longtime cider maker and author Claude Jolicoeur talks about new and emergent regions…
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Did you ever wonder how peas, kale, asparagus, beans, squash, and corn have ended up on our plates? Well, so did Adam Alexander, otherwise known as The Seed Detective. The following is an excerpt from the The Seed Detective by Adam Alexander. It has been adapted for the web. My Seed-Detective Mission Crammed into two…
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In reality, a healthy diet isn’t actually a strict one. Having a healthy diet means listening to what our body tells us and implementing a few small lifestyle changes. In his upcoming book The Virus and the Host, Dr. Chris Chlebowski outlines the tools we need to achieve better health and fight against infectious viral…
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The Miyawaki Method, a unique approach to reforestation devised by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, is recently seeing a worldwide surge in popularity. Miyawaki-style mini-forests are very biodiverse and come with a myriad of environmental benefits. These tiny forests have the potential to cool urban heat islands, establish wildlife corridors, build soil health, sequester carbon, create…
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If you’re a fan of cider, you know that the type of apple used can make or break the flavor. And with all the different brands of cider out there, many kinds of apples from across the world are being utilized to create it. In his new book Cider Planet, author and renowned cider maker…
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To make the very best cider—whether for yourself, your family, and friends or for market—you first need a deep understanding of the processes involved, and the art and science behind them. Fortunately, The New Cider Maker’s Handbook is here to help. Within the handbook, award-winning cider maker Claude Jolicoeur provides today’s makers with all the tools…
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As a type 1 diabetic, Dr. Stephen Hussey has always known that he was at risk of developing heart disease. As a result, he has dedicated his entire adult life to understanding the heart, to prevent himself from becoming a statistic. And then his worst nightmare came true. In early 2021, Dr. Hussey suffered a…
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The fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. There is a whole other world to explore when night settles in. In Chris Salisbury’s book Wild Nights Out, he offers guidance, ideas, challenges to try and games to play at dusk and in the dark. For grown-ups, children, and anyone in between, these activities…
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Looking for the best cider to sip on a crisp fall evening or cold winter night? In the excerpt below, author and fermented beverage expert Claude Jolicoeur describes the four main styles of cider and how to tell the difference between them. The following is an excerpt from the Introduction of Cider Planet by Claude Jolicoeur. It has…
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In an age of erratic weather and instability, it’s increasingly important to develop a greater self-reliance when it comes to food. And because of this, more than ever before, farmers are developing new gardening techniques that help achieve a greater resilience. Longtime gardener and scientist Carol Deppe, in her book The Resilient Gardener: Food Production and…
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Summer is a great time to enjoy sweet treats, and what’s sweeter than freshly picked berries? We’ve put together some of our ‘berry’ best articles on nature’s sweet summertime treats. RECIPE: Gooseberry Pie Have you ever tasted a gooseberry? These unique, tangy fruits are related to currants, but have a flavor all their own. Though…
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“Charles Eisenstein is one of the most original writers working today, and his essays on the social and spiritual impact of the pandemic event are among his best work. The Coronation is essential reading for anyone concerned about the damage that has been done to our societies and how we might recover and collectively go…
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Are you quick to grab a shovel at the mere mention of purslane for fear it will overrun your garden? If you nodded your head “yes,” might we suggest taking a second to rethink your attack? This semi-succulent annual not only boasts the highest-yet-measured levels of omega-3 fatty acids (hello, health benefits!) in a plant;…
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Looking to add another recipe to your fermenting repertoire? Try your hand at Kvass. Bonus: it is the perfect entry-level project. Kvass is an ancient and beloved beverage from Slavic Eastern Europe. While it is basically a low-alcohol beer, it is enjoyed as a soft drink, even by small children. This nourishing beverage calls for…
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We should just change the name of summer to elderberry season. It’s the perfect time to pick these berries (which aren’t actually berries) and make delicious jams, drinks, and sauces. Cooking or fermenting elderberries is crucial to unlocking their flavor. Once processed, you’ll have an end product with plenty of health benefits as opposed to…
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