Gretchen Kruesi
Staying healthy is at the top of everyone’s to-do lists. But what is the best way to do it? The key is keeping your immune health in check. While that sounds daunting, there are a lot of small tweaks we can make in our everyday lives to keep our immune system in tip-top shape. If…
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When it comes to tilling your soil, less equals more. “Why?” you may ask? Traditional tilling is exceptionally damaging to the soil in the long run. Occasional tillage may be necessary, such as before you start growing vegetables, or when you need to add supplements to depleted areas. In these cases, use a hand tool…
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Books for Makers: Best Gifts for DIY Lovers In the age of computer-assisted design, mass production, and machine precision, the traditional skills of the maker or craftsperson are hard to find. Yet the desire for well-made and beautiful objects from the hands (and mind) of a skilled artisan is just as present today as it…
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In the herbal medicine industry, due to a lack of quality checkers, it’s easy for any business to be certified “organic”. There is a big difference between small farms and big business, though, as author Ann Armbrecht discovers. The following is an excerpt from Following the Herbal Harvest by Ann Armbrecht. It has been adapted for…
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Due to the wave of ‘mycophelia’ occurring in North America, educational workshops that cover the basics of mushroom and fungal life are not hard to come by. In his book In Search of Mycotopia, author Doug Bierend takes the reader and aspiring mycologist with him to one of his first mycology classes – filled with…
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While it’s true that machines can make life easier, they don’t necessarily make it better. Robert Somerville, author of Barn Club, understood this fact. That’s why he decided to gather a team of volunteers to come together and build a barn the old fashioned way – with a little sweat, tears, and his hands. The…
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Meat eaters rarely see how the sausage (or in this case, steak) is made. At the New Cowgirl Camp, like-minded women come together to learn how to raise livestock sustainably and change the meat industry for the better. The following is an excerpt from The Reindeer Chronicles by Judith D. Schwartz. It has been adapted…
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In the United States, 40 percent of the food we produce is wasted. Ben Hartman is trying to put a dent in that dismal statistic. Inspired by Toyota’s “lean” approach to manufacturing, a production strategy designed to minimize waste and maximize efficiency while increasing profits. In his practical how-to manual, Hartman shows how he has…
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If you read our post about growing koji in your kitchen, you’re probably itching to try out those new koji skills! This miso cheese recipe is an excellent next stop on your koji-kitchen journey. Miso cheese is sure to add a twist to any cheese lover’s plate, plus it’s easy to make at home! The following…
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From tulsi to turmeric, echinacea to elderberry, medicinal herbs are big business—but do they deliver on their healing promise—to those who consume them, those who provide them, and the natural world? If you’re interested in become an herbalist, check out this insight to get started. The following is an excerpt from Following the Herbal Harvest…
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When the word “mushroom” comes to mind, “magic” isn’t far behind. But what started this almost immediate association between mushrooms and illicit drugs? While there are some truly magic mushrooms out there in the world, not all of them cause LSD trips when ingested, yet that is the common connection people make. Doug Bierend explores…
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Whether you eat dairy products or not, the vegan cheese recipes will surely knock your socks off. Some people even say they’re better than regular cheese. With a little fermentation knowledge (and practice), you’ll be making delicious vegan cheese in no time! To get started, all you need is a culture starter recipe (with this…
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When renowned craftsman Robert Somerville moved to Hertfordshire, in southern England, he discovered an unexpected landscape rich with wildlife and elm trees. Nestled within London’s commuter belt, this wooded farmland inspired Somerville, a lifelong woodworker, to revive the ancient tradition of hand-raising barns. This is a tale of forgotten trees, a local landscape, and an…
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It may be too early to plant your garden, but it’s not too early to PLAN your garden! Beyond what and how you will plant, it’s important to have a plan for enriching your soil. For us, soil amendments are the perfect solution. Do you add compost to your garden? Congratulations! You’re using soil amendments.…
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Want to try a twist on a classic breakfast favorite? Try using plantains in your pancakes! With this recipe, you’ll make healthy and nutritious pancakes that will have you and your taste buds dancing. With no grains, dairy, or added sugar, these pancakes are wholesome enough to feed to your family on a busy weeknight,…
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Did you know that one of our books has a podcast? Authors Lori De Mori and Laura Jackson talk about their London-famous restaurant Towpath in their podcast of the same name. They share some of their favorite recipes too, giving aspiring cooks a chance to listen as they explain some of their trade secrets. The…
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Fungi are fundamental to life. As decomposers, they are critical to the formation and sustenance of soils and ecosystems. As endlessly innovative chemists, they devise and secrete enzymes that can break down a vast variety of materials, mitigate bacterial and viral infections, and interact—for better or worse—with the bodies and brains of animals that consume…
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It’s a staple in almost every kitchen. It has hundreds – nay, thousands – of variations. It’s delicious, nutritious, and packed full of protein. It’s meatloaf!! This meatloaf recipe from London restaurant Towpath is sure to delight everyone in your household. And who knows, it may even end up taking the place of your tried-and-true family recipe. The…
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Imagination is central to empathy, to creating better lives, to envisioning and then enacting a positive future. Yet imagination is also demonstrably in decline at precisely the moment when we need it most. In his book, author Rob Hopkins asks why imagination is in decline, and what we must do to revive and reclaim it.…
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What do you picture when you think of medicine? Pharmacy shelves filled with plastic bottles promising cures to your every ailment? A doctor’s office? Whatever you think of, you probably don’t picture fields of medicinal herbs or bookshelves covered in jars of amber-colored liquid or trained hands drying leaves and cutting roots. What if, at…
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We’ve all played Rock, Paper, Scissors; whether it’s to decide who’s goes first, who’s doing the dishes, or simply a way to pass the time– we all know the rules. While it’s a child’s game on the surface level, Nick Kary gleans a deeper meaning to this game of tools. The following excerpt is from Material…
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Are you starting off the new year with an athletic resolution? Maybe you want to get stronger or run faster and further, or maybe you just want to incorporate more movement into your daily life. If this sounds like you, it’s important to remember that your mindset is equally as important as your physical prowess.…
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As we look back on the year, we’ve started to take stock of what our community has found most useful. If there’s one thing (or two) we know about our readers, it’s that you love growing food and getting your hands dirty. Take a spin back through our top posts from 2020. Did your favorite…
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(Mugs of Lambswool Wassail. Photo by Jereme Zimmerman) Wassail! Whassat? We’ll tell you! From brewing genius Jereme Zimmerman, we have another out-of-the-barrel brew for you to try at home. Especially on those colder nights. This recipe is an excerpt from Brew Beer Like a Yeti by Jereme Zimmerman and has been adapted for the web. Winter…
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It can be comforting to define things using strict categories; black and white, tasty or gross, good or evil. Sandor Ellix Katz, author of Fermentation as Metaphor, knows that this isn’t really the case in real life. Taking another lesson from the act and art of fermentation, Katz dives into the complexity of membranes and…
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