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The latest articles from Chelsea Green and our authors: offering tips and techniques about how you can bring our books to life in your kitchen, backyard, or community.
In Search of the Shadow Wolf: Beginning the Hunt
What ever happened to the wolves in Britain? Rewilder Derek Gow seeks to answer this question as he embarks on a quest for the shadow wolf. The following is an excerpt from Hunt for the Shadow Wolf by Derek Gow. It has been adapted for the web. Starting the Search for the Shadow Wolf When…
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DIY Seed Bank: The Seed Series
A do-it-yourself seed bank is simply your own frozen stash of seeds set aside for long-term storage. The best seed banks are located in your own home or neighborhood and contain vigorous, regionally adapted varieties of the crops you already know how to grow and use. The following is an excerpt from The Tao of Vegetable…
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Healthy Homemade Cheez-Its: Cheese with a Crunch
Do you love Cheez-Its, but not the nutrition facts? Try your hand at this healthier, homemade version. These crunchy, cheesy snacks are not only ridiculously yummy, they’re also very easy to make! The following recipe is from The Heal Your Gut Cookbook by Hilary Boynton and Mary G. Brackett. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE:…
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Growing Cold-Hardy Black Raspberries
Black raspberries are unique, delicious fruits that can be grown in almost any weather condition. Keep reading for tips & tricks on growing these delightful berries yourself! The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy. It has been adapted for the web. Growing Cold-Hardy Black Raspberries For many years…
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Candy Cap Mushroom Beer: Brewing Wild Beers
Yes, you read that right…mushroom beer! This recipe is perfect for beginners who want to try making their own wild, homemade brews. The following is an excerpt from The New Wildcrafted Cuisine by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. Making Wild Beers There is something primal and almost magical about making beers using…
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8 Seed Saving Myths
There is a lot of misinformation out there about how to save your seeds. Luckily, we’re here to bust the most popular myths and answer all your questions about seed saving! The following is an excerpt from The Tao of Vegetable Gardening by Carol Deppe. It has been adapted for the web. Myth #1: You…
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Maple Syrup 101: Spouts, Tapping, and Trees
Everything’s better with maple syrup. So what better way to solidify your love for all things maple than to learn how to make it yourself? If you have a couple of trees nearby, we have all the advice you need from spout to syrup! The following is an excerpt from The Sugarmaker’s Companion by Michael…
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Love Bugs: Why We Need to Love Insects
Remember when bugs used to be all the rage? This fascination is something that we need to re-gain as a society and instill in the next generation. Instead of shying away from these controversial creatures, it’s time to teach kids (and ourselves) how amazing insects really are! The following is an excerpt from Rebugging the…
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Starting & Growing A Flower Farm: What to Consider
Want to start a flower farm? Most of your decisions when starting and growing a farm are interdependent, so it can be hard to know where to start. The following is an excerpt from Flower Farming for Profit by Lennie Larkin. It has been adapted for the web. Featured photo by Molly DeCoudreaux. Take Stock…
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Making Amazing Amazake Rye Bread
Ready to take your rye bread to the next level? Whether you’re in the mood for a piece of toast or an elaborate sandwich, this new twist on an age-old amazake bread is sure to satisfy your cravings! Note: This recipe calls for koji. If you don’t know how to make it, check out our…
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Vinegar in Soup: The Soup-er Secret Ingredient
Move aside, chicken noodle and tomato bisque! We’re trying out some new soups with one ingredient in common: vinegar. Flavorful and unique, these recipes will have you including vinegar in soup for years to come. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. Adding Vinegar in…
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Mass Layoffs: Destructiveness and Doubt
Addressing the pressing issues affecting everyday Americans is essential—and one of our nation’s most profound challenges is the devastating impact of mass layoffs. Layoffs upend people’s lives, cause enormous stress, and lead to debilitating personal debt. The societal harm caused by mass layoffs has been known for decades. Yet, we do little to stop them.…
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9 Ways to Improve Your Health with Herbalism
Herbal remedies are a great way to naturally support overall bodily health. Here are some useful tips on all things herbalism — from starting your own herb garden to making remedies for any number of everyday ailments. Start Your Own Medicinal Herb Garden with These 3 Herbs Want to start your own medicinal herb garden? Passionflower, lemon balm,…
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Create Your Own Chèvre Using Natural Ingredients
Making cheese at home may seem like a time and labor-intensive process — but what if you could have a delicious, high-quality cheese that practically made itself? With chèvre, you can. The following recipe for all-natural chèvre will change the way you look at homemade cheese! The following is an excerpt from The Art of…
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Eliot Coleman’s Components of the Winter Harvest
So you want to start reaping a winter harvest, but you’re not sure where to start? Eliot Coleman breaks down the three basic components of the winter harvest so that this time next year, you’ll be knee-high in produce! (Maybe not knee-high, but you’ll definitely have fresh vegetables!) The following is an excerpt from The…
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How to Grow a Year-Round Indoor Salad Garden
Does the cold weather have you dreaming about fresh greens and colorful salad? Grow and harvest sprouts indoors to make those dreams a reality! The following is an excerpt from Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening by Peter Burke. It has been adapted for the web. Soil sprouts, microgreens, sprouts, and baby greens are all different versions…
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A Guide to Growing Oyster Mushrooms Indoors
What’s so great about oyster mushrooms? First, you can add them to the short list of foods that can be grown indoors! This fungus can grow almost anywhere–from a log to a straw. The following is an excerpt from Fresh Food from Small Spaces by R. J. Ruppenthal. It has been adapted for the web. Oyster…
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The Art and Joy of Collecting Seeds
It all starts with a seed. Collecting seeds from your plants will propagate more life from what you already have. Different plant species require varied methods of seed collection. Below are some tips to help you understand plants’ specific wants and needs when collecting their seeds! The following is an excerpt from The Ecological Gardener by…
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Fresh Fig Pecan Bread
This fig pecan bread is a sweet, delicious, and nutritious side that everyone around the table will enjoy this winter (or maybe you’ll want to keep it all to yourself, we won’t judge). Enjoy! The following is an excerpt from From the Wood-Fired Oven by Richard Miscovich. It has been adapted for the web. What…
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Perennial Power: Why You Need Perennials in Your Garden
Keeping up with a garden can be a lot of work; luckily, there’s a secret weapon that will take away some of your stress. Perennials are the perfect addition to any garden, and only have to be planted once a decade! The following is from The Resilient Farm and Homestead, Revised and Expanded Edition by…
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Greater Flavor: How to Make A Basic Miso Paste
There are reasons that miso paste has become popular around the world: it’s versatile, relatively inexpensive, and can be made in a range of flavors you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. And better yet, you can even make miso at home! The following is an excerpt from Koji Alchemy by Jeremy Umansky and Rich…
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Medicinal Uses for 8 Herbs Already in your Kitchen
We all know a dash of cayenne pepper is great on roasted sweet potatoes and a little bit of cinnamon goes a long way in a batch of cookies, but did you know many of the kitchen herbs already in your spice rack can also be used medicinally? The following is an excerpt from Energetic Herbalism by…
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Leeks: The Ultimate Winter Crop
Looking for a veggie to grow and harvest through winter? Try leeks! With some careful planning, a bit of elbow grease, and some insight from Eliot Coleman, you’ll enjoy leeks from your garden all year long. The following is an excerpt fromThe Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web.…
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Say Cheese! A Simple & Fast Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Cheese lovers, it’s time to add another recipe to your list! Make this easy (and cheesy) ricotta recipe at home in as little as one hour. The following is an excerpt from The Art of Natural Cheesemaking by David Asher. It has been adapted for the web. Recipe: Fast Ricotta Cheese Estimated time frame: 1…
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Must-Have Tools for Successful Indoor Gardening
Who says cold weather has to stop you from gardening? With the right tools, you’ll be all set to create your own indoor garden at home. The following is an excerpt from Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening by Peter Burke. It has been adapted for the web. Tools for Indoor Gardening The list of tools you…
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