Showing: 90 RESULTS

Reframing Weeds

We’ve all heard the term “weed,” which often conjures images of unwanted plant invaders. However, a nuanced perspective reveals that weeds play vital roles in the grand scheme of soil health. While some weeds can be disruptive in cultivated areas, they contribute to preventing soil erosion and enhancing soil stability …

GABA in our Kitchen & Microbiome

(except from the “Human Microbiome & Kitchen Alchemy” book) When we create our fermented veggies, we become GABA producers, crafting an incredible compound right in our kitchens. These nutritional powerhouses are finally gaining the recognition they deserve for their role in health promotion and disease prevention. GABA, or Gamma-aminobutyric acid—which, …

Preserving the Harvest: Low-Cost Dehydration Methods

In an era of rising energy costs and growing interest in sustainable living, many are turning to traditional food preservation methods. Dehydration, one of the oldest techniques for extending the life of food, is experiencing a resurgence among homesteaders, off-grid enthusiasts, and those seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. While …

A Journey with Urushiol: From Poison Ivy to Cashew Trees

Living in Ecuador, I now tend to my eight cashew trees, which I planted nearly four years ago. When I first planted them, the trees were just 3 inches high. Witnessing their growth has been an incredible journey. With both male and female trees necessary for fruit production, I was …

Can Plants Truly Hear and Respond?

The natural world never ceases to astonish me.    Learning about the microbes (the unseen world) and the  recent research into plant senses (communication) raises the intriguing questions about whether we truly understand how nature is alive and conscious.    Can plants hear? Do they possess the ability to sense …

Fire Flowers & Humans

When contemplating the wondrous process by which plants convert sunlight into sustenance, it’s a reminder of the vast diversity of life.  Much of our world is on fire!   Some is natural and some is not!   It has caused a fear of fire as something we most stop and prevent. Sun …

Soil pH

Is there an alternative to lime when my PH is acidic? This is the most misguided topic in agriculture today. Why? We have been conditioned for so long by US Agriculture and constituents to force soil chemistry into what we want it to be. We learned nutrients are only available …

Grass Is Great

I went on a mission to learn the best method for growing a beautiful lawn naturally. I took it back to the historical roots, learned the reasons we are obsessed with it and then saw grass from an ecological standpoint. Grass is an amazing and super beneficial edible and medicinal …