Gretchen Kruesi

power lines

The Birth of Electricity

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 4, 2020 / Comments Off on The Birth of Electricity

Electricity has shaped the modern world. But how has it affected our health and environment? Scientist and journalist Arthur Firstenberg tells the story of electricity in a way it has never been told before—from an environmental point of view—by detailing the effects that this fundamental societal building block has had on our health and our…

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willow tree composting

How We’re Helping to Close the Food Waste Loop

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 30, 2020 / Comments Off on How We’re Helping to Close the Food Waste Loop

By Jill Kiedaisch, Content and Brand Manager In July 2020, Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law will go into effect. It calls for a full ban on food waste scraps being sent to Vermont landfills. This is the final step transitioning food wastes out of the waste stream—a changeover that began in 2014. In light of this…

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oil rigs

Oil, Power, and War: Our Complicated History

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 29, 2020 / Comments Off on Oil, Power, and War: Our Complicated History

When we reflect on the history of the world and the progress of human society, it’s incredible to think about where we started and where we are today. We’ve innovated, we’ve discovered, we’ve grown, we’ve developed. But at what cost? Oil, Power, and War to be released in paperback February 4, 2020. The following is…

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four wind turbines

Rules for Regenerators: Search Out and Emphasize the Positive

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 28, 2020 / Comments Off on Rules for Regenerators: Search Out and Emphasize the Positive

Positive news stories about the state of our environment are few and far between. More common are stories that we’re almost at the point of irreparable damage, that if we don’t act now, it will be too late. While this may be true, it’s also important to recognize the positive steps nations have taken to…

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protesters

What We Need To Achieve

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 22, 2020 / Comments Off on What We Need To Achieve

With the climate crisis closing in, we need to consider what we need to do to make permanent, sustainable change for the better. We need a list of specific and realistic goals, and we need to push that list on those in power. The result will not be immediate, but if we follow through, we…

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factories with emissions

Regeneration: The Big Picture

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 20, 2020 / Comments Off on Regeneration: The Big Picture

Humans are impacting the environment at a rapid rate, and the Earth can’t keep up to reset the balance. In order to prevent irreversible damage, we must cut carbon emissions. The first step? Understanding the big picture. The following is an excerpt from Grassroots Rising by Ronnie Cummins. It has been adapted for the web.…

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healthy food

The Science Behind Food Preferences: More Than a Matter of Taste

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 17, 2020 / Comments Off on The Science Behind Food Preferences: More Than a Matter of Taste

You might remember being a little kid and refusing to eat the broccoli that was put on your plate. But now you can’t get enough of the delicious green veggies. Why is it that your food preferences change over time? Why do you love some foods and despise others? What causes one person to love…

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man holding stomach next to pancakes on counter

The Science of Hunger: Answering Hunger with Fastercise

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 14, 2020 / Comments Off on The Science of Hunger: Answering Hunger with Fastercise

Weight management isn’t the easiest thing to achieve—you have to find the right balance of eating right and exercising for your body. By working with your body’s biological mechanics, you can make your body work for you, not against you. The following is an excerpt from The Power of Fastercise by Denis Wilson. It has been adapted…

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Lynn margulis and connor habib

Dr. Lynn Margulis: The Last Conversation

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 9, 2020 / Comments Off on Dr. Lynn Margulis: The Last Conversation

Lynn Margulis was an evolutionary theorist, biologist, and science author. Two of her most significant achievements are the development of a new evolutionary theory, symbiogenesis, and the development of the Gaia Theory with James Lovelock. Margulis also wrote several books in collaboration with her son, Dorion Sagan. Lynn Margulis passed away in late November 2011.…

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Flemish Giants

Staying Warm with Rabbit Wool

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 3, 2020 / Comments Off on Staying Warm with Rabbit Wool

If you’ve ever received a hand-knit sweater, you’re probably thinking you have a sheep to thank for that warm wool. However, you may actually owe your gratitude to a rabbit. Humans have been using their fur for wool for hundreds of years, creating a booming fur trade. Each rabbit has a different textured coat that…

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soup joumou

RECIPE: Soup of Independence and Remembrance

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 1, 2020 / Comments Off on RECIPE: Soup of Independence and Remembrance

For most people, traditional foods and family recipes are often thought of in the simple terms of comfort foods or those dishes that only make an appearance at the holidays. However, for many, traditional foods are so much more than that. They are a gateway to health and wellness and offer an opportunity to reflect…

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person reaching

Look to a Brighter Future

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 31, 2019 / Comments Off on Look to a Brighter Future

When looking to the future, it can feel impossible to make a difference as just one person in a world of millions; but when like-minded people join together for the common good, change is always possible. We can ensure a brighter future by telling our stories, learning from the stories of others, and then working…

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top blog posts of 2019

Our Top Blog Articles of 2019: A Look Back

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 30, 2019 / Comments Off on Our Top Blog Articles of 2019: A Look Back

Ah, 2019 – how the time flies! The end of the year is always a little bit nostalgic, and as the year comes to an end, we’re taking stock of what our community has found most useful. If there’s one thing (or two) we know about our readers, it’s that they love growing food and…

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woman holding glass ball

We Become More Human as We Become More Mindful

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 25, 2019 / Comments Off on We Become More Human as We Become More Mindful

Connections drive our society forward. When we connect with others we come to a better understanding of what it means to be human. It’s important to take a moment, slow down, be mindful, and look inward, especially during times of great stress. The following is an excerpt from The Art of Leading Collectively by Petra…

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body diagram

Conscious Eating: What Our Bodies Are Trying to Tell Us

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 24, 2019 / Comments Off on Conscious Eating: What Our Bodies Are Trying to Tell Us

When our stomachs growl, we eat. When we feel like we’re about to burst, we stop eating. These are just two examples of our bodies’ incredible ability to recognize and adjust to changes within our environment and ourselves. Sometimes our bodies even know what’s best for us before we do. The following is an excerpt…

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chef cutting

Preparing and Cooking Rabbit

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 10, 2019 / Comments Off on Preparing and Cooking Rabbit

Ever wonder how you can mix up you or your family’s meal routine? How about substituting in some rabbit instead of conventional meats! The idea of eating a rabbit for dinner may feel overwhelming, but here are some quick tips and tricks to get you started on preparing and cooking one of your own. The…

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gardening

10 Great Gardening Books: Gift Guide for Growers

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 5, 2019 / Comments Off on 10 Great Gardening Books: Gift Guide for Growers

Are you scrambling to find the perfect gift for the gardener on your list? How about a new book featuring insight from our expert roster of authors? From building a garden plot in the backyard to crafting indoor growing containers for small spaces to incorporating organic practices we’ve got the perfect gardening books for the…

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seattle space needle

The Battle of Seattle and the Power of Going to Jail for Justice

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 27, 2019 / Comments Off on The Battle of Seattle and the Power of Going to Jail for Justice

On November 30th, 1999, thousands of protestors descended on the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, where the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference was being held to discuss economic globalization, a controversial set of negotiations. Several groups of protestors ranging from students to civilians, took control of the city blocks surrounding the building, deterring…

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soil cycle

Soil to Soil: Our Environmental Impact

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 26, 2019 / Comments Off on Soil to Soil: Our Environmental Impact

When you think of the impact you have on the environment, your first thought may be the waste you produce or the emissions from your car; but have you ever taken a step back and thought about the clothes you wear? A lot of the clothing produced in today’s society is just as harmful to…

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artisan cheese

Artisan Cheesemakers Unite!

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 22, 2019 / Comments Off on Artisan Cheesemakers Unite!

Over the past 35 years, the US Food and Drug Administration has pushed for a mandatory requirement for the use of pasteurized milk in cheesemaking, claiming a public health risk for raw milk cheese. This scenario is playing out abroad as well, where creameries are collapsing because they can’t comply with EU health ordinances. In…

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keto crackers

Miracle Crackers: Grain-Free, Low-Carb, and Keto-Friendly

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 21, 2019 / Comments Off on Miracle Crackers: Grain-Free, Low-Carb, and Keto-Friendly

If you’re anything like me, you know how hard it can be to resist the delectable crunch and pure happiness that comes from enjoying your favorite snack cracker. Unfortunately, when you need to cut carbs it can be hard to find a substitute that truly quenches the cravings. Until now. The following is an excerpt…

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common sense review and 3d cover

Mass Rebellion: When Common Sense Turns Into Rebellion

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 20, 2019 / Comments Off on Mass Rebellion: When Common Sense Turns Into Rebellion

“Is Common Sense for the 21st Century the best hope we’ve got to prevent human extinction? Yes, I think it is.”— Dr. Alexandra Jellicoe Roger Hallam—leading environmental activist and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion—believes real change comes from ordinary people breaking the law. When he was jailed in September for flying a drone at Heathrow in…

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Sarah Keiser from the Penngrove Community Grazing Project inspects a young oak

The Importance of Carbon Farming

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 19, 2019 / Comments Off on The Importance of Carbon Farming

To get a sense of how carbon farming could positively affect global warming, imagine ten ranches, approximately three-hundred acres each, implementing carbon farming and achieving a conservative per acreage carbon sequestration rate.  At this scale, the net gains of CO2 removed from the atmosphere (over 20 years) is equal to the emissions that 25,532 passenger…

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cheese display

Why Raw Milk Cheese is Not Raw

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 15, 2019 / Comments Off on Why Raw Milk Cheese is Not Raw

Have you ever wanted to try out exotic and rare types of cheeses, made non-traditionally? Well you might not be able to if the FDA has anything to say about it! Non-traditional cheesemaking using raw milk is under attack for all the wrong reasons, and it has sparked a revolution of cheese-lovers to stand up…

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stethascope

Putting the Health Back in Health Care

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 12, 2019 / Comments Off on Putting the Health Back in Health Care

The United States is the sickest nation in the Western world. Despite modern innovations in science, our health care system is broken. In Curable, science journalist and health care advocate Travis Christofferson asks an important question: What if the roots of the health care crisis are systemic and psychological, perpetuated not only by corporate influence,…

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