Indigenous, Canada Recipes & Roots Indigenous, Canada Recipes & Roots

Reviving Inuit Throat Singing

The Arctic is alive with sound: the wind across the tundra, the cry of migrating birds, and the resonant voice of Inuit throat singing, or Katajjaq. For generations, Inuit women have engaged in this practice, exchanging breath and sound in a playful yet demanding competition.

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Personal Essay Sandra Nomoto Personal Essay Sandra Nomoto

You Had Me at Ube

As a child, I had a hard time eating. I had to eat, but I didn’t like it, except for sweets.

Breakfast and lunch were easy.

In elementary school, lunch was always sandwiches. Usually deli meat, but sometimes liver spread, or (bonus) peanut butter and jam or Nutella. Once, I almost choked on a piece of ham in sixth grade because it was so big and my dad hadn’t cut the fat off. 

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Sustainability Recipes & Roots Sustainability Recipes & Roots

Reducing or Eliminating Plastic

In today's world, plastic is an essential component of daily life. From food packaging and storage to household items and personal care products, plastic has become deeply ingrained in modern living. However, the environmental impact of plastic is becoming increasingly apparent. Concerns about pollution, waste management, and its lasting effects on ecosystems have driven a global movement toward reducing plastic usage.

While total elimination may seem unattainable, there are effective ways to significantly reduce reliance on plastic. By looking back at traditional methods of food storage and preservation, we can draw inspiration to create sustainable alternatives that are practical, eco-friendly, and adaptable to contemporary lifestyles. This article explores the historical context of food storage, presents modern compromises, and offers solutions for reducing plastic in everyday life.

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet

In a world grappling with the escalating impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality, Hannah Ritchie's Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet offers a hopeful yet realistic perspective on building a sustainable future. Ritchie's work is a compelling guide for individuals, policymakers, and organizations seeking actionable solutions to the urgent environmental challenges we face. With a balance of optimism and evidence-based research, this book presents a nuanced approach to sustainability, presenting a future where collaboration, innovation, and community effort drive meaningful change.

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Sustainability Recipes & Roots Sustainability Recipes & Roots

Sustainable Kitchen Habits

Each new year presents a fresh opportunity for reflection and renewal. As individuals, we seek to adopt healthier, more sustainable practices that align with our personal values and contribute to a healthier planet. In the kitchen, one of the most impactful and achievable goals is to reduce food waste. Food waste not only contributes to environmental degradation and the squandering of resources but also impacts our household budgets. By embracing sustainable kitchen habits, you can create a more efficient and eco-friendly approach to how you purchase, store, and utilize food.

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Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots

The Science of Soil

Soil is more than just dirt—it’s a living ecosystem and the foundation of any successful garden. Healthy soil ensures plants receive the nutrients, water, and support they need to thrive. While many gardeners focus on planting and harvesting, the secret to a bountiful spring lies in winter soil preparation.

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Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots

Sprouting Seeds

Growing your own sprouts and microgreens at home is not only rewarding but also cost-effective. With minimal investment, you can enjoy fresh, nutrient-rich foods right from your kitchen. You can often sacrifice a small table or section of countertop to keep yourself fresh in greens. 

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Book Review: Rooted by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit is a profoundly moving meditation on our relationship with the natural world. With a blend of lyrical prose, ecological insight, and personal reflection, Haupt offers readers a vision of a life grounded — both literally and metaphorically — in the rhythms of the Earth.

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Book Review: The Place of Tides by James Rebanks

James Rebanks’ The Place of Tides is an evocative journey into the rugged beauty of Norway’s coastal landscapes, interwoven with themes of solitude, renewal, and humanity’s deep relationship with nature.

Best known for his chronicles of life as a shepherd in the Lake District, Rebanks ventures further afield in this book, immersing himself in the rhythms of an island and its eider ducks. Yet, the heart of the book is unmistakably Rebanks: a thoughtful and deeply personal meditation on how the land shapes us and how we, in turn, shape it.

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Book Review: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake

Merlin Sheldrake’s Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures is an engaging exploration of an often-overlooked kingdom that underpins the very fabric of life on Earth.

With a rare combination of scientific rigor and literary grace, Sheldrake unveils the fascinating roles fungi play in ecosystems, economies, and even human consciousness. This book is not just a study of fungi but an invitation to reconsider our understanding of life itself.

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Book Review: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance, Robin Wall Kimmerer offers a profoundly insightful exploration of how the principles of reciprocity and generosity — so deeply embedded in the natural world — can inspire a reimagining of our human economies.

Through her characteristic blend of scientific inquiry, indigenous wisdom, and lyrical storytelling, Kimmerer weaves together a vision of abundance that directly challenges the scarcity-driven narratives underpinning modern capitalism.

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Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots

Permaculture Zoning

Transforming your backyard into a thriving permaculture oasis begins with zoning — a fundamental principle of permaculture design. Zoning involves organizing your space based on the level of care and attention each area requires. By visualizing your yard as a series of concentric circles, you can create an efficient, sustainable layout that promotes productivity and harmony.

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Food History, Winter Recipes & Roots Food History, Winter Recipes & Roots

Seasonal Holiday Baking

The festive season is synonymous with indulgent sweets, and for many cultures, holiday desserts are an essential part of the celebrations. Whether it’s a spiced cake, a rich pie, or a sweet confection, each country has developed its own unique holiday traditions surrounding dessert. While classic cookies, cakes, and pies are often the stars of the season, lesser-known global desserts offer fresh flavours and culinary stories that reflect diverse cultural practices and history.

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Winter, Seasonal, Food History Recipes & Roots Winter, Seasonal, Food History Recipes & Roots

How did the Victorian era have a lasting influence on Christmas traditions?

Christmas today is a kaleidoscope of traditions, reflecting centuries of diverse cultural influences. From festive carols and twinkling decorations to hearty meals shared with loved ones, the holiday captures the essence of celebration and togetherness. While many of these customs were popularized during the Victorian era, they also draw from earlier periods, including Pagan midwinter festivals and Christian celebrations, each adding layers of meaning and symbolism.

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Autumn, Seasonal, Sustainability Recipes & Roots Autumn, Seasonal, Sustainability Recipes & Roots

Sustainable Seasonal Living

As the crisp air of autumn settles in and the vibrant colors of the leaves begin to change, it’s the perfect time to embrace sustainability in our daily lives. Fall offers a natural opportunity to align our habits with the season’s rhythms, from harvesting the last of the garden’s bounty to preparing our homes for cooler months.

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