Why Passive house should be the norm for new buildings
If you are planning a new build or just curious about ways to save energy on your heating bills, you might have heard of the passive house concept. For those who do not know, passive houses are highly energy-efficient buildings that can consume up to 90% less energy than regular housing.
Read full storyAmerica´s ancient trees survive where there's minimal human intervention
There are some truly ancient organisms on our planet. Many have survived so long only due to lack of outside interference. Some of the oldest among them all are trees. The United States is not only home to what is thought to be the oldest living single organism in the world—a fungi that grows in Oregon—it is also home to the oldest living tree.
Read full storyHow do we benefit from mushrooms and should we grow more of them?
If you’ve read any of our previous articles, you may be now starting to think we have some kind of pro-mushroom agenda. You would be right in thinking so. Mushrooms are not only delicious and healthy they are also fascinating.
Read full storyWhat it means to have a circular economy
You may have seen or heard the term circular economy recently. It is a phrase that we’ll most likely be hearing much more often in the future, but what does it mean?. Our current economic model is what is known as a linear economy. This means that raw materials are converted into a product which is then used and eventually disposed of. Most often items end up in landfill or an incinerator even though they likely contain materials that could be reused.
Read full storyEdible weeds and wild plants you might find in your garden this Spring
While we may be preparing and planting a variety of vegetables this year in our gardens, there are quite a few common edible plants that could be already growing there. Some of these are often considered weeds, but can be a great source of nutrients, especially in the cold winter months.
Read full storyFermented foods you can make at home using salt, water or cultures
Fermented foods have their own unique flavors and characteristics. Their tangy and slightly acidic tastes can add complex flavors, making them a great compliment to sweet and savory foods. Aside from being delicious, fermented foods have a few health benefits too.
Read full storyLeather alternatives going mainstream in 2021
Some companies are producing innovative plant-based alternatives to leather using a variety of sources, including plant and fungus fibres. With backing from major brands in place, mushroom and plant “leathers” could be set to go mainstream in 2021.
Read full storySmarter gardening for dry climates, making the best use of rainwater
If you live in an area with a dry climate, keeping a healthy thriving garden in the long dry months can seem almost impossible without running sprinklers throughout. Though it is a little more difficult to garden in dry climates than in places with regular year round rainfall, there are a few tricks you can utilize to help your garden retain more water.
Read full storyA simple, flexible formula for homemade bread
Photo by B.Halliday from Dolmen Editing. There’s something about making bread that I have always found fascinating. It’s not like making many other foods. The necessity for kneading, shaping and rising are critical to its success, but it is also quite forgiving and unbelievably versatile.
Read full storyRewilding is happening now in US and Europe
There are a number of exciting rewilding programs taking place currently across the globe. We wanted to share with you a little about what rewilding means and why we believe it is vital right now.
Read full storyHere's what to begin planting in January
There’s no reason to put off planting until the Spring. There are plenty of seeds you can plant right now to ensure you get the most out of your growing season. Plants that thrive in warmer climates, such as tomatoes and chilis, can be started early and then transferred to the garden in spring after the last frost.
Read full storyNo-tech or low-tech solutions to stay warm this winter and save energy
Each winter, many of us walk the line between trying to keep warm and also conserve energy. We want to be comfortable in our homes, but we are also worried about the amount of energy we are using and the price of our bills.
Read full storyUses for wood ashes at home you can try rather than throwing them away
Our home fires and wood stoves produce a lot of ash. Have you ever felt that there could be something useful you could do with the wood ashes from your fire?. When wood ash has been burnt at low temperatures like in a fireplace or stove, it produces an alkali called calcium carbonate. This is the main compound in many naturally occurring things such as limestone, chalk, eggshells and seashells. It is often used in food supplements and many household cleaning products.
Read full storyOur favorite sci-fi movies, TV series that make our 2020 more bearable
It's been a hell of a year! Production of many movies and TV shows were either cancelled or put on hiatus when the world collectively put on its breaks and stayed at home. Though few productions were being made, many of us were watching lots more TV.
Read full storyCreate a miniature garden with these terrarium ideas and maintenance tips
Creating a terrarium is a lot of fun. Not only does it allow you to grow a variety of tropical or shade loving plants and moss that might be otherwise hard to grow, it’s also a fun way to exercise your imagination and landscaping skills.
Read full storyMushrooms replace Styrofoam, plastic packaging and furniture
Mushrooms are increasingly becoming the focus of many industries for their amazing structural and adaptable properties. They are being considered as alternatives for single-use plastic packaging such as styrofoam and hard plastics.
Read full storyFive things you’ll have to give up when you adopt a dog (and why it’s totally worth it)
Many of us have been working from home full time this year, whether it was our decision to or not. This has led to some interesting lifestyle changes for a lot of people and hopefully more free time for us to spend with our families and loved ones.
Read full storyThe winter solstice and how it fixed my 2020 vision
It is weirdly comforting to know that this year, 2020, after all the chaos and upheaval the winter solstice is here. It’s a good time to reflect, be thankful and take note that however bad we may think things are or have been, at least the world is still turning. Our predictable sequence of seasons is still underway.
Read full storyPlant-based Christmas dinner ideas, alternatives to traditional foods
The range of plant-based options available in stores has increased dramatically in recent years. In years gone by, the options for store-bought plant-based Christmas foods were much more limited. This was inconvenient but encouraged lots of creativity and innovation in the plant-based community.
Read full storyOldest Christmas hymns, carols and their ancient roots
It wouldn’t be Christmas without music. Although midwinter celebrations have occurred for much longer, the traditional practice of singing religious hymns at this time of year has ancient roots spanning back at least 1,000 years.
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