Living Naturally
Tight on time? Even if you only have 10 minutes to spare, research shows that short workouts build strength, mobility, and impressive health benefits. No equipment is needed!That’s good to know, especially in poor weather or stressful times when—face it—low or no motivation encourages us to move less and just get cozy with some banana bread.Most guidelines—such as those of the American…
Let’s face it: The 4 months from November to February are pretty much all about food. If you feel hungrier in winter, you’re not alone. I hope some of these tricks are helpful, and I’m sure you have a few of your own tricks that work for you.Every culture, every family, and every geographic region has its winter holiday food traditions. The magazines at the…
When inflation causes food prices to increase, what do we do? Here at the Almanac, we’ve been through the Great Depression, wars, pandemics, and various ups and downs. Here are ten helpful rules to get you through this time—as well as 10 bang-for-your-buck recipes! It Started With Covid … .Many Americans, especially younger adults, learned to cook during the first year or two…
Cranberries taste good—and are good for you! But the season for fresh berries is short, so get ‘em while you can! Discover the fantastic benefits of the culinary star of the holiday season!This tiny, bright red berry is one of the few native North American fruits cultivated commercially in the modern era. Harvested from late September through October, the fresh fruit is only available…
Do you grunt, groan, and ratchet yourself to a standing position as you get out of bed in the morning? Then, after stretching and moving around for a few minutes, do you feel the achiness and stiffness abate (at least some of it)? Why do you feel so achy in the morning? There’s a reason for this!The Body’s Natural IbuprofenScientists have discovered that we wake up stiff and…
For whatever reasons, you’ve decided to adopt a so-called “natural” way of life. You went for it, whole-hog. It’s not always easy—and certainly not glamorous—but it’s exciting and new. But after a while, the shine wears off. Sound familiar?If the novelty is wearing off, then maybe you’ve experienced one or more of the below:As the second (or 10th, or…
What exactly is in bottled drinks? Many advertise that they are good for you, but what are the ingredients in bottled drinks anyway?Aggressively marketed as important for health and hydration, a mind-boggling array of packaged beverages vie for our attention in the marketplace: sports drinks, energy drinks, fitness waters, vitamin waters—even “designer waters.” And that’s not even counting…
Baking was such a popular pastime during Covid that stores ran out of flour. The silver lining is that now we’ve discovered simple baking ideas that use no flour, less flour, or flour substitutes. This includes new flourless recipes that are truly some of our most delicious—and don’t use a teaspoon of flour!I love to bake. People of all ages can participate. It’s fun to try new things.…
Millions of Americans pickle, can, freeze, dry, and ferment the abundance of summer fruits and vegetables from their gardens and local farms. Here are a few things you should remember to keep your hard-earned harvest safe to eat!My family has been growing all their own food and canning for generations. It’s exciting to see a huge resurgence of interest in home gardening and…
Hurrah! It’s corn-on-the-cob season across the nation, and I grew a few rows of corn this year. Corn is great for eating, but its many other uses range from crafts to medicine. Discover how to use the entire ear, including the kernels, husks, silks, and cob, to make delicious recipes in the kitchen, natural remedies to heal, fun crafts, and more.Corn’s On!For me there’s nothing…
Sprinkle on four-season wellness in one spice blend! See our Wild Herb Spice Blend Recipe. From grilled meats to salads, you’ll naturally weave taste and herbal medicine into your daily meals. I call this spice blend Medicine Dust!The art of cooking used to be something that was passed down from generation to generation. As convenience culture crept into the Western world around the…
Yarrow (Achillia millefolium) is a garden staple at this point for me. I couldn’t imagine not having her each year to provide medicine for our family. She is easy to grow, a joy to behold, and doesn’t take much effort to keep happy in the garden. She is an independent and multi-talented lady of the garden.A familiar wildflower, yarrow’s mythical roots are often debated. The Latin word…