Most people who grow oyster mushrooms do so on a straw based substrate. This always seemed odd to me. Oyster mushrooms naturally grow on hard woods. In addition to this, making straw reasonably sterile for growing purposes is really annoying. I was surprised that there weren't more instructionals on using hardwood fuel pellets for growing oyster mushrooms. With the advent of pellet stoves and pellet grills, the availability of a wide variety of hardwoods in this format has grown exponent...

Most people who grow oyster mushrooms do so on a straw based substrate. This always seemed odd to me. Oyster mushrooms naturally grow on hard woods. In addition to this, making straw reasonably sterile for growing purposes is really annoying. I was surprised that there weren't more instructionals on using hardwood fuel pellets for growing oyster mushrooms. With the advent of pellet stoves and pellet grills, the availability of a wide variety of hardwoods in this format has grown exponent...

I've written before about my desire to turn my backyard into a food forest using edible landscaping. I've always imagined a lush, thriving garden that requires minimal effort yet provides a bounty of products—all while resembling a natural forest ecosystem. My process of building a backyard food forest started after encountering the concept of permaculture. Rooted in ecological principles, permaculture is a holistic approach to creating sustainable systems that mimic nature’s patter...

I've written before about my desire to turn my backyard into a food forest using edible landscaping. I've always imagined a lush, thriving garden that requires minimal effort yet provides a bounty of products—all while resembling a natural forest ecosystem. My process of building a backyard food forest started after encountering the concept of permaculture. Rooted in ecological principles, permaculture is a holistic approach to creating sustainable systems that mimic nature’s patter...

It's January! That means it's time to start planning the upcoming garden season. Planning a gardening season is one of the most important factors in helping you guarantee that it's successful. In this article, I'm going to describe the process I use in planning a gardening season. I'm going to assume that you already have a gardening space setup and that you have at least one season under your belt. On to discussing the things that I do in an effort to improve every y...

It's January! That means it's time to start planning the upcoming garden season. Planning a gardening season is one of the most important factors in helping you guarantee that it's successful. In this article, I'm going to describe the process I use in planning a gardening season. I'm going to assume that you already have a gardening space setup and that you have at least one season under your belt. On to discussing the things that I do in an effort to improve every y...

As I wander through the lush forests and verdant valleys of northeastern America, I am often struck by the unassuming beauty of the paw paw tree (Asimina triloba). With its broad, drooping leaves and clusters of maroon flowers, this native species is often overlooked, yet it holds a profound significance in the history and culture of the United States. I aim to rekindle the appreciation for this forgotten fruit and explore why the paw paw tree is an integral part of our heritage.The Paw Paw T...

As I wander through the lush forests and verdant valleys of northeastern America, I am often struck by the unassuming beauty of the paw paw tree (Asimina triloba). With its broad, drooping leaves and clusters of maroon flowers, this native species is often overlooked, yet it holds a profound significance in the history and culture of the United States. I aim to rekindle the appreciation for this forgotten fruit and explore why the paw paw tree is an integral part of our heritage.The Paw Paw T...

Hügelkultur in Pennsylvania: Nature's Raised BedYears ago, hurricane Sandy turned my forested property into an open meadow with massive rotting tree stumps everywhere. The trees on my property that used to provide shade and beauty, now produced a steady supply of fallen branches, logs, and leaves. Since I had already been slowly 'rewilding' my lawn area, it seemed only natural to consider a gardening technique that turned this "debris" into a gold mine of fertility: Hügelkultur...

Hügelkultur in Pennsylvania: Nature's Raised BedYears ago, hurricane Sandy turned my forested property into an open meadow with massive rotting tree stumps everywhere. The trees on my property that used to provide shade and beauty, now produced a steady supply of fallen branches, logs, and leaves. Since I had already been slowly 'rewilding' my lawn area, it seemed only natural to consider a gardening technique that turned this "debris" into a gold mine of fertility: Hügelkultur...

When I stopped working a corporate job, one of the first things I started regularly doing in my 'new found' time was to go backpacking. Why can't I get enough of Backpacking? Why do others find it so frightening? Let me show you some potential ways to loving the many joys of backpacking. Initially, my main goal for experiencing the joys of backpacking was to spend time in deep nature. Most of the hiking trails around me are very crowded (even more so since the pandemic). Many of the people th...

When I stopped working a corporate job, one of the first things I started regularly doing in my 'new found' time was to go backpacking. Why can't I get enough of Backpacking? Why do others find it so frightening? Let me show you some potential ways to loving the many joys of backpacking. Initially, my main goal for experiencing the joys of backpacking was to spend time in deep nature. Most of the hiking trails around me are very crowded (even more so since the pandemic). Many of the people th...

The Barefoot Revolution: Why You'll Love Wearing Zero Drop Shoes for Adventure and BeyondAs we focus on the complexities of modern life, it's easy to overlook one of the most fundamental aspects of our daily existence: our feet. We stuff them into ill-fitting shoes, pound the pavement, and expect them to perform without complaint. But what if our shoes are actually doing more harm than good? Enter barefoot shoes, a game-changing innovation that's revolutionizing the way we think about footwea...

The Barefoot Revolution: Why You'll Love Wearing Zero Drop Shoes for Adventure and BeyondAs we focus on the complexities of modern life, it's easy to overlook one of the most fundamental aspects of our daily existence: our feet. We stuff them into ill-fitting shoes, pound the pavement, and expect them to perform without complaint. But what if our shoes are actually doing more harm than good? Enter barefoot shoes, a game-changing innovation that's revolutionizing the way we think about footwea...

In my quest to become a healthier person, I quickly discovered that honoring our natural circadian rhythm is one of the most beneficial things that you can do. The complex and fascinating internal processes that keep our bodies ticking like well-oiled machines govern much more than just our sleep-wake cycles; they influence our energy levels, hormone release, body temperature, and even our metabolism. Understanding and aligning with our circadian rhythm can lead to improved sleep, enhanced en...

In my quest to become a healthier person, I quickly discovered that honoring our natural circadian rhythm is one of the most beneficial things that you can do. The complex and fascinating internal processes that keep our bodies ticking like well-oiled machines govern much more than just our sleep-wake cycles; they influence our energy levels, hormone release, body temperature, and even our metabolism. Understanding and aligning with our circadian rhythm can lead to improved sleep, enhanced en...

Embrace the Chill: Unleashing the Joys of Cold Water Immersion In the realm of personal wellness, few practices have gained as much attention and popularity as cold water immersion. This technique is accessible to everyone. It has been embraced by athletes, mental health advocates, and everyday individuals looking to supercharge their physical and mental well-being. In this post, I'll delve into the world of cold plunging, providing you with a comprehensive guide on how to perform a cold...

Embrace the Chill: Unleashing the Joys of Cold Water Immersion In the realm of personal wellness, few practices have gained as much attention and popularity as cold water immersion. This technique is accessible to everyone. It has been embraced by athletes, mental health advocates, and everyday individuals looking to supercharge their physical and mental well-being. In this post, I'll delve into the world of cold plunging, providing you with a comprehensive guide on how to perform a cold...

I can't remember too many summer time outings as a kid where the game of Quoits wasn't nearby. It was such a naturally expected feature of any outdoor event that I found it shocking when no one seemed to even know the game when I moved to the Philadelphia area. I love to play the game and it was one of the first things I setup as soon as I moved into my current house. Having covered quoit boxes and a lighted area to play was always a dream!What is Quoits?Many of my local friends have never pl...

I can't remember too many summer time outings as a kid where the game of Quoits wasn't nearby. It was such a naturally expected feature of any outdoor event that I found it shocking when no one seemed to even know the game when I moved to the Philadelphia area. I love to play the game and it was one of the first things I setup as soon as I moved into my current house. Having covered quoit boxes and a lighted area to play was always a dream!What is Quoits?Many of my local friends have never pl...