Let’s face it: some people are mosquito magnets. They get mosquito bites when no one else does unless they arm themselves with chemically-laden repellents and long-sleeved shirts and pants. For them, natural repellents are a game of roulette, providing partial, but not full insurance against bites and the potential diseases they carry. Lab Testing: Scientific Validation Of Natural Mosquito Repellents We’re happy to report that the game of roulette is over. Science has rigorously tested 38 essential oils for mosquito repellency to identify which ones work as well–if not better–than chemical counterparts. Tests were conducted at three concentrations under laboratory conditions using human subjects at strengths of…
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If you’ve never tasted Icelandic lamb, you really should. When I was in my early twenties, I backpacked the South Island of New Zealand for two months and spent a portion of my time at Lilybank Sheep Station. I had my first taste of lamb and was unimpressed. It was gamey, a bit tough, and had a wild, fatty taste I didn’t care for. There was nothing about it I liked, even after not eating a real meal for weeks. You’d think after days of muesli bars, Lipton powdered soup packets, and snack foods, that lamb chops would have tasted fantastic, but no. A few years later, I…
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Living in the Pacific Northwest means that we have a fleeting autumn season. This makes it incredibly special. Jordan and I feel especially inspired by the cold mornings we’ve had this past week. Gone are the days of wanting something light for breakfast. We want something warming and filling before going to work outside for the day. Last night, we filled a small crock pot up with water and Kaniwa and left it to cook overnight. In the morning, we woke to a warm breakfast cereal that is full of protein and easy to digest. If you’ve not heard of Kaniwa before, it is an ancient South American…
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A Healthy, Corn-Free Alternative To Conventional Nachos We’ve been corn-free for several years after watching a documentary called King Corn. If you’ve seen it, you’ll understand why. Essentially, corn is prevalent in all processed foods, and an excess of it throws off your body chemistry systemically. By substituting butternut squash, our “nachos” become rich in fiber, beta carotene, and flavor for guilt-free snacking. Butternut has a number of health benefits, by the way. It prevents high blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium in your diet because it is high in potassium. It promotes regularity with fiber and supports healthy gut flora. It benefits your eyes with…
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