Explore the adventure of foraging golden oyster mushrooms and dryad’s saddle while running along the Iowa River. Learn how to identify and harvest these fungi, discover their environmental benefits, and enjoy a mouthwatering vegetarian dryad’s saddle jerky recipe!
Bridging the Gap between Humans and Wolves: Insights from the 2024 Great Lakes Wolf Symposium
October 15-17, 2024 (Published November 9, 2024) By Joshua Janusiak Introduction The Great Lakes Wolf Symposium this year at Northland College (October 15-17, 2014) was a masterful amalgamation of some of the most renowned scholars, specialists, and even photographers who all share a passion for this overlooked but beautiful (and important) species. The event was…
Fall Foraging for Ringless Honey Mushrooms and Tiger Sawgill in Iowa
10/10/2024 By Joshua Janusiak *Note: When foraging for wild mushrooms, it is very important to be 100% sure of identification and to know the toxic lookalikes in your area. The Fun of Foraging Mushrooms Even despite an insanely dry fall, it’s still possible to find mushrooms in Iowa. A few weeks ago, on a run…
Foliage Facts & Folklore: Monotropa uniflora, a.k.a. the ‘Ghost Pipe’ Plant
‘Ghost Pipes’ (Monotropa uniflora) have caused quite a stir in foraging-related communities and forums recently due to their incredibly unique characteristics, aesthetic appeal, historical uses and lore, and possible (likely, but hardly researched) medicinal benefits. Given the very specific environmental conditions required for Ghost Pipes to grow, coupled with their quick disintegration after harvest and…
Herbal Medicine 101 & Tincture-Making for Dummies
Herbal medicine is not only accessible to basically everyone who takes the time to learn about particular herbs and their uses, but it can be incredibly effective for a variety of conditions and ailments. Literally, all you have to do is walk out into your yard, and, unless you live in some crazy arid location,…
Rescue Bunnies, Adoptive Dog Show, & Soaring Spirits – Winston Junction Market, NC
February 24, 2024 Winston Junction was a hoppin’ and a boppin’ on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Rescue bunnies from Roberson Creek Farm were an irresistible attraction at the market, and the variety of friendly vendors with wonderful homemade products really put the cherry on the cake, not to mention the costumed dog show with the…
Pilot Mountain State Park’s Seasonal Faces: A Visual Run-Through (& Hike-Through)
Every single time in my life I have opted to go on a run or hike, the experience brightened my day, made me feel accomplished, enlightened me, or brought something good to my day in one way or another. While I am continuously forced to confront the tragic reality that I can’t spend every waking…
All-Natural Nourishing Winter Hand Cream – DIY Recipe
While the cold of the winter months can be invigorating, it is not very friendly to our temperamental human skin, especially if you’re a hands-on kind of person like I am. I wish I could hibernate for all six (or so) of the cold months of the year, like a bear or the distant ancestors…
Book Across the Bay: An event with unparalleled beauty, excitement, and community — and a fire-breathing dragon — on Lake Superior in Ashland, WI
Book Across the Bay is a magical multi-sport event trekking across a frozen bay of the largest lake in the world with live music, fireworks, a fire-breathing snow dragon, a sky full of stars, dumpster fires, food and drink, a path lined with beautiful candle-and-ice luminaries, and a wonderful sense of community. If you are…
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, & Be Resourceful — Creative Reuse and Recycling
We’ve all heard of the three ‘Big Rs’—reduce, reuse, and recycle—established as easy-to-follow guidelines for practical sustainable living. These are so simple, but their value remains relevant. There are so many items that discretely litter our daily lives that do not live up to their potential for creative use, so I’ve added resourcefulness into the…