The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan has rocked my world.

As a former anorexic, I’ve spent my lifetime thinking about food.

I’m no longer motivated to starve, but I try to be mindful of what I eat. I “get it” that processed food is filling and tasty, but not nourishing. If more than half the ingredients on a label are words of fifteen letters or more, I know it’s not food.

Pollan shares:

The food additive TBHQ (butylhydroquinone), used to “help preserve freshness” is a form of butane – also known as lighter fluid – YIKES!

I’d despair, but grass farmers like Joel Salatin seem to have figured
out how to humanely produce food to feed families. I’m motivated to
seek out a local grass farmer for cultivated food. I’m sure if my Dad
had the knowledge and technology we would have had portable fences and
an Eggmobile. I can only wonder what my family farm would be today if
we had known about grass farming techniques.

Until Pollan I also did not fully comprehend exactly how organically produced and packaged foods are distributed.

This nature game is a bit more challenging that making grass whistles.

It’s still a good way for one or more players to enjoy nature.

We are all students, whether we are in a school program or navigating life’s lessons.

In order to improve your study skills, you have to pay attention to how you learn best. Reading, hearing, hands-on, images, repetition and your own mental, physical and emotional health are all factors in how you learn.

Everyone “hits a wall.” Writers stare at a blank page, actors get stage fright, students get test anxiety. These are opportunities to review and reshape study habits and patterns.

Here are a few things you can do to reach your study goals:

Over the years I’ve been visited by Janet Collins Fowler, when she thinks I’m worthy.

I’ve added several of Janet’s adventures to this site, including Janet’s Discovery. I’m hopeful that if I collect enough of these adventures I may have enough material for a compelling piece of fiction. Janet demands the best and will not settle for less.

So here is the latest from Janet:

Giant Puffballs (Calvatia gigantea) are typically found in meadows or where there is composted soil.

One of these mushrooms can weigh several pounds, making them perfect for feeding a crowd.
Always test for edibility, and then try this fun recipe:

It’s Leaf Season!

Reds, golds and ambers against a deep blue sky, frosty air filled with the scent of burning wood and ripe apples, migrating birds and animals feasting on this year’s abundant harvest – autumn feels like a celebration.

Here are ten things you can do to maximize your enjoyment of one of the most dramatic and beautiful times in nature:

SPARC meetings are always fun.

Last night’s presentation by tree-loving botanist, Tom Alford was no exception. He hiked the now completely protected forest – a rare achievement in these times. Giant puffballs (Calvatia gigantea) typically grow in meadows – but there they were on SPARC lands. Did the fact that this forest had been a suburb until 1971 have anything to do with this?

I’ve only seen American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) in this part of the East Coast on a very steep slope of Schunemunk mountain. But they are on SPARC land.

I like exploring and the idea of house sitting makes sense to me.

I recently published this article on the housecarers.com website.

Nature is always in transition, but at this time of year it’s not subtle.

I just finished picking the first ripe white oak acorns from reachable branches. Thanks to a bear who climbed one productive tree, I was able to reach a few acorns on limbs which broke beneath the bear’s weight. I’m going to try dehydrating them. My attempts at oven roasting them were a disaster. A few oak leaves in sunny areas are turning red. Tupelos are also sporting red foliage. European mountain ash berries hang in huge red clusters. It’s mostly green now, but in a few days the transformation will be awe inspiring.

I’m freezing the chicken mushrooms I found – I’ve eaten too many for them to be a treat right now. Puffball mushrooms are in abundance since the rain stopped and the temperature warmed up. I’m still eating them, although I might store a few if I keep finding them.

Leaf season will be perfect if we have cool nights and bright sunny days for the next week or so.

For years I avoided foraging for mushrooms.

I thought they had little or no food value. As it turns out, mushrooms are both nutritious and filling, but you have to follow certain guidelines. Always test any new food for edibility. This is not a bad policy for prepared or cultivated foods, especially for people who tend to have allergies.

Here are a few important mushroom facts. For a more thorough discussion of mushrooms, “Wildman” Steve Brill has the best information I’ve found online.