Transmutable Explorations

Category: Backpacking

  • Ode to the Paw Paw Tree

    Ode to the Paw Paw Tree

    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 Tree?

    The paw paw is a fruit bearing tree native to eastern North America. It is a member of the same flowering plant family that includes ‘soursops’. Paw Paw leaves and fruit are decidedly tropical in appearance. Due to this, the tree looks out of place in the understory of the forests where it is found. Paw Paws are the largest tree fruit native to the United States. The fruit has a soft, custard-like texture with a sweet, slightly tangy flavor.

    Historical and Cultural Significance

    The paw paw tree has been a silent witness to the unfolding of American history. Native American tribes prized the tree for its nutritious fruit, which was a staple in their diet. The tree was also revered for its medicinal properties. Early European settlers adopted the paw paw from the indigenous populations, incorporating it into their own cuisine and traditions.

    The paw paw tree has connections to some of America’s most influential figures. Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was known to have cultivated paw paw trees at Monticello, his beloved estate in Virginia. The tree’s presence in Jefferson’s gardens underscores its importance in the early American landscape. Moreover, the famous explorers Lewis and Clark encountered the paw paw during their historic journey across the continent, documenting its existence and touting its value as a food source.

    Ecological Importance

    Beyond its historical significance, the paw paw tree is also an ecological treasure. The tree’s broad leaves provide shade, creating a microclimate that supports a diverse range of plant and animal species. The fruit is an essential food source for various wildlife. By preserving and promoting the paw paw tree, we can help maintain the rich biodiversity of these ecosystems.

    Food Source

    The paw paw fruit (and ecosystem created by the tree) provides a food source for several types of wildlife, including:

    1. Mammals: Raccoons, opossums, foxes, and other mammals feed on the fruit, helping to disperse seeds and propagate new paw paw trees.
    2. Birds: Many bird species, such as the yellow-billed cuckoo and the tufted titmouse, consume the fruit, while others, like the wood thrush, eat the insects that inhabit the tree.
    3. Insects: The paw paw tree is a host plant for several insect species, including the zebra swallowtail butterfly, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on paw paw leaves.

    Ecosystem Engineering

    Paw paw trees contribute to the structure and diversity of their ecosystems through:

    1. Shade provision: The tree’s broad leaves create a shaded understory, which supports a range of shade-tolerant plant species and provides habitat for various animals.
    2. Soil stabilization: Paw paw trees have a deep root system, which helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
    3. Resiliency: Paw paw trees have very few insect pests and diseases. Due to substances in the leaves and bark, deer avoid them. This makes them an ideal tree in cases where local conditions may make other trees poor choices.

    Modern-Day Revival

    In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the paw paw tree, driven by the growing demand for locally sourced and sustainable food options. Chefs, food enthusiasts, and environmentalists are rediscovering the tree’s culinary and ecological significance. Due to this, people are investigating ways to promote its cultivation and conservation.

    Culinary Significance

    The paw paw fruit is a gastronomic delight, with a flavor profile that is often described as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple. The fruit’s creamy texture and sweet taste make it a versatile ingredient, suitable for a range of culinary applications. Paw paw can be enjoyed raw, used in baked goods, or as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal. It’s also a popular ingredient in smoothies, ice cream, and desserts. The paw paw is also the only fruit that contains all of the essential amino acids.

    Despite its borderline ‘delicacy’ status, the paw paw fruit is notoriously difficult to enjoy outside of foraging for it in nature. This is due to several factors that affect its cultivation, harvesting, and distribution. Here are some challenges that make enjoying a paw paw in our modern culture difficult:

    1. Perishability: Paw paw fruit is highly perishable, with a short shelf life of typically 3-5 days after ripening. This makes it challenging to transport and store the fruit without significant spoilage.
    2. Fragility: Paw paws are easily bruised and damaged during handling, which can lead to spoilage and reduced quality. In addition to this, the paw paw will not ripen after it is picked from the tree. The best tasting fruit can usually be found immediately after it falls from the tree.
    3. Cultivation challenges: Paw paw trees are not as widely cultivated as other fruit trees, partly due to the difficulties in propagating and growing them on a commercial scale. Paw paw trees have specific requirements, such as shade, moist soils, and a narrow temperature range. In addition to this, they are unable to self-pollinate.

    Growing Paw Paw Trees

    On a small scale though, paw paw trees are relatively easy to cultivate. The trees prefer well-drained soil and partial shade, making them suitable for woodland gardens or permaculture designs. Paw Paw will send up clonal shoots near them, but this will ultimately lead to a lack of fruit due to the lack of genetic diversity. To get the best fruit, you need transplant plants from different locations. The clonal nature of these trees sometimes make this difficult because you miss the developed root structure. It’s often best to propagate via seed or grafting. Propagation via seed requires an extensive period of cold stratification.

    The paw paw tree is a testament to the complex and multifaceted history of America. Its significance extends far beyond its role as a food source, speaking to the intricate relationships between the land, the indigenous populations, and the early European settlers. So, the next time you find yourself wandering through the eastern North American wilderness, take a moment to seek out and appreciate this unassuming yet extraordinary tree – and, if you’re lucky, savor the sweet taste of its forgotten fruit!

  • Cold Water Immersion

    Cold Water Immersion

    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 plunge and explore the myriad benefits that await those who dare to embrace the chill.

    What is Cold Water Immersion?

    Cold water immersion involves voluntarily exposing yourself to cold water long enough to feel uncomfortable. This practice has been employed by athletes, entrepreneurs, and individuals seeking to find additional means of eek-ing out gains. The sudden change in temperature causes a stress response in the body, which in theory can lead to a range of benefits.

    Benefits of Cold Plunging

    Cold immersion is one of the many therapies that rely on an hormetic stressor for its benefits.  Some documented bodily changes include:

    Increased circulation

    Cold water causes your blood vessels to constrict, and when you warm up, they dilate, improving circulation.  Improved circulation leads to many other benefits within the body.

    Reduced inflammation

    Cold water has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce muscle soreness and joint pain.  One of the most effective things that I have found reduces a chronic foot pain that I’ve been dealing with is cold water immersion.

    Improved immune function

    Cold water stimulates the release of white blood cells, which helps to fight off infections and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.  Cold water immersion has been linked to an increase in the production of T-lymphocytes and NK cells, which play a crucial role in innate tumor immunity.

    Improved Recovery

    Likely due to the reduction in inflammation and increased circulation, cold plunging has been shown to improve recovery time.  Ultimately, meta studies have shown this leading to enhanced physical performance.  Cold plunging can help alleviate muscle soreness and stiffness, making it an ideal practice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.  It is important to be aware of additional studies that have shown that cold exposure can have negative outcomes if used to close to resistance training.

    Mental Clarity and Focus

    The cold water shock triggers the release of adrenaline, which can improve mental clarity, boost focus, and reduce stress and anxiety.   Overcoming the discomfort of a cold plunge can help build mental toughness and willpower, translating to other areas of life.  Enhanced mood and emotional well-being due to the release endorphins, is one of the most noticeable immediate impacts of cold water immersion.

    Improved Metabolism

    Studies have shown that those who are acclimated to cold exposure have a higher resting metabolism.  It’s theorized that this is due to increased amounts of and more metabolically active brown adipose tissue.

    The Art of Cold Plunging

    General consensus among cold plunging advocates is that immersing yourself in water with a temperature of 50°F (10°C) or lower for a short period, typically ranging from 1 to 3 minutes qualifies as cold water immersion.  In reality, studies have shown that many of the benefits can be obtained with warmer temperatures if you scale up the time spent.  In winter time, I will often just work outside for 20 minutes in shorts and a t-shirt.

    My first experiences with intentional cold exposure came while studying the Wim Hof Method.  Wim’s practice embraces the cold in many ways, but I started just by doing colder showers than I would normally take.  Even a few minutes of doing this will have you believing that there is something noticeable occurring with your mental state.  Eventually, I started arranging backpacking trips around sources of natural cold water so that I could enjoy this after a day of hiking.  After building a sauna at home, I purchased a container that I could fill with my well water and added ice so that I could indulge in hot/cold contrast.

    The Cold Water Immersion Process

    As noted above, to reap the benefits of cold exposure, you could just finish your shower at a colder and colder temperature every day.  I would encourage everyone though to work up to doing a proper ‘cold plunge’.  Here are some tips to make the most of it.

    Location

    Obviously, the first step is finding or creating a location where you can immerse yourself in cold water.  These exist all over in nature and that’s a great way to see if this practice is right for you or not.  Additionally, there are now many workshops where you can go with others for your first cold water immersion experience.

    Acclimation

    Many people will play around with acclimation, especially when starting out.  Do hot/cold contrast showers or at a bare minimum start with warmer temperatures and gradually move colder over time.  As with anything, it’s probably not the best idea to go to extremes right from the start.

    Mental Preparation

    No matter where you go and what temperature you choose, preparing yourself mentally will likely be required.  The Wim Hof Method incorporates breathwork and some other mindfulness practices to assist with this, but just focusing on your breath before immersion and trying to avoid shallow breathing while you’re in the cold is very helpful.  Please note, that especially if you’re immersing yourself in water, be very careful about doing any type of breathwork that may lead to loss of consciousness while you’re immersed.

    Immersion

    Now submerge yourself fully in the cold up to the neck.  Don’t go in slow, just commit.  Focus on breathing normally rather than shallowly and try to relax.  Depending on how you feel, you might want to fully submerge your head at this point.  This will trigger the mammalian dive reflex which may add further to the benefits of the cold water immersion.  Try to spend 2 – 3 minutes in the water.

    Recovery

    Slowly emerge from the water.  Take deep breaths and allow your body to gradually warm up.  You can perform some light movements to assist with this, but recent studies have shown additional metabolic benefits of allowing yourself to warm via shivering.

    Repeat

    Once you’re warm again, you can repeat the whole process if you would like!

    Embrace the Cold

    Embracing the chill of cold water immersion may seem daunting at first, but the benefits are undeniable.  Cold water immersion is a powerful tool for transforming your physical and mental well-being.  You’ll experience a range of physical, mental, and emotional advantages that will have you coming back for more.  So, take the plunge and discover the joys of cold water immersion for yourself.  Your body and mind will thank you.

  • Barefoot Shoes for Foot Health

    Barefoot Shoes for Foot Health

    The Barefoot Revolution: Why You’ll Love Wearing Zero Drop Shoes for Adventure and Beyond

    As 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 footwear.

    What Are Barefoot Shoes?

    When I talk about barefoot shoes, I’m mostly referring to Zero drop shoes.  The term barefoot shoes can also be used when talking about more minimalist footwear.  In both cases, this type of shoe is designed to mimic the natural stride of the human foot. Unlike traditional shoes, which feature a raised heel and supportive arch, zero drop shoes have a flat, even sole.  This allows the foot to move freely.

    The barefoot shoe design philosophy is based on the idea that our feet are perfectly capable of supporting our body weight and facilitating movement, without the need for artificial support or cushioning.  Minimalist shoes often take this concept further, by minimizing the amount of material between you and the ground allowing your feet to actually sense the ground beneath you.  To me, ‘Zero Drop’ is the most important factor.  Both types of footwear tend to be better than the traditional ‘sneaker’ that we were all raised wearing.

    The Benefits of Zero Drop Shoes

    So, why should you consider making the switch to zero drop shoes? Here are just a few compelling reasons:

    1. Improved Posture: By allowing the foot to move naturally, zero drop shoes promote better posture and alignment. This can have a ripple effect throughout the body, reducing the risk of back pain, neck strain, and other musculoskeletal issues.
    2. Increased Strength and Flexibility: When we wear traditional shoes, our feet become reliant on the artificial support and cushioning.  Zero drop shoes, on the other hand, encourage the foot muscles to work harder.  By allowing your feet to function naturally, barefoot and zero drop shoes can help strengthen your foot muscles, reduce fatigue, and improve flexibility over time.
    3. Better Balance and Proprioception: The flat sole of zero drop shoes (especially in more minimalist varieties) allows for greater sensory feedback, helping us to develop better balance and proprioception (our ability to sense the position and movement of our body).
    4. Reduced Risk of Injury: By mimicking the natural way our feet function, zero drop shoes can reduce the risk of common injuries such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and shin splints.  These foot strength and flexibility issues are often caused by compensation mechanisms developed from wearing traditional shoes with elevated heels.
    5. Improved Running Form: For runners, zero drop shoes can be a revelation. Zero drop shoes promote a more natural walking or running gait, which can help improve balance, agility, and coordination. By allowing the foot to land midfoot or forefoot, rather than heel striking, runners can reduce their risk of injury and improve their overall form.
    6. Breathability and Comfort: Many barefoot and zero drop shoes use lightweight, breathable materials that help keep your feet cool, dry, and comfortable throughout your activities.
    7. Environmental Benefits: Barefoot and zero drop shoes typically use less material and fewer resources than traditional shoes, making them a more eco-friendly choice.

    The Transition Process

    If you’re considering making the switch to zero drop shoes, it’s essential to do so gradually. Here are a few tips to help you transition smoothly:

    1. Start with short distances: Begin by wearing zero drop shoes for short periods, such as a 30-minute walk or run.
    2. Gradually increase your mileage: As your feet adapt, you can gradually increase your mileage and intensity.
    3. Listen to your body: If you experience discomfort or pain, don’t push through it. Take a break and allow your feet to recover.
    4. Choose the right shoe: Look for a zero drop shoe that offers a comfortable fit and adequate protection for your feet.

    My Barefoot Shoes Adventure

    I’ve been slowly replacing all of my footwear over the last few years with zero drop and barefoot shoes.  I’ve tried a bunch of brands, but there are three specific shoes (from three different brands) that I recommend.  Each one of them has a certain area where they excel.

    Most Barefoot Shoe

    The most barefoot shoe that I wear and actually like is EarthRunners.  I currently wear the Circadian Sandals with Performance laces.  This is both a zero drop shoe and fairly minimalist as well.

    Initially, I bought these to be ‘camp shoes’ that allowed me to let my feet breathe after a long day of backpacking.  I used to use flip-flops for this.  The EarthRunners weigh more than these.  However, one time walking from camp at night to get water convinced me that the extra weight was all worth it.  If a freak occurrence on the trail destroyed my hiking boots, I could likely hike out in EarthRunners without a major problem.  For such an ultra-lightweight shoe, they’re also surprisingly durable.  To top it off, they remain unbelievably secure with the performance laces.  In addition to using this as a general summer time and camp shoe, I also reach for it anytime I’m doing anything in and around bodies of water.

    The Workhorse Barefoot Shoe

    When I am hiking, or active and need something more robust than my EarthRunners, I’m almost always wearing Altras.  I personally love the Altra Lone Peak 6.  Altra is currently on the Lone Peak 8, but I loved the 6 so much that I bought every pair that I could in my size the moment I heard it was being discontinued.  It’s possible the 7 and 8 are even better, but I haven’t tried them yet.

    The Altra Lone Peak 6 is billed as a trail running shoe.  It embodies the principles of zero drop and barefoot-inspired design.  It’s not really a ‘minimalist’ shoe as the rock plate allows you to hike the peaks of Pennsylvania without feeling like you’re on a bed of nails.  Even so, the sole is still very flexible, there is minimal cushioning and the shoes are very breathable.  I like the Lone Peak 6 over other comparable hikers because of the wide toe box.  This allows your feet to assume a natural foot shape rather than being crammed inside while properly navigating elevation.

    The Dress Up Barefoot Shoe

    One of the biggest issues I’ve had in my barefoot shoes journey was finding something that even looked “OK” in situations that required me to be dressed up a bit.  This pretty much ended after I bought a pair of Vivobarefoot’s men’s RA IIIs.  The shoes themselves are fantastic, but Vivobarefoot’s certified B Corp status and commitment to sustainability makes these one of my favorite pair of barefoot shoes.  They also provide great information on making the transition to being a “barefoot” shoe person after a lifetime of wearing more traditional footwear.

    Vivobarefoot is one of the pioneers of zero drop shoes.  I feel that they tend to have fairly innovative and versatile designs. They do this, while still keeping things zero-drop and adhering to the barefoot principles.  I haven’t had to take advantage of it yet, but through their REVIVO program, you can send back your shoes that have reached end of life and they will refurbish them!

    The Missing Link

    If there’s one area where I’m missing a barefoot shoe that I truly enjoy, it’s in general training.  Most of the time I workout in bare feet, but there are some times where I’d like to have shoe protection.  Especially now that I’ve become a regular treadmill user, my next search is to find a barefoot shoe that works great in (ideally) both of these situations.  Have one that might fit the bill? Let me know!

    From conquering mountains to crushing deadlines, my favorite zero drop shoe brands have got you covered. So why not give them a try and experience the barefoot shoe revolution?

    Conclusion

    Embracing barefoot shoes is a journey that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. The rewards are well worth it: stronger feet, better posture, and a reduced risk of injury.  I hope this overview of my journey helps you understand the benefits of barefoot and zero drop shoes even more! If you have any specific questions or want to know more about a particular model, feel free to ask.  Ready to take the first step towards a more natural stride?  Your feet will thank you.

  • The Joys of Backpacking

    The Joys of Backpacking

    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 there are loud… I didn’t really want to hear others’ music and podcasts while I’m out enjoying the sounds of nature.  The crowds on the trails are often disrespectful…  I can complete a loop on a local trail, picking up trash as I go.  Often, when I return to the beginning, I could start the whole process all over again.  Honestly, who couldn’t be bothered to put their slim jim wrapper in their pocket and carry it out with them?  I noticed though, that once you get beyond ~5 miles from the start of a trail, the number of people tends to drop drastically.

    The first backpacking trip… in awhile

    There is a problem with hiking 10+ miles within the confines of daylight.  It can be problematic, especially when you factor in driving to a location, feeding yourself, etc.  I remembered the joy of spending days at a time in the woods with my friends when I was a kid and thought “why not do this again?”.  Time to pull together all my old (heavy) gear and purchase whatever else I needed to get started.  I tried convincing the rest of my family to go, but they weren’t having it.  Why not retrace a trip that I did many times when I was younger?  I thought that it would be an easy way to get started.

    It was mostly a disaster 😉 As mentioned, my 20+ year old gear was HEAVY!  Over the years, people had stopped using the woods/roads/trails in this part of Pennsylvania and everything was overgrown and borderline impassible.  Hiking uphill made me realize how out of shape I really was.  I was rusty in setting up and using my gear and just generally ill-prepared.  Even with all this, there was immense joy in how quiet things were.  Unfortunately, trash from eons ago was still there.  The sky was amazing!  When I got back home, I couldn’t wait to go again.

    Joy 1:  Backpacking is a great teacher

    After allowing my body to recover for a few days, I decided I was absolutely out of shape.  Before the next trip, I would definitely need to work on my uphill endurance and some leg/hip range of motion that I didn’t use in my normal day to day life.  It seemed that making some of my gear ‘lighter’ would also help (Did I mention that it was HEAVY?).  I also packed in a bunch of stuff that it seemed I would never use.  Why I thought I needed a frying pan, multiple cups and something to boil water in, and many changes of clothes, I have no idea.  I also did not bring other things that would have been helpful.  There was a light rain that I wasn’t really prepared for and it got surprisingly cold at night.  I started looking into upgrading some of my gear.

    Joy 2: Backpacking is great exercise

    Experiencing my defeated body after this first trip is probably what started me down the path of actually getting healthy.  I realized how when I was a kid, I did this trip easily multiple times without needing a week to recover.  I started looking into creating a plan for allowing me to be able to do that again.  This is what led me to becoming such an advocate for bodyweight based Functional Training.  Over the years, I found that this combined with a little bit of endurance training is the best way to (mostly) stay physically prepared for what backpacking will throw at you.

    As someone who constantly keeps an eye on their HRV, I’ve noticed that generally, backpacking has a positive impact on this metric.  Sure, a grueling day might tank HRV, but in my experience, HRV tends to go up dramatically while (or shortly after) backpacking.

    Joy 3: Backpacking will make you more resilient

    Sure HRV is a good metric for tracking resiliency, but backpacking helps in this regard in other ways.  Many of us in the west live in a constant state of comfort.  This is a reasonably modern human condition.  Even my grandparents had to deal with food scarcity.  Most of us are shielded from the weather and can adjust temperatures of our environment on a whim.  Our lives are packed with stuff and more ways to entertain ourselves than we could conceivably ever make use of.  When it’s just you and the few possessions you’re willing to drag with you out in the backcountry, things start to get interesting.  You hope that you didn’t forget anything crucial.  You cross your fingers that the weather will cooperate.  Roll the dice that you’ll get to a good location and setup camp before the sun goes down.

    And then it gets dark… what was that sound?  Holy shit, the moon is bright… I hope I can get some sleep tonight before I need to hike many more miles tomorrow.  Guaranteed, that on just about any trip that you take, at least one of these things (or something else) will happen.  And guess what?  You will deal with it!  Your only other option is hiking back to civilization.

    Joy 4: Backpacking makes you a better Planner

    There’s nothing like one of these “borderline disaster trips” to make you reevaluate everything.  Every failure is a potential learning experience.  Get caught by unexpected weather?  You will be sure to have some way of making sure that doesn’t happen in the future.  Setup your tent on a slope and the blood rushing into your heads makes it so you’re unable to sleep at night?  You will spend more time evaluating your placement next time.

    Something as simple as forgetting to put your headlamp around your neck or in your pocket after setting up camp will prompt you to run through scenarios in your mind ahead of time even on the next day of your current trip.  I’ve found that as I backpack more… especially solo… I go through visualization exercises in just about everything I do, imagining potential ways that things can go wrong and thinking of potential solutions ahead of time.

    Joy 5: Backpacking is great for evaluating redundancies

    You can easily go overboard with planning.  Just one mini-disaster will have you looking for new gear or solutions to prevent it from happening.  This leads to a gear explosion as you start to pack redundant methods to potentially deal with them.  Extra batteries, several different ways of creating fire, additional clothes and food… The problem is, every extra gram starts to add up.  I’ve started evaluating gear the way Alton Brown evaluates kitchen equipment… look for ‘multitaskers’ 😀 If something is only good for one thing… especially if it’s likely to be rarely used, I actively look for something else that fits the bill that can serve double duty.

    Joy 6: Backpacking will make you respect nature

    No matter how you feel about nature before your first trip, backpacking will give you a new found respect for it.  If you already love it, the first occasion where you are unprepared for the weather that Mother Nature throws at you, you will be humbled.  If you haven’t found any respect for it yet, a few hikes with others will have you well versed in the principles of Leave No Trace in no time.  After a handful of experiences in the backcountry, you’ll be able to fully relax and experience the joy of the sights and sounds that your section of the world has to offer!

    Go for a hike

    If you’ve never spent a night on trail, I hope that I convinced you to give backpacking a try.  If you’re already experienced, maybe I provided some motivation to go more frequently and/or take someone new with you.  Either way, I want to hear from you about your own personal joys of backpacking.  If you’re interested in checking out my current gear list, I maintain it here. If you need to grow/upgrade your gear collection, I have a ‘Hiking’ section on my affiliate page with some discounts.  You can always follow my backpacking (and other) adventures on instagram.  If you want to create the ultimate backpacking experience, check this out.

  • Fermenting Solutions

    My email newsletter is entitled Fermenting Solutions. It started years ago as an effort to ‘dog food’ AWeber’s Curate mobile app. It’s a semi regular chronicle of a current project that I’m spending time on… the trials, tribulations and the interesting beverages I’ve had to drink while trying to work through them. You can read past issues here. If you’re interested in getting all new issues in your inbox, you can sign up using the form below.