Food History Recipes & Roots Food History Recipes & Roots

Northern Flavours

Smoke curls lazily from the stovepipe of a log cabin tucked into the spruce-lined banks of the Nagwichoonjik (Mackenzie River). Inside, the air is thick with the scent of juniper and freshly caught arctic char simmering over the fire. A cast-iron pan crackles as bannock browns to a golden crisp, its dough flecked with wild herbs gathered from the forest floor. It’s not just a meal—it’s memory, survival, and ceremony passed down through generations.

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Greenland, Food History, Food Culture, Sustainability Recipes & Roots Greenland, Food History, Food Culture, Sustainability Recipes & Roots

The Evolution of Greenlandic Gastronomy

Greenland’s culinary landscape is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Rooted in Inuit food traditions that have sustained communities for centuries, Greenlandic cuisine is now being reimagined through modern culinary techniques and global influences. This evolution is driven by a growing interest in sustainability, cultural identity, and the need to adapt to a changing environment. As the world looks northward for new culinary experiences, Greenland is embracing innovation while fiercely preserving the essence of its traditional food culture.

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Recipes & Roots Recipes & Roots

Foraging on the Edge of the Arctic

The Arctic landscape of Greenland is often seen as barren—an expanse of ice and rock, where survival depends on the bounty of the sea. But those who know the land intimately understand that Greenland’s tundra, meadows, and fjord edges hold a quiet abundance. Beneath the short summer sun, the Arctic soil bursts into life, offering an array of edible plants, berries, and herbs that have sustained Indigenous communities for generations.

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Indigenous, Sustainability, Food History, Greenland Recipes & Roots Indigenous, Sustainability, Food History, Greenland Recipes & Roots

Seaweed in Greenlandic Cuisine

In Greenland’s harsh Arctic environment, where traditional agriculture is nearly impossible, the ocean has always been the primary source of nourishment. Fish, seal, whale, and other marine resources have long sustained Greenlandic communities, but one ingredient remains underappreciated despite its abundance and immense nutritional value: seaweed.

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Indigenous, Canada Recipes & Roots Indigenous, Canada Recipes & Roots

Reviving Inuit Throat Singing

The Arctic is alive with sound: the wind across the tundra, the cry of migrating birds, and the resonant voice of Inuit throat singing, or Katajjaq. For generations, Inuit women have engaged in this practice, exchanging breath and sound in a playful yet demanding competition.

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Personal Essay Sandra Nomoto Personal Essay Sandra Nomoto

You Had Me at Ube

As a child, I had a hard time eating. I had to eat, but I didn’t like it, except for sweets.

Breakfast and lunch were easy.

In elementary school, lunch was always sandwiches. Usually deli meat, but sometimes liver spread, or (bonus) peanut butter and jam or Nutella. Once, I almost choked on a piece of ham in sixth grade because it was so big and my dad hadn’t cut the fat off. 

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet

In a world grappling with the escalating impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality, Hannah Ritchie's Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet offers a hopeful yet realistic perspective on building a sustainable future. Ritchie's work is a compelling guide for individuals, policymakers, and organizations seeking actionable solutions to the urgent environmental challenges we face. With a balance of optimism and evidence-based research, this book presents a nuanced approach to sustainability, presenting a future where collaboration, innovation, and community effort drive meaningful change.

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Sustainability Recipes & Roots Sustainability Recipes & Roots

Sustainable Kitchen Habits

Each new year presents a fresh opportunity for reflection and renewal. As individuals, we seek to adopt healthier, more sustainable practices that align with our personal values and contribute to a healthier planet. In the kitchen, one of the most impactful and achievable goals is to reduce food waste. Food waste not only contributes to environmental degradation and the squandering of resources but also impacts our household budgets. By embracing sustainable kitchen habits, you can create a more efficient and eco-friendly approach to how you purchase, store, and utilize food.

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Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots

The Science of Soil

Soil is more than just dirt—it’s a living ecosystem and the foundation of any successful garden. Healthy soil ensures plants receive the nutrients, water, and support they need to thrive. While many gardeners focus on planting and harvesting, the secret to a bountiful spring lies in winter soil preparation.

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Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots

Sprouting Seeds

Growing your own sprouts and microgreens at home is not only rewarding but also cost-effective. With minimal investment, you can enjoy fresh, nutrient-rich foods right from your kitchen. You can often sacrifice a small table or section of countertop to keep yourself fresh in greens. 

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Book Review: Rooted by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit is a profoundly moving meditation on our relationship with the natural world. With a blend of lyrical prose, ecological insight, and personal reflection, Haupt offers readers a vision of a life grounded — both literally and metaphorically — in the rhythms of the Earth.

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Book Review: The Place of Tides by James Rebanks

James Rebanks’ The Place of Tides is an evocative journey into the rugged beauty of Norway’s coastal landscapes, interwoven with themes of solitude, renewal, and humanity’s deep relationship with nature.

Best known for his chronicles of life as a shepherd in the Lake District, Rebanks ventures further afield in this book, immersing himself in the rhythms of an island and its eider ducks. Yet, the heart of the book is unmistakably Rebanks: a thoughtful and deeply personal meditation on how the land shapes us and how we, in turn, shape it.

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Book Review: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake

Merlin Sheldrake’s Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures is an engaging exploration of an often-overlooked kingdom that underpins the very fabric of life on Earth.

With a rare combination of scientific rigor and literary grace, Sheldrake unveils the fascinating roles fungi play in ecosystems, economies, and even human consciousness. This book is not just a study of fungi but an invitation to reconsider our understanding of life itself.

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Book Reviews Shara Cooper Book Reviews Shara Cooper

Book Review: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance, Robin Wall Kimmerer offers a profoundly insightful exploration of how the principles of reciprocity and generosity — so deeply embedded in the natural world — can inspire a reimagining of our human economies.

Through her characteristic blend of scientific inquiry, indigenous wisdom, and lyrical storytelling, Kimmerer weaves together a vision of abundance that directly challenges the scarcity-driven narratives underpinning modern capitalism.

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Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots Gardening & Agriculture Recipes & Roots

Permaculture Zoning

Transforming your backyard into a thriving permaculture oasis begins with zoning — a fundamental principle of permaculture design. Zoning involves organizing your space based on the level of care and attention each area requires. By visualizing your yard as a series of concentric circles, you can create an efficient, sustainable layout that promotes productivity and harmony.

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