The island of Oahu has some of the best mid-range hikes in all of Hawai’i. While the best hikes on Oahu aren’t always obvious to outsiders, locals know that apart from Stairway to Heaven– a fabled, dangerous, and technically illegal hike that you should not attempt– social media and the Internet forums are making many […]
nature
At This Charming Paw Paw Festival in Maryland, America’s “Secret Fruit” Shines
Momentum is growing behind a beautiful Paw Paw Festival that takes place at a 25-acre homestead in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Frederick, Maryland– an event that’s fast becoming one of the DMV area’s best-kept secrets in the realm of local food. Organized by permaculturist and landscape designer Michael Judd of Ecologia […]
Easy Chestnut Hummus (Yes, Chestnut Hummus!)
This easy recipe for chestnut hummus combines cooked chestnuts with olive oil, garlic, tahini, lemon and spices to make a lovely, velvety, bean-free hummus. I first became aware that chestnut hummus was “a thing” when I attended a permaculture-focused paw paw festival that espoused the power of growing and cooking with native fruit and nut […]
An Insider’s Guide to Kennebunkport, Maine
Once known merely as the dreamy backdrop of the Bush family compound, Kennebunkport, Maine is a tiny New England town on the state’s rocky southern coast– the perfect place to have a quintessential New England beach experience. Today, however, Kennebunkport also has a hotel and restaurant scene that makes it a world-class summer travel destination. […]
An Insider’s Guide to O’ahu, Hawai’i (25 Cool Things to Do)
O’ahu, Hawai’i is a very unique and special island, often described as “Hawai’i’s gathering place” because of how it’s positioned, culturally and otherwise, as the island’s ambassador to the West. Honolulu, the state capital, is located here, and it’s the most urban region of Hawai’i. Ultimately, its accessible accommodations, navigability, and friendly cosmopolitanism make O’ahu […]
6 Beautiful, Easy Upstate New York Day Trips From NYC
When you live in New York City, rugged nature can seem worlds away, far removed from the hustle of daily life. It’s easy to forget that so many great hikes and cultural institutions also reside just beyond the city limits, easily accessible by train (or, if you’re feeling fancy, a rental car). Below, we spotlight […]
Peanut Butter Acorn Flour Energy Balls (Yes, You Can Eat Acorns)
Acorn flour is a really special ingredient that is increasingly central to conversations about sustainable agriculture, foraging, and permaculture. Acorns are a ubiquitous tree nut whose mother tree (oak trees) provide unnumerable ecosystem services, from carbon offsetting to providing shelter and sustenance for local wildlife. Not to mention: their nuts are incredibly nutritious, rich in […]
9 Gorgeous Vineyards For Wine Tasting in Charlottesville, Virginia
Going wine tasting in Charlottesville, Virginia is a Bucket List experience in this beloved foodie town, which is secretly one of the most beautiful places to go wine tasting in America. Celebrity Chef Jose Andres once said that this bucolic, verdant region of the Blue Ridge is “more beautiful than the Napa Valley”! (And […]
This Redbud Pink Lemonade Recipe is a Delight of Antioxidants
This easy redbud pink lemonade recipe combines bright pink redbud flowers with water, citrus juice, and sugar to make a gorgeous, colorful spring drink that can be mixed with seltzer, coconut water, or any cocktail or mocktail in need of a little pizazz. The naturally-occurring anthocyanins in the petals turn this lemonade a gorgeous baby […]
5 Beautiful Places to Go Strawberry Picking in Northern Virginia (2026 Edition)
When May and June roll around, it’s strawberry-picking time in Northern Virginia. This is a great Mother’s Day and/or Father’s Day activity, depending on whether the season starts early or goes long. For two or three precious weeks in the early fruit season, picking strawberries in Northern Virginia becomes the region’s most lovely agricultural activity– […]