A video of some time spent in the Dawn-land (extreme southeastern Maine) camping, exploring, wildcrafting medicine, and deriving nutrition. We had some modern gear to facilitate cooking and fishing, but otherwise relied on the lessons of the indigenous of the area to feed ourselves.

In this video, wildcrafter Arthur Haines leads people through gathering and processing one of the most important wild foods of the North American continent--the acorn. Turning the fruit of the oak tree into a nourishing food is part of many people's heritage (including those of European-descent).

This video is intended to help people think about the modification of plant foods and how those changes relate to the Paleo Diet. The Paleo Diet was designed to mimic the wild foods of indigenous people. Unfortunately, many plant foods recommended by authors of this diet bear little similarity to the wild plants that were used to create them.

Arthur Haines discusses several myths of the paleo diet, specifically addressing some of the restrictions of this diet. The Paleo Diet is attempting to mimic the diet of the indigenous (and their ancestors) using contemporary plants and animals.

Arthur Haines discusses a few items of foraging philosophy and shares some of the spring-emerging plants that he seeks out for wild food. Plants generally present mild-tasting foliage at this time and can be better tolerated as raw food. Wild plants are ideal for cleansing and detoxification, important items given the long period indoors after the winter season.

Arthur Haines describes the values of adaptogens for contemporary people and discusses the collection of a wild adaptogen that has been largely overlooked by modern wildcrafters. Adaptogens are documented to assist athletes with recovery from strenuous exercise, prevent illness and disease, function as antioxidants, promote longevity, fight cancer, assist with depression and insomnia, protect the liver, improve brain function, assist with sexual dysfunction, and potentiate the effects of other medicines.

Arthur Haines discusses one of the wild, anadromous fish (rainbow smelt) returning to fresh waters in the east as a source of the sacred roe and milt used by indigenous people to prepare both women and men for conception and childbirth.

Arthur Haines briefly discusses various changes in hominids, the path we currently walk, and the need for a new kind of person.

Arthur Haines discusses how the indigenous of North America made fruit leather from choke cherry and demonstrates using simple kitchen tools.

Arthur Haines shows an efficient way to gather cattail pollen for food.

Arthur Haines concludes his discussion of pine pollen's ability to protect the body from radioactive particles.

Arthur Haines describes how pine pollen provides multiple avenues of protection against radioactive cesium. The endogenous antioxidants that are promoted by pine pollen are protective of DNA against radioactive particles.

Arthur Haines shares ways that you can defend your health from the radiation escaping the nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan. The video discusses methods of boosting endogenous antioxidants, use of clay, important vitamins, and foods to avoid.

Arthur Haines shares some information about the collection and nutrition of maple sap.

Arthur Haines briefly discusses the winter collection of roses in the northeastern United States. The hips can be enjoyed baked into bread, brewed in tea and kombucha, eaten fresh from the plant, and many other ways. Arthur usually dries them for long-term storage (lightly pounding the hips to open and flatten them will hasten their drying).

Arthur Haines concludes his discussion of anneda, the tree of life.

Arthur Haines talks about the tree of life referred to as anneda by some native cultures. The health benefits of consuming this tree are mentioned, along with some interesting history surrounding this plant.

Arthur Haines briefly discusses the nutritional density of wild plants and presents some comparisons.

Arthur Haines concludes some methods of preparing chaga mushroom for medicine.

Arthur Haines describes why it is important to prepare chaga mushroom correctly.