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Click on the video images to view presentations on wild food and medicine.  The most recent topics are shown.  To visit the archive and view all the videos, click here.

From Tree to Table:  gathering and processing acorns (12 November 2012):  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). Unfortunately, much of the traditional knowledge about this wild food has been lost and many misconceptions abound. This video presents one manner of preparation and presents concepts important for bringing this wild food into people's diet.

Plant Foods of the Paleo Diet (18 June 2012):  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. As a result, they possess fewer nutrients, have altered phytochemistry, less fiber per unit mass (i.e., more sugars), and have distorted essential fatty acid profiles (compared to similar wild foods). This is especially true of modern produce, where uniformity of ripening, ability to withstand long periods of transportation, and similar qualities are considered important (no where is nutritional density factored in). Paleo Diet authors that are promoting fruit smoothies and other foods over actual wild plants or minimally modified cultivated plants would best serve their followers by learning about real wild foods and passing on that knowledge.

Paleo Diet Myths (13 May 2012):  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 using contemporary plants and animals. Some of the plants and types of animal foods that are categorically avoided in this diet were in fact eaten by Native Americans. This necessitates re-evaluating aspects of this diet, or, at least, being more specific with certain guidelines so that followers of this diet can have better information to assist their dietary choices.