Book + Beverage: Summer 2021
Photo by Lauren Farrauto
THE BOOK
RADICAL REMEDIES: AN HERBALIST’S GUIDE TO EMPOWERED SELF-CARE
BY BRITTANY DUCHAM
When all else fails in your health and wellness journey, it might be time to return to the source of our most powerful healing ingredients — the Earth. Brittany Ducham’s new book Radical Remedies: An Herbalist’s Guide to Empowered Self-Care guides readers to get back in touch with the power of the planet and the abundant resources it provides for comprehensive self-care.
“When we start with simple practices — listening to our body, cultivating emotional intelligence, setting healthy boundaries, exercising, incorporating more whole foods and traditional eating ways, and working with a handful of medicinal plants — we realize that well-being has always been within our reach,” proclaims Ducham in the introduction.
From navigating stress and anxiety to relaxation and sleep to tending to one’s immunity, Ducham presents key information, recipes and guides for achieving your healthiest and happiest self. Infusions, tinctures, masks and teas are just a few of the types of recipes you’ll find in this detailed guide. Gorgeous illustrations provided by Elana Gabrielle grace many of the pages, depicting the integration of earth and body.
Radical Remedies will surely appeal to gardeners looking to employ their home-grown goodies into their self-care routine and kitchen creatives with the goal of perfecting the best concoction of ingredients in their recipes.
This summer, hunt around outside for some of the 25 most nourishing herbs Ducham points to and revitalize your life through nature’s plentiful gifts.
THE BEVERAGE
KOMBUCHA FROM GRAND JUN BEVERAGE CO.
As you soak in the sun’s rays and the book’s advice, sip on a refreshing glass of Jun kombucha from Grand Jun Beverage Co. based out of Grand Junction. Made with simple, organic ingredients that are good for your taste buds and your gut, Grand Jun’s variety of flavors are sure to satisfy this summer.
“Starting the company here in Grand Junction using raw, local, West Slope wildflower honey, local fruit, herbs and mushrooms from farms in Palisade to the North Fork Valley, as well as brewing in American oak barrels, gives Grand Jun kombucha a unique character that is smooth, healthy and rooted in our local environment,” explains owner Sarah “Woody” Wood.
These local flavor profiles definitely shine through in the kombucha. I tried the Strawberry Juniper, which was so refreshing and the perfect combination of classic kombucha flavor with bright strawberry notes. The ginger and juniper are excellent complements to the other flavors without being overpowering. Altogether, this drink makes for a slightly sweet, slightly tangy kombucha that’s sure to leave you coming back for another sip.
Grand Jun offers a variety of flavors, including Lemon Ginger, Elderberry Sage, Cucumber Basil and, of course, Strawberry Juniper. The “jun boochery” sells five- and 15-gallon kegs wholesale, as well as 16-ounce bottles and 64-ounce growlers. You can find Grand Jun in various local cafes, restaurants, grocery stores and farmers markets across the West Slope.
grandjun.com | @grand.jun
Originally published in the Summer 2021 issue