Blue Bunch Farm Podcast

Dana is a long time friend, a trailblazer of the Slow Food Movement in the Okanagan as well as an epic Chef and Baker. She lives and bakes by these principles: 1) Eat locally & seasonally 2) Shop at farmers markets 3) Plant a garden 4) Conserve, compost and recycle 5) Engage all of your senses 6) Cook together & eat together 7) Remember that food is precious Alice Waters "The Art of Simple Food" which she quoted at every iconic Farm to Table dinner, hosted at Gods Mountain in Penticton when she and her husband Cameron Smith were running Joy Road Catering. Onto a new project, Dana has just opened "the Grist" a microbakery in Penticton, using organic and freshly milled grains by a local miller. Her craft, enthusiasm for the craft of artisan baking, the ethics of the local food scene and the quality of her products are a reflection of this conversation recorded in beautiful Kelowna, B.C. Find her at: https://gristmicrobaker.ca/ Instagram @dana.bakes.cooks

January, the great transformation chamber. After the holidays we are so often feeling the blues of indulding over the holidays. Having to go back to the hustle of life after enjoying a break and combinging all these realities with sugar & alcohol withdrawals. As we apporach the year of the horse, which is to bring action, movement, vitality and freedom, this episode is just about that, finding happiness in the "simple" things in life and turning the "blues" into inspiration Book References" "Do Less" - Kate Northrup "You Money or your Life" Joseph Dominguez & Vicki Robin

Chef David has been an important part of the Kamloops community for a long time. His kind, calm and confident demeanor flow through this conversation as we talk food industry, purpose, passion for food, tradition, integrity of labour, food security and connecting our kitchen to the local farming industry. Book Reference: Vandana Shiva "Earth Democracy"

Christine is a professor of communications at TRU, has a masters of linguistics and is overall and exceptionally well read human. In this conversation we go all over the map of language, political speeches, art therapy, meditation, grief, burnout, concussions and social interactions. Christine has a gift for interpeting the human experience from an internal perspective and bringing to light what matters in life. Please enjoy this conversation, we certainly have! Book references: Pema Chodron "When things fall apart" Parker Palmer "Let your life speak" David Allen "Getting things done" Eleanor H. Porter "Pollyanna" Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi "Flow" Daniel Kahneman "Thinking Fast & Slow" Stephen Pressfield "The war of Art" Foundation of Inner Peace "A course in Miracles"

More is never enough, right? When it comes to meeting the basic requirements to fullfill our needs in this current society we are expected to "hustle". Insomnia, digestive issues and mood disorders are often the pay off for dysregulation and overwork. Pushing oneself past the physical signs of the bodies need for rest, sleep and proper nutrition a normal expectation of our culture. This podcast is about hustling and looking at making adjustments to ones life, changing patterns of behaviour and possibly finding new ways to make change. Book Reference: "Your Money or your Life" Joseph Dominguez & Vicki Robin

Did you know that glucose spikes aka blood sugar spikes have a huge impact on your mood, energy level, skin issues and sleep? Jumping down the rabbit hole of chronic fatigue, metabolic health, mental health and how massively what you eat affects your daily life experience. Therese Guiguet, a dear friend, opens up in this episode on her journey of being diagnosed with pre diabetes and high cholesterol. Stablilizing her bloodwork and loosing 30 lb within a few months of changing how and what she put in her body. Needless to say a very inspiring episode. No matter what your daily routine of eating, looking at your sugar spikes is a very easy way to improve your overall health and life experience. Book References: "Glucose Revolution" Jessie Inchauspe "Change your Diet, Change your Mind" Dr. Georgia Ede Low Glucose Soaked Muesli Recipe: (4-5 portions) 2 tbsp flax - grind in you blender 1/2 cup almonds 2.5 cups of water - blend water, flax, almonds and seasonings salt, citrus zest, vanilla, cinnamon - to taste in your jar: 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1/4 cup hemp seeds 1/4 cup chia seeds pour almond milk mixture over seeds, stir and soak overnight

How do we relate to each other? Why are romantic relationships so difficult and families such a trigger? How we relate is a direct reflection of our internal world, how we learned to attach in early childhood and our patterns of behaviour in our current environment. Book References: Attached (Amir Levine & Rachel Heller) Liberated Love (Kyle McBeth & Mark Groves) Brene Brown (Atlas of the Heart) A Course In Miracles (Foundation for Inner Peace) Braiding Sweetgrass (Robin Wall Kimmerer) Games People Play (Eric Berne)

This episode is estrogen heavy "literally". Dr. Melissa Bradwell is a Naturopath and expert in all things female hormones. She sheds light on the four stages of the female cycle. The balancing act between our liver, kidney & thyroid and what happens when things are not working correctly and the body compensates. How hormones are affecting our every day human experience, our relation to others, our energy level, physical capacity and brain function. You can find Melissa at the Total Health Clinic in Kamloops: https://www.totalhealthclinic.ca

Bonnie is an urban farmer, hide tanner, basket weaver, bee keeper, cider maker and a many other things... In this inspiring conversation this amazing woman describes the challenges of juggling urban farming, bee keeping and full time employment. The importance of indigenous wisdom applied to our culture and most of all the vulnerability of being human. Here are some of the conversation references: "Braiding Sweetgrass" - Robin Wall Kimmerer Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty https://www.indigenousfoodsystems.org/about

If you have always wanted to know what it is like to live the "self sufficient" life, this episode is packed with the romance and reality of modern homesteading. City girl turned farmer, Natalie tells the story of her journey moving from the city to an 80acre property in the Deadman Valley raising goats, rabbits, chickens and turkeys. The humbling journey of making it through wild fires, killing her first animals for meat. The difficulty finding life/work balance owning a farm and the importance of sustainable practices. Through their farm business Deadman Acres Natalie & her husband Tanner host farm stays in two Cabins, mill custom lumber, teach workshops on sustainablle food practices and provide farm products such as soaps, hand crafted cosmetics and ethically raised lifestock for consumption. Check out their website to get in touch: www.deadmanacres.com

What does it mean to function optimally? This question is beyond diet, exercise and sleep. This episode is about what it means to be human. The beauty of the highs and lows of life. How limitations are the best frame work for where to start to make change and how to adapt instead of react to life. Book References: Pema Chodron "when things fall apart" Mosche Feldenkrais "the elusive obvious" Podcast References: Andrew Huberman "the huberman lab podast" Somatic Meditation: www.bluebunchfarm.com

A conversation of the visceral experience of sound. How Art and Play are the most essential practices to ensure longevity and happiness. Planting the seed of a project to see it grow roots and become a big tree of inspiration. This was one of my most pleasant and inspiring conversations as of late, make sure to check out Ernie Essay in geist magazine: https://www.geist.com/fact/acoustic-memory

How much, on what and for how long we pay attention to things shapes our entire human experience. This episode is one to inspire time and attention as one of our most precious resources. Book Reference: "Stolen Focus" by Johann Hari Podcast Referece: "You make Sense" Sarah Baldwin

Logan isn't just talented, smart and incredibly good at what he does, he is also an amazing human being. Find all that and the secrets to his perfectly balanced brews in this weeks episode. As a young entrepreneur he shares tips and tricks on what makes a good start up and how to not let work get in the way of having fun. Insights into the folks that inspired his path and most of all the relationship Logan carries on with the community at the Kamloops Farmers Market. How to get in touch with Logan: www.taprootferments.ca Insta @taprooterments

In this episode we take a deep dive into what it means to be dependent and to which degree dependency is natural and good for us. Whether our dependencies are social, envionmental, habitual or economical. How to get back to base line and reevaluate what are good habits and what is impulse behaviour. Book reference: Johann Hari "Stolen Focus"

Jamie is the very person creating awareness and supporting communities in relation to Mining Companies. Mining being a big factor in the Canadian economy and supporting a lot of families income is also a mayor contributor of fossil fuel and water polution. Is it possible to find a balance where we don't take more than what we need and once again find a way to live in harmony with the earth giving back as much if not more than what we take from our environment? Is the price we pay for "wealth" and "comfort" worth our extinction? Listen in and judge for yourself. how to get in touch with Jamie: www.miningwatch.ca [email protected]

Steve gives us insight into the beginning of Ikigai Farms. Words of wisdom from his life experiences, his mentors and the difference between surviving or thriving as a farmer. The challenges and experiments of learning each year, the art of seed saving and the culture of being part of the Farmers Market community. "There is not happiness if it can't be shared" were his words after his return from a five year hiatus to South America. And MAN are we lucky to have Steve grow veggies for us. I had an epic time recording this conversation with my dear friend and I am positive you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Book reference: The Market Gardener by Jean Martin Fortier How to get in touch with Steve: [email protected]

Cindy and I are neighbors and close friends. I always call her one of my most "eccentric" friends because Cindy lives and breaths spirituality. Cindy is on the path of enlightenment, the healing of the planet and genuinly loves and cares about all beings in this universe. This conversation is about Suede Hills, her and her husband Phils farm, how it came about, what they do and why their products help people feel better. Their vegan and alkaline diet program has been an inspiration to many who have recovered from mayor health obstacles through their guidance. Check out their website www.suedehills.com

Hold your horses everyone, this episode is real girltalk. Taylor & Brooklyn started "The London", an intimate eventspace, cafe, apothecary and tea room a couple years ago. In this epic conversation with these two bad ass women, we cover live music events, mocktails, the gift of expressing your anger, boundaries, motherhood, vaginal issues, coops, art, creativity, the challenge of small business and somatic work. If I may give these ladies a huge shout out and ask that you please pop in for a tea o mocktail to check out this creative space when you are in the town of Kamloops! This is how to get in touch with them to book your next event: [email protected] check out their web page: www.thelondoncreative.ca book reference: "A Dance ofAnger" Harriet Lerner

Tristan Cavers wears many hats, as an organic farmer, jiu jitssu instructor, political activist, volunteer firefighter, ski patroller and family man. The story of how Golden Ears Farm came about, the successes, failures and challenges of farming organic vegetables. The history of the farm, the family and the evolution to their current CSA box program. I conversation rich in the enthusiasm about life and how to stay excited about hitting the ground running.

Boudaries are the bridge between our relational, external and interal world. Learning how to navigate the triggers of a boundary being crossed, being assertive instead of reactive. The power of choice and the liberated feeling of knowing when to stand up for your well being is an important skill to practice. Book references: A Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner Liberated Love by Mark Groves and Kyle McBeath The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck

What motivates us, to do anything? I was pondering this question for a number of weeks. This, the last episode of season one wraps up a collection of thoughts on purpose, meaning and boundaries. The ability to say no to things, people and behaviours that no longer serve us. The external pressures of life and how struggle can be a very important motivator. Book reference: The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate Cover Photo: Pony Blue - the master of "No"

An educational conversation about sustainable fashion and what it is not. How companies "green wash" a sustainable image. How to build better textile habits, delaying gratification instead of impulse buying. Why donating your clothes is not necessarily the best option and where garments go if our thrift stores do not re sell them. Sustainable Fashion Company Shout Outs: ecoaya.com kotn.com Find Eva's podcast: wtf.wearthefuture

This episode is a close up look on coping behaviour, the need to belong, fit in and the path of how bad addiction can get. Chris raw and vulnerable story of addiction, retox, rehab and recovery via the 12 steps has been a humbling journery. It inspires a good look at ones habit structure, the motivation to practice awareness and change. Book references: Connor Beaton "Men's Work" Mark Groves & Kylie McBeth "Liberated Love" Jordan Peterson "12 Rules for Life" Russell Brant "Recovery"

This episode is about "dopamine" the reward processing neurotransmitter balancing our pain/pleasure center. With rates on depression sky rocketing since the 1990's, taking a good look at ones dopamine "bank account" and where we deplete our "savings" is an interesting exercise. This subject is about awareness and radical self honesty.

Are you holding your breath when you write a text message or email? "email apnea", snoring, anxiety and ADHD are all related to how we breathe. The purpose of this episode is to bring more awareness to the thing we do all day long, we breathe, and most of us, do so incorrectly without even knowing. Book reference: James Nester "Breath"

A conversation on how alcohol and the culture of drinking deelply influences our lives. Our need for beloning and "fitting in" early in our adolecent years shape patterns of behaviour that ultimately do not serve us later in life. Thoughts on liberating yourself from social pressures of the "normal" consumption" of alcohol and the reality of ultimately living a better life.

This episode is a special insight into Brody's life from his early start in fine dining, to michelin star cookery, the bocuse d'or and to today's entrepreneurism. If you haven't alread appreciated what goes on in this magic little shop in our town, you'll most definitely do so after listening to this episode. Cheers!

This is an in depth discussion on what makes our economic world turn. "Consumption is an expression of our relationships with each other and the natural world" Kim Naqvi, Professor of Geography at Thompson River University, shares her insight on everyday activism, the reality that we are servants of our economy and the fact that consuming is the very thing that brings us together. I hope you enjoy this dialogue as much as I did.

"tonic immobility" not being able to get out of your head has not much to do with laziness, it is a trauma response. A place our body goes to for safety. Book reference Dr. Peter Levine "in an unspoken voice".

In this episode Andrea talks about regenerative agriculture, wildfires, friendship and the amazing sense of belonging real connection brings about. If you'd like to get check out details about the Ranch here is her web page www.bunchgrass.ca FaceBook Bunchgrass Wild-Grazed Beef or Instagram bunchgrass_wild_grazed_beef

The journey of inquiring about workaholism, restlessness, emotional holding patterns and how to access the nervous system to flip the switch.

In this highly nourishing conversation Steph is talking about Osteopathy, how the body stores trauma, creates holding patterns and investigations on how to better deal with the stresses of modern life. If you would like to get in touch with Steph or book an appointment, you can reach out to her via FaceBook or email her [email protected]