We are excited to announce… that we are now an Authorized Affiliate of Excalibur dehydrators! There are 2 dehydrators that we really recommend, that line up with the standards we have for choosing a dehydrator that really works. Each has its own pluses. (See our Dehydrator Resources & Recommendations to see those “what to look for” guidelines.)

The Excalibur was the first dehydrator I used, 25 or so years ago. The biggest plus (in my opinion) that the Excalibur has over our other top pick is its large drying compartment, allowing you (when you take trays out) to put larger items in, like dishes or jars, for making “raw food” recipes – like yogurt or bars, raising bread, or even drying bouquets or other craft projects. The other thing I really like about it is the front door and slide in trays (like an oven). That makes it really convenient to add and remove foods. The Excalibur also has square trays  with no hole in the middle, which is handy when you want/need a solid square shaped food. And, without the motor/fan on the bottom, crumbs and spills are more easily cleaned up. No danger of harming your motor/fan from food getting in it.

Other features, that it shares with our other top pick, for good dehydrating are:

• adjustable thermostat, (from 85°-145°,) for the right temperature setting for the various things you dehydrate,
• air flows horizontally across each tray for more even drying and no flavor mixing (i.e. you can put different foods on different trays),
• opague (not transparent) for nutrient retention

The Excalibur also:

• is Made in the U.S.A. – all parts and assembly
• is Durable – backed by a 10 year warranty
• is the Top rated dehydrator by many in the “raw food” community – people who do a LOT of dehydrating, as well as used by many gourmets, Culinary Institutes and Universities
• has 15 Sq. Ft. of drying space (on the 9 tray model)
• has a 26 Hour Timer (option)

 Learn more about the Excalibur or purchase here.

Bottom Line: I’m not ready to fully give up our other dehydrator nor our recommendation for it. (It has features I love too.) But I am excited to offer the Excalibur as another excellent option. Take a look at both and see which will work best for you.

 Who needs a dehydrator?

Gardeners: Put up that produce for the winter – the fast, easy, and cool way that takes far less space and weighs far less than canned or frozen, and retains far more nutrients. Even if you don’t garden, stock up and dehydrate when foods are in season and on sale.

Outdoorsmen(women)/Hunters: Turn that meat into jerky. Again, it’s the easy way to store it in less space and with less weight. Don’t hunt? Like the non-gardener, buy when on-sale and make your own for far less money and far better nutrition than store-bought. Also make light weight foods to take with you for the campground or snacking along the way.

The Generally Health Conscious: Make easy healthy snacks for you and your children, for a fraction of the cost and better nutrition. Dried fruits, vegetable chips, leathers/roll ups, etc. with no added ingredients you don’t want in them.

Hobbiests: Whether you’re drying flowers, herbs, craft projects, or making doggie treats you’ll love a dehydrator.

Living Foods Eaters: Those on a high raw diet will love the Excalibur for preparing “gourmet” raw dishes, dehydrating snacks, and more – with the ability to set the temperature low enough to retain the viability of the “life force”/enzymes in the food.

YOU!

I wasn’t sure what to expect before I read the article. What was it going to suggest for bedding? Was it going to be against wool bedding? I was pleased to read the article and find it substantiated our choice of wool bedding.

When it comes to treating yourself to the best bedding possible – and thus the most optimal sleep experience – I fully recommend wool.

• Wool provides the perfect four-season comfort no matter where you live. That’s because wool is naturally thermo-regulating – it’s insulating in the cold, and cool and breathable when it’s warm.

With wool, you’re assured that you’ll never be too hot or too cold.

• Wool breathes naturally. When compared to other natural fibers as well as synthetics such as polyester, you’ll discover that wool offers unmatched breathability and comfort.
• Wool is hypoallergenic, so when encased in all-natural cotton coverings, people with even the most sensitive skin, including those with fibromyalgia, can enjoy the soothing benefits.
• Wool is a sustainable, ecologically-friendly resource. Unlike the impact of harvesting other natural bedding materials such as down, sheep continue to live long healthy, happy lives.
• Plus, since wool is naturally flame-resistant, you can always feel safe knowing that you and your loved ones will always be safe. Even if you hold a match to wool, it will self extinguish in moments.
• In addition, wool has an unmatched natural resilience – holding its crimp and loft longer than any other filling.
• And, since wool regulates your body’s temperature, you never sweat AND since it wicks away moisture and dries extremely quickly, it naturally doesn’t provide an environment for dust mites to live in.

The benefits of wool are wound up in its natural scientific properties…

Read the rest of the article, by Dr. Mercola, here.

Jack LaLanne died a few weeks ago – at age 96. Although I didn’t follow Jack much, (my dh did moreso from his body building reputation) his mentor, Paul Bragg, was, at least partially, one of mine also. And Jack was definitely a Health Hero, one to look to as a good example. George Malkmus wrote a tribute to Jack today. Below is part of it. Click the link after the excerpt to read the rest of the article.

… As I said at the start of this article, Jack LaLanne is one of my Health Heroes, and one I have tried to emulate in my life these past 35 years. It is my hope that after reading Jack’s testimony above, you will make him your Health Hero as well, and that you will desire to emulate his diet and lifestyle as I have. Share this article with your children!

For the first 15 years of his life, Jack ate the world’s diet, and you have read the consequences he suffered as a result. But at age 15, when challenged by Dr. Bragg to change his diet and start exercising, he took up the challenge and almost immediately started to see his sickly and weak young body become healthy and strong.

Hallelujah Health Tip by George Malkmus
read the rest of the article here