The Reason We Kiss by Forrest Maready 

“Syntropy is, in a way, the opposite of science. Science studies things. Syntropy studies the relationship between things. Science zooms in. Syntropy zooms out. It's an absolutely new way of looking at the world and all the life upon it. Even beyond the earth, in some ways. I'm really excited about this book—I think it may change the way many people think about health”
 
So says the author Forrest Maready who has become my latest interest. That description sums it up for me. We must think differently about health! The book is in stock here and I cannot wait to read it! Published at the same time as the Germ in the Dairy Pail I know it won’t disappoint! 

​Anne Maher

The Germ in the Dairy Pail by Forrest Maready

I do love a book about raw milk, and here is the latest one… cannot wait to read it, but here is the review on Amazon!
 
Once revered as nature's perfect nourishment, milk became public enemy number one as germ theory unleashed collective panic about the invisible world within our food. Forrest Maready uncovers the fascinating, forgotten story of how this fear—epitomised by the notorious "swill milk" scandal—reshaped our food landscape forever.
 
Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Maready reveals a provocative truth: the dangers attributed to raw milk stemmed not from the beverage itself, but from rapid industrialisation that compromised its natural integrity. While modern processes stripped milk of its inherent benefits, countless healing stories persisted—including John D. Rockefeller's remarkable recovery on a raw milk diet when conventional medicine had failed him.
 
The Germ in the Dairy Pail weaves history, science, and cultural analysis into an eye-opening narrative that challenges our modern distrust of natural foods. As raw milk experiences a renaissance today, Maready's timely investigation invites readers to question the fear-based policies dominating our food systems and reconsider the delicate balance between safety and nature's wisdom. A must-read for anyone who cares about the forces shaping what we eat—and the forgotten wisdom we've left behind.

Anne Maher

I was blessed to meet Bob Quinn at the Wise Traditions conference recently. The wisdom of his experience as a grain farmer was inspiring and I have devoured his book Grain by Grain with gusto since. The book will end up on my shelf to be shared but here he is chatting to Hilda about his life and work as an organic farmer in Montana. 

https://www.westonaprice.org/podcast/40-years-of-farming-organically-has-it-been-worth-it-with-bob-quinn/#gsc.tab=0  

Anne Maher

Wise Traditions is the podcast to recommend this month..( again) but I wanted to highlight this episode in particular. Hilda interviews Sally Fallon Morell founder of the Weston A Price Foundation in the USA. I have learned so much from her. When she came to Ireland in 2015 she reminded us to look after our farmers before they were gone..her wise words resonated and still do. If you haven’t had the pleasure please do check this one out.

Wise Traditions Podcast

Over 500 episodes to listen to as you delve deeper! Enjoy!

Anne Maher

This month I am recomending a podcast rather than a book.

​I had a listen to the first podcast of Dr. Richard Rocker lately and want to draw you attention to it.

https://www.rockerclinic.com/podcast/  Called The Integrative Continuum

Richard describes it as a
“Go-to source for cutting-edge insights into health, fitness, rehabilitation, and holistic medicine.

Diving into the world of Functional, Integrative, and Natural Medicine, exploring how we can bridge science, practice, and holistic therapies to restore health and vitality. Each episode will feature practical insights, inspiring conversations, and real tools you can use on your own health journey.”

This may be a very useful tool in your virtual medicine cabinet. 

​Anne Maher

This is not quite a book review, but still a reflection of the times we live in! Technology has taken over! I was keen to recommend a book written in 2012 – an oldie but a goodie, but when looking to source it, I made the executive decision to not go ahead with getting this book for The Urban Co-op.

You may have this one somewhere or not, but if you come across the book “Make Yourself Better” by Philip Weeks in a second-hand shop, snap it up! A simple read, but it covers so many areas of health and how you can do as it says on the tin.. make yourself better. 

A compromise, though, is his website – updated with his wisdom and in a readable form too, so I am highlighting it for you to check out. You may be able to get that answer you are looking for. 

Anne Maher

Let's Talk Shit by Dr Sabine Hazan

I heard an interview with Dr. Sabine Hazan recently and was hooked. The topic of fecal transplants is fascinating but we should be joining the dots as the realisation of the diversity of our gut flora is critical to our health. (Lay of the sterilisers!)

Let’s Talk Shit is a humorous, easy to digest (no pun intended!) explanation of gastrointestinal disorders, their current treatments, as well as next generation hope for heart disease, obesity, autism, Alzheimer’s, and more. From constipation to cancer, research indicates that our unique microbiomes may be the basis for future advances in health and wellness.

​Anne Maher

I know this is the second time I have recommended this book but there is a reason why. It is brilliant. The very foods we are told not to eat because they are apparently bad for us and the environment. Nina brings us through what I will call a crime scene. The academic world that brought us the guidelines of nutritional advice. This is one of those books that when you get to digest it as part of your health journey you will not be disappointed. I have such respect for what Nina has put together here. A major piece of the puzzle of how we are all subject to the social experiment of nutrition advice. Food fads, diets and dogma along the way have been successful by sidelining the very foods that nourish us. Folk are waking up to it though. They smell a rat. And rightly so. The same playbook is used to convince us to adopt other health advice. This book was an eye opener for me… thank you Nina! 

​Anne Maher