Page 71 - Fall2020

All Thumbs Book Reviews

crops—recognizing that more roots mean more how to extract, ferment, capture and apply a wide Just as a food
solar energy conversion, which means more range of minerals and biologicals to bolster plant
underground microbiome activity. Moreover, health and yields—every one with full recipes or diet that
contrary to what many growers think, plants and step-by-step instructions. This makes it works for one
generally benefit from being in close proximity easy to modify and customize according to your person may
to other plants instead of abandoned in desert particular plant and soil needs (again based on
islands of garden isolation. your test results). be a poor fit
Another theme that the book emphasizes is I thoroughly enjoyed The Regenerative for another
customization. Just as a food or diet that works Growers Guide to Garden Amendments. Not
for one person may be a poor fit for another, so only does Palmer understand what promotes soil person, so it
it is with caring for your soil. Your soil test re- and plant health, but he gives readers many prac- is with caring
sults, local resources, crop selection and numer- tical ways to apply these techniques, either with for your soil.
ous other factors will determine how you take different crops or as a system to use across an
the varied techniques and options that Palmer entire growing cycle each year. Much of the in-
presents and apply them to your particular place formation that he provides mirrors exactly what
and space. we teach when we offer classes on our farm/
My favorite part of the book was the final homestead to help new growers understand the
chapter titled “Amendment Recipes.” Many beautiful interplay between chemistry, biology
books talk about the importance of using various and energy that grows food and soil at the same
techniques and approaches to support soil and time. Whether you are an experienced grower
plant health, but this long chapter shows read- or new to the gardening game, Palmer’s book is
ers exactly how to accomplish it and furnishes worth reading. Two thumbs up.
a host of examples. Here you will see exactly Review by John Moody

LOW THIOL RECIPES: A DIET FOR MERCURY TOXICITY
By Jillaine Williams, BHSc, with Michelle Eady

The Wise Traditions diet is a set of principles; while following these principles, the foods you actually eat will depend
on your sensitivities and intolerances (as well as what is available and what you can afford). Every person will need to
adjust the diet to their own idiosyncracies.
That is why we like Low Thiol Recipes—it excludes certain foods that cause problems for those suffering from mer-
cury toxicity but still follows the Wise Traditions principles.
Thiols are sulfur-containing compounds that grab onto mercury. It turns out that they are not a good idea for those
with a toxic mercury load, because the bond with mercury compounds is not a strong one and “only serves to redistribute
mercury around the body, causing symptoms typical of heavy metal poisoning. . . . Free thiols in foods and supplements
are like a bus hurtling around inside the body with mercury as the highjacker at the wheel.”
The low-thiol diet is indeed restrictive; it excludes a number of sulfur-containing vegetables (turnips, asparagus,
cabbage, bok choy, cilantro, brussels sprouts, onions, cauliflower, broccoli and kale) but also dairy products, whey and
eggs. (The diet also excludes chocolate and coffee, which may be one reason people feel better on it!)
Not to worry: the recipes are varied and delicious and all follow Wise Traditions principles. Fermented foods, soaked
grains, unrefined salt, kombucha and bone broths form the basis of the diet, along with meat, fish, ghee and coconut
products. Although not on a low-thiol diet myself, I am looking forward to trying some of them—chili-lime sweet potato
chips, ginger-infused rice, carrots with honey-orange glaze, sauteed pork with lemon caper sauce, coconut poached
chicken with lime—they all sound delicious. (And for lots of people, a diet without turnips, kale or cauliflower is no
sacrifice at all!)
Many people find that their symptoms improve on the low-thiol diet—better gastrointestinal health, improved
concentration, more energy and the clearing of depression—for anyone with mercury fillings and suffering from these
conditions, the diet is definitely worth a try. Thumbs up! Review by Sally Fallon Morell

FALL 2020 Wise Traditions 69