Celebrating Light and Growth
A Winter Solstice Offering: 50% Off Your Annual Subscription
As the winter solstice approaches, that profound moment when darkness reaches its peak before giving way to lengthening days, I have found myself reflecting on the incredible journey we have shared with Enlightened Omnivore, which began at this time nearly a year ago. I am so thankful for my more than 5,000 followers, and I thought it was time to give back to you. So, through December 21st, I’ll be offering my Enlightened Omnivore annual subscriptions at 50% off!
The winter solstice has long been recognized by cultures around the world as a pivotal moment in Earth's journey around the sun. The Hopi people of the American Southwest perform their Soyal ceremony, calling the sun back from its winter slumber with sacred rituals and prayer stick offerings. In China, the Dongzhi Festival marks this time with family gatherings and the eating of tang yuan – sweet rice balls in warm broth that symbolize reunion and completeness. The ancient French would light their yule logs, letting them burn through the longest night to ensure the sun's return, while Celtic communities built roaring bonfires, pushing back against the encroaching darkness. Across cultures, people gathered, often for several days of feasting and celebration, to mark the sun's gradual return and the promise of longer days ahead.
Like these ancient traditions, the growing community at Enlightened Omnivore has been a source of light and warmth for me throughout the year. When I started writing last December, I couldn't have imagined the thoughtful discussions, shared discoveries, and meaningful connections that would emerge. Your engagement, questions, suggestions, and insights have transformed this experiment from a simple newsletter into a vibrant community of conscious eaters and mindful living advocates.
As we mark this pivotal moment in the solar cycle – not just the year's darkest day, but the beginning of light's return – I want to give an offering of something special to both my loyal supporters and newcomers alike:
Winter Solstice Special Offer
Annual subscriptions are 50% off through December 21st (regular price is $75)
Annual gift subscriptions are also 50% off
As always, paid subscribers get access to the entire archive of 70+ articles, annual podcast series, recipes, recommendations, and butcher hacks, and the ability to comment and ask questions on every post. I’ll also share a few more perks and special offerings in the new year.
Just as our ancestors gathered to share food and stories during these long winter nights, I invite you to expand the growing circle of enlightened eaters by offering your friends and family gift subscriptions. Introduce them to this growing tribe of conscientious eaters and food culture consumers. Your subscription—and those you give to others—helps sustain my work, and fuels our collective exploration of mindful eating, sustainable food systems, and conscious living.
To my current paid subscribers: your support has been the steady flame that's motivated me to keep this project burning. You've made it possible for me to dig deeper, research further, interview more experts, and share more about my favorite topics, whether it be a podcast on food system monopolies, how to make bacon, or mushrooms in space. Your ongoing support means that I can also continue to work on my book Pruning, a book about how a middle-aged man finds healing and purpose while pruning his aunt's 130 olive trees in the South of France.
To those who've been reading from the sidelines: as the light begins to return, consider this your invitation to step closer to the fire. Join as a paid subscriber and become part of a community that's reimagining its relationship with food, one thoughtful bite at a time. You’ll get access to the entire archive of 70 posts, 12 cooking recipes and tips, six podcasts, several multi-part series on food sustainability and travel, and be invited to engage in the comments and discussions of my now more than 5,000 followers.
Like the ancient winter solstice celebrations, this special offer marks a time of transition and renewal. Whether you're renewing your subscription, or joining for the first time, you're helping to ensure that Enlightened Omnivore's light continues to shine through the coming year.
Let's welcome the returning light together.
Thank you all, and I hope you have a warm, bright, and illuminating new year.
This special offer ends on the winter solstice, December 21. Please don’t miss out on being part of my enlightened community in the year ahead.