About

| who we are

Cranky Goat Publishing Ltd. is a small, innovative self-publishing venture company that challenges the way we see the world and the environment around us. Founded in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia by husband and wife team – Jennifer and Steve Hulme— Cranky Goat Publishing is a federally registered extra-provincial corporation which produces books, both in fiction and non-fiction format, that advocates the scientific principles which promote informed environmental decision-making and explores the application of ecological concepts to global environmental issues, policy, and political management.

The founding principle of Cranky Goat Publishing Ltd. is to provide education and insight into world environmental concerns, explore beneficial technologies and disseminate the latest research in environmental and ecological science surreptitiously through our fiction and non-fiction publications — allowing for a broader and potentially more appealing medium of consumer engagement. The ‘in your face” media awareness of global warming and incessant human greed has had little impact on our apathetic, consumer oriented society … so we are hoping a gentler, more discretionary tactic may prove to be enlightening and assist with raising greater awareness in an attempt to elucidate the trauma we have caused (and are continuing to cause) to Mother Earth and all the natural wonders she encompasses.

Who are we? Good question...

Who are we? Good question and a tough one to answer … we tend to be private people and generally like it that way, but in today’s ‘social networking’ atmosphere privacy is increasingly rare. We thought about creating one of those nifty bio blurbs you see at the back of many book covers, but that just isn’t our style. So here are some basics: Jennifer and I have been happily together for well over twenty five years; are both university educated; and both currently employed full-time as health care professionals … who would much rather be out sailing, cross country running, gardening, or simply hiking with our dog and exploring the world!

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Our combined academic background includes Neuroscience, Nursing, Psychology, Genetics, Pharmacy, Biochemistry and Health Law. I’ve chaired several inventor’s groups, dabbled in numerous patent developments and thoroughly enjoy exploring innovative ideas, breakthrough science and new technologies. Jennifer is definitely the ‘health nut’ in the family and intensely enjoys cooking gourmet foods and savouring a fine wine, particularly after a long run or hard day at work!

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Although we are a federally registered company and spend an extensive amount of time researching the information behind any of our various publications, we realistically do not plan to generate substantial income from this particular business venture. In fact, the majority of any earned revenue is fed directly back into Cranky Goat Publishing for scientific research and product development as well as the ongoing support of such causes as the promotion for more community based science cafés – a pet project of ours. A science café is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to learn about and explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings take place in cafés, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always on an informal basis outside the traditional academic context and the intent is to make science and technology more universally accessible and better understood. If interested, you can learn more at Laughing Dog Café.

Environmental Principles & Corporate Practices

Cranky Goat Publishing Ltd. embraces the principal of sustainable development, in which development meets the needs of the present without compromising the welfare of future generations. Cranky Goat Publishing Ltd. is committed to conducting its operations in a manner that minimizes environmental risk and adverse effects on the environment. Staff at Cranky Goat Publishing Ltd. are “environmentalists” in the sense that environmentalism is a broad philosophy and social movement regarding concerns for ecological conservation and improvement to the overall state of our environment.

It’s one world, and the only one we have, so let us all take care of it together…

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot

Gaia Theory

| Interdependence

The Gaia Theory is a compelling theory around understanding life on our planet; an interdisciplinary context that is enriching science at every level. The original theory asserts that living organisms and their inorganic surroundings have evolved together as a single living system that greatly affects the chemistry and conditions of Earth’s surface. Once perceived as a fringe or even ‘crackpot’ hypothesis, the Gaia Theory has since gained a very respectable following and inspired innovative ideas and practical applications for governments, economic systems, policy development, scientific inquiry, and a broad variety of other valuable international work…

The Gaia Theory was originally developed in the late 1960’s by Dr. James Lovelock, a British Scientist and inventor, shortly after his work with NASA in determining that there was probably no life on Mars. His research led to profound new insights about life on Earth. The theory gained an early supporter in Lynn Margulis, a microbiologist at the University of Massachusetts. In the past 15-20 years, many of the mechanisms by which Earth self-regulates have been identified and provides unbiased scientific verification that the principles behind the Gaia Theory are sound. As one example, it has been shown that cloud formation over the open ocean is almost entirely a function of the metabolism of oceanic algae that emit a large sulfur molecule (as a waste gas) that becomes the condensation nuclei for raindrops. Previously, it was thought that cloud formation over the ocean was a purely chemical/physical phenomenon. The cloud formation not only helps regulate Earth’s temperature, it is an important mechanism by which sulfur is returned to terrestrial ecosystems. This example alone, amongst a multitude of others, demonstrates both the fragility and globally sensitive nature of Earth’s symbiotic environmental relationships and ecological interdependence. We truly do live on a unique, biodiverse and very fragile planet … and we only have the one, so it is high time we paid respect to it!

The Gaia Theory has progressively evolved in its legitimacy and has inspired many leading figures of the past 20 years, including Vaclav Havel, John Todd (inventor), Freeman Dyson (physicist), Al Gore, Joseph Campbell (mythology expert), and Elisabet Sahtouris (microbiologist). These and many other people have written and spoken eloquently about how the currently postulated Gaia Theory can help us model human activities after the living systems of our planet; the concept offers globally relevant lessons for the design of economic, energy, social and governmental systems.

Our Challenge to You...

We at Cranky Goat Publishing Ltd. are avid supporters of the principles and environmental science behind the Gaia Theory and have incorporated them within our own corporate mission structure. We hereby challenge you to research the science and environmental implications behind the Gaia Theory and its related concepts – it may prove to be invaluable with regards to how you view our small and fragile planet we call home. At the very least, you will find some interesting studies and global perspectives by many of the world’s leading scientists which we guarantee will give you something to ponder over.

Publications

| pending release...

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Gaian Living

| Healthy Lifestyles

Gaian Living is more of a broad philosophy on living a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle than a rigidly defined way of living. ~ Cranky Goat Publishing

Gaian Living incorporates the basic premise behind the Gaia Theory and fuses it with sound scientific principles; then combines that with the latest research on longevity, genetics, nutritional optimization and general fitness; and finally merges it all into a simple yet comprehensive “Planet Friendly” Lifestyle Guide with a Nutritional Database grounded within the following SOLE food principles.

Sustainable, Organic, Local, and Ethical (SOLE) food is part of a larger movement to change the way that people eat, and the sources of their food. Proponents believe that eating SOLE food will help people to live longer, healthier lives, and will also benefit the environment. They also believe that it is important to combine all of the elements of SOLE, as food could be organic but not ethical, or local but not sustainable. It is hoped that SOLE food will enhance our connection to the environment, food producers, and our food. Adherents of the SOLE food movement range from proponents of slow food worldwide to major corporations which are trying to change the way they care for their employees and the world.

Gaian Living | It is only a guide...

Your health and well being rests in your hands and yours alone. There is much in life you cannot control. From this old goat’s perspective, building a healthy lifestyle is much like climbing a mountain. The challenge is always before you and there is effort involved. Look for things to hold on to, handholds and footholds that feel solid and that you trust. Once you’ve found them, climb steadily moving from one hold to the next, ever ascending, until at last you reach the summit — satisfaction with your health and comfort in your life. A goal which so few of us truly seek, let alone attain…

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To handle the unexpected and prevail over adversity, you need personal faith and trust in your power to endure. It is your life, and the only one you’ll get, so learn to make the most of it and live life fully. Personal faith does not come from religion, it comes from the heart and the mind. The power to endure comes from your ability to remain agile and to adapt to changing circumstances. Change happens; it can’t be stopped. The passage of time cannot be slowed or halted. We all grow old, how well you age is largely up to you. That is all there is to it – no fancy mumbo jumbo, no flow charts or set rules … we often make life far more complicated than it needs to be - learn to Live Simply, Live Healthy, and perhaps most of all, Live Happy – it is definitely this old goat’s philosophy towards life!

Live Simply. Live Healthy. Live Happy. ~Cranky Goat

Seeking Healthy Recipes - Please Send Us Yours

Seeking healthy recipes is truly an adventure. You will find them online, in books, get them from friends and family, or maybe take a food preparation course. If you’re anything like us, your collection of recipes will grow and you won’t have time to taste them all. Enjoy the search – good, healthy food is a great joy in life and meant to be shared! Your efforts will create a collection to enhance your health and enjoyment well into the future. Your healthy future…

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Have a good recipe that you would like to share with others? Does it meet Gaian Living’s sustainable and environmentally friendly ethical standards? In particular, is it SOLE food worthy? If so, please feel free to contact us at info@crankygoat.com and submit your detailed recipe to Cranky Goat Publishing for consideration in our future cookbooks and online articles.

Contact

| Click for Global Directory

When we first started our company we were excited to develop a “state of the art” website to better promote our products, goals and objectives. However, we soon realized the senseless vanity and overall frivolity of this expensive and time consuming endeavour. At last official count, the World Wide Web contains an estimated 10 Billion (that’s definitely a B for Billion) unique web pages. We promptly decided it is unproductive and impractical to try and compete in vying for a web viewers time and interest. In our fickle world of “instant gratification” the average user views any given website for less than 60 seconds!

We would much rather be putting that energy into developing better end products for our readers and simply enjoying life! As such, we have developed this basic java enhanced website as a focal point for briefly explaining our company and promoting our products and the history behind their creation. Many, if not all, of these publications will also be distributed via Amazon, iTunes and similar online book distributors of whom provide their own web promotion for our specific product line as well…yet another reason not to waste time on a so called “state of the art” website. We hope you have enjoyed accessing our website and, perhaps much more relevant, we sincerely hope you enjoy reading our books…all of which are or will be produced under the pen name of JS Hulme.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.