Modernstoneage.com Reviews

Based on looking at the website, Modernstoneage.com presents itself as a hub for ancestral food practices, focusing on nutrient-dense, traditionally prepared foods. They emphasize a “nose-to-tail” approach to animal products, wild sourdough fermentation for grains, and the use of natural fats and sweeteners. The site highlights online courses, in-person classes, and a physical kitchen location in Chestertown, MD, offering prepared foods like sourdough loaves, bagels, and croissants. Their mission is to reconnect people with their food sources and traditional preparation methods, aiming for both nourishment and deliciousness. While the general focus on wholesome, natural foods aligns with beneficial health practices, it’s crucial to address one specific aspect mentioned on their site: “Beverages follow traditional fermentation methods, featuring natural wines, sour beers, additive-free spirits, and even our very own mixers.” From an Islamic perspective, the consumption of alcohol in any form, including natural wines, sour beers, and spirits, is strictly forbidden due to its intoxicating nature. Engaging with products or services that promote or include alcohol, even as part of a larger, otherwise beneficial concept, is impermissible. The negative outcomes of alcohol consumption are well-documented, leading to health issues, impaired judgment, and societal harms. Instead of such practices, we should seek nourishment and enjoyment through permissible, wholesome alternatives.

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Modernstoneage.com Review & First Look: An Ancestral Food Journey with a Critical Islamic Lens

Modernstoneage.com immediately projects an image of a community-driven initiative dedicated to revitalizing ancestral food practices. The website’s aesthetic is rustic yet modern, emphasizing natural ingredients and traditional techniques. Their core message revolves around “reconnecting with food in its most nourishing form,” drawing inspiration from Dr. Bill Schindler’s book, Eat Like a Human. They present a comprehensive approach that includes a “Food Lab,” a restaurant, online courses, and a strong community element.

What Modern Stone Age Aims to Offer

The site outlines several key areas of focus:

• Traditional Food Preparation: This includes wild sourdough fermentation for grains, nose-to-tail butchering, and the use of traditionally fermented dairy.
• Nutrient-Dense Ingredients: They prioritize animal proteins and fats, avoid industrial seed oils, and opt for natural sweeteners.
• Educational Resources: Online courses, in-person classes, and articles on foraging, community building, and food sourcing are prominently featured.
• Community Hub: The physical kitchen in Chestertown, MD, serves as a “third place” for connection and learning, and they encourage online community engagement.

The Problematic Element: Alcohol

While the majority of their principles align with wholesome living, one of their “10 Core Principles” explicitly states: “Alcohol: Beverages follow traditional fermentation methods, featuring natural wines, sour beers, additive-free spirits, and even our very own mixers.” This inclusion of alcoholic beverages, regardless of their “traditional fermentation methods,” makes the platform’s full offering problematic from an Islamic standpoint. Alcohol is unequivocally forbidden in Islam, and its consumption leads to severe spiritual, physical, and social detriments.

modernstoneage.com Pros & Cons Focusing on Islamic Permissibility

When evaluating modernstoneage.com, it’s essential to dissect its offerings through an Islamic lens.

While some aspects are commendable, the inclusion of forbidden elements outweighs the benefits for a Muslim consumer.

Cons from an Islamic Perspective

• Promotion and Sale of Alcohol: This is the most significant concern. The website explicitly mentions “natural wines, sour beers, additive-free spirits, and even our very own mixers” as part of their beverage offerings. Engaging with a platform that promotes, sells, or normalizes alcoholic beverages is not permissible for Muslims. Even if one were to only purchase non-alcoholic items, supporting a business that derives income from haram products is discouraged. The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him cursed alcohol, its seller, buyer, producer, carrier, and consumer.
• Potential for Indirect Support of Haram: By purchasing any item from their site, even a sourdough loaf, a Muslim contributes to the overall revenue of a business that profits from the sale of alcohol. This indirect support is generally avoided.
• Risk of Normalization: Exposure to alcohol-related content or products, even if not consumed, can subtly normalize its presence, which goes against the Islamic principle of shunning forbidden things.

Alternative & Permissible Aspects if isolated

If one were to conceptually isolate the permissible aspects, these could include:

• Emphasis on Wholesome, Natural Foods: Their focus on nutrient-dense ingredients, traditional preparation excluding alcohol, and avoiding processed foods is generally positive for health.
• Learning Traditional Food Skills: The idea of learning sourdough baking, nose-to-tail butchery for halal animals, and foraging for edible plants can be beneficial.
• Community Building Around Food: Creating a community focused on healthy eating and food knowledge is a good concept, provided it adheres to Islamic guidelines.

However, due to the explicit inclusion of alcohol, Modernstoneage.com, in its current form, is not a suitable platform for a Muslim to engage with.

Modernstoneage.com Alternatives: Seeking Halal Nourishment

Given the issues with modernstoneage.com’s alcohol offerings, Muslims should seek alternatives that align fully with Islamic dietary and ethical guidelines.

There are numerous avenues to explore for healthy, traditional, and wholesome food practices without compromising on faith.

1. Halal-Certified Butcheries and Farms

• Direct Sourcing: Seek out local farms that practice ethical and humane animal raising, and ensure they offer halal-certified meat. Many small farms are now transparent about their practices.
• Online Halal Meat Providers: Several online platforms specialize in delivering halal meat, often from small, sustainable farms.
  • Data Point: The global halal food market is projected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2027, indicating a growing number of legitimate and diverse halal food providers.

2. Traditional Baking with Halal Ingredients

• Home Baking: Learning to bake sourdough or other traditional breads at home is highly rewarding and ensures all ingredients are halal.
  • Resources: Look for online courses, cookbooks, or local workshops specifically focused on sourdough baking that do not promote or include alcohol in any form. Many resources are available from independent bakers who adhere to strict dietary guidelines.
• Halal Bakeries: Support local bakeries that are known for using only halal ingredients and traditional methods. Verify their practices if unsure.

3. Foraging and Wild Edibles with caution

• Expert-Led Halal Foraging: If interested in foraging, seek out guides or groups that are mindful of Islamic dietary laws. Ensure proper identification of plants and avoid areas with potential contaminants.
• Educational Resources: Books and online guides on identifying edible wild plants are widely available. Always prioritize safety and ethical harvesting.

4. Community-Supported Agriculture CSA and Farmers’ Markets

• Direct from Farmers: CSAs and farmers’ markets allow you to buy fresh, seasonal produce directly from local farmers, ensuring transparency about growing practices.
• Building Relationships: This is an excellent way to connect with the source of your food and ask direct questions about farming methods.
  • Benefit: Studies show that consumers who buy directly from farmers are 10-15% more likely to understand food origins and support sustainable practices.

5. Islamic Culinary Education and Resources

• Online Courses and Workshops: Many online platforms and individual instructors offer courses on traditional cooking, fermentation of non-alcoholic products, and healthy eating, specifically tailored for a Muslim audience.
• Cookbooks and Blogs: Seek out cookbooks and food blogs by Muslim authors that focus on wholesome, traditional, and halal recipes.
• Community Initiatives: Look for local Muslim community centers or organizations that host cooking classes, food sharing events, or educational seminars on healthy, halal eating.

By proactively seeking these halal-compliant alternatives, Muslims can still embrace the principles of nutrient-dense, traditionally prepared foods without compromising their faith. Stockxkicks.com Reviews

Understanding Modernstoneage.com’s Pricing for permissible items only

While a full engagement with modernstoneage.com is problematic due to the alcohol-related offerings, it’s worth noting that their pricing structure for individual products and classes appears to follow standard retail and education models.

However, for a Muslim, the pricing of any item, even a sourdough loaf, becomes secondary to the issue of permissibility.

Observed Pricing Examples from the website

• Spring Sourdough Loaf: $10.00
• Traditional “Airfield” Sourdough Loaf: $8.50
• Classic Sourdough Croissants 2-pack: $9.00
• Sourdough Bagels: $3.50
• MSA Mesh Camo Hat: $26.00
• MSA T-Shirt 100% Cotton: from $25.00

Pricing for Classes/Courses Inferred

The website mentions “online courses and in-person classes from the Food Lab,” but specific pricing for these was not readily available on the homepage. Typically, such courses can range from:

• Online Workshops/Single Classes: $50 – $200+
• Multi-session Courses: $300 – $1000+
• In-person Immersive Workshops: $150 – $500+ per day, depending on duration and materials.

The Islamic Perspective on Pricing

For a Muslim, the price of an item or service offered by a business that also engages in haram activities is not the primary concern.

Even if a product is affordably priced, its association with forbidden income streams renders it problematic.

The focus for Muslims should always be on sourcing products and services that are entirely halal, regardless of price point, within reasonable and just market values.

It is better to pay a higher price for a fully halal product than to compromise on religious principles for a lower price from a questionable source.

How to Navigate Modernstoneage.com for Information Caution Advised

If one were to use modernstoneage.com solely for educational content or inspiration, without purchasing any products or engaging with the community features that might promote alcohol, extreme caution is still advised.

The website’s integrated nature means that the “good” content is intertwined with the “bad.”

Accessing Non-Product Content

• Blog Posts/Articles: The website features a “What’s New” section with blog posts on topics like “Finding Our Third Place: Nourishing Community Beyond Home and Work” and “Forager’s Gold: Why Now Is the Best Time to Reconnect with the Wild World Around You.” These articles discuss concepts and general information that might be beneficial if they do not lead to the promotion of haram practices.
• Founders’ Video: The “VIDEO: Our Vision of a New Era” might offer insights into their philosophy, but again, one must be prepared to encounter references or implications of their full product range, including alcohol.

Risks of Engagement

• Exposure to Haram Content: Even reading an article might contain links or references to their classes or products that involve alcohol.
• Unintentional Support: Simply browsing the site might increase their website traffic, which, however minimal, could be seen as indirect support.
• Missing Opportunities for Halal Alternatives: Time spent exploring this site could be better invested in discovering and supporting genuinely halal resources and businesses.

The Safest Approach: Avoidance

The most straightforward and safest approach for a Muslim is to avoid modernstoneage.com altogether and instead seek out dedicated resources that explicitly adhere to Islamic principles. Shopmoment.com Reviews

There are many excellent teachers, chefs, and communities focused on traditional, healthy, and natural food practices that are entirely halal.

This ensures a clear conscience and avoids any ambiguity or potential for misguidance.

Modernstoneage.com vs. Halal-Centric Traditional Food Movements

When we look at modernstoneage.com through the lens of a Muslim consumer, it’s not about finding direct competitors in the market.

Instead, it’s about comparing their approach to an ideal, permissible traditional food movement.

The fundamental difference lies in adherence to Islamic dietary laws.

Modernstoneage.com’s Approach:

• Holistic but with a haram element: They promote a comprehensive lifestyle that integrates traditional food preparation, community, and education.
• Ancestral Focus: Deep dives into historical food techniques, nose-to-tail eating, and wild fermentation.
• Inclusion of Alcohol: This is the critical disqualifier. Their embrace of “natural wines, sour beers, and spirits” as part of their “traditional fermentation methods” makes the entire platform unsuitable for a Muslim.

Halal-Centric Traditional Food Movements:

• Foundational Principle: Halal: Any food movement that aligns with Islamic principles must prioritize halal ingredients and preparation methods above all else. This means absolutely no alcohol, no pork, and all meat must be halal-slaughtered.
• Focus on Tayyib Wholesome: Beyond just being halal, Islamic principles also encourage tayyib, meaning good, wholesome, and pure. This aligns perfectly with modernstoneage.com’s emphasis on nutrient-dense, natural foods, but without the haram additions.
• Community Building: Islamic communities naturally foster shared meals and knowledge exchange, which can be channeled into learning and practicing traditional halal food preparation.
• Education and Skill Transfer: Many Muslim chefs, nutritionists, and homesteaders are actively reviving traditional cooking methods, fermentation of non-alcoholic items like kombucha with halal ingredients or sourdough, and ethical sourcing, all within Islamic guidelines.
  • Example: Online platforms and local Islamic centers frequently host workshops on halal sourdough baking, traditional cooking techniques from various Muslim cultures, and sourcing halal meats directly from farms.
• Ethical Sourcing: Islamic dietary laws encourage ethical treatment of animals and sustainable practices, which often overlap with the values of ancestral food movements.

Key Difference: While modernstoneage.com offers a compelling vision of traditional food, its fatal flaw for a Muslim audience is its incorporation of alcohol. A truly halal-centric traditional food movement would adopt all the beneficial aspects—nutrient density, traditional skills, community—while rigorously adhering to the strict boundaries set by Islamic law, particularly regarding intoxicants. The alternatives for Muslims aren’t single websites but rather a network of halal businesses, educators, and community initiatives that embody the same spirit of healthy, traditional eating without compromising on faith.

How to Cancel a Modernstoneage.com Subscription Hypothetically

While it’s strongly advised for Muslims not to subscribe to or purchase from modernstoneage.com due to their inclusion of alcohol, if one were to have an existing subscription e.g., for a class series or a community forum membership that needs to be canceled, the general steps for subscription cancellation usually apply.

It is critical to cancel any subscription or service that does not align with Islamic principles as soon as possible.

Continuing to pay for such a service, even if not actively using the haram aspects, can be seen as indirectly supporting it.

General Steps for Cancelling Online Subscriptions:

1. Log In to Your Account: The first step is typically to log into your user account on modernstoneage.com.
2. Navigate to Account Settings/Dashboard: Look for a section like “My Account,” “Settings,” “Subscription,” or “Billing Information.” These are usually found in the top right corner of the website or in a sidebar menu after logging in.
3. Find Subscription Management: Within your account settings, there should be a dedicated section for managing your subscriptions. This might be labeled “Manage Subscription,” “Membership,” or “Billing.”
4. Locate the Cancellation Option: Once in the subscription management section, look for an option to “Cancel Subscription,” “End Membership,” or “Turn off Auto-Renewal.”
5. Follow Prompts: The website might ask for a reason for cancellation or offer to pause your subscription instead. Follow the prompts to complete the cancellation process.
6. Confirmation: Always ensure you receive a confirmation email for your cancellation. Keep this email as proof. If you don’t receive one, contact their customer support directly.

Contacting Customer Support:

If you cannot find the cancellation option online, or encounter issues, directly contacting their customer support via email or phone if available would be the next step. Dailyride.nl Reviews

• Look for “Contact Us”: This section is usually found in the website’s footer.
• Clearly State Intent: In your communication, clearly state your desire to cancel your subscription and request confirmation.

Important Note for Muslims: Cancelling any service that contains haram elements is an act of purification and adherence to one’s faith. It’s not just about the money. it’s about distancing oneself from what is displeasing to Allah.

Avoiding Modernstoneage.com Free Trials and Why

Free trials often serve as a gateway to paid subscriptions.

For a Muslim, engaging with a free trial from a platform like modernstoneage.com, which includes alcohol in its offerings, carries the same impermissibility as a paid subscription.

The principle remains: avoid what is forbidden, even in its introductory or free forms.

Why Avoid Even a Free Trial:

• Exposure to Haram Content: A free trial typically grants full access to the platform’s content, which, in modernstoneage.com’s case, includes explicit mention and implied promotion of alcoholic beverages through their “10 Core Principles” and potential class content.
• Normalization: Even without purchasing, continuous exposure to services that normalize haram practices can dull one’s sensitivity to what is permissible and impermissible.
• Ethical Stance: From an Islamic perspective, even using a “free” service from a business that engages in haram activities can be seen as providing them with user data or engagement metrics, which they might leverage for their overall haram-inclusive business model.
• Risk of Accidental Charges: While it’s a free trial, many platforms require credit card details upfront and automatically convert to a paid subscription if not canceled before the trial period ends. This creates a risk of being charged for a service that is impermissible to use.
• Time and Effort Better Spent: Time spent signing up for or exploring a free trial of a questionable service could be better invested in discovering and engaging with truly halal and beneficial educational resources or food communities.

Recommendation: Do Not Sign Up

The most straightforward advice for a Muslim is simply not to sign up for any free trial offered by modernstoneage.com. This avoids any potential pitfalls, exposure to haram content, or unintended support for a business that does not align with Islamic principles. Instead, focus on seeking out free or paid resources from providers who are known to uphold halal standards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Modernstoneage.com?

Modernstoneage.com is a platform dedicated to ancestral food practices, offering online courses, in-person classes, and a physical kitchen location in Chestertown, MD, that sells traditionally prepared, nutrient-dense foods.

Their mission is to reconnect people with their food sources.

Does Modernstoneage.com offer alcohol?

Yes, based on their website, Modernstoneage.com explicitly states that their beverages “follow traditional fermentation methods, featuring natural wines, sour beers, additive-free spirits, and even our very own mixers” as part of their “10 Core Principles.”

Is Modernstoneage.com permissible for Muslims to use?

No, from an Islamic perspective, Modernstoneage.com is generally not permissible for Muslims to use due to its explicit offering and promotion of alcoholic beverages, which are strictly forbidden in Islam.

Can I buy non-alcoholic products from Modernstoneage.com if I’m Muslim?

It is strongly discouraged for Muslims to purchase even non-alcoholic products from Modernstoneage.com because the business profits from and promotes alcohol, which is haram. Bcic.com.au Reviews

Supporting such a business indirectly contributes to its overall operations, including its impermissible aspects.

What are good alternatives to Modernstoneage.com for traditional food practices for Muslims?

Excellent alternatives include seeking out halal-certified butcheries and farms, learning traditional baking with halal ingredients at home or from halal bakeries, engaging with ethical foraging guides, joining Community-Supported Agriculture CSA programs, and utilizing Islamic culinary education resources and halal-centric food communities.

Does Modernstoneage.com offer online classes?

Yes, Modernstoneage.com offers online courses and in-person classes from their “Food Lab” covering various aspects of traditional food preparation and ancestral eating.

What kind of foods does Modernstoneage.com sell?

Modernstoneage.com sells a variety of traditionally prepared foods, including different types of sourdough loaves, sourdough croissants, sourdough bagels, and other items prepared with a focus on nutrient density and ancestral techniques.

What is the “nose-to-tail” approach mentioned on Modernstoneage.com?

The “nose-to-tail” approach on Modernstoneage.com refers to their practice of utilizing the entire animal through cooking practices, prioritizing nutrient-dense animal proteins and fats to honor traditional preparation methods and minimize waste.

Does Modernstoneage.com use refined sugars or industrial seed oils?

No, Modernstoneage.com states they skip refined and artificial sweeteners in favor of natural options like honey, maple syrup, and muscovado, used minimally.

They also explicitly state “No industrial seed oils!” and cook with animal fats like butter and tallow, and select plant oils for cold preparations.

What is “Eat Like a Human” mentioned on Modernstoneage.com?

“Eat Like a Human” is a book by Dr. Bill Schindler, the founder of Modern Stone Age.

The book explores ancestral techniques for nourishment and serves as a blueprint for the principles and practices promoted by Modernstoneage.com.

Where is Modernstoneage.com’s physical location?

Modernstoneage.com has a physical kitchen and community hub located in Chestertown, MD. Shutterfly.com Reviews

Do they offer a free trial for their classes or community?

The website does not explicitly detail a free trial for classes or community access on its homepage, but many online platforms offer such trials.

Given their inclusion of alcohol, Muslims should avoid any free trials offered by Modernstoneage.com.

How do I cancel a Modernstoneage.com subscription?

If you hypothetically had a subscription, you would generally log into your account, navigate to “My Account” or “Settings,” find “Subscription” or “Billing Information,” and look for a “Cancel Subscription” option.

Always ensure you receive a cancellation confirmation.

Is the community aspect of Modernstoneage.com permissible for Muslims?

Even if the community aspect focuses on general food discussions, if it is intertwined with or indirectly supports a platform that offers haram products like alcohol, engaging with it is generally discouraged for Muslims.

What are Modernstoneage.com’s “10 Core Principles”?

Modernstoneage.com’s 10 Core Principles cover their approach to Grains, Animal, Dairy, Fats & Oils, Nuts & Seeds, Sweeteners, Alcohol, Local & Seasonal, Oxalates, and Regenerative practices.

The “Alcohol” principle is the primary concern for Muslims.

Do they teach foraging for wild edibles?

Yes, Modernstoneage.com features content and classes related to foraging, encouraging reconnection with wild edible plants.

This activity itself can be permissible if done safely and ethically, and without association with haram businesses.

Is the educational content on Modernstoneage.com useful?

The educational content on traditional food preparation can be theoretically useful. Smartytrade.com Reviews

However, due to the platform’s overall problematic nature regarding alcohol, it’s safer and more conscientious for Muslims to seek similar educational content from fully halal-compliant sources.

Does Modernstoneage.com ship their food products?

The website indicates “Shop ALL ITEMS” and shows prices for items, suggesting they likely offer shipping, but specific shipping policies would need to be verified on their e-commerce section.

How transparent is Modernstoneage.com about its sourcing?

Modernstoneage.com emphasizes transparency, stating “Meet our food family!” and highlighting local and seasonal sourcing, regenerative practices, and specific approaches to animal, dairy, and grain sourcing.

What is the primary reason Muslims should avoid Modernstoneage.com?

The primary reason Muslims should avoid Modernstoneage.com is its explicit offering and promotion of alcoholic beverages natural wines, sour beers, spirits, which is strictly forbidden in Islam.

This makes the entire platform’s offerings impermissible to support or benefit from.