Gretchen Kruesi
Living in a colder climate doesn’t mean you need to give up on more fragile plants. By adequately preparing your less-hardy plants for the winter, you’ll set them up to survive and thrive! The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy. It has been adapted for the web. Protect…
Read MoreSoup season is finally here! While the weather is getting colder, stocks and broths warm our bellies and fill our souls. Get started on your own classic stock this winter with help from this culinary insight and advice! The following is an excerpt from Mastering Stocks and Broths by Rachael Mamane. It has been adapted for the…
Read MoreConserve your resources and enjoy fresh produce all year long by growing your own food in the winter months! Achieving a twelve-month growing season is as simple as using the right type of crop protection structure for your climate. The following is an excerpt from The Forest Garden Greenhouse by Jerome Osentowski. It has been…
Read MoreWant to spice up your traditional bread recipes this winter? This salt-rising bread recipe by fermentation expert Sandor Ellix Katz has all the simplicity, flavor, and uniqueness you’ve been searching for! The following is an excerpt from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys by Sandor Ellix Katz. It has been adapted for the web. What Is Salt-Rising Bread?…
Read MoreFrom gathering items from the woods to fermenting your own bubbly, there’s something about working for your supper that makes it so much more delicious when you finally get to dig in. If you’re looking to really earn your Thanksgiving dinner this year, this foraged and fermented menu is just what you need! These recipes…
Read MoreSaving and storing seeds is a great way to help the environment, save money, and achieve a successful growing season. Follow these tips for keeping seeds organized so you’re ready to plant by the time growing season begins! The following is an excerpt from The Celestial Garden by Jane Hawley Stevens. It has been adapted for…
Read MoreNow is the ‘pear-fect’ time to begin cooking with pears! Get started with help from these preparation tips — plus a few simple and delicious recipes. The following is an excerpt from The Book of Pears by Joan Morgan. It has been adapted for the web. A Guide to Cooking With Pears The pear is mainly…
Read MoreIf you’ve ever wondered what your life is missing, the answer is probably chickens. These feathery friends can help fertilize your soil, mow your lawn, and even lay the eggs you eat for breakfast. What could be better than that? To celebrate our favorite member of the poultry flock, we’ve rounded up some wisdom from…
Read MoreWant to spice things up for this year’s holiday feast? We’ve got you covered! From a delectable pork tenderloin to Spicebush Goose, these recipes are sure to delight everyone at your Thanksgiving dinner table…even those passionate turkey traditionalists. These recipes have been adapted for the web. Roast Pork Tenderloin and Plum Sauce from The Healthy…
Read MoreHow do mushrooms grow? How do they eat, reproduce, or spread? What exactly is a mushroom? All of these answers and more can be found in the intricate, web-like fiber found underneath these fungi: the mycelium. Understanding this “vegetative” part of the fungus is key to understanding the whole system. The following is an excerpt from…
Read MoreHomemade vinegar is a delicious ingredient in many foods and drinks: quick pickles, soups, sauces, salad dressings, desserts, jams, and more. Before we work on creating these recipes, it’s essential to understand the fundamentals of vinegar and how to make it from home. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal Baudar. It…
Read MoreCurious about carrots? Now’s a better time than ever to get to growing. Before you get started, check out these insights on growing & harvesting carrots from gardening expert Will Bonsall. The following is an excerpt from Will Bonsall’s Essential Guide to Radical, Self-Reliant Gardening by Will Bonsall. It has been adapted for the web. Growing…
Read MoreLooking for a refreshing drink to pair with Thanksgiving dinner? From cider to sangria to pine soda, one of these seasonal brews is bound to be the perfect fit for you and your family. NOTE: Make sure to prepare these drinks ahead of time so you’re not working for longer than planned on Thanksgiving day! The…
Read MoreFlipping your plant beds is as simple as 1, 2! Follow these tips for two-step bed flipping to successfully increase your crop production no matter the season. The following is an excerpt from The Lean Micro Farm by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs and illustrations copyright…
Read MoreAdd a salty twist to your next dessert dish! This salted caramel sauce is a perfect addition to cheesecake, ice cream, and other decadent desserts. The following is an excerpt from Salt and the Art of Seasoning by James Strawbridge. It has been adapted for the web. The Salted Caramel Craze We have pastry chefs…
Read MoreIt’s about time we talk about thyme! Thyme, a medicinal herb and a flavorful addition to many meals, is easy to grow and harvest in almost any condition. Follow these tips to get started on growing thyme in your backyard! The following is an excerpt from The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer, Revised Edition by Jeff and Melanie Carpenter. It…
Read MoreScare hunger away with funky apple slice monsters! These easy-to-make snacks are perfect for kids (and kids at heart!) this Halloween and can even add a healthy ‘boo’-st to your blood sugar. The following is an excerpt from The Grain-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Family Cookbook by Leah Webb. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Funky Apple Slice…
Read MoreInstead of raking and throwing away fallen leaves this autumn, what if we repurposed them and turned them into something beautiful & delicious? Embrace the natural flavors of fall with this recipe for candied tree leaves. The following recipe is from The New Wildcrafted Cuisine by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web.…
Read MoreBeyond guaranteeing a bountiful harvest, cultivating mushrooms on various surfaces has plenty of benefits. Growing, composting, and recycling mushrooms reduces waste and helps the environment. The following excerpt is from Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation by Tradd Cotter. It has been adapted for the web. (Photographs courtesy of Tradd and Olga Cotter unless otherwise noted.)…
Read MoreTry your hand at preserving veggies by freezing them! Freezing vegetables is a quick, simple way to preserve them for winter meals. The following is an excerpt from Many Hands Make a Farm by Jack Kittredge and Julie Rawson. It has been adapted for the web. A Guide to Freezing Vegetables Freezing vegetables, especially in…
Read MoreWhen you think of pumpkins, do you think of Halloween or a sweet dessert? But how did pumpkins become the holiday staple they are today? Keep reading to learn more about the rich history of this sweet fall vegetable! The following is an excerpt from The Seed Detective by Adam Alexander. It has been adapted for…
Read MoreDo you still have an abundance of root veggies from your final fall harvest? You’re in luck! This pomegranate drizzle will add just the right amount of “oomph” to your favorite dish of roasted root veggies. The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE:…
Read MoreLooking for a new cooking project? Try your hand at rice koji! Follow these steps by two renowned chefs to make delicious rice koji at home. The following is an excerpt from Koji Alchemy by Jeremy Umansky and Rich Shih. It has been adapted for the web. Making Basic Rice Koji the Traditional Way Let’s walk…
Read MoreWinter may be coming, but that doesn’t mean you should put away those tools just yet! Extend the growing season well past the first frost with some proper modifications. The following excerpt is from The New Organic Grower, 30th Anniversary Edition by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web. Extend the Growing Season: How to…
Read MoreWhat does facing the beast mean? In this time of uncertainty, we must practice regular reflection to achieve optimal happiness and health. The metaphor below gives insight into confronting and facing it, regardless of what “the beast” is to you. The following is. an excerpt from Facing the Beast by Naomi Wolf. It has been adapted for the…
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