As a little kid, I was not fond of trying new vegetables – a reluctance that I believe many of us share. However, parsnips were never even an item on our dinner table because they weren’t part of our standard rotation of vegetables. We pretty much stuck to the classics – green beans, carrots, corn, … Read more
Is there anything better than the sweet taste of fresh carrots? I don’t think so. Except, perhaps, the taste of fresh carrots that you’ve just harvested from your own garden. This year, I harvested over a hundred pounds of carrots grown in just two small raised beds in my backyard. I’ve never grown that many … Read more
Another popular recipe from Hawaii, this oxtail soup recipe includes a hearty base and plenty of braised meat. It is generally served with ramen noodles as well as fried garlic chips, but you can, of course, serve it anyway you like – as long as there is plenty of it!
If you are interested in raising chickens, you likely have made this decision because chickens are one of the easiest kinds of livestock you can raise. While there’s not much you need to do in order to help them thrive, it is possible for your backyard flock to be infected with one of many different … Read more
Confession: this year is the first year I’ve grown enough peppers to preserve. Usually, our peppers end up being stringy, tough, and bitter – something that I have learned is the side effect of too little fertilizer, poor soil, and cold weather that doesn’t allow the plants to mature properly. However, this year I remedied … Read more
There is nothing better than homemade spaghetti sauce! Whether you’re keeping an eye on your health – homemade spaghetti sauce has far less sugar and sodium than the storebought varieties – or you simply prefer the taste of fresh sauce, making and canning your own sauce is a great way to make the most of … Read more
Nothing says summer quite like sweet, homemade canned tomatoes. Canning tomatoes always makes me feel a little bit bittersweet. On one hand, I love being able to enjoy the delicious bounty of a summer’s hard work in the garden. On the other hand, the time in which it is time to can tomatoes marks the … Read more
I’m pretty sure salsa was invented by someone who had no idea what to do with all the extra tomatoes, peppers, onions, and jalapenos in his garden. Throw a few ingredients in here, a couple more there, add some spices, and voila! Tasty salsa. I’m just kidding, of course. But when it comes right down … Read more
If you aren’t growing garlic in your garden yet, there are so many reasons to start. My husband and I eat so much garlic, we could probably ward off a whole community of invading vampires! This miracle herb has been around since the beginning of time, basically, and it offers a whole host of health … Read more
If you have a backyard flower garden, you may have pondered whether you could use those flowers for purposes other than ornamentation. While garnishing and cooking with flowers saw a drop in popularity in the last few years, it is luckily rising to prominence once again. This style of cooking was quite popular in ancient … Read more
As a child, you were likely told more than once to avoid eating crabapples. Why? There’s a common misconception that crabapples are toxic. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While crabapples do have a bitter taste and there are small amounts of cyanide in the seeds, they are more than safe to eat. … Read more
If you’re looking to improve your health and enjoy a tasty meal at the same time, look no further than your own backyard. Burdock is a common herb that many people have growing wild on their properties. It can be quite annoying to encounter when you are walking in the woods, as it has small … Read more
When you first start gardening, you may ask yourself whether growing organic food is worth it, or if you would be better off sticking to more conventional growing practices. As a consumer, you may ask yourself the same question, wondering whether purchasing organic produce or other food is worth the (substantial) extra cost. However, there … Read more
If you have ever raised pigs, you likely know how stubborn these charismatic creatures can be. While their personalities are an absolute delight (and major source of entertainment!) a majority of the time, this tenacious behavior can be a detriment when you’re trying to engage in simple tasks. If you’ve ever tried to pick up … Read more
A normal person looks at an egg and thinks “breakfast.” As a homesteader, I look at an egg and think of all the various ways I can use the shells in my garden. I am a huge fan of repurposing common materials around the homestead. I believe that, in doing so, I can not only … Read more
This oxtail soup is a decadent option for a cold winter night, including dumplings to make it a complete, balanced meal.