Gretchen Kruesi

herbs

10 Herbs for Family Health

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 3, 2024 / Comments Off on 10 Herbs for Family Health

Growing your own herbs  is a great alternative to over-the-counter medicine. Not only do these plants help with general wellness, they’re also an easy fix for small cuts, be used as a calming agent, and boost your immune system. Have more control of what goes into your body with these 10 herbs to promote natural…

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pigs

Perfect Pigs: Which Pig Breed Is Best?

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 3, 2024 / Comments Off on Perfect Pigs: Which Pig Breed Is Best?

Every homestead or farm could use a few pigs! Add a little “oink” to your life by raising your own. Don’t know where to start? Here are some tips for deciding which pig breed is best for your farm or homestead! The following is an excerpt from The New Livestock Farmer by Rebecca Thistlethwaite and…

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Firm & Crumbly Feta-Style Cheese: An Easy Cheesy Recipe

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 28, 2023 / Comments Off on Firm & Crumbly Feta-Style Cheese: An Easy Cheesy Recipe

Want to learn how to make different kinds of cheese this winter? With this simple recipe, you’ll be ready to create a crumbly and decadent feta-style cheese at home. The following is an excerpt from Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking by Gianaclis Caldwell. It has been adapted for the web. How to Make Feta-Style Cheese Fortunately, feta-type…

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soothe coughs

How to Decipher and Soothe Coughs: A Guide to Getting Through Cold & Flu Season

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 28, 2023 / Comments Off on How to Decipher and Soothe Coughs: A Guide to Getting Through Cold & Flu Season

During cold and flu season, finding an alternative way to soothe coughs could save you an unnecessary trip to the doctor’s office. Understanding different kinds of coughs and how to identify them can also provide comfort and peace of mind. Keep in mind that for symptoms that go beyond the common cold, you should always…

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Pears Wrapped in Pastry with Crème Anglaise

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 22, 2023 / Comments Off on Pears Wrapped in Pastry with Crème Anglaise

These pears wrapped in pastry not only smell and taste amazing, they’re very easy to make and are ‘pear’-fect for serving guests. The following is an excerpt from The Book of Pears by Joan Morgan. It has been adapted for the web. How to Make Pears Wrapped in Pastry Peel and core the pears as…

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chicken noodle soup

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup: A Better Way to Feel Better

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 20, 2023 / Comments Off on Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup: A Better Way to Feel Better

Beat the winter blues with this chicken noodle soup recipe! Delicious and nutritious, this soup is perfect for the whole family. The following is an excerpt from The Nourishing Asian Kitchen by Sophia Nguyen Eng. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup Yield: 4 to 6 servings This soup is…

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gifts for gardeners

9 Books for Backyard Gardeners

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 12, 2023 / Comments Off on 9 Books for Backyard Gardeners

Searching for the perfect book to give the gardener in your life? These books are great gifts for gardeners at any level. Head over to our Gardening page for even more great gardening reads! In The Home-Scale Forest Garden, Dani Baker shares what she learned as she became a forest gardener, providing a practical, in-depth…

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Spruce Tip Key Lime Pie: A Flavorful, Foraged Dessert

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 8, 2023 / Comments Off on Spruce Tip Key Lime Pie: A Flavorful, Foraged Dessert

Nothing is quite as sweet as baking a dessert with ingredients you foraged for yourself. This spruce tip key lime pie recipe is simple, delicious, and sure to impress all your guests this winter.  The following is an excerpt from The Forager Chef’s Book of Flora by Alan Bergo. It has been adapted for the…

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foodie

Gifts They’ll Crave: 10 Books for Every Foodie on Your List

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 4, 2023 / Comments Off on Gifts They’ll Crave: 10 Books for Every Foodie on Your List

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the foodie in your life? Our wide range of food and drink books will give you plenty of options to choose from!  Whether you’re shopping for an adventurous cook who likes foraging for their ingredients, a fermentation aficionado, or a lover of culinary classics, you’ll find something for…

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successful farm

Tips for Operating A Successful Farm

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 30, 2023 / Comments Off on Tips for Operating A Successful Farm

Want to run a successful farm, but don’t know where to begin? These tips from two organic farming pioneers will help you learn everything you need to get started. The following is an excerpt from Many Hands Make a Farm by Jack Kittredge and Julie Rawson. It has been adapted for the web. Lessons From Farming…

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homemade cheese

Let’s Get Cheesy! Sandor Katz’s Favorite Homemade Cheese

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 29, 2023 / Comments Off on Let’s Get Cheesy! Sandor Katz’s Favorite Homemade Cheese

There’s nothing quite like the flavor of fresh, homemade cheese — especially when there’s a story behind it. This cheese recipe, a favorite of fermentation expert Sandor Ellix Katz, requires a few simple ingredients that you can find in your fridge. The following is an excerpt from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys by Sandor Ellix Katz. It…

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red wine salt

Red Wine Salt: A Bold and Flavorful Seasoning

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 22, 2023 / Comments Off on Red Wine Salt: A Bold and Flavorful Seasoning

Add a rich and robust twist to your meals with help from red wine salt! This delicious seasoning is a perfect addition to dishes like short rib, lamb chops, roasted potatoes, and more.  The following is an excerpt from Salt and the Art of Seasoning by James Strawbridge. It has been adapted for the web.…

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crop protection

Extend Your Growing Season with Crop Protection Structures

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 20, 2023 / Comments Off on Extend Your Growing Season with Crop Protection Structures

Conserve 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…

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foraged and fermented

Thanksgiving Takes an Adventurous Twist with This Foraged and Fermented Menu

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Thanksgiving Takes an Adventurous Twist with This Foraged and Fermented Menu

From 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…

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cooking with pears

Cooking With Pears: Tips & Recipes

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 13, 2023 / Comments Off on Cooking With Pears: Tips & Recipes

Now 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…

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mycelium

Below the Mushroom Cap: The Mycelium and Its Secrets

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Below the Mushroom Cap: The Mycelium and Its Secrets

How 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…

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vinegar

The Vibrance of Vinegar: Methods to Make Vinegar From Scratch

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 9, 2023 / Comments Off on The Vibrance of Vinegar: Methods to Make Vinegar From Scratch

Homemade 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…

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seasonal brews

Bring on the Seasonal Brews: Drinks to Pair With Thanksgiving Dinner

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 7, 2023 / Comments Off on Bring on the Seasonal Brews: Drinks to Pair With Thanksgiving Dinner

Looking 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…

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bed flipping

Two-Step Bed Flipping: Increasing Your Production on a Small Footprint

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 6, 2023 / Comments Off on Two-Step Bed Flipping: Increasing Your Production on a Small Footprint

Flipping 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…

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Sweet & Salty: Salted Caramel Sauce

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 3, 2023 / Comments Off on Sweet & Salty: Salted Caramel Sauce

Add 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…

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candied tree leaves

Crunchy Candied Tree Leaves: A Natural Fall Dessert Topper

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 27, 2023 / Comments Off on Crunchy Candied Tree Leaves: A Natural Fall Dessert Topper

Instead 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.…

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recycling mushrooms

Composting and Recycling Mushrooms

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 26, 2023 / Comments Off on Composting and Recycling Mushrooms

Beyond 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.)…

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facing the beast

Facing the Beast: Practicing Courage and Reflection

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 16, 2023 / Comments Off on Facing the Beast: Practicing Courage and Reflection

What 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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cidermaking

Fall In Love With Cidermaking: Guides to Making Cider

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 13, 2023 / Comments Off on Fall In Love With Cidermaking: Guides to Making Cider

Get ready to take a bite out of the world of cidermaking! These seven guides are sure to help you make delicious, crisp cider this fall. PLUS, try out the bonus recipe at the bottom of this list to create a delicious dessert with the cider you make. Fermenting Apples for Cider Fermenting apples is…

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Designing Leather Goods: Cutting & Shaping

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 12, 2023 / Comments Off on Designing Leather Goods: Cutting & Shaping

In a personal investigation into ethical and traceable leather, fashion designer Alice Robinson begins a ground-breaking journey into the origin story of leather and its connection to food and farming. Keep reading to learn more about her process of cutting & shaping leather to create handbags, shoes, clothing, and more! The following is an excerpt from…

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