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Foraging Wild VioletsHave you ever wanted to forage your own wild violets for culinary use? When it comes to foraging, violets are an excellent plant for beginners. This sweet-smelling flower is extremely common, easy to identify, and can be used in many different recipes including candied violets, violet sugar, violet vinegar, violet lemonade, violet simple syrup, violet jelly, violet honey, and dried violets for tea. Viola odorata, also known as the Sweet Violet or Wood Violet, is one of the f …

Making Sauerkraut with TurmericWhether this is your first batch of sauerkraut, or you are looking to expand your current stock of sauerkraut recipes, golden kraut is a terrific option. Beyond the stunning golden-yellow color that lights up every dish, turmeric has a number of health benefits, and preserving qualities. In fact, I tend to never get mold or Kahm yeast on my turmeric sauerkraut because of its antimicrobial properties. Not sure what I’m talking about?If this is your first time fermen …

Quick History of Mother's DayFor over 100 years, the second Sunday of May has been set aside to honor mothers. Showing appreciation for mothers first happened in the United States in 1908, and Mother’s Day became an official US holiday in 1914. Traditionally, Mother’s Day is a day of flowers, cards, and phone calls to show mothers how much they matter.At my house, Mother’s Day usually coincides with our last frost date, so the day has morphed into back-breaking labor as everyone helps plant the …

When we did our planning for 2020, I sure did not expect a pandemic at the top of my list.One of the benefits of being a homesteader, though, is general self-sufficiency and preparedness should help you out regardless of what the world throws at you. Even still, there was a great deal learned from the past month.1. Learn from purchase and out-of-stock trends.A respiratory infection causes a toilet paper shortage? Just something to chew on as you think about your self-sufficiency and resilience …

What is a Probiotic Soda or Punch?Homemade sodas are vitamin-rich, fun to make, and economical! Unlike the sugary drinks you pick up in the store, at home you can make your own delicious and effervescent drinks using natural ingredients. These simple fermentations occur due to the natural yeasts and bacteria present in the air and on the fruit/substrate, which start to feed on the sugars present, and create the bubbliness of a soda. Because the bubbles come from a wild fermentation, you end up c …

Strawberry Rhubarb Vanilla Bean Jam Made Oh So EasyNo homestead pantry is complete without homemade jellies and jams. Besides being so tasty to eat, they’re also very easy to make!If you’re intimidated by making your own jams and jellies, don’t be! Learn how easy it is to use the Jelly and Jam Maker from Roots & Harvest to make the perfect strawberry rhubarb vanilla bean jam and then get the creative juices flowing with so many more flavor combinations – many of which you can make from forag …

What is Fire Cider?Fire cider or fire tonic is a spicy, vinegar-based natural remedy used as an immunity-booster, cold remedy, for sinus relief and general wellness, particularly during the cold and flu season. Most fire ciders are technically an oxymel, which is a medicinal tonic made with both vinegar and honey. Several key spicy ingredients are infused in an apple cider vinegar base, along with herbs and citrus, to create this tangy, uplifting tonic that will burn the bug right out of you!How …

Creative Homemade GiftsIt’s no secret that 2020 became the year of homemade sourdough bread, followed by a surge of home canning and other diy projects! It has truly been a time to learn new home-based skills, and the holidays are a great reason to share some of your creative bounty. From homemade jams and jellies to spice mixes, pickles, and even tea blends, there are a variety if ways to dress up your goods into cute homemade gifts. Even if you are not-so-confident with your cooking skills, th …

What is Bone Broth?Whether you have had bone broth at a friend’s house, restaurant, or packaged from the store, it is all very simple - bone broth is animal bones simmered in water over a long period of time to create a nutritious and easily-digested broth. Healing broths have been around for ages because they are so simple to make, they utilize parts of the animal like chicken frames or neck bones, and they are just plain comforting to drink. A small batch makes almost three quarts of broth, an …

During Herbert Hoover’s 1928 bid for the presidency, his election campaign promised a chicken for every pot and two cars in every garage. Unfortunately, those promises were derailed by the Great Depression that started just a few months after he was elected, but it remains a great sentiment to this day.Not only can one whole chicken be transformed into several meals for an entire family, it’s also one of the easiest and cheapest animals to raise for meat. I take great satisfaction in preparing a …