Author: Krystle |
February 12th, 2013
When I shop at the grocery store, I always remind myself of the dirty dozen and avoid the conventional versions on that list to reduce my family’s exposure to pesticides. Until I had the list memorized I would often take a copy of it along. I was aware of the dirty dozen for some time before I really started taking it seriously. It was during my first pregnancy, after reading about the amount of chemicals a fetus was exposed to in the womb, that I knew it was important to me to limit that amount as much as possible.
Author: Krystle |
May 15th, 2012
One element to gardening that is important to consider is that plants grow better when they are cultivated in a climate and soil condition that they are designed to flourish in. For example, our weather is very temperate – it never gets very hot or very cold – which is great for growing year-round, but not so wonderful for growing heat-loving vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. We hope to remedy this by growing them in the hoop house my husband constructed; however, we learned the hard way that simply sticking plants or seeds in the soil, watering, and weeding does not guarantee gardening success.
Author: Krystle |
May 11th, 2012
Snow peas are one of the first vegetables seeds I plant after winter has given way to spring. These hardy little pods can grow despite being covered in snow. Snow peas can be deposited in the soil as soon as the ground has warmed enough to thaw. The only drawback to this early crop is the seeds tendency to rot if planted too early. Some of the peas I planted earlier this year did not sprout, so I recently replanted in a few of the empty spaces. Gardening is an endless education.
Author: Krystle |
May 9th, 2012
My husband and I have a tendency to plant green things wherever we live, no matter how long we end up staying. This has led to traveling gardens (we moved quite often for awhile), and has caused us to appreciate the roots we have planted in our new residence. A home, no matter the location, never quite seems complete without something edible growing nearby.
Author: Krystle |
May 1st, 2012
The parsnip is a root vegetable that could easily be mistaken for a carrot, except for its pale coloring and spicier flavor. This unique vegetable offers more vitamins and minerals than the carrot, and provides a good source of dietary fiber and potassium.
When shopping for parsnips, be sure to choose a firm root that is not excessively large. They keep best in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or some other sealed container. Do not handle the plant’s stem or leaves without protective clothing as they can cause a type of chemical burn when touched.
Author: Krystle |
April 23rd, 2012
Spring is underway, and with the mild temperatures and rain comes those tender greens that give life to the salad bowl. Known as one of the ultimate health foods, salads are usually the go-to resource for those looking to improve their wellbeing and trim back on calories. These small leafy greens pack a good nutritional punch, providing healthy stores of vitamin A, B6, B9, C, D, E, and K.
Author: Krystle |
April 11th, 2012
Keeping on track with my zero food waste challenge motivates me to ensure everything gets eaten before going bad. This becomes a challenge during zucchini season. Dealing with an overabundance of zucchini has taught me to be resourceful in adding it to recipes and finding new ways to conserve it longer.
Author: Krystle |
April 10th, 2012
One of the first signs of the year’s season of food is the asparagus spear. When asparagus begins to appear at farmer’s markets you can be sure that there will be an abundance of fresh produce soon. Depending on your location, you should begin to see fresh asparagus during March, April, or May.
Author: Krystle |
March 16th, 2012
It has been one of those weeks, or rather, months. Moving and unpacking, dealing with colds, morning sickness, multiple overnight visitors, starting a garden, and trying to work on our fixer-upper of a house. I have been less active in the kitchen, trying to stick to meals that I can throw together in a pot, or relying on sandwiches and other fast fixes. I can sympathize with everyone who is trying to eat healthfully with whole foods yet are unable to dedicate a lot of time in the kitchen. More and more I see the need for healthy whole food recipes that can easily and quickly be assembled.
Author: Krystle |
March 1st, 2012
Recently a very uncomfortable cold settled here, in addition to some equally unpleasant morning sickness (or in my case an all-day sickness). Desperate for some relief and unable to take most conventional cold medications, I sent my husband on a quest for some ginger.
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