Last minute gifts for self-sufficient folks

There is still time to throw together a thoughtful and unique gift for the folks on your list who want to get back to basics and be more self-sufficient.  We threw together 3 lists of items you could easily assemble into a gift basket that will be talked about for the whole year.  We have actually used all of these items for years to make our own maple syrup and raise chickens.  These are legit.

The 12 Days of Squashmas

A few years ago we had a lot of winter squash on hand.  We compiled and created 12 unique squash recipes that will blow the minds of your friends and family.  They’ll say, “Wow! I’m having a really gourd time thanks to these sweet and savory dishes!”  This post collects those recipes in one convenient location.  Enjoy!

Download all 3 of our books for FREE (limited time!)

For those of you following us, you know that we have published 3 books in 2018, with the goal of making it easier for others to live independently and more fully explore the food they eat.  For Thanksgiving and Black Friday this year, the eBook versions are all available for FREE on Amazon. Click the books below to grab yours.

Chapter 1: Why Use Maple Syrup instead of Cane Sugar

We worked very hard on Local Sugar, but we don’t want to prevent anyone from experiencing it.  So here, for free, is Chapter 1 of the book.  The seed of this was originally a rough post on this blog several years ago, but we’ve updated and improved it big time for publishing.  It’s a quick, clear cut read that won’t waste your time.  Enjoy!  

Big Announcement, our new Maple Syrup Cookbook is out!

Just a quick note for a big announcement…. we have published a brand new cookbook with a star ingredient: you guessed it, maple syrup! 

Easy Maple Syrup Candied Bacon Recipe

I’m having trouble putting it into words.  I just made this a few minutes ago and had just a few bites. I have to share immediately. Eating maple syrup candied bacon is a life-changing experience.

Cast Iron Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe

I eat raw carrots as a snack almost every day.  I rarely crave them, but I always make myself take that first bite, knowing that it is worth it. The aroma of a good, local carrot still impresses me.  It is complex and flowery yet earthy.  Since I eat so many raw carrots I kind of forget how good they can be cooked.  When a carrot is cooked, it goes from something that feels very much like a health food and becomes almost a dessert.  These Cast Iron Maple Glazed Carrots are so tasty you might even feel guilty eating them.  But with a simple and clean recipe like this one, you have nothing to fear.

How to Make a Love Potion, our Strawberry Maple Syrup Recipe

Now you can use pancakes to get you some lovin.

How many chickens will be eaten during the Super Bowl? [updated for 2018]

More chicken wings will be consumed during this year’s Super Bowl than ever before. And do you know who we have to thank for this? Chicken marketers? Clever food scientists developing addictive dipping sauces? Deep frying? No, sports fans, at the very core we have the Cornish Cross breed of chicken to thank. 

3 Unique Salad Dressing recipes made with MAPLE SYRUP

Honey is dominating the salad game.  What’s up with that!  Maple syrup doesn’t just go on your pancakes anymore!  Here are 3 tree-mendous salad dressings to pick from for the next time you want to make your greens do a little happy dance.