Local foods are the key to sticking to Obama administration’s new dietary guidelines

Today the Obama administration released new guidelines for Americans to eat by. Generally speaking, the guidelines aren’t that groundbreaking: Eat fruits and vegetables, don’t eat too much meat, cut the junk foods and sugar. Sounds easy, but applying these rules can be hard! Nobody wants to eat broccoli all day, and sometimes a hamburger is… well, important! How do we make a shift in our lifestyle that is not only comfortable, but actually enjoyable?

The Quest for Local Thanksgiving Ingredients

Challenge: At your next holiday dinner, point to something on your plate and ask “where did this come from?”

Fall Fun for Families

Every chance we get lately, we are outside! There is something about Autumn air and the chill of the mornings! I LOVE IT. Every moment we are not working on the homestead, we are trying to savor all of Autumn’s wonderful sights, smells, and traditions.  Here are a few things we like to do this time of year. What are you doing to embrace Fall?

100% Local Meal – Pan-seared London Broil With Sautéed Swiss Chard and Spring Onions and Maple Glazed Spring Carrots

It has been so inspiring to walk around the farmers’ market on Saturday mornings.  I like seeing all the beauty around us, but, it is even more fun to play with the vegetables, meat, and dairy and create meals for our family.  The best part about these meals is that I can picture the fields, I know the farmers’ faces and strong hands. The added bonus that with local amazing food like this, I can feed my family AND support my local economy! This local support not only bolsters community and keeps the market going, but ceases the need to support food shipped from thousands of miles away on trucks. 

The Rare Beauty of a Rainy Farmers’ Market

It’s the middle of summer. Gardens are beginning to burst, the chickens are nearly full grown, and farmers’ markets are bustling centers of joy with gossip and goods.  Summer is a favorite time of year because after a long wait through New England winters… there is a burst of fresh and local food.  All you need to do is stop by your local market and choose your favorites!  Come meet the farmers and visit with friends!  But it is summer and sometimes it rains.  While most will shake their head at the idea of a soggy farmers’ market, we are here to say, don’t miss out on the market because of the weather.  

5 Best Things to Buy At Early Season Farmers’ Markets

The leaves are green! The birds are singing! The sun is bright and warm!  Spring is shifting to summer and that means the farmers are coming out of the woodwork to share their goods at your local farmers’ markets!  But hang on, tomatoes won’t be ready for weeks, what on earth is there to actually buy at these first markets, anyway? 

For the love of baking

Some people meditate and other people run in order to clear their mind and relax. When I start baking for other people, to share this lovely science experiment of salts and sugars, my body relaxes. My mind clears. The day is gone and all is simplified to a cup or a teaspoon, stir or chop, mix, then pour, and bake until the knife comes out clean.  I have been asked many times where I learned how to bake, or where I was trained.  Why do I do what I do?