First a little disclaimer: I don't really use recipes for cooking. I browse recipes for ideas of flavor profiles and then make up my own. Or, I harvest what is ready in the garden and whip something up from the harvest. So, this recipe is an un-recipe. I am approximating the amounts I used to make this meal. So, there you have it....

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Menu planning based on produce ready to harvest from the garden is definitely a different approach compared to menu planning based on what is available at the grocery store. At the grocer most items are available throughout the year, but they are far from fresh. Most items in the grocery store are picked unripe and then they are just waxed and stored for...

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This summer I have been on a quest to grow delicious greens during the hot months. I have had success with a dozen varieties of greens that can be eaten both raw and cooked.  We have eaten these greens as gourmet mixed salads, in stir fries, in green smoothies, layered in lasagna, sauteed as a side dish, chopped fine to top on tacos...

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Bush cherries One of the most satisfying things in life has to be picking ripe, juicy fruit right from the backyard. My children learn early how to hunt for ripe strawberries, cherries and plums. This year my three year old boy has probably gained more of his nutrition from foraging in the garden than he has at regular family meals. And you know...

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*Disclaimer: The following post is just me relating my personal experiences and my son's particular health situation. I am in no way promoting any health advice. Please consult your health professional concerning your own health needs. Nearly two years ago, my son began having frequent bouts of anaphylaxis. We had to take him to the ER several times in a month. We had...

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Perhaps you remember these maxims: "Waste not, want not" "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" I have always been a very frugal person, and that extends into my gardening. I appreciate knowing that I have gained every benefit possible from each plant I grow, especially the edible ones. We often think of one use for each food...

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While enjoying a stroll through the gardens at Thanksgiving Point, I came across these fabulous combinations of annual plants Dusty Miller and Snapdragon. Don't they look lovely together? ...

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Is it possible to grow a portion of your own food even if you have a small yard, kids and a dog, an apartment with a deck, ravenous neighborhood deer or nothing but lawn? YES!! I have lived with all of these scenarios and love to find ways to fit edibles in my yard. Here are some strategies to use as you examine...

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I grow fennel for this one reason: to make fennel apple salad! I am sure there are many great recipes for fennel, but this is my absolute favorite!Fennel Apple Salad1-2 fennel stalks, sliced thinly acrossA small amount of finely chopped fennel frond1 apple, diced2 tsp balsamic vinegar (or to taste)1-2 tsp agave syrup, to tasteDash saltCombine all in a bowl. Let sit for...

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Apricot Tree Peach Tree Peach Tree ...

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Even two to three generations ago, many American families owned a larger plot of land and grew the majority if their own food, preserving much for winter. I have an average 1/3 acre lot, and don't pretend that I can come near my grandparents in home food production. However, I have been pleasantly surprised at how much I can fit on my 1/3...

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Gardening soothes me. It allures all my senses and I am drawn in by the textures, colors, smells. I garden for pleasure, for beauty, for the love of nature, for sustenance. I appreciate the beauty of all of God's magnificent plant creations, and I intend to grow as many of them as possible! The typical American yard with lawn, shrub, tree has never...

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My first experiences with gardening were with my Grandpa Dwight. He had a wonderful, large garden in his backyard. When you first came out the back door of his house, past the screen door, there was a covered patio with various chairs, and my favorite, the porch swing. I remember often swinging there alone, all stretched out, or sitting with siblings or cousins,...

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