Living Homegrown Podcast with Theresa Loe

Learn the secrets to creating a delicious orange marmalade without the prep time overwhelm.  And learn how to get the perfect texture and gel every, single time. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe tells you: How to make marmalade in stages, The reason you must use organic fruit, A trick for getting the peel to be the perfect texture, Which ingredient prevents further cooking of the peel, Top equipment recommendations to make the process easier, A tip for getting the proper suspension in the jar and more. As always, you can get the complete recipe as a PDF download at www.LivingHomegrown.com/36  as well as the full transcript and more information on living farm fresh without the farm™.

Direct download: 36_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:43am PDT

Need some last minute homemade gifts that are inexpensive and still awesome? Host Theresa Loe has you covered. In this episode you learn about two quick and easy gifts that you can make up to have on hand for emergency giving. And if you don't end up giving them away, they are GREAT for yourself all year long. She covers the complete how-to on creating a DIY home fragrance kit and bath salts. Aside from learning how to make these two gifts, you also learn: The differences between fragrance oils/craft oils and essential oils, How she uses marbles as a fragrance safety feature, And why you should save the pine needles off your Christmas tree. As always, the full transcript and links for more information is available at www.LivingHomegrown.com as well as two printable PDFs with instructions.

Direct download: 35_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:12pm PDT

Discover the secrets to getting more flavor from your garden. In this week's podcast, host Theresa Loe interviews author Willi Galloway (Cook, Grow Eat) on some of the more unusual ways we can get top-notch flavor from homegrown food. You will learn: Two unusual ways to use fresh (green) coriander seeds (one may surprise you), Which vegetable is more like a teenager than a delicate green, The best sources for buying seeds, Why locally-sourced seeds will give you more bank for your buck and top tips for some of the more unusual vegetables to grow. As always, you can get the full transcript and links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/34 including a special FREE PDF listing all the plants and seed sources mentioned in the episode.

Direct download: 34_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:04pm PDT

Learn to make homemade liqueur in half the time with twice the flavor. In as little as 7-10 days you can have delicious fruit liqueur that is perfect for gift giving. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: The 3 secrets behind an accelerated method, The best spirits to use as your base, Which fruit works for making fast liqueur, The step-by-step method for quick liqueurs, Packaging tips for your homemade gifts, How long liqueurs last on the pantry shelf. As always, you can get a full transcript of this episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/33 as well as two PDF handouts: One for the liqueur recipe and one for making a liqueur martini. Or visit www.LivingHomegrown.com for more information on Living Farm Fresh Without The Farm™.

Direct download: 33_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:42am PDT

Learn the secrets to having both a productive garden AND a flock of chickens at the same time. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author and award-winning landscape designer Jessi Bloom about her popular book: Free Range Chicken Gardens - How to create a beautiful, chicken-friendly yard. You learn: Some of the surprising benefits of having chickens (and we don't mean the eggs), How many chickens is "just right" for you, How to design your garden so everyone is happy, What you should know about chicken manure before you use it and MUCH more. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/32 where you will also find a full PDF transcript of the podcast and the PBS episode featuring Jessi on Growing A Greener World TV.

Direct download: 32_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:05pm PDT

Learn the important things to check every time you pull a home-canned jar off the pantry shelf. It is a very important habit to have. In this episode you learn: The difference between spoilage and botulism, What you should never do with a suspicious jar, Seven signs that your canned goods have spoiled, What we now know about mold that our grandparents didn't know, Best practices when storing your canned goods. As aways, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/31 for a PDF of the transcript, show notes and links for more information on canning and canning safety.

Direct download: 31_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:09pm PDT

Learn some important canning lessons and tricks with this simple (yet delicious) cranberry sauce recipe. It is perfect for Thanksgiving Day (for yourself or as a hostess gift) and even BETTER as a spread on turkey sandwiches the day after. It is a small-batch recipe so there is not a lot of mess or fuss. It's the perfect beginner canning recipe. But you can always skip the canning part and just store it in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: Her favorite ingredients for bumping up the cranberry flavor to a gourmet level, Three strategies for handling a foamy jam or cranberry sauce, Why you never need pectin to get the gel, The exact step-by-step instructions for this small-batch recipe. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/30 for the full transcript, a printable PDF of the recipe and more tips and information on canning.

Direct download: 30_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:48am PDT

Nothing beats the flavor of homemade applesauce on a cold winter day. NOW is the time to create and preserve that flavor for later. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shows you the EASY way to make homemade applesauce when she answers a listener question on preserving large batches of apples. But the beauty is that you can make and can up any amount of apples you have using a slow cooker (crockpot). In this episode you learn: Two ways to preserve/process large amounts of apples, How to make applesauce the easy way (overnight), The role of sugar in canning applesauce, Two ways to preserve applesauce for later, Color changes and spice recommendations. As always, you can go to the show notes at: www.livinghomegrown.com/29 for the links mentioned, a PDF of the recipe and the downloadable transcript of the episode.

Direct download: 29_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:12am PDT

Learn to create a wild fermentation starter called a "Ginger Bug" and start brewing your own homemade Ginger Ale. Home brewed sodas are super easy and allow you to control exactly what is in them. In this episode you will learn: The benefits of homemade soda, How to make a ginger bug with only 3 simple ingredients, Which organic sugar is best for this project, The exact steps for brewing your own ginger ale (also known as ginger beer), How to create a fermentation rhythm, AND some bonus tips for fermentation success. You can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/28 for a PDF of the transcript, a full printable recipe and resources for more soda making info. 

Direct download: 28_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:41pm PDT

Every canner has to make their own decision about what they feel comfortable doing when it comes to safety. But in the case of pumpkin butter or pumpkin puree, many feel it is odd that it's considered unsafe to put it up in a jar. In this podcast episode, host Theresa Loe explains not only the data that is used to determine the USDA guidelines, but she also explains why pumpkin is handled a little different than you would expect. Surprisingly, you have to look at it from a gardener's perspective. You will learn: The backstory on why the recommendations changed many years back, The 3 characteristics that are causing the safety issue, How commercial companies get around it, The fastest and easiest way to preserve pumpkin at home. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/27 to get all the links mentioned as well as a full PDF transcript of this episode. 

Direct download: 27_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:43pm PDT

The Hands-On Home book was just released a few days ago and features DIY cooking and home keeping projects for a more productive home. Host Theresa Loe got a sneak peak at this book and she brings on author/blogger Erica Strauss to share what this book is all about AND ways to better utilize the food that we grow or buy locally.  In this episode you learn: Professional chef tips for saving flavor and money, Why you should get creative with food scraps, How just a little kitchen prep can save you at dinner time, How you can win a FREE copy of Erica's book for yourself. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/26 for all the links mentioned, a PDF of the transcript, and information on the Canning Academy (Theresa's online canning course). 

Direct download: 26_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am PDT

You've got questions and Theresa has your answers. In this episode, Theresa answers a few questions from a listener about quick pickles. You learn: What you should do if you run short on brine, The most important ingredients for safety in quick pickles, Which ingredients you can change or leave out, What happens if the cucumbers are NOT covered in brine, If natural sea salt may be substituted for pickling or Kosher salt in refrigerator pickles. As always, there is lots more info (including a pickle making video) and the full PDF transcript of this episode at LivingHomegrown.com/25 - So be sure to check out the website!

Direct download: 25_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:16pm PDT

Discover the wonders of flavored vinegars using seasonal produce and herbs. They are super easy to make, packed with flavor and make great gifts come holiday time. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: The basic formula for making flavored vinegar that always works, Some sample flavor combos that pack a punch, The 3 best vinegars to use as your base (pros/cons of each), Which vinegar you should never use, The exact steps needed to make your first batch of flavored vinegar, How best to store them for longevity and flavor. As always, you can get a full PDF transcript of the entire episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/24 and you will also find links to everything mentioned in the episode. 

Direct download: 24_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:18pm PDT

Learn all about Weck® Jars in this episode including: What they are, What it means to NOT be USDA approved, The 4 components that make them work, The basics of how they are used, How to test seals and open jars, The benefits and drawbacks compared to standard jars in the United States. Be sure to visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/23 to get the full transcript as well as related links for more information. 

Direct download: 23_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:17am PDT

Learn what the fuss is about with the organizational method of KonMari and how you can apply the principles of the hugely popular book: "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo to your homestead organization. It is NOT just for organizng your sock drawer. Using this method (even in small portions of your homelife), can help streamline all of your homesteading efforts. But you need to decide if this method is for you. So, tune in to learn: What the KonMari Method is and how it works, Why host Theresa Loe was initially skeptical, How she is now using it to work more efficiently, How you can apply it to your basic homestead organization. Visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/22 to get all the links mentioned in the show notes or to download the full transcript of the episode.

Direct download: 22_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:20am PDT

Discover how easy it is to help support the bees while also improving your own backyard food production. In this episode, Theresa Loe interviews garden expert Robin Haglund of Garden Mentors® to discuss: Why bees are so important to our everyday lives, What makes bumblebees best suited to pollinate our tomatoes, What flower we should always plant near our tomatoes if we want a good crop, Why cleaning up the garden can be a BAD thing, The top 5 tips for supporting bees in our backyard and...How it might be possible to have bee hives in your yard WITHOUT being the beekeeper. Be sure to visit LivingHomegrown.com/21 for links, bee-related videos and to download the full transcript of this episode.

Direct download: 21_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am PDT

Learn how to make pickles THE EASY WAY - in the refrigerator! These pickles are fast, delicious and you never have to break out the canner. In this episode you learn:  The 3 main types of pickles,  What to do with large and small harvests of cucumbers,  Why refrigerator pickles are so great for newbies,  Three advantages of refrigerator pickles, Theresa's top 10 tips for getting a good pickle, A walkthrough of a simple bread n' butter recipe.  For more information (including links) be sure to visit: www.LivingHomegrown.com/20 and download the full transcript.

Direct download: 20_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:14pm PDT

Learn all about how to use a steam juicer for canning. In this episode, Theresa gives you the whole scoop on: What a steam juicer is, How it works, The 5 key advantages of using one, Why it is NOT just for large batches of produce, Why Theresa uses marbles when canning, The differences between steam juicing and mechanical juicing, The nutritional differences between different methods and Where you can find steam juicers for purchase. As always, you will find show notes at LivingHomegrown.com/19 which includes photos, links and a full downloadable transcript of the episode. You can also sign up for Theresa's weekly newsletter and for information on her online canning classes on the website. Come on over and join in on the preservation conversation!

Direct download: 19_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm PDT

How to make wine salt: Learn all about this delicious season salt which combines a wine reduction with salt and herbs. It is simple to make and adds a punch of flavor to any savory dish. Once made, it lasts up to 6 months on your pantry shelf.  

In this episode you learn: What foods pair well with this seasoning, The key to getting good flavor, Two ways Theresa bumps up that flavor, The exact recipe and a walk through of how to make it yourself.  If you would like to see a quick (2 min) video on how it's done, go to the show notes for this episode at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/18 and you can also get the full recipe in text form to print for later.  

For more information on Living Farm Fresh Without The Farm (Preserving, Small-Space Food Growing & Living Sustainably) and Theresa's online Canning Academy, be sure to visit the website: LivingHomegrown.com

Direct download: 18_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:41pm PDT

Learn tips for getting the most from your canning efforts.  
Have you ever made a canning recipe and ended up with way MORE or way LESS than you were supposed to? In this episode, Theresa explains why that happens and offers tips for how you can always get the most from your hard work when canning. She covers: Is it you or the recipe?, The two main reasons for yield discrepancies, Different units of measure, and more...   
As always, you can learn more over at LivingHomegrown.com/17 where there are free resources to help you live farm fresh without the farm.

Direct download: 17_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:05am PDT

Feeling overwhelmed with all there is to learn with canning, growing food or general homesteading skills? Well, this podcast episode guides you on where to start to build confidence and keep it fun.  You will learn: Three feelings that hold people back, The place to start no matter where you are in terms of skill level now, Why all the support and help you need is waiting for you.  For all the links mentioned, plus more information on homesteading, canning, and raising chickens, go to LivingHomegrown.com/16 AND you will also find a full downloadable transcript of the episode.

Direct download: 16_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:57am PDT

Learn about what it takes to become a beginning backyard beekeeper and some behind-the-scenes stories of filming a bee episode for a TV show on PBS. Theresa interviews her TV producing partner - TV host and executive producer, Joe Lamp'l (who also happens to be a beginning beekeeper). Theresa & Joe discuss filming "A Year in The Life of a Beginning Beekeeper", a TV episode they produced for PBS.   
You will learn: The "why" behind Growing A Greener World the TV series, The importance of bees, Where you can go to learn the basics of beekeeping, What to expect your first year, Can bees be ordered through the mail?, Some of the basics of this exciting hobby.
Even if you never want to have bees of your own, you will learn a lot about these amazing creatures and why we should support them in our gardens. For a full transcript of this episode and links to more beekeeping information, visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/15 and as always...be sure to listen past the closing music for the bloopers!

Direct download: 15_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:01pm PDT

In this episode, you tour an 1892 farmstead in Northern California that is being restored to its former glory. Learn about the flavors of the 65 heirloom fruit trees on the property, the challenges and benefits of growing older trees and learn tips for getting the very best fruit production and flavor from trees in your own backyard.

Direct download: 14_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:30pm PDT

This episode covers just a few of the must-know canning practices to keep yourself safe. Learn: Why photographs of canning jars are often so misleading, The optimal time to remove jar rings, 3 key reasons jar ring recommendations are important, The storage mistake that can waste your canning efforts and more.  Visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/13 for more information and free resources for canning and preserving.

Direct download: 13_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:31am PDT

In this episode, you learn how to go about picking the best backyard chickens for YOUR situation.  

You learn: The key questions to ask yourself before making decisions, The breeds best suited for children and small spaces, If it is okay to mix your flock, The exact breeds I personally have, Where to buy those chickens once you decide what you want.  

As always, you can visit LivingHomegrown.com/12 for a lot more information over on the website including a chicken breed selector tool, recommended books AND the full transcript of this episode. 

Direct download: 12_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:39am PDT

In this episode, host Theresa Loe answers a listener question about water bath canning and safety. 

You learn: Which foods are safe for water bath canning, Why certain pH rules eliminate the fear of botulism, Why today's tomatoes are different from our Grandmother's era, The critical must-follow step for canning tomatoes, All about water levels in the canner, The key reasons for elevating the jars...AND the science behind some of the canning techniques. 

You can get related links and a full transcript of this episode in the show notes over at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/11 plus you will find other free canning information.

Direct download: 11_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:26am PDT

We all lead very busy lives. And that can make it difficult to carve out time for canning and preserving. This can be especially hard when the entire harvest ripens at once!

In this podcast episode, Theresa offers tips for making the most of your canning time. Discover how to reduce overwhelm and more fully enjoy the process with these simple techniques.

You learn about the common mistake that can cost you 20% of your time, the chef tip that is the key to your efficiency, the most overlooked part of preparing, and how to break up your canning into stages.

Learn more, get related links and the full transcript of the episode in the show notes for this episode at: LivingHomegrown.com/10

Direct download: 10_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:40am PDT

Learn how easy it is to start a culinary herb garden and how to preserve those herbs once you grow them.

Learn:

The key growing elements you need for success,

Which herb changes flavor based on temperature,

How to get lemon flavor without lemon bitterness,

Which herbs are worthless when dried,

Theresa's four go-to freezing methods for herbs (including herb concentrate). 

For the full transcript and show notes with links, go to LivingHomegrown.com/09

Direct download: 09_LivingHomegrow_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am PDT

This episode is all about how to keep backyard chickens in the city.

It covers: The top things to consider BEFORE getting chickens, How to check your city ordinances, Having a "rooster plan", Keeping the neighbors happy, How egg production works, The minimum number of chickens you should keep and MORE.

For full show notes and transcript, visit LivingHomegrown.com/08

Direct download: 08_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:16am PDT

Learn about the different types of pickles you can make and the pros and cons of each. Delicious sample recipes of each type of pickle are in the show notes for this episode. Just go to: www.LivingHomgrown.com/07 for recipes and links to more information on pickles.

Direct download: 07_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am PDT

Learn the basics of fermenting food and how to get started.

In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Karen Diggs - the founder of Kraut Source. She shares how to ferment in small batches using an ordinary mason jar.

You learn how lacto-fermentation works, the health benefits, which salts to use and the steps to a simple beginner recipe.

Direct download: 06_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:41am PDT

In this Q & A episode, Theresa Loe answers a listener question on pickling salt. Learn what it is, how to use it, if you can make substitutions in pickling recipes and where to buy it.

Direct download: 05_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am PDT

Host Theresa Loe interviews author Andrea Bellamy (Small Space Vegetable Gardens) as they talk about everything from the secrets of beet greens, carrot tops and radish pods to legal and illegal places to grow food. Then Andrea tells the story of her wheat growing project from seed to flour to homemade pizza.

More info on how to do it yourself is on the website: www.LivingHomegrown.com/04

Lots of tips on food growing included - plus a Giveaway of the book!

This episode is all about growing food when you have little to no garden space and thinking outside the garden plot. But the tips and ideas here will inspire anyone (no matter where you grow) to take food growing to the next level. 

Direct download: 04_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am PDT

In this episode, two listeners get their jam questions answered. 

Theresa shares info on:

  • How to use frozen fruit in jam making
  • Tips for freezing fruit in canning jars (BPA Free)
  • Tricks for using up leftover jam
  • Jam Salad Dressing (ea. jam makes it unique)
  • Jam Spritzers
  • And more...
Direct download: 03_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:17am PDT

Learn all about making yogurt at home, how to get different flavors and textures and how to make it without any special equipment.

Direct download: 02_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:29pm PDT

Learn why should we consider canning and DIY food crafting, how we are tied to the story of our food and what we can do to bump up flavor.

Direct download: 01_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:47pm PDT

Get the whole scoop on what this podcast series is about. In this episode you will learn: how you can live farm fresh without the farm, why grocery stores limit your flavorful food choices and what you can do about it, what topics and experts will be featured in this series, how you can get your canning and small-space homesteading questions answered and the background and training of host Theresa Loe.

Direct download: 00_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:32pm PDT

1