Learn to make delicious fresh cheese in under an hour! In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews cheesemaker/entrepreneur/author Claudia Lucero who shares tips for making fresh cheese at home. Claudia is the founder of UrbanCheesecraft where you can buy DIY cheese kits for everything from Mozzarella to Paneer and more. She is also the author of the book: One Hour Cheese. In this episode, Claudia walks the listeners through all the steps of making their first batch of cheese and gives the low down on how easy it is to enjoy this rewarding hobby. You learn: Which type of milks you can use, If it's possible to make non-dairy cheese, The difference between pasteurized and ultra-pasteurized, What is rennet and why might you want to use vegetarian rennet, How to move on to make Mozzarella, Ricotta, Paneer and more. As always you can go to the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/72 for a full transcript of the show. PLUS - as an added bonus, you can download a printable PDF of Claudia's easy cheese recipe - Formage Facile. And you can go to the show notes to get a limited time 20% discount on all of Claudia's DIY cheese kits.

Have you ever thought that your existing garden looked a little drab? It doesn't matter if you are using edibles in your landscape or not, after a few years things can get out of balance. And you may find that your garden is just not looking as good as it used to. Learn how to refresh that garden using cool (yet simple) garden design tricks.  In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Northern California garden designer Rebecca Sweet on how we can revamp our garden space. Easy tips for figuring out what's wrong and how to fix it. You learn: Why our garden may have lost its luster, The most important step in garden redesign, What does it really mean to "edit", What is an echo and why is it important, When is the best time of year to refresh, and How can we create optical illusions. As usual, you can learn more at www.LivingHomegrown.com/71 where you will also find a full transcript of the episode. 

In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe answers a listener question about the safety of "canned" cake. You may have seen these recipes on the internet where it calls for baking cake-like breads in a canning jar (like pumpkin bread or zucchini bread) and then placing on a lid to create a vacuum seal. A listener wrote in asking if it was okay to do this. Well...although a lot of people used to do this, today it's not considered safe. And Theresa dives deep into the research conducted on this exact practice, what the research showed, and the reasons you should not "can" cake yourself. You learn: Why canners argue about this type of recipe, Why you still might find it in some canning books, The science behind the researched data, How the oven doesn't kill everything you think it does, How commercial companies can get away with it, What is recommended you do instead. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/70 for a full transcript of the episode and any related links mentioned in the episode. 

This episode is for anyone wanting to start food gardening for the very first time. Host Theresa Loe interviews garden blogger/author Dee Nash of Red Dirt Ramblings about how to start a food garden if you have never ever picked up a trowel before. And they focus on starting in containers because it is an easy way to dive in without getting overwhelmed with a larger space. You learn: The basic tools you need to garden, The types and sizes of containers you should start with, How to assess a garden space, What to look for in commercial potting soil, How to read a fertilizer label, Why organic is best, How to make a salad bowl garden. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/69 to get related links and a full transcript of the episode.

Learn all about how to compost in your own backyard. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Joe Lamp'l - the host and creator of the television series Growing A Greener World on PBS. Theresa is Joe's Co-Executive producer and they have been working together for over 7 years on the TV gardening series. But in this episode, Theresa brings Joe on the podcast to give the full scoop on how to compost. You learn: The benefits of composting, How it works, Do you really need a composter, What about those weird brown to green ratios, How can we speed up the process and What do we do with the compost we make. Joe also gives the full story of how the PBS show came about and where the garden series is headed (a big change is coming in season 8)! They spend the first 10 minutes diving deep into behind-the-scenes of the garden TV series and then spill the beans on how EASY it is to compost. As always, you can get the full transcript, related links that are mentioned in the episode and a FREE PDF Composting Cheat Sheet to get you started on your own composting adventure. Just go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/68 and everything you need will be right there. 

Infusing can be a fun way to make really delicious, yet simple gifts. If you start now, you will have plenty of time to finish before the holiday rush. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract, Spiced Rum and Grand Marnier. You also learn: Some simple tips for packaging, Why you can use bulk vanilla, What to add to your homemade extract to keep the flavor strong and more. As always, there is more information in the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/67 including a free PDF for a Cranberry Liqueur Recipe, lots of resources for jars and bulk ingredients as well as a full PDF transcript of the episode.

Learn how easy it is to harness the relaxation qualities of herbs. We all lead really busy lives and we deserve some down time. Why not use ingredients from the garden to revive ourselves? In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews garden designer and author Sue Goetz about using herbs to create a spa experience. Sue wrote "The Herb Lover's Spa Book" and they discuss: How to create small relaxation spaces inside and outside, Why we should touch our plants, What heat does to herbs, How to harness the value of the natural essential oils, Steaming with herbs, Which herbs promote relaxation, What is tub tea, Can we or should we use real tea in our bath water, and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/66 to get a full transcript of the episode and links to related information. There is also a free PDF download in the show notes which includes recipes for bathtub sachets and lists of herbs to use for steaming. 

Dehydrating food is one of the easiest forms of food preservation. It's simple and safe. You can dehydrate everything from herbs, fruit and veggies to meat. In this episode, host Theresa Loe walks you through the basics of dehydrating for long term storage. You learn: What dehydrating is and how it works, The advantages of dehydration, Is botulism an issue, How dehydrated food tastes different from fresh, What equipment is needed to do the job well, How to dry apples, Do you really need to treat them and how to rehydrate some of the foods you dry. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/65 to get more information, resources and a full transcript of this episode.

We all have too many things on our To-Do list, don't we?  And when trying to fit in gardening, canning, homesteading, family, work and other activities...Well, it can be a bit overwhelming. In this episode, host Theresa Loe talks about creating the proper mindset to keep our energy and motivation going while getting a better handle on all the things we think we need to accomplish. This is not a usual topic for this podcast. But after several listener requests, Theresa shares an overview on how she gets so much done. Hopefully there will be a few tips that can help you reduce your own stress and overwhelm with your own To-Do list so that you can be more productive. You learn: Why decluttering gives you better focus on what matters most, How to discover your own personality temperament and why that can help you on projects, How to side step the things that drain you, Why and how you need to recharge, How to schedule like the CEO of your homestead, What is a pile up zone and why you need one. Theresa created a free worksheet to walk you through the 7 steps and it includes additional resources if you want to dig deeper. You can download the free PDF worksheet and get the other links mentioned at www.LivingHomegrown.com/64 as well as a full transcript of the episode. Let's kick overwhelm to the curb!

Learn to make lotions, bath products and more on this episode. Host Theresa Loe interviews Blogger/Author Stephanie Rose from Garden Therapy. You learn: How to make After Sun Lotion, DIY Bath Bombs, How to infuse oils three different ways, The difference between essential oils and fragrance oils, The trick to making Easter Egg Bath Bombs and more. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/63 to get more free recipes and a downloadable Lip Balm Recipe as well as the full transcript for the show. You will also find resources for all the ingredients for the recipes in the show notes. 

Fresh herbs are great in the kitchen, but they can also be used to add beauty and fragrance to your home. Learn how to reap the benefits of these wonderful plants with tips for getting the most flavor and fragrance from them. You can grow fresh herbs yourself or buy them at the farmer's market. But once home...what can you do with them. Host Theresa Loe shares tips on using herbs. You learn: Tips for growing herbs, How to judge the freshness when you buy herbs, How to keep them fresh, The substitution formula for fresh vs. dried, Which herbs are best for flavor, Which are best for fragrance, A simple trick for freshening a room with mint, Tips for scenting your linens and Why her teen son's shoes smell like lavender. LOL  As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/62 for links and resources mentioned in this episode. There is also a FREE bonus PDF of Theresa's Herb Plant Resource Guide. It has a full listing of all herbs mentioned (with botanical names) and a list of mail order sources for all the unusual herbs.

Learn how to harness the flavor of this versatile herb. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares the benefits of growing, harvesting and using lavender in the kitchen - both in your cooking and in your preserves. You learn: Which lavender has the best flavor, The basics of growing and harvesting lavender flowers, How to make lavender salt, A simple recipe of lavender sugar, How to make lavender honey, The important concerns of flavoring honey and how to do it safely, Two simple ways to add lavender flavors to your preserves and much more. Plus Theresa has a PDF tip sheet for how to use lavender in your canning projects that you can download for free. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/61 to get more links, information, the PDF tip sheet and the full transcript of the show.

There is a lot of confusion about two very different commercial products used in canning. This episode helps clears that up. Host Theresa Loe explains the difference between Clear Jel® vs. Sure Jell® and how you can "put up" pie filling now to enjoy later when the fruit season is over. You learn: What Clear Jel is and how it is used, How Sure Jell is used in canning, Where you can find both of these products, Do you even REALLY need them or can you work without them, and tips for making pie filling. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/60 to get all the related links, a PDF of an Apple Pie Filling recipe and a full transcript of the episode.

Keeping your own bees may sound thrilling and romantic -- But actually, there is A LOT to this important hobby. If you ever thought about being a beekeeper OR if you would just like to learn more about the importance of bees and the people who keep them - then this episode is for you. Host Theresa Loe interviews experienced beekeeper Karla Delong of Mountain Feed and Farm Supply. Karla shares all the good, the bad and the exciting things that a beginning beekeeper should know and consider before diving in. You learn: The importance of bees and how backyard beekeepers are making a difference, Why local bees are superior (no matter where "local" is for you), Is it possible to be an "organic" beekeeper, The 4 areas of care in beekeeping, The special qualities every beekeeper should possess (or strive for), Is it really okay to keep bees in the city, Can bees be kept on a balcony, Why wine corks are so important for us to have in our gardens and so much more! As always, you can get all the links mentioned and more at www.LivingHomegrown.com/59 as well as a full transcript of this episode.

You know exactly what's in your food when you make it yourself. Nothing could be more true than when you make your own bacon! In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Joel MacCharles and Dana Harrison - the authors of the new preserving book Batch. This episode is part two of a two part interview. Part one (Episode #57) focused on the book and different ways to preserve lemons. This week's episode focused on using salt and smoke to flavor and preserve a whole variety of different products. FIRST...Theresa dives into bacon labeling and how that organic bacon you are eating might STILL have nitrites even though it says "no nitrites added other than...".  Important label info to know and understand if your goal is to eliminate nitrites from your diet. Then in this episode you learn: Why "no added nitrites" on bacon labels in the United States can be misleading, How chili salt is great for people who don't like heat, Why pink curing salt is NOT the same as pink Himalayan salt, Step-by-step instructions for making bacon at home (it is pretty easy and delicious), The difference between hot and cold smoke methods, How to turn your BBQ into an inexpensive smoker, How to make inexpensive dog treats for your dog using smoke. And MORE!  As always, you can get all the links mentioned by going to www.LivingHomegrown.com/58 and you can get a full PDF transcript of the episode. 

Learn how to make salt-cured lemons, lemon zest salt and authentic Limoncello made the old fashioned way. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Joel MacCharles and Dana Harrison - the couple behind the very successful blog, Well Preserved and the co-authors of: BATCH - Tips and Techniques for a Well Preserved Kitchen. You learn: Why batching different preservation techniques together makes sense, How to make and use salt-cured lemons, How a simple trick with lemon zest can be the gateway to other salted preserves, The "real" way to make Limoncello without steeping, What the heck is Bourbon-cello and why has no one every told us of this before??? This episode is Part One of a two-part episode (next week covers salt and smoke preserving). As always, you can get all related links and information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/57 including a full transcript of the episode. 

Do you long for more produce from your tiny garden? Do you find yourself with too much zucchini but not enough cabbage? Ever wish you had a better system for growing just the right amount of food? Learn to grow more food no matter how big or small your garden space. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Colin McCrate of Seattle Urban Farm Company and one of the authors of: High Yield Vegetable Growing - a new book that shows you how to take your food growing to a whole new level using scaled down farming tips and techniques. In this episode you learn: How just a little planning can make a HUGE difference in your food production, What it means to plant in succession, What is "relay planting", How to calculate exactly how much you need to grow, How to double your crop storage time by harvesting correctly and more. As always, you can get all the links and resources mentioned at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/56 as well as a full PDF transcript of the episode.

Learn how to use smart garden design to get more enjoyment out of your food garden. These tips work for ALL gardens, not just food gardens. But many times when we grow food, we think more about harvesting the tomatoes than we do about good garden design. Right??  Well by adding just a few simple elements to our backyard, we can draw in more wildlife, more pollinators and WAY more enjoyment from our backyard space. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author and landscape designer Susan Morrison. They discuss simple ways we can set up our garden to benefit both the gardener AND the wildlife around us. It's all about slowing down to enjoy and appreciate the nature around us. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/55 to get more tips and links as well as a full transcript of the episode.

Ever end up with too much of a good thing?  Too many jars of jam or two many pickles? Every canner has! Well in this episode, you learn how to take those extra preserves and trade them to diversify your panty and your friendships. You see, food swaps are a popular and fun way to meet other artisan food crafters, explore new flavors and make friends at the same time. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Emily Paster - the author of "Food Swap: Specialty Recipes for Bartering, Sharing and Giving". You learn: What a food swap is and how it works, Surprising advantages of trading homemade goods, Food swap etiquette, How to avoid legal issues, What is quince paste and how to use it, How to find a food swap in your area or start your own. As always, there are links and resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/54 as well as a full transcript of the episode.

In this episode you learn the secrets to successfully preserving your garden produce using your freezer. This method is fast and easy if you know the tricks. Host Theresa Loe shares: Which containers work best and why, What is flash freezing and why you should use it on berries, How to disable the enzymes that soften frozen vegetables, Why headspace is so important when freezing in glass containers, What makes tomatoes so easy for freezing, The trick to freezing zucchini quickly. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/53 for the show notes which contain related links and a full transcript of the episode.

Get your canning jar questions answered. In this episode, host Theresa Loe answers 4 listener questions about canning jars. You learn: Why you should include a jar ring when you give away preserves as gifts, What to do with those one use canning lids, How to prevent accidental reuse of used lids, Different options for storing uneaten preserves in the refrigerator, Why we check the rims of jars before each canning session, Tips for storing jars so they stay organized and chip free. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/52 for the show notes which include related links and full transcript of the podcast. 

Stop trying to have the perfect garden and give yourself permission to enjoy the gardening process! In this episode, host Theresa Loe goes over 3 gardening reality checks to help you put your gardening expectations into perspective. And then she dives into 5 simple tips for stopping garden overwhelm in it's tracks before we hit peak harvest time. You learn: The biggest mistake newbie gardeners make, Her secret weapon for fighting weeds organically, A simple trick for keeping track of garden records, The daily practice that will serve you in more ways than you expect. It's all about taking the pressure off ourselves so that we get more out of our gardens than an aching back. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/51 to see the show notes, related links and download the full transcript of the episode. 

Making homemade vinegar is an easy ferment you can try at home. There are two ways to do it and both are covered in this episode. Host Theresa Loe interviews Karla DeLong from Mountain Feed and Farm Supply on the step-by-step methods for creating a vinegar on your countertop. You learn: How to make a vinegar both with a "mother" and without, Why leftover fruit scraps can truly have a second life through fermentation, What is a SCOBY and how does it work, Why setting your brew out at room temperature is totally safe, Why testing for pH is so helpful (and how to do it). For all the links mentioned go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/50 and you will also find a full transcript of the episode.

Learn the science behind the flavor of dried herbs and which herbs are best for drying (and which are not). In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares tips for how to dry herbs that you either harvest yourself or buy at the farmer's market. You learn: The few herbs that are not worth drying (from a culinary standpoint), Why some herbs taste better than others, The science behind essential oils and flavor, The step-by-step instructions for drying herbs. As always, you can get the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/49 as well as links for more information.

This week's episode answers some listener questions and covers some important canning safety and how to feel confident you are canning correctly. Host Theresa Loe also shares a trick for removing stubborn sticky residue left by old jar labels. You will learn: What causes botulism to throw a party in a canning jar, Why you should NOT water bath can green beans unless they are pickled, A nifty trick for easily removing stubborn canning jar labels that are baked on like cement. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/48 including a full transcript and information on the online canning academy. 

Learn the top rookie canning mistakes and how to overcome them. Host Theresa Loe removes some of the road blocks that can cause canners to fail by spelling out some of the common mistakes canners make. But don't feel bad if you've made some of these same mistakes yourself because even advanced canners make them too! In this episode you learn: The most common ways people cover up rather than showcase seasonal flavor, How to best accessorize that flavor, One short cut you should never take, Which salt is best for pickle making, The top tip for pantry storage and so much more. As always, you can go to the show notes to download additional information and the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/47 as well as get links for more information. Theresa's Canning Academy® is opening its doors in just 2 weeks so be sure to get on the list at www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses to get more information.

Learn what canning myths may be holding you back from reaching your true canning potential. You learn the truth about expense, time and difficulty when canning. Plus you learn: How a good canner is like a master chef - capturing the flavor and suspending it in time, The most compelling reason to can food, and About making jam in 20 minutes with out pectin or even a canner! Host Theresa Loe is opening the doors to her Canning Academy® soon for the spring session. Be sure to sign up to be notified because she only opens the doors a few times each year. The spring session gets you ready in time for summer canning. As always, you can get the show notes, links and the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/46 and get the PDF recipe for Spiced Blueberry Refrigerator Jam. You can learn more about the Canning Academy at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/Courses 

Learn how canning is much more than preserving a bountiful harvest. In this episode, host Theresa Loe talks about three of the benefits of canning food and how you can reap these benefits even if you do not have a garden. You will learn the many ways canning ties into sustainability, why grocery store produce is not that flavorful (and where to get flavor instead), the secrets behind grocery store tomatoes, and how artisan preserves can tie you directly to a food's story. As always, you can get the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/45 as well as links to more information. You can also sign up to be notified when Theresa's Canning Academy opens its doors in a few weeks!

Learn the key traits or mindsets needed to be a successful canner - and NO, it is NOT about being perfect or having fancy equipment. In this episode, host Theresa Loe gives you 5 key characteristics you need to bring to the table in order to capture seasonal flavor at its peak. Its not hard. In fact, its all about going with the flow and letting Mother Nature do the work for you. You learn: How to be adventurous while still being safe, The role of lemon and how to harness it, Which additives to bump up and which to avoid and more. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/44 to get all the links mentioned, information on the Canning Academy and a full transcript of the episode.

You don't need a lot of land to grow your own food. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Julie Chai - former senior editor at Sunset Magazine all about getting started with edible plants in containers. You learn: What you can and cannot grow in containers, Why you don't want to use your garden soil, Key tips for bountiful crops, How to judge when to water, And tricks for making your own tomato cages. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/43 for a full transcript and links to all the things mentioned in the episode.

Learn how to create a show-stopping garden with just a few simple tricks. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shows you step-by-step how to create an edible garden that is bold, beautiful AND productive. You learn: The three keys to thinking differently about your edibles, How to have edibles in your front yard without the neighbors complaining, Three simple ways to create drama in the landscape, Her secret weapon for creating a garden that is productive and beautiful, The one part that can be tricky to manage...but you can. Foodscape your garden and reap the delicious rewards! As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/42 for the full transcript, related links and the free bonus for this episode is: A PDF Seed Guide featuring compact, but high yielding vegetables.

"It's like 'Slow Food', but with flowers."  Learn how making more sustainable flower choices can truly  impact the environment AND our lives. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Debra Prinzing about the Field-to-Vase Slow Flowers movement that is gaining momentum here in America. And about how we as consumers can change our thinking this Valentine's Day (and every day) by seeking out more local, sustainable flower purchases. This episode is packed with practical tips and the show notes list every link mentioned. It's a wealth of information to help you on your sustainable living journey. Visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/41 for related links, a PDF transcript and a listing of handy hints for buying flowers.

This simple syrup is just this side of heaven. Learn how easy it is to make and how versatile it is in the kitchen. It can be used in cocktails, to sweeten tea and lemonade, as a topping for desert and as a glaze on chicken. In this episode, you also learn why you can water bath can rhubarb syrup even though rhubarb is a vegetable. And if you don't want to can it, that's okay too. Host Theresa Loe tells you how to freeze it or store it in the refrigerator. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/40 to get the PDF recipe, a full transcript and links to more information.

New to fermenting food? Learn how to troubleshoot the ferment, what's safe and what's not. Plus learn how to make a simple cranberry/apple ferment (step-by-step) and cultured cocktails along the way! In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Karen Diggs of Kraut Source and they discuss the benefits of fermented food, is botulism an issue, the exact measurements to make a safe brine, common things that can go wrong and what you should do about them, tips for using the brine after the ferment AND how to make a delicious cultured cocktail. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/39 for all the links mentioned, a full transcript AND a free Fermentation 101 Resource Guide to get you started on your way to making fermented foods yourself. 

Learn how easy it is to make cultured butter at home. You just combine a few simple ingredients (cream with either yogurt or buttermilk), let it culture on the countertop, whip it up and rinse off the buttermilk. Seriously...it is that easy. But the flavor? Beyond amazing. Interested in giving it a go? Host Theresa Loe tells you how. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/38 including a printable recipe and the transcript of the episode.

Ready to tackle 2016? Learn a step-by-step method for setting realistic and attainable goals for yourself, your home/garden and your farm-fresh lifestyle. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares some tips for making those goals a reality. Be sure to check out the show notes at www.LivingHomegrown.com/37 where you will find a downloadable "Goal Setting Worksheet", the full transcript of the episode and several free resources for setting goals. 

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™.

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.

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.

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™.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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). 

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!

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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...

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

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.

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.