It doesn't matter if you use your backyard space for growing food, flowers, succulents or something else - there are many, many healing benefits you can get from that space. And you don't have to be sick or injured to reap those benefits. You only need to be mindful of them. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews garden designer and author Jenny Peterson about the many healing qualities of our gardens and how we can better tap into those benefits. You learn: The different benefits available to mind, body and spirit, Simple tips for better using our garden space, How exercise goes beyond cardio, What it means to be grounded, Simple ways to connect to nature, What are garden rituals, The daily practice that reaps the biggest rewards and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/82 to learn more about healing gardens, Jenny's books and to get a full transcript of the episode. 

This podcast is about living closer to our food through preserving, artisan food crafts, small-space food growing and sustainable living. Making food from scratch can be a big part of that. And so can traditional, old-fashioned holiday recipes!  This week's episode is all about making traditional steamed puddings. Listen...we are NOT talking about fruitcake here. Nope. We are talking about melt-in-your mouth cakes that are rich and delicious. Host Theresa Loe gives you the low-down on what these desserts are and how you can make them with or without a steam pudding mold. You learn: Exactly what steamed puddings are and are not, Where to find molds, What to do if you don't have a pudding mold, The secret to never messing up the steam part, and she shares her family recipes for Persimmon Steamed Pudding and Mocha-Chocolate Steamed Pudding. It's a delicious episode. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/81 for more information, printable recipes and a full transcript of the show. 

Just because there is snow on the ground does not mean you have to stop growing food. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews winter gardening expert Niki Jabbour on how we can extend the season no matter where we live. And even if you don't think you want to grow food during the winter months, you can learn how to extend the season which will help you start your spring garden a few weeks earlier. In this episode, you learn: Why a winter garden is easier than a summer garden, Five super easy methods for extending the season, The materials you can use to cover crops, How to make a cloche from recycled materials, The best crops to grow during the winter months, How to judge timing for sowing winter crops and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/80 to get a full PDF transcript of the show as well as more information on growing food organically...even through winter. 

This week’s podcast comes at the beginning of December and for many of us, that means the hustle and bustle of the holiday time is upon us. Suddenly our to-do lists double in size, we find ourselves running around to shop, and we are trying to cram in extra things like holiday cards and cleaning for guests and parties. It can become easy to lose ourselves to the stress and forget what the holidays are supposed to be about. This episode is a little different in that host Theresa Loe shares her story of how a simple birthday practice blossomed into a month long practice for her family. And how doing this over the last few years has transformed her family and greatly reduced the stress. And she shares how one day the tables were turned on her and she found herself on the receiving end when she needed it most. In this episode you learn: The story of the birthday practice, How this blossomed into a month long ritual, The transformation it had on her kids, The notes she uses and the power of carrying it forward, Why you don't need money to do this, Tips, ideas and examples of how you can do this yourself or with your kids AND there is a free PDF download to go along with this episode in the show notes. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/79 for more information including a FREE PDF of kindness cards that can be used a prompts for your own month of kindness.

Learn how to create lush, living centerpieces for your table or your home. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews San Francisco plant and floral designer extraordinaire Baylor Chapman about creating a garden on a micro-scale...for inside your home. Even if you have no garden space outside or your current garden is asleep for winter, you can have greenery inside to stay connected to nature. A tabletop landscape is easy and inexpensive to do. You learn: The benefits of indoor greenery, how tablescapes follow basic landscape principles, The elbow rule of centerpieces, What is Kokedoma, How to build a mini-meadow on a table, Why your guests can take part of your design home, Different ideas for other seasons of naturescapes. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/78 for related links, a full PDF transcript and other information about this episode. 

Learn about three indoor garden activities for kids and adults alike that can keep you connected to nature through the winter months. These projects can add greenery to your home and are fascinating to watch. We all know that being outside in nature is good for kids. But winter can mean less outdoor playtime. If you want to nurture your kids to appreciate the environment and perhaps grow up to be gardeners themselves, keeping them engaged is key. But you don't need kids to do these projects! Adults can get just as much enjoyment out of them. In this episode, host Theresa Loe walks you through forcing bulbs, sprouting wheatgrass and sprouting mushrooms on your kitchen table. You learn: Why a connection to nature is so important for kids today, All the materials needed for each project, Which bulbs are easiest to force and why, The trick to getting wheatgrass to sprout quickly, How to know that your wheat is ready to "mow", Why adding dinosaurs to your project can take it to the next level, How a mushroom growing kit works, Safety training for kids when growing mushrooms. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/77 for all the related links and a full PDF transcript of the episode. 

Although this podcast focuses on living farm fresh without a farm, many of the listeners DO want a farm or are already farmers themselves. Well, this episode is about one couple who decided they wanted to be farmers. And they wanted to farm their suburban backyard...as a business. Host Theresa Loe interviews new organic farmer, Emily Aarons. Although they are just starting out, Emily is able to share their successes so far as well as 5 important lessons learned. You learn: What made Emily and Andrew decide to be farmers, What sort of regulations were needed, What it means to be certified organic - even in a backyard, The truth about commercial egg labeling, How Emily juggles being a new mom and farmer at the same time, The 5 most important lessons they have learned so far. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/76 for more information, the full show notes, related links and a free PDF of the transcript. 

Learn the simple steps to creating the edible garden of your dreams - beautiful AND delicious. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews edible landscape designer/author Stefani Bittner about how listeners can transform their garden into an epic food garden. You learn: The simple steps to getting started, The #1 thing you MUST do to ensure food safety, Why you shouldn't plant next to an old fence post, Why swapping out can make all the difference, Which edibles make great screens, Why you shouldn't eat the edibles between stepping stones, Fun edibles that are also stunning in the landscape, What to consider when planting in the front yard and more. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/75 for a full transcript and links to much more information. 

Learn to make countertop yogurt with NO special equipment. Enjoy this encore presentation. Next week, we are back to brand new episodes. Also - Listen to the beginning of this episode to learn about a brand new FREE webinar happening on November 3, 2016. It's geared for brand new canners wanting to get over their fear of learning to can. In the encore episode, you learn: The advantages of homemade yogurt, How the whole process works, Why you don't need any special equipment, How to make it without heating the milk, Which milks work best, All the different types of yogurt you can make. As always, you can get all the links AND a printable yogurt making guide for free at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/74 and you can also find a full transcript of the episode.

Although there's some new info in this episode, the main topic is an encore presentation from one of host Theresa Loe's more popular episodes. It's packed with practical and important info on canning safety. Why include an encore? As Theresa announces in this episode, there's some new exciting projects in the works around Living Homegrown and the team needed a little time to focus on those projects. But don't worry, there are some cool interview episodes coming up that you will love. Theresa also announces a NEW, FREE live canning training coming up in November. In this episode, you learn: The most important canning jar ring safety practice, Why photographs of canned goods are so misleading, The optimal time to remove canning rings, Three key reasons these safety practices are important, The storage mistake that can waste your canning efforts and more. As always, you can go to www.livinghomegrown.com/73 to get more information and download the full transcript. You can also register for Theresa's new free canning training coming up in November.

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.