When you can freeze dry your own food, you get the added benefit of storing food that you’ve grown or chosen yourself. You can reduce or eliminate preservatives and chemicals and create your own healthy combinations of stored meals. If you’re interested in boosting the nutritional impact of freeze drying your own food, here are […]
Adventures in Home Freeze Drying
By Lisa Barker, Guest Blogger Like many of you, I was raised in a home that believed in home food storage; using what we grew by eating it immediately or storing it for later. We had a big cherry tree in the backyard that signaled the beginning of canning season, which went nearly nonstop through […]
Storage Foods with No Preservatives
Preservatives are found in nearly all food today. Most consumers have to go out of their way to seek out products that don’t use chemical preservatives to help increase shelf life. This can present a problem for those interested in storing food long term, or who may not have access to traditional storage, like hikers […]
Hydroponics For More Freeze Dried Food Options
Hydroponics may sound like some form of alien technology or medical treatment, but despite its big name, hydroponics is a gardening practice that is easy, inexpensive and can extend your growing season year-round. Imagine adding fresh vegetables or herbs to your freeze dried food entrees or soups – especially in the dead of winter when […]
Share an In-Home Freeze Dryer for Even More Savings
What Are the Advantages of an In-Home Freeze Dryer? The benefits of having access to an in-home freeze dryer are many, and if you own an in-home freeze dryer yourself, you can spread those advantages around to the people you know, saving you even more money. Freeze drying at home will help you spend less […]
5 Must-Have Garden Gadgets
In the time of iPads and wi-fi, gardening may seem hopelessly old-fashioned. Some people associate it with sweaty skin and a sore back, but thanks to some low-tech garden gadgets, it doesn’t have to be so hard. Check out some simple gizmos that can make your day in the garden a little more productive and […]
Composting 101: How it Works
Most gardeners are vaguely familiar with the concept of composting, but what is it? How does it to help your plants? When a plant dies it decays where it falls. As it decays, it breaks down into basic nutrients and other plants use those nutrients. Essentially, composting breaks down those same organic materials in a […]
Is Vertical Gardening Right for Your Space?
Over 50% of the world’s population lives in urban centers. The United Nations estimates that by the year 2050 that number will be closer to 70%. With space already at a premium among some of the world’s most expensive cities, what is a gardener to do? Well, like many of our great cities, gardeners all […]
The Many Benefits of Social Gardens
Most of us can’t afford the acres of rolling farmland we imagine in daydreams, but combining resources can allow friends and neighbors to enjoy gardening activities – and fresh produce — with a minimal investment. While some neighborhoods have land set aside for official “community gardens”, a social or shared garden is more of an […]
Freeze-drying Make-ahead Meals for Efficiency and Weight Loss
People who have lost weight and kept it off, and people who run efficient households in the middle of chaotic schedules have one important thing in common: They plan ahead. Meal planning is so much easier when you can make everything at once then just assemble it quickly throughout the week. However, the problem with […]