Olivia and Cherish started some seeds last week.
They used toilet paper rolls cut in half as seedling cups, these are placed in an old cake pan and in front of a sunny window. I’ve also saved some cardboard egg cartons to start some seeds in. The lettuce seeds have come up quickly!
You need to know your growing zone and when you should start germinating your seeds inside. You don’t want to do this too early.
The other night we watched Forks Over Knives, a documentary about choosing more of a plant based diet for life. It gave some great information about studies connecting the typical American diet (high meat, dairy and sugar) with such high cancer and heart disease rates.
About a year and a half ago Emma and I started juicing. Sometimes we are real consistent with it, then ‘fall of the wagon’ for a while and then get back on. We like to juice during the day and eat supper together with Jeff, which will include a big salad. I’ve lost 45 pounds and Emma 40 pounds; we also go to the gym 3-5 times a week. When we juice consistently there is a real difference in our energy levels and overall attitudes. Hallelujah Acres is a great resource site.
Is canning worth it? It depends. Overall I’d say yes, but it does depend on your situation and season of life.
You have to consider the cost of supplies, the food, your time and the canned food quality.
When you start buying jars, lids, a canner (especially if you buy a pressure cooker) and other supplies you may think it is not cost effective.
Supplies-
The Food-
We put up green beans a couple weeks ago.
now we’re working on sweet corn…
Oh, how I hate the mess…
but I sure do love the results!
We’ve also made pickles…
both dill and bread and butter.
20 -30 jars at a time will make this winter easier on the pocketbook!
Be sure to check out the From Seeds to Harvest Gardening Challenge over at She Considers,
Emma brought in this beautiful sunflower that grew up all by itself in the middle of our tomatoes! Wonder how in the world that got there? A bird?
Then in two of my flower containers tomato plants have come up…but my flowers died. What’s that all about? Well, the tomato plant probably came up because I used soil from our compost pile. Not sure why the flowers died, a lot of the flowers that I planted from plants bought at Wal Mart didn’t make it.
Yep! Canning beans!!! A friend of ours called and asked us if we would come pick some beans because they have more than they can keep up with, so at twilight last night our family was out there picking. It was actually kind-of fun, the temperatures and humidity had dropped and with 4 of us picking and talking the time flew! We picked all of this in less than 30 minutes! Now that is what memories are made of!!!
We are in a drought here, which means every morning Jeff waters the garden and Olivia tends to her herbs.
We NEED rain, like a whole week of rain!
We’ve gotten some yellow squash from our garden and some wonderful lettuce. There have also been a couple blueberries ripe…can’t wait for those wonderful gems to ripen!
I saw this on line the other day…LOVVVVVE IT!
Don’t forget to check out today’s From Seeds to Harvest Gardening Challenge.
There is a sweeeeeeeeet giveaway involved!
Don’t forget about the From Seeds to Harvest Gardening Challenge going on over at She Considers!
