Living Homegrown Podcast With Theresa Loe

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™.