There are so many wonderful things that I love about fall! It is my favorite season. Not only do we get to slow down from the heat of summer, but we also get to harvest the fruits of our labors and bring them inside — and some of that harvest includes apples!    Apples have their own natural be...

I am a huge fan of elderberries, and not just because they are a natural plant here in the Pacific Northwest! They have such wonderful medicinal value and are probably the best-tasting medicinal herb — aside from maybe peppermint. These berries can be made into various products, including tea, ti...

Ice cream floats are the quintessential American summertime treat, perfect for anyone looking to cool down or satisfy their sweet tooth. Here on the farm, everyone loves ice cream, and what better way than to make memories with ice cream floats as a family, from trying out new flavor combinations...

Italian soda has had a special place in my heart since I was a teen! I worked at a pizza restaurant in high school and ran the espresso bar. When customers came in, I would make Italian sodas for them.    As much as I loved making these sodas — and of course, drinking them too — a typical Itali...

Basil is my favorite summertime herb! I love growing fresh basil and adding it to pizza or using it to make homemade pesto for pasta and grilled veggies. And that’s just the beginning! Basil is not only incredibly tasty, but it’s also full of wonderful medicinal properties.   In today’s guide, ...

Boba, also known as ‘bubble tea,’ is a really popular, trendy drink. And while boba sure is delicious, it also has a bunch of sugar, corn syrup, and junk hidden inside of it. Did you know you can easily make your own boba at home? It’s not only more affordable when you do, but it also means you g...

Simple syrups can be used in so many different ways! You can mix them into cocktails and Italian sodas, drizzle them on desserts, or mix them into salad dressings. Making your own simple syrups is a must-have skill in any homestead and herbalist kitchen.    Some of our favorite ways to use simp...

Growing up, my room was filled with all sorts of crafts, usually involving paper of any and every kind. I had glue, glitter, paints, colored pencils, fancy scissors that cut all sorts of shapes, and rubber stamps galore. Hello 80s!    While all of those things are fun tools for a crafty person ...

 I've never been able to drink alcohol — not even a glass of wine. Having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease paired with a compromised digestive system makes alcohol one of the hardest things for me to handle. Only a sip or two will have me sleeping in short order and will leave my digestive syste...

 I grew up drinking sun tea like it was going out of style. I could never get enough of it! My mom always made it using Lipton tea bags in one of those big gallon containers with the brightly colored design on the outside. She would fill it up, set it in the sun, and then top it off with sugar.  ...