It's that time of year, syrup-making season, and so a curious group of us headed on over to the Legge farmstead, where not only grinding heritage corn happens, but also the tapping of Boxelders trees. Legge has been tapping boxelder trees since 2016 and has kept very detailed records each year to perfect the process and taste. Legge first started when a friend of his from Mandan, "who has just as many bad habits as I do, got curious about collecting and started. I said, 'this is going...

Most women don't give a second thought to what's in their cosmetics. They are used to one brand or one product and often don't deviate from that because they are either used to it, the product provides coverage, or meets their skin needs. This is good and bad. Good in the sense women are aware of what works well on their skin tone but bad because they don't care what ingredients fill the back label. What does it really matter? Well, harmful chemicals like phthalates, parabens,...

Turmeric is one of my favorite spices and holds so many incredible benefits. It's also cheaper than many medicines that mask symptoms and don't really offer a cure. As a person who has experience using different homeopathic medicines for different reasons, taking a turmeric supplement is my first suggestion if you are busy. However, if you have time or want a nice calming and relaxing way to start or end your day, then a warm/hot mug of turmeric milk is a perfect way to start....

Have you ever wondered how to make rice cakes? Well, I have. There are so many simple foods we buy from the store that cost way more than they should. Rice cakes are no exception. This recipe is so simple and literally takes 10 minutes in total. You can't even run into the store and come back out in that short amount of time. So why not make them yourself? Ready set, let's start! Homemade Rice Cakes Recipe By Lauren Prep time 5 minutes, Cook time 5...

For those of you who are looking for the perfect mayonnaise recipe, you have come to the right blog. If you are on a special diet, like gluten-free or no sugar, this is the perfect recipe. The flavor of this mayonnaise is mild and creamy but also has a touch of zing. The taste although different from store-bought is amazing, and once you try it, you will never go back. The color will also be different, showing a golden hue. This recipe is from MaryJanes and makes about 2...

They say faith can move mountains, but perhaps at times, mountains move faith. December 27, 2020, Hunter Pinke, age 22 at the time, collided with another skier as he came out of the trees on a blue diamond run down a mountain in Keystone C.O. "I like to ski in the trees, or the powder in the holes in and out of trees. And so, that first run of the day was relatively easy." Hunter, now age 23, said while telling his story. Except it wasn't. Coming out of the trees, another skier...

For many who live clean, natural, and organic lives, plastic-free is something we aspire to. However, using plastic wrap to cover food is so handy and automatic that many don't give it a second thought. That is until now. Heather Dessinger has come up with a brilliant way to replace cling wrap, plastic wrap, or saran wrap using biodegradable materials. Not only is this a great way to get away from plastic but it saves costs and you learn a new skill. Ready to learn how to...

Sicilian bread is easy to make, but it does take a little time because it's a yeast rising bread. However, there is no need to worry as I give exquisite details. In the end, you will be a pro and will have a new recipe to include in your recipe box. Sicilian Bread is a go-to bread in our house. I make it quite often for the family and when we are expecting company. Pair it with a hearty supper such as pasta, stews, or soups for a complete meal. It also makes a nice breakfast...

This is a guest article by https://www.bellacupcakecouture.com You may have read and heard what Vitamin E can do to your skin countless times, as it is one of the most popular ingredients on skin-care products.  But Vitamin E isn't only found in skin support. It's naturally present in most foods.  You may have even taken it in a supplement form. Studies even show that it can help prevent certain diseases.  But what is Vitamin E, and what benefits can you get from it? ...

Flour and cornmeal are used almost every day in our household. Baking wheat bread, or cornbread, whipping up a batch of pancakes, muffins, wheat cereal, you name it, we use it. And since it is used so much, my husband and I decided to invest in a Golden Grain Grinder a long time ago. This grinder has different settings on the back, so you can make a coarse grind or very fine. One function that made us decide to get this particular grinder is it can run on electricity or...

Wellness Mama said it best when she explained "In technical terms, ghee is a clarified, unsalted butter with the milk proteins removed. It has a high smoke point, making it perfect for cooking, and an incredible flavor. Many people who cannot tolerate dairy can handle ghee and it is a revered food in Indian cuisine." As a person who is on a restrictive diet, ghee is also something you can take if you have Hashimoto's thyroid problems or are on a no sugar, gluten-free, no soy, no dairy...

It’s nice to apply something to your lips during the summer and winter months to soften them. However, if you’re like me and react to different ingredients that typical companies put in their lip balm, it gets hard to find a clean product. This is one reason I started this blog and will continue. I want to give people an outlet where they can make clean products that will add to a clean lifestyle. Many of the ingredients listed for this lip balm are ones you use for...

Making Colby Cheese is not hard; it just takes time.  Having a cow that produces an abundance of milk inspired my husband and me to make our own cheese. We have been doing it for a number of years now and still enjoy every delectable step and bite. One of our favorite cheeses to make is colby. Colby Cheese is an American cheese named after the township in southern Wisconsin where it was first made. It has a more open texture than cheddar, contains more moisture, and has a...

Hello, hello. Today I was craving food with a touch of spice, but not enough to blow fire. So, after looking in the cupboards, I decided to make some red rice and beans.  It's filling but also very healthy. Red rice and beans also has a soup feel, so it's a perfect alternative for the winter months when you need a change. This recipe of red rice and beans is something I whipped up on the fly, but it turned out so well I thought I would share it. Let's...

There are many times when I like to sit where it's quiet with my fingers wrapped around a warm drink. It's comforting and also relaxing. In these moments, I realize how something familiar can add to the peacefulness of a person and create an overall feeling of euphoria. Different drinks can have different delights as each brings up a fond memory. Hot cocoa reminds me of a wonderful childhood, clean, crisp air in my lungs at the same time warmth. But not all cocoa is the same,...

There is so much to do around the holidays, so it's nice when you find a recipe that's easy yet appropriate. And by appropriate, I mean it fits the flavors of the season. Now some of you may think, well, homemade peppermint bark isn't very healthy, and you're right. At the same time, I like to give the kids a little break from eating Brussel sprouts ;).  Yes, there are healthy recipes, and I would suggest adding many to your diet during the holidays as people tend to overeat and...

If you’re a foodie like me, you will love learning about a tiny flower that has some extraordinary health benefits. Not only that, but you can use it in desserts and culinary dishes. What is this small flower, you may ask? Well, it has delicate white petals with a golden center, and chamomile is its name. With no surprise, this beautiful flower is related to the daisy family (Asteraceae or Compositae), and from what we know, there are two different types. German chamomile...

Pumpkin pie says everything we love about the holidays. For instance, it has a sweet smell, a heavenly taste, brings happiness to the soul, and puts a smile on the face. While closing my eyes, I take that first bite of pumpkin pie around the holidays and melt. It's kind of like those commercials you see where little bubbles pop up describing how you feel. In this case, the feeling is utterly delightful, marvelous, grand, and sublime. In short, pumpkin pie is the BEST! Due to the...

Hey friends, today it's all about nuts, and I don't mean going nuts from the kids or work; no, we're talking about the ones you nibble on when you need a snack or the ones you eat while at a holiday party. Some people aren't sure if eating nuts is healthy for them or not. As they are high in fat, most people associate that with not being a good thing. However, fats are not the enemy when we are talking about healthy fats, which nuts have. Sure, if you eat a whole bag full, that...

Body Butter is a pleasing lotion type product that every person in the house can enjoy. For women, body butter helps them feel sexy and soft. They also feel good knowing their skin is being taken care of and getting the treatment it deserves. As for the men, they will appreciate the silkiness of a women's skin, along with the pleasing scent of peppermint that emanates from her body. The body butter is also a healthy choice for children as it keeps moisture in and dry skin away. I rub...

Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, the last thing you want to do is cook breakfast. Everyone needs to eat, though, so having something prepared ahead of time is key. This recipe is easy to make; the flavor is incredible where you want to eat the whole loaf in one sitting, and when you put fresh butter on a slice, you feel like you’ve died and gone to Heaven. In a food analogy kind of way. Now that your mouth is watering let's start making some banana...

I write about health, which includes our body, mind, and soul. And, at present, the state of our country has everything to do with that. Allow me to explain. I was thinking of our country and the changes that will be coming our way, and then I was thinking of Jesus and the changes he brought. So what do I mean by that, and how do the two tie in together? Well, what we have now is a broken system and turning more ungodly every day due to the lack of respect and...

What a better way to bring in the Fall and Holidays than with this unique and fantastic soup This pumpkin soup recipe is creamy AND healthy! It calls for roasted pumpkin for maximum flavor and leftovers would go great with sandwiches or salads the next day. Recipe yields 4 bowls or 6 cups of soup. This pumpkin soup recipe includes instructions on how to roast the fresh pumpkin for maximum pumpkin flavor. Canned pumpkin purée also works well if you’re in a time crunch. See the recipe...

Well, it's a good morning on the farm as today we are learning the art of rendering down pig lard. Exciting, I know. If this is your first time, or if you haven't rendered in a couple of years and need a refresher, then welcome. To get started, take the fat you have saved after butchering your pig and put it all on the countertop or wherever you will be rendering. If you don't butcher yourself, no big deal, ask your local butcher shop to save the fat from your pig you are having...

Fall is a beautiful expression and reminder that we need to shed the old while beginning anew. Stepping outside, the dew has settled on the grass, and the air feels crisp. When I look towards the wavering trees, their color has taken on a new hue. Knowing Fall is in the air gives me a sense of calm and quiet. But why? Although our schedules haven't altered, it doesn't seem so busy. Perhaps the change that takes place outside also takes place within us. Knowing we can enjoy the...