Kombucha Revolution

Okay, I am pretty addicted to this whole "Blogging For Books" gig! Another free (and awesome!) book arrived on my doorstop this afternoon. While my husband grilled I sat out on a blanket in the sun and pawed through this great little number. Here's my take!

Penned by the founder of the "Kombucha Wonder Drink", Stephen Lee, Kombucha Revolution starts with stories of the somewhat mysterious origins of Kombucha. It also walks you through the process of starting your own brew step by step! As someone who has brewed their own Kombucha many times, I found the directions really informative and perfect for beginners. The recipes use your kombucha in ways I've never heard of or even imagined. Who thought you could use yeast strands from your SCOBY to leaven bread? You totally can in the recipe for 'Harvest Breakfast Bread'. So totally awesome. Kombucha Jello? You betcha! I also enjoyed the multitude of recipes for different infused Kombuchas. I've dabbled in basic flavors like ginger but I'd love to try more interesting blends like holiday spice. That blend includes cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods. Yum!

In closing, I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone thinking of getting started in home kombucha brewing. I also think veteran brewers could find something to gain in the book as well such as new flavorings or uses for their kombucha. Two thumbs up!!

Have you ever been interested in brewing your own kombucha?

Until next time,

xoxo Stacie

Nourished Kitchen

I recently joined the "Blogging For Books" website and this was my first review copy (free books, weeee)! Check out the Facebook for The Nourished Kitchen here.

Doesn't the cover just look yum?

If you are familiar at all with the "real food" movement I'm sure you've checked out Jennifer's blog before. I have been a fan for quite awhile now, and I was so stoked when she announced she was coming out with a book. I've gotta tell you, if you are into cooking REAL homemade foods from scratch with locally produced ingredients (sometimes as local as your own backyard), you should pick up a copy for yourself!

To start off with, all the pictures are absolutely gorgeous. They made me very VERY hungry! There are so many recipes I can't wait to try, like the potherb and goat cheese pie with potato crust, fresh herb frittata and the rabbit pie with bacon and chanterelles! So many pages are dog eared already. I also especially enjoy the way the recipes are organized. They are in categories like "from the garden", "from the larder", etc. This book has also inspired me to give sourdough starter another go. 

Most of the recipes use seasonal ingredients, or show you how to preserve a seasonal ingredient to make it last (for example, sauerkraut). Basically this book was right up my alley and I am still, SO, SO excited to have received this review copy! I would give this book 5 (million) stars!

What new cookbook have you picked up recently? Do you have any favorite "real food" recipes?

Until next time,

xoxo Stacie

Garden Update

Oh man, between work and the husband working nights I have been oh so very busy! Since he's asleep later in the afternoon I have to do the second animal rounds, plus all the garden stuff. I will be so glad when that ends this week.

Anywho, a few pictures for your enjoyment. :)

We picked our first cabbage!

From front left to right; garlic, potatoes, zucchini, cabbage, tomatoes & marigolds (plus baby cucumbers by the arbor)

if zucchini were currency we'd be rich!

Our asparagus bed has been hit by ASPARAGUS BEETLES so I've been weeding like crazy and applying DE to the bed and am getting ready to go out and apply BT to kill the larvae. I'm just glad I can use a pretty natural thing to kill them because if not, I'd just let them have lunch. ;)

On the crochet front, I've been making baby stuff for all the ladies at work who are pregnant (we have THREE!). Yesterday I took a break and made myself a bikini top, which is totally awesome.

Egg production is WAY up and unfortunately most people who buy eggs from us don't want duck eggs so we've had those piling up. Finally we have someone to buy them and just ditched three dozen this morning. Thank God, because I couldn't fit much more in the fridge.

So, that's about it! How is your garden doing?

Until next time,
xoxo Stacie