Raising a Real Food Baby

By guest blogger Jeffery Lindenmuth, a full-time writer focusing on food and drink. People are always saying that our baby girl, Elke, resembles the Gerber baby. And as the time came for her to begin eating fruits and vegetables, my …

Raising Guinea Hens (Including the Great Guinea Surprise!)

We started keeping guinea hens about three years ago because we live in the woods, and I wanted something to eat the ticks. Guineas eat more ticks than any other bird, including chickens—probably because they come from Africa, where there …

A Visit to my Kitchen: Amanda Kimble-Evans

Amanda Kimble-Evans is stopping by my kitchen this morning to chat about what’s filling her garden (and her belly!) and her unusual use for diaper cream. Amanda is a writer and editor specializing in organic gardening and farming. Growing up …

The Great American Backyard Campout

This Saturday, June 26, is the annual Great American Backyard Campout, organized by the National Wildlife Federation. Camping out in your backyard is a great activity, whether you have kids or not (although, I suppose it depends on your neighborhood). …

How to Discipline a Child

I’ve tried many methods of disciplining children over the decades (yes, I’ve been a mom of three different 3-year-olds over a period that’s spanned 20 years). And I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. It’s not that complicated or hard; …

How to Get Your Kids to Eat More Vegetables

I’ve met a few kids in my time who have never had more vegetables than a carrot stick and, if they had to guess what an artichoke is, would say it’s a karate move. But not my kids, of course. …

My Mother’s Ashes

On Good Friday last week, we spread my mother’s ashes. She had passed away in late December, and it seemed fitting to wait until spring to fulfill her final wish, which was to have her ashes spread at a few …