Maria's Farm Country Kitchen

July 20, 2009 • in Gardening

Sex, Adventure, and Plant Hunting

It never really occurred to me to wonder how the Latin names for plants were decided, or why and how the British became obsessed with gardening, or even to wonder where the plants in my garden originated (other than the …

Top Ten “Micro Moments” of Happiness

As Rodale News reported yesterday, a new study shows that people are happier and more resilient when they enjoy micro moments of positive emotions in their lives—rather than waiting for the big-bang moments, such as winning the lottery or getting …

Free the Seeds!

Beware the biotech euphemisms for genetically modified seeds (a.k.a. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms). Anytime you hear people like Bill Gates and other unnamed politicians and business leaders talk about “better seeds” or “improved seeds,” you are hearing them unwittingly …

Health Care Reform: Paying for Prevention, not Procedures

With health care reform in the news every day, it’s so hard to sort all the hype and lobbying spin from the real issues. It’s a giant blame game, tinged with a threat of socialism, that has the media and …

Ruthless Gardening: A Must!

Every summer around this time the same thing happens. I head out to the garden after a busy work week (or three), and take a look at my vegetable garden and go, “Oh *%$!” Once again, I have let sentimental, …

Lead in Lawns: A Looming Crisis

Last week I read that the White House garden’s soil was tested, and they found it contained lead above the safe limits. I know exactly how Michele Obama feels. Twenty years ago—after a few years of putting in vegetable gardens …

By Popular Demand: My Mother’s Pasty Recipe (with Lard)

I was pleasantly surprised by all the wonderful comments I got for my blog entry about lard. It seems that lard is underappreciated in these modern times—maybe it’s due for a comeback. Anyway, lots of people asked for my mother’s …