Living Homegrown Podcast With Theresa Loe

152: Why Backyard Chickens Make Great Pets Host Theresa Loe has been keeping chickens in her small Los Angeles backyard for about 10-11 years. Her family loves having chickens and her friends and neighbors enjoy the eggs. Many people don't know just how easy it is to care for chickens!  In today's episode, Theresa chats with author Melissa Caughey about all the considerations of starting your own flock, what you need for babies and adult chickens AND how it can be such a fun experience for children. You will learn: What makes backyard chickens so great The first thing you need to check out before ever starting What's involved in the day-to-day care Which breeds are best for beginners Why you never go to the feed store to just "look" at chicks How to use the eggs of Bantam breeds What are the requirements for baby chick care And more... As always, you can get all the links mentioned at www.LivingHomegrown.com/152 as well as a full transcript of the episode.  This episode was brought to you by Theresa's Livin

LH 151: A Peek Into A Farm Fresh Life In this episode, host Theresa Loe has someone interview HER about her own farm fresh lifestyle. Guest interviewer, Bev Ross, digs deep to find out how Theresa juggles an urban homestead, the podcast, teaching courses,  her family and a restoration heirloom orchard project. You will learn: What sparked Theresa's interest in the farm fresh lifestyle How she grows food on just 1/10th of an acre in Los Angeles What unusual veggies she has growing (sources in show notes) Why she's restoring an heirloom orchard in Northern California How she became a canning expert How she helps other "how-to" entrepreneurs grow their own businesses What it takes to put together a typical episode of this podcast Different ways we can make our days more productive And so much more... As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/151 to get a links and resources of everything mentioned (including the unusual veggies). You'll also find a full transcript of the show. This episode was brought

LH 150: Getting The Best Flavor From Your Fresh Produce Whether you're harvesting from an epic kitchen garden or supporting your local farmers' market, you want that fresh produce to SHINE when it hits the dinner table. That's not always how it happens though, is it? Fresh vegetables can be tricky to properly cook. A less than stellar experience with a veggie can turn us and our family off of it completely. Which is why host Theresa Loe brought on Alana Chernila to tell us about her latest cookbook that's all about how to prepare simple, perfect vegetables every time. It doesn't get much more "farm fresh" than that! Plus, Alana shares a super simple (yet delicious) recipe with us. You can get a PDF print out of the recipe in the show notes. (see below) You will learn: What 4 types of ingredients to boost flavor What is the most underappreciated veggie and why The best way to prepare cauliflower everyone will LOVE Why being courageous with ingredients can transform us as a cook How one bad experience can ruin

LH 149: How to Cook Real Food with Real Ingredients This episode is not just about Southern cooking, its about cooking from scratch using the freshest of produce and herbs. (Just like those we grow in our gardens) And it's about preparing real, whole food where you know and can pronounce all of the ingredients. Host Theresa Loe brought on nutritionist and author Ashley English to share her food journey and why she made her way back to her Southern cooking roots. She offers tips about everything from biscuits and bacon to fruit desserts and local eating. Oh! And there's also a Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe that you will LOVE. YUM! You will learn: Why you should use whole ingredients in your kitchen How regional ingredients sumac and sorghum are used What fats are part of a healthy diet How Southern food can be healthy, flavorful, and fun And so much more To get a free PDF download of Ashley's Bourbon Bacon Jam Recipe, got to www.LivingHomegrown.com/149 and you'll also find links to more information (including Ash

LH 148: Simple Ways To Prepare Food For An Emergency Being prepared for emergencies is an important topic to cover because no matter where we live, we could face a weather event or community emergency that requires us to be on our own for a bit. This is not about living in fear that at any moment there will be a zombie apocalypse. It's just about being ready for the unexpected...so that you DON'T have to worry. Being prepared is so easy and so important. In this episode, host Theresa Loe chats with preparation expert and author, Kathy Harrison, about how as gardeners and food preservers, we can plan ahead and be ready when these situations arise. And here's the best part...They also chat about delicious ways to use and rotate out the food we store. You'll love it! You will learn: What types of food can be stored long term How long it can be stored for How to create a simple plan for food storage Why you will want to rotate out that food How to cook up your storage in super delicious ways And much more As al

LH 147: Saving Our Native Bees With many of the foods we grow, bees are critcal. Without bees, we won't have much of a crop at all...or we have NO crop at all. But when you hear about the importance of bees in the media or the struggle of bees in the news...all you hear about are the honeybees. And yet...There are OTHER bees that may play an even more important role in our backyard food system. The native bee. And they are struggling even more! On this episode host Theresa Loe brings on author Paige Embry to dive into that struggle and what WE can do to help. We love honeybees and Theresa has covered them on the podcast many times. So, they are part of this equation too! But in this episode, you'll learn the plight of native bees and how our gardening efforts directly impact them as well. You will learn: The difference between a native bee and the honey bee What makes native bees so essential to our garden Why are these bees struggling & why don't we hear more Why honey bees can't pollinate tomatoes What

LH 146: Canning Q&A With Theresa Loe We're coming up on canning season again, so it's time to freshen up our knowledge! Host Theresa Loe receives a lot of wonderful questions from listeners that they would like to see covered on the podcast...especially about preserving the harvest.  So in this episode, she dives into some canning Q & A using questions submitted by listeners.  You will learn: What food preservation method is best for your priorities Why preparing jam in large quantities is tricky How to save that batch of overcooked jam What's the shelf life of preserved jams How to tell when it's time to throw away canned jam And so much more.. As always, you can receive lots more free information and links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/146 as well as a full PDF transcript of the show.  This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership site: The Living Homegrown Institute where you have access to a whole library of Masterclasses on growing food and building your artisan skills in things like fe

LH 145: Update on Beginning Homesteader Bev Ross There’s SO much to learn when you are just starting out in homesteading. But the fun is in the journey of learning new homesteading skills as you go! In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe brings back Bev Ross who was the guest on Episode 122: Lessons From A Beginner Homesteader.  Theresa wanted to catch up with Bev and have her share her newest adventure: Raising Baby Goats! (They are adorable) Honestly, Bev isn't a beginner anymore. She has learned so much and grown so much in the last 10 months since her homesteading journey started.   In this episode, Bev shares what’s happening in that journey and what’s up next. You will learn:      Why you might want goats some day      What is REALLY involved with raising baby goats      Why naming your farm animals can be so fun      How these goats will co-exist with a chicken flock      The ups and downs of homesteading      The lessons in everyday moments on a working homestead      How you can plant more perennial f

LH 144: Cooking Through The Seasons with Foodie-Farmer Andrea Bemis This week’s episode is a fun chat between host Theresa Loe and foodie-farmer Andrea Bemis. If you don’t know Andrea, she is the brains behind the Dishing Up the Dirt Blog and the author of the book by the same name. Andrea is all about sharing the authentic journey of being an organic farmer who also happens to be a foodie. In this episode, she shares the good, the bad, and the delicious meals in between! You will learn: What it’s really like to be a small-scale organic farmer What it means to eat seasonally Why beets are Andrea’s “spirit vegetable” How to make “Beet Butter” and how to use it The benefits of a buyer-farmer relationship Advice for anyone considering the farming life And so much more As always, you can get more information and free links in the show notes at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/144 as well as a full (printable) transcript of the episode.  This episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership site: The Living Homeg

LH 143: Everything you want to know about chicken eggs - From color to preservation, safety and more It doesn’t matter if you raise your own backyard chickens or if you’re a consumer of organic, farm-fresh eggs – there is always more to learn about eggs! In this episode, host Theresa Loe brings on author Jennifer Sartell to discuss everything we might want to know about chicken eggs. From the colors we can have, to the best practices in egg storage...we get into it all! You will learn: Which breeds lay the most colorful eggs What we are probably getting if buy an “Araucana” chick Why Easter Eggers are a fun choice Does ear-lobe color really determine egg color How to test an egg for freshness without cracking it open How to preserve eggs when you have too many Should we wash our eggs or not Will we die if we leave our eggs on the counter And so much more…  As always, links to everything mentioned is included in the show notes for today's episode. Just go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/143 for more info includin

142: Small Scale Farming on Just 5 Acres or Less Listen, we all have to eat. Right? And if you’re into consuming organic, sustainable food, you either have to grow it yourself or find reliable sources from people with the same values that you have. Chances are…you’ll find those values in your local, small-scale farmer! In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Josh Volk who is a small-scale farmer, farming consultant and an author. He wrote a book featuring 15 small-scale farmers from across the country. It showcases how they were making it in the compact farm world and it's fascinating. So if you’ve ever thought about becoming a farmer, you’ll love this episode. But...even you DON'T want to be a farmer, you'll love this episode. And that's because it really shows us how important the small organic farm is within our food system and how we need to support their efforts with our purchases. You will learn: Is it possible to start a farm as a “side gig” (part time) What is bio-intensive food production Ar

LH 141: How to draw in beneficials and pollinators with flowers There are huge rewards when you grow your vegetables and flowers in one space of your garden. In this episode, host Theresa Loe brings on flower farmer Lisa Ziegler to explore exactly how we can use companioning planting to draw in beneficial insects, pollinators and so much more. You will learn:      Which flowers will help your tomatoes and why      How your planting space determines sunflower height      The difference between cool and warm season annuals      How to prevent overwhelm when growing veggies      Why native bees are so awesome for veggies      A different way to do CSA farm memberships      Lisa’s favorite sunflower for cut flower bouquets As always, you can get all the links mentioned in the episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/141 and you will also find a full transcript of the show and more articles and podcasts for Living Farm Fresh Without The Farm. This podcast episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership program

LH 140: Maximizing Flavor in Our Veggie Recipes As seasonal eaters, foodies and even as gardeners, we understand the nuances of locally-sourced cucumbers, fresh picked herbs and heirloom tomatoes. It doesn’t matter if we grow these foods ourselves or not. We understand their value and we want to deliver the very best of their flavors to our dinner table. Well, what better way to learn how to bring out the best flavors in seasonal produce than by talking to someone who is known for their delicious plant-based cooking? And if that someone is also a gardener?  Well, then we are in for a TREAT! Such is the case with this week’s podcast episode. Host Theresa Loe invited on Laura Wright of "The First Mess" Blog to share her chef secrets to delicious vegan and vegetarian meals. You do NOT need to be vegan or vegetarian to use these chef tricks.  All that matters is that we learn new and exciting ways to showcase the wonderful flavors of our garden. And you’ll get that from this interview! You will learn: Where the

Episode 139: How to make delicious bread with one simple recipe You’re busy. And you probably long for more delicious, wholesome food…made at home. But you just don’t have the time to make things like homemade bread on a regular basis. Good news! Author Alexandra Stafford has the perfect bread recipe for people like us. It comes together in under 5 minutes, rises quickly and it bakes in a jiffy. So simple, yet SO delicious! The best part is…This one bread recipe can be turned into everything from focaccia and pizza to hamburger buns and even…dessert! Host Theresa Loe has been baking her way through Ali’s book for the last few weeks and she LOVE'S IT.  She had to have Ali on the show to share her secrets.   You will learn: How this closely guarded family recipe remained a secret for so long The simple ingredients & steps to making the bread The best tips for using the bread in other ways How to get the right water temperature every, single time The unusual vessel Ali recommends for baking & why Ali’s

#138: Busting Myths About Backyard Chicken Care It doesn’t matter if you’re new to keeping backyard chickens or you’re a seasoned veteran – there’s always more to learn! With each change in the weather, comes a whole new set of considerations about their care. And dealing with extreme cold, extreme heat or even molting can make us worry about them…a lot! To help us get a handle on seasonal care of adult chickens, host Theresa Loe brought on Kathy Shea Mormino – better known as The Chicken Chick®.  She gives it to us straight when it comes to what’s essential in backyard chicken care and what she believes we should absolutely NOT be doing at all. Her recommendations might surprise you! You will learn: How to know if your coop is too cold or too hot If you should ever heat your coop in winter The best ways to add ventilation The best way to break a broody hen The truth about food-grade diatomaceous earth The truth about adding vinegar to the chicken waterer Tips for helping your chickens through their molt And

The basics of worm composting (Vermicomposting) If you’re a gardener, you totally “get” that compost is awesome. But you may not have jumped on the DIY compost bandwagon because you either don’t have the space or you worry it’s too complicated to do well. Fear not! Vermicomposting may be the answer for you. Also known as “worm composting”, it’s one of the easiest ways to compost kitchen scraps in a small space. And to be honest…the little worms feel more like pets than worms. Yeah…sounds weird..but it's true! But ask anyone with a worm bin and they'll probably admit that they develop a fondness for those little wigglers that they never expected. On this week’s podcast, host Theresa Loe brought on author Michelle Balz to chat about everything vermiculture – which is the process of using worms to create compost. You will learn:      How composting benefits your garden & the earth      Where you can set up a worm bin (hint: Inside your home is ok!)      Why it won’t smell if you do it right      Which worm

Using Design Principles for Our Smaller Veggie Gardens Just because we have an edible garden does NOT mean it can’t be beautiful. In fact, it should be even MORE beautiful than the average backyard. In this episode, host Theresa Loe brought on garden designer Susan Morrison to talk about some simple design principles we can use to make our backyard space more usable and beautiful at the same time...even our veggie garden space! You will learn:      The biggest mistake most homeowners make these days      Why we may not want a lawn if we have kids      Create ways to make the backyard usable      The 3 W’s of a good design philosophy      The best 2 vegetables for dramatic color in a garden      How to use containers to bring the design together      And so much more As always, you can get all the links mentioned and information about Susan's new book at www.LivingHomegrown.com/136 as well as a full transcript in PDF form. 

How one homesteader balances family life with raising farm animals and bees. There's so much processing done to the food in our grocery stores today that much of that food is unrecognizable. And that processed food has certainly lost most (if not all) of it's nutritional value. Homesteading is one way to take back control of the food that we eat. When we grow our own food, we know EXACTLY what's on our plate and where it came from.   This week, host Theresa Loe invited Kristina Urquhart, author of The Suburban Chicken, to talk about raising a young family on a homestead. They dive into the challenges of producing your own food, raising meat rabbits, and everything you could want to know about beekeeping. Kristina shares the story of how she and her husband struggled at first to get a financial foothold on their dream, and how dedication, hard work, and some creativity made that dream a reality. You will learn: Why it’s so important for our kids to know where their food comes from Which meat rabbit is good as

Learn how mead is made (in a sustainable way) with local honey and fruit Mead is an old-fashioned drink that's been around for centuries. If you aren't familiar with mead, it's an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey and it can be DELICIOUS. Host Theresa Loe invited Nick Lorenz of Nectar Creek Brewery on to talk about the art of crafting mead. This drink is experiencing a resurgence thanks to companies like Nectar Creek. But they're doing WAY more than just producing a tasty beverage. They use locally sourced honey and educate their taproom guests about the importance of honey and bees. We can all say 'Cheers' to that! You will learn: Why supporting the local farmer can support the bees and visa versa The science and process of making mead What fermentation science is and how it relates to sustainable agriculture Why it's important to these brothers that their mead be farm to table Which yeast gives the best results How a mead is flavored and the nuances of those flavors As always, you can learn mo

Why Grow THIS, When You Can Grow THAT Who wouldn't want to grow something like purple sugar magnolia peas, cape gooseberries, cucamelons, or dragon's egg? These unusual and heirloom varieties of vegetables add an element of fun in the garden and flavor to the table. Plus, they make our veggie gardens more magical...especially if we have kiddos. So let's change what we grow this year and dive into the HUGE variety of tasty, exotic looking vegetables that honestly take very little effort. Host Theresa Loe invited Niki Jabbour, author of Veggie Garden Remix, to share her tips on getting experimental with our vegetable varieties this year. You will learn: Why amaranth beautifies your garden while expanding your flavors Which undervalued plant tastes like pineapple with a hint of vanilla Why French gold, dragon's tongue and red swan beans are all "must haves" How Sugar Magnolia has a purple pod, green peas and tastes amazing When to pick a loofah gourd and how to cook it (yes, they're edible!) How hand-pollinatin