For something a little different this month, I thought we'd do a book giveaway! I will warn you, though, that before I read this book, I had a pretty normal-looking backyard containing things like a swingset and miscellaneous toys. Now, of course, our yard is home to 36 animals and an organic garden. :)
Here's the book description, straight from Amazon:
Put your backyard to work! Enjoy fresher, organic, better-tasting food all the time. The solution is as close as your own backyard. Grow the vegetables and fruits your family loves; keep bees; raise chickens, goats, or even a cow. The Backyard Homestead shows you how it's done. And when the harvest is in, you'll learn how to cook, preserve, cure, brew, or pickle the fruits of your labor.
From a quarter of an acre, you can harvest 1,400 eggs, 50 pounds of wheat, 60 pounds of fruit, 2,000 pounds of vegetables, 280 pounds of pork, 75 pounds of nuts.
From a quarter of an acre, you can harvest 1,400 eggs, 50 pounds of wheat, 60 pounds of fruit, 2,000 pounds of vegetables, 280 pounds of pork, 75 pounds of nuts.
Even if you don't intend to turn your backyard into a barnyard, this book still makes very interesting reading or, at the very least, a great Christmas gift for that slightly crunchy relative on your list. So, ready to get entered into the drawing?
As you know, I use these contests as a way to get info from you, my dear readers. :) Right now, I'm trying to get geared up for school lunches (it'll be back-to-school time before we know it). Last year, I let the kids eat the cafeteria lunch way too often. This year, I'd like to limit it to just once per week, so that I can monitor the foods they're eating most days and be sure that they're as healthy as I'd like. The only problem is that I need a pretty good arsenal of ideas built up so that I can keep things exciting for the girls. So, to be entered into this month's drawing, please comment on this post and give me a good, easy, healthy lunch idea that I can add to my list of lunch choices. Easy, right? You have until Friday to post a comment and be entered into the drawing!
EB is such a picky eater that I have a hard time with this one. BUT, it's easy to sneak in organic choices where she can't tell the difference. All organic apple sauce pouches are great. She loves them and they don't take up a lot of space in her lunch box and don't require a spoon! Organic peanut butter and homemade jam make the best sandwiches and she doesn't feel like she's missing anything.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, I'm not to the "what will I pack or your lunch today" phase, but my easy suggestion is to heat up some soup from dinner the night before (such as that tasty Italian sausage you have stored) to ladle into a thermos. I remember my momma sending soup in my thermos during winter months ;-) Jessica H
ReplyDeleteOK Ashley I wanted to post on this because I am intrigued by the book and want to share with my son who has some interest in such as well. I'm sure you have all the great lunch box ideas like peanut butter and apples, frozen grapes, tortilla wraps, and so on. As a teacher and observing many lunches brought through the years I tried to think what makes them appealing to the owner and even envious to others around them as well. I think the container is oh so important. I still love a cute lunch box. Also so many cute "reusable" containers for storing the goodies inside and certainly a awesome thermous. The best though is the note tucked inside from Mom stating I hope you are having a great day. Be aware kids usually go staight for the desert/goody/snack and eat the main portion last!
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