The Herb Garden: From Soil to Plate

The Herb Garden: From Soil to Plate

Start your herb garden today and watch the magic unfold.

There’s something truly special about growing your own herbs. It’s more than just having fresh basil for your pasta or mint for your tea—an herb garden is an invitation to slow down, savor, and connect with your food in a hands-on, meaningful way.

Whether you have a spacious backyard or just a sunny windowsill, starting an herb garden is easy, rewarding, and surprisingly transformative. 

Why Grow Your Own Herbs?

Freshness: Nothing beats the vibrant flavor of herbs picked just minutes before using them.

Cost-Effective: A small investment in seeds or starter plants saves money in the long run compared to buying bundles at the store.

Sustainability: Growing your own reduces packaging waste and the carbon footprint tied to shipping fresh herbs to supermarkets.

Connection to Nature: Tending to plants encourages mindfulness, patience, and a deeper appreciation for the food you eat.

Getting Started: The Basics

Choose Your Herbs Wisely:

Start with easy growers like basil, parsley, mint, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. They’re hardy, versatile, and perfect for beginners.

Pick the Right Spot:

Herbs love sunshine. Aim for a place that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day—whether it’s a garden bed, patio container, or kitchen windowsill.

Soil and Water:

Well-draining soil is key. Herbs don’t like soggy roots. Water consistently but don’t overdo it; most herbs prefer to dry out slightly between waterings.

Harvesting Tips:

Regular harvesting encourages plants to grow fuller. Pinch off the tops of herbs like basil to prevent them from flowering too soon.

 

From Soil to Plate: The Delicious Payoff

• Fresh herbs can elevate every meal:
• Toss chopped parsley and mint into grain salads for a fresh, green flavor.
• Add a sprig of rosemary to roasted vegetables or chicken.
• Blend cilantro into homemade salsas or pestos.
• Garnish desserts and cocktails with bright, aromatic mint leaves.
• Flavor simple dishes like eggs, rice, and pasta with a handful of just-picked basil or chives.

 

Plant Today, Savor Tomorrow

There’s magic in watching something you planted with your own hands flourish into something you can taste, smell, and enjoy. Start your herb garden today—small or large—and you’ll see how easily a little bit of green can turn into a whole lot of joy.

 

Happy planting! 

National Pretzel Day

In the 20th century, soft pretzels became popular in other regions of the United States. Cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York became renowned for their soft pretzels. The key to success was the introduction of the new mass-production methods of the industrialized age, which increased the availability and quantity, and the opening up of multiple points of distribution at schools, convenience and grocery stores, and entertainment venues such as movie theaters, arenas, concert halls, and sports stadiums. Prior to that, street vendors used to sell pretzels on street corners in wooden glass-enclosed cases.

Pretzel Dips

Nutrition Information

Pretzel Recipe: Pizza Pretzel with

Pasta Sauce

In 2003, Pennsylvania Governor, Ed Rendell declares April 26 National Pretzel Day to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state's history and economy.

In particular, the S-shaped soft pretzel, often served with brown mustard, became iconic in Philadelphia and was established as a part of Philadelphia's cuisine for snacking at school, work, or home, and considered by most to be a quick meal. The average Philadelphian today consumes about twelve times as many pretzels as the national average.

Pennsylvania today is the center of American pretzel production for both the hard-crispy and the soft-bread types of pretzels. Southeastern Pennsylvania, with its large population of German background, is considered the birthplace of the American pretzel industry, and many pretzel bakers are still located in the area. Pennsylvania produces 80% of the nation's pretzels.

The annual United States pretzel industry is worth over $550 million. The average American consumes about 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg) of pretzels per year.

The privately run "Pretzel Museum" opened in Philadelphia in 1993. In 2003, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell declared April 26 "National Pretzel Day" to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state's history and economy. Philly Pretzel Factory stores offer a free pretzel to each customer on this day.

Resources
1, Pretzel, From Wikipedia
2. Soft Pretzels, Food Network

From Tree to Table: Celebrating Arbor Day with Garden Fresh Delights

A Tour through Our Garden

From Tree to Table:
Celebrating Arbor Day with Garden Fresh Delights

"Arbor Day is a time to celebrate the wonders of nature
and to plan for an even greener future by
planting and caring for trees."

Our Mango Trees

Last year, our mango tree produced over 80 fruits.
This year looks like another high yield.

Our Banana Plant(s)

I asked for a Banana Plant for my birthday (July 5, 2020).
It stood about 2 feet high. In less than 10 months, the
banana plant grew to a height exceeding 10 feet.
In November 2021, the Banana Plant produced an
amazing first harvest. In addition, that
one Banana Plant is now 4 Banana Plants.
Banana plants appear to multiply as fast as rabbits.

John Denver - Plant a Tree

While growing up in East Meadow, New York, we had a huge apple tree in our yard. I would climb up the tree and sit on the branches for hours, eating the apples while watching the world below.

When Jake and I moved into our home in 1998, we planted a mango tree. We watched it grow and flourish. Then, in 2005, Hurricane Wilma hit and damaged the tree. We tried to nurse the tree back to health for years, but the infection had spread into the roots.

Finally, on April 25, 2012, we removed the old tree and replanted a new Valencia pride mango tree. Today, the tree stands tall, even after surviving Hurricane Irma.

In April 2018, we decided to plant another Mango Tree. This time, we planted it near the road so that if people walked or drove by, they could grab a mango.

Planting a fruit tree is good for the environment and economics and marks special moments.

Visit the Arbor Day Foundation. Resources, membership, free trees, and a lot more.

Our Nation's Forests are National Treasures

Safe and Savory: Your Guide to the Perfect Picnic

Picnic Food Safety

Before you begin setting out your picnic feast, make sure hands and surfaces are clean.

Place cold food in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs. Cold food should be stored at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth. Meat, poultry, and seafood should be packed while still frozen so that they stay colder longer.

Pack beverages in one cooler and perishable foods in another. This will prevent the perishable foods from being exposed to warm outdoor temperatures.

Limit the number of times the cooler is opened so as to keep the contents cold longer.

Be sure to keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood securely wrapped. This keeps their juices from contaminating prepared and cooked foods or foods that will be eaten raw, such as fruits and vegetables.

Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water before packing them in the cooler.

For more food safety tips, visit 

http://www.fightbac.org

Forks, Fields & Future: An Earth Day Reflection

Earth Day

What Is Your Ecological Footprint?  

Small Changes Make a Big Difference

April 22, 1970, marked the first Earth Day, which awakened nearly 20 million Americans from all walks of life to launch the modern environmental movement. From that first Earth Day came the passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and many other environmental laws. Today the Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 75,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Earth is Our Home—Let's Protect It
National Geographic 

Earth - Small Changes Make a Big Difference

YouTube has a wide range of resources, from the young, older, news, family, scientist, schools, communities, governments, and industry describing how they are making a difference and how we can make a difference in saving our Earth.

Mobilize The Earth

Green Mom

Cost of Food

Americans have been spending less and less on what we eat. But those savings come with a high cost: obesity, diabetes, and big health care bills. Here's a look at how our diet has changed over the last 50 years, and what we can do to make it better.

Recycle Guys

National Raisin Day

Raisins are dried grapes. They are fat and cholesterol free; gluten free; naturally low in sodium; a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.

Raisins contain the phytochemicals, resveratrol and anthocyanin. Studies suggest resveratrol may provide protection against certain cancers, coronary heart disease, and infections. Anthocyanins may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke; reverse the short-term memory loss associated with aging; reduce the risk of several types of cancer; help control high blood pressure; and help boost the immune system.

Serving Ideas. 
Eat them plain as a snack or add raisins to

·   Breakfast cereal

·   Yogurt or Ice Cream

·   Baked goods

·   Stuffing, Rice, Pasta

·   Salads

·   Trail Mix

Raisins and Sulfites

Commercially grown dried raisins are often treated with sulfur dioxide during processing in order to extend their shelf life. The sulfites used may cause adverse reactions in people who suffer from asthma.

Federal regulations prohibit the use of sulfites in foods classified as "organic."

Warning.
Raisins can cause renal failure in dogs. The cause is unknown.

1986 - The California Raisins

Growing and Harvesting Raisins

Resource   

Fruits and Veggies More Matters: Raisins

Zucchini Walnut Bread

Zucchini Walnut Bread

Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices per loaf)
Servings: 24
Equipment: Two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans
Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients
3 large eggs
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded zucchini (about 1 pound)
½ cup walnuts chopped finely

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
• Whisk eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth. Fold in zucchini and walnuts. Divide the batter into the loaf pans and smooth the tops.
• Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the loaves cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack for about 1 hour.

Nutrition Information.
Calories (kcal) 214
Protein (g) 3
Carbohydrates (g) 25
Total Dietary Fiber (g) 1
Total Sugars (g) 13
Added Sugar (g) 13
Fat (g) 12
Saturated Fat (g) 1
Cholesterol (mg) 23
Calcium (mg) 26
Potassium (mg) 84
Sodium (mg) 125