FROM SCRATCH CLUB

UPDATE/Editor’s Note: As of 4pm today (LEAP DAY), we’ve been accepted into the iTUNES universe. Subscribe here or search for us in your iTUNES program by “From Scratch Club”.  You can listen to the episode right on this very post too! Just look for the ‘listen’ link below. Thanks for listening! -Christina Happy Leap Day! [...]

Some say that the kitchen is the heart of the house; the warm gathering spot where good food and laughter is shared.  Unfortunately, this warm, lovely place can sometimes turn into a battle ground when attempting to cook with your kids.  Flour goes flying, tears start pouring and mom/dad feel like shouting. I know that [...]

I have some exciting news to share. I will be one of two NYS constituents heading to DC for the National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition‘s  “Farmer Fly In” lobby days on March 5-7th to discuss the 2012 Farm Bill. More specifically, The Local Farms, Food & Jobs Act and The Beginning Farmer & Rancher Opportunity Act. [...]

For those of you who’ve been reading for a year or so, may remember my weekly food politics/recipe link love post, {Weekend Reading} National Edition on Sundays and {weekend reading} Local Edition on Saturdays. Well, those Nationa; posts have been absent from the blog for almost a year, the Local Editions since October, and clearly, [...]

I’m all about citrus season! Last winter was my first winter season preserving citrus. I dipped my toe in the kiddie pool with two variations on marmalade. A simple orange and a 100% ruby grapefruit. Both delicious… but I wanted more. {My Vin De Pamplemouse is a mix between Local Kitchen & Mrs Wheelbarrow’s recipes} [...]

Recently I was able to interview two friends of mine, Ejay Carter and Kim Eisen, who are gearing up for the inaugural CSA season at R’Eisen Shine Farm. I am excited to share their story because although they are south of Albany, their CSA program will service people in the Albany area. Plus their CSA [...]

I have always loved the folk tale of “Stone Soup” because in it a delicious soup is created from meager ingredients.  I love the challenge of creating delicious food from not-so-obvious ingredients.  Over one year ago I pledged to stop buying grocery store meat and this prompted me to start purchasing whole chickens at the [...]

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the NOFA-NY conference with Erika. From NOFA: “The theme of this year’s conference, The Cooperative Economy, gives us an opportunity to explore the current of cooperation that runs deep in our organization and movement and the hopes that we have for a more sustainable future“. The 3+ day [...]

It’s officially flu season. According to the CDC, the onset of flu season has been delay recently. If (like me) you thought that you were in the clear, think again. The nasty virus might still be lurking, waiting to take you as its next prey. And then there is all the other yuckiness that’s been [...]

Editor’s Note: Its that time of year again- Maple Sap running! You can do it- go outside & tap your neighborhood maple trees (with permission from your neighbors of course!) Dianna is back with another (helpful) installment in her How To Maple Syrup Series. If you weren’t with us last year this time, Dianna cranked [...]

According to the Smithsonian, “French women traditionally have relied on subtle culinary cues to signal their amorous intentions. The July 1956 issue of the journal Western Folklore reported: “a young maid lets her swain know whether the answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no’ by what she feeds him on St. Valentine’s Day. It’s a custom that [...]

Editor’s Note: I am so happy to announce we are starting a new contributor-stream on FSC; Community Voices. These contributors will be monthly and are the voices in our local food community; whether it be a local chef, writer or swapper. First up, writer, teacher, wife, mother, urban homesteader Amy Halloran. I first met Amy [...]

Editor’s Note: Swapper Natalie & her friend, Swapper Lindsay, have rocked the Saratoga Food Swap since they began attending a few months back. They are serious regulars now and I’m always delighted to see them (and what they bring to swap) each month! They tend to be very creative with glorious packaging and display wow. [...]

How Does Your Garden Grow? Sizing up our land and making the most of 1 acre. My husband is a cultivator; it’s in his veins. By the time most people begin their Spring cleaning he is out tilling the ground and planning the upcoming year’s garden. When were looking to build a home all he [...]

*I find it interesting that in the same week as I’m writing this post, our biggest local paper, The Times Union, ran a story on a local farm, Dharma Lea farm in Sharon Springs run by the Van Amburgh family, on the cover of their Sunday edition Business Section. Granted, we do have some great farmland [...]