Which place on Earth do you find most beautiful?

Chances are you almost definitely named a place in nature right? A lake, a waterfall perhaps, beach, forest, mountaintop or fields of flowers. Few people name buildings, highways, construction sites etc...Enjoying time in nature is a fundamental way for us to reconnect and feel at peace, away from the distractions of city life's hustle & bustle. I encourage you to spend more time outside, turn off the TV, computer and phones and go outside, enjoy the day and grow your own food. This is a wonderful rewarding ay to connect more to nature and also your own food source.There are few things in life so delightful as biting into produce you have raised yourself.Get your hands and feet into the dirt and get connected!

"Nature" is what we see 

by Emily Dickinson

"Nature" is what we see --
The Hill -- the Afternoon --
Squirrel -- Eclipse -- the Bumble bee --
Nay -- Nature is Heaven --
Nature is what we hear --
The Bobolink -- the Sea --
Thunder -- the Cricket --
Nay -- Nature is Harmony --
Nature is what we know --
Yet have no art to say --
So impotent Our Wisdom is
To her Simplicity.

 Growing my own strawberries and finding ways to preserve them for the year....

 

 All ready to jar up & mint tea too...

 Mission accomplished...and all by 9 am

 Going camping this weekend and will be making this granola to make strawberry parfaits with too. Check out this wonderful video on how.

http://rawbeets.tumblr.com/post/905318127/raw-no-sugar-added-strawberry-jam-recipe

 Granola with Buckwheat, Orange and Goji Berries

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Dehydrate Time: 24 hours

Total Time: 24 hours, 30 minutes

Yield: 6 cups

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw buckwheat groats, soaked at least 1 hour
• 1 cup medjool dates, pitted
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup goji berries

Preparation:

1. While the buckwheat groats are soaking, soak the dates in the orange juice as well. This will soften them up a bit. Drain the buckwheat groats, rinse them well and allow them to drain again. Transfer them to a bowl.
2. In a food processor, blend the dates, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and vanilla on high speed until a soupy paste forms, about 20 seconds. Pour this mixture over the buckwheat and mix well.
3. Spread the batter evenly between two Teflex-lined dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at 115°F for about 12 hours (or until they are dry enough to flip over), flip them over and remove the Teflex sheet. Continue dehydrating another 12 to 15 hours, or until the granola is dry and crunchy. Remove from the dehydrator and use your hands to crumble the sheets into a mixing bowl.
4. Add the goji berries and mix well. Store in an airtight glass container either at a cool room temperature, or in the refrigerator.