Brine-Pickled Swiss Chard Stems

Occasionally, you come across a cookbook that just speaks to you. It's like a good friend, coming over for a cup of tea and you just want to savor it, the presence, and take it in slowly. It just feels comfortable and right in your home, like it belongs there, or as if it's been there all along.

The first time I held The Nourished Kitchen: Farm-to-Table recipes for the Traditional Foods Lifestyle in my hands I knew it had found a permanent home and I had found a kindred spirit. This wasn't surprising considering that I already loved Jennifer's blog, Nourished Kitchen, and used recipes from her kitchen regularly. 

This cookbook focuses on all the things that I value in my home and kitchen. It focuses on traditional foods, recipes for wonderful home-cooking with emphasis on eating sustainably and in season. It is the book every follower of the "traditional food movement" has been waiting for since Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions changed and rocked our world (but less than rocked our palates....)

Every recipe I've tried so far has been amazing. And there are so many more I am excited to try! In case you can't tell from the from cover... this book has absolutely AMAZING photographs. It's a true work of art. It's a cookbook you'll want to proudly display not hide in a cupboard somewhere.

The book is organized by sections in a unique and appetizing way. Starting with vegetable dishes in the "from the garden", moving onto "from the pasture" where you learn to make simple cheeses and gourmet egg dishes. From there it takes you to the "range", the "waters", the "fields" and even foraging into the "wild".

Of course, being the fermentation addict that I am, I first turned to the "from the larder" section of the book to see what exciting recipes Jennifer had to offer. I was not disappointed! 'Fennel, kohlrabi and green apple relish'? I believe I will. 'Vanilla mint soda'? Um, yes. 

But one recipe in particular stood out to me. It's the one the I get to share with you here: Brine-pickled swiss chard stems. It was exciting because it was something I had previously never thought to use. Fermenting chard stems? That's cool! I'd used the greens in sauerkraut many times but never the stems. And they were really good, too! With all the spices this recipe called for you can't go wrong. It's like the holidays in a jar with a nice crunch. Not to mention it was just beautiful, too. We ate the stems by themselves, but we also chopped them up and used them like you would a relish as a spread or mixed in with other foods. Absolutely delicious! 

Want to give it a try? Jennifer graciously agreed to share the recipe with you all. So check it out! 

Shared with permission, the following excerpt is from The Nourished Kitchen: 

brine-pickled swiss chard stems

I use every bit of every vegetable when I can. Instead of throwing away Swiss chard stems, which can be tough, I prefer to pickle them. Mild on their own, the chard stems take on the flavor of the spices you add to your brine. I serve them as a side dish, as you would a cucumber pickle, or I finely chop them to

make a relish. Makes about 1 quart

1 pound Swiss chard stems

4 cups water

2 tablespoons finely ground

unrefined sea salt

1/4 cup Hot Pickling Spice (page 277)

2 bay leaves

Trim the stems of any bits of leaf still clinging to them. Cut the stems to a length to match the depth of your fermentation jar or crock, then arrange them tightly inside.

Heat the water in a saucepan until it reaches blood temperature

(98° to 100°F), so it feels neither hot nor cold when you touch it. Whisk the salt into the warm water until it dissolves, then stir in the pickling spice and bay leaves. Pour the liquid over your chard stems so that the stems are completely submerged in the brine. If the stems float, weigh them down with a glass weight or a sterilized stone.

Close the crock and allow the Swiss chard stems to ferment for 3 to 4 weeks. Taste them from time to time, and when they become sour enough for your liking, transfer them to the refrigerator where they should keep 6 months or longer.

sweet pickling spice

You can find pickling spice in the spice section of most well-stocked grocery stores, but I prefer to make my own, adjusting the spices to better suit the flavors in the recipe. Radishes, turnips, and beets benefit from sweet spices, while cucumbers and kohlrabi often benefit from hotter flavors.

Makes about 1/2 cup

2 tablespoons mustard seeds

2 tablespoons allspice

berries

2 tablespoons coriander seeds

2 tablespoons whole black

peppercorns

2 teaspoons whole cloves

1 teaspoon ground ginger

2 cinnamon sticks, broken up

into small pieces

2 dried bay leaves, crumbled

Spoon all the spices into a small mixing bowl, stir to combine, and store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.

Variation

Hot Pickling Spice: Make the Sweet Pickling Spice, then stir in 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.

In addition to allowing me to share this wonderful recipe Jennifer McGruther would also be happy to give one lucky reader their very own copy of The Nourished Kitchen! So if you would like a chance to win this wonderful book enter below.

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Fermented by Jill Ciciarelli (A Review and Giveaway)

Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.

Ten years ago basically no one I knew even had heard the word "fermentation". Today, not only are there books upon books published on the subject, but more and more people are trying their hands at simple ferments like sauerkraut, salsa or sourdough. 

But, even though more people are familiar with fermentation at least a little bit, it's still a very new skill for most people. Having a helping hand to guide along those first few steps is oh-so-helpful. For myself, that helping hand came in the form of Wardee Harmon's Idiot's Guide to Fermentation which I absolutely love. 

But one thing I have come to realize the more I interact with fermentation newbies and teach classes locally is that there are so many families now a days who aren't consuming items that are regular eaten at my house-- namely fermented grains and dairy. 

That is why when I came across Jill Ciciarelli's book Fermented: A Four Season Approach to Paleo Probiotic Foods I was delighted. Here was a GORGEOUS book that I could happily recommend to folks who were new to fermenting, that didn't contain a bunch of recipes they would never use because their diet was more along the "Paleo" spectrum. 

But not only does this book focus on Paleo-only ferments, it has a bunch of wonderful inspirational recipes. And the photographs in this book? Stunning. It's a piece of art. 

I also like the Ciciarelli took in her book by dividing her recipes by season. As a real foodie, who lives on an eco-village, eating in season is something that is very important to me and that I strive to help others understand the importance of. And Ciciarelli makes it so easy you don't even have to think about it. 

So, whether you are new to fermentation, have been fermenting for decades, whether your diet is strictly Paleo or not, there is something for EVERYONE in this wonderful book. 

Check out Fermented by Jill Ciciarelli on Amazon!

Or, if you are feeling lucky, enter the GIVEAWAY below. Best of luck! 

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The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe

The Resilient Gardener: Food Production and Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times by Carol Deppe is one of the best gardening "how-to" books that I have ever read. Along with Steve Soloman's Gardening West of the Cascades, Deppe's book is a must have for any gardener in the Pacific Northwest. 

But while Soloman's book is only of passing interest to those gardening outside of this bio-region, Deppe's work has much to recommend it to a wider audience. She combines philosophical insight with the taste of a gourmet chef and a dash of prepper paranoia for good measure. Deppe has her Ph.D. in biology from Harvard and she knows her plants. 

The book focuses what she believes are the three plants (plus eggs) that will get us through hard times (whether they be from a job loss or a societal collapse). For each of the three (potatoes, beans, and corn) she gives detailed instructions and general principles about all aspects of growing, storing, consuming and propagating. Deppe includes recipes that take into account the intrinsic qualities of the produce and bring out the best flavors. She has totally revolutionized my relationship with duck eggs and I am excited to try more of her ideas out in the kitchen.

The most interesting sections of The Resilient Gardener come in the form of Deppe's meditations on diet, climate change, gardener-plant relations and personal anecdotes. She has much to offer the casual gardener on a general level and her writing is engaging, if at times a bit acid and strongly opinionated.

I strongly recommend this book to all gardeners, whether novice or expert, and if you garden in the Pacific Northwest and don't read this book I don't know what your doing with your life. If your at all interested in personal resilience or anarchy this book is also well worth your time.

Deppe has a personal website where she sells seed specifically adapted to our bio-region, blogs and curates Taoist parables, you should check it out at www.caroldeppe.com. I am looking forward to her next book coming out this fall titled The Tao of Gardening.

Get yourself a copy of Deppe's books on Amazon 

or, if your feeling lucky, enter the giveaway below!

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Review (and GIVEAWAY) of Vaccinations by Aviva Jill Romm

The vaccination debate. For some it's a no brainer. For others its one of the most charged issues they will ever face as a parent or pre-parent. (photo credit) (Can we call it a war instead of a debate? Because, honestly, that's the way it feels sometimes....)

When I was getting ready to have Little Owl I remember feeling terrified and unsure about where to start when it came to understanding the pros and cons of vaccinations. I know people I respect who stand firmly on both sides of this debate. As a new parent, or expecting family, the task of sifting through the seemingly conflicting and endless articles, books, and conversations can be overwhelming.

Enter the book Vaccinations by Aviva Jill Romm.

I can't remember who recommended this book to me. But I'm so glad that it came to my attention before Athena was born. I love this book. I love Aviva Jill Romm. Not only is she a MD, she is also a midwife, herbalist, mother and grandmother.

This book takes a charged issue and brings calm and clarity. It is balanced. I didn't walk away from the book think either "I'm vaccinating. No question" or "Vaccinations are evil. Never." This book examines the pros and cons fairly. 

Romm provides a comprehensive guide to each disease as well as the potential side affects to each vaccine. I felt empowered after reading this book. 

Not only was it a book I read once, however. It is a book that I continue to refer to (provided I haven't lent it to a friend!) because of the information on all the diseases and alternative remedies it provides. 

The vaccination debate is possibly one of the most difficult and charged decisions awaiting new parents. For me what was most helpful in the decision making process was calm, clear-headed thinking and presentation of the information available. This book was extremely helpful. 

See Vaccinations by Aviva Jill Romm on Amazon. 

But don't just take my word for it! Get a copy through Amazon for your home library or as a baby shower gift! Or, if you are feeling lucky enter the giveaway below! A big thanks to Aviva herself for providing a copy to one lucky reader! Be sure and stop by her website--http://avivaromm.com/
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Further Recommended Reading:

Nina Planck author or Real Food brings clarity and simplicity to an often very confusing time for young mothers. There is so much conflicting information to sift through that knowing what to eat and drink during conception, pregnancy and baby's first food is confusing. But Planck makes it so easy. Read my full review or view Real Food for Mother and Baby on Amazon. 



Sally Fallon Morell's (author of Nourishing Traditions) new book is a must-have for any Real Foodie parents library. This book contains so much helpful information on so many aspects of raising a child--everything from choices faced in pre-conception to the teenage years. Definitely a book to keep handy to reference throughout the years. Read my full review or see The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care on Amazon. 

Like what you read? Be sure and follow LittleOwlCrunchyMomma on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+

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Radical Homemakers

Every once in a while you stumble upon a book, or film, or piece of art that just completely stops you in your tracks. It speaks to you in such a way that makes you feel completely validated in where you are at in your life, and gives you that little push of courage to keep going. That you are on the right track. 

See it on Amazon.

Shannon Hayes' book, "Radical Homemakers" is just such a book.

I haven't read a book in a long time (perhaps ever...) that spoke to me SO much. I had to be careful reading it at coffee shops because it meant so much to me to have my life choices and priorities validated that I would actually start to tear up. 

I read it slowly because I felt like finishing it would mean saying goodbye to a wonderful chapter in a relationship with a good friend. But, I keep it on a shelf in my room that is easy to access and reread sections of it whenever I am feeling discouraged or doubting my life choices.

"Radical Homemakers" is about people like me. And you. And any of those of us who are striving to find a different way of living. A way that doesn't involve going to a job you hate from 9-5 to pay for a house you are rarely in and two cars you don't own.

It's about those of us who want to tread lightly on the planet, raise our children to love love over competition and fierce independence, and who are changing the world one home-canned good at a time. 

Or at least we are trying. 

This book redefines the meaning of "homemaker" in its historical context, reclaiming it for good. Haye's interviews "homemakers" who are young, old, married, single, divorced, religious, non-religious, and everything in-between. She relays their stories and what they are doing and why. It looks different for each and every story.

But Hayes unites the common threads.

I highly recommend this book. Even if your life goals aren't to master canning or sewing (I can't sew to save my life) this book is about so much more than that. It's about becoming aware of the choices we make and how they affect so much more than just ourselves, and even our families. Hayes speaks to our whole culture  in a way that encourages reflection and as well as action. 

Learn more about Radical Homemakers here.

Like what you read? Be sure and follow LittleOwlCrunchyMomma on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+

(Note: This post might contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you shop around after clicking on them, you might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. Thank you!)
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Feeling lucky? Enter to win your own copy of RADICAL HOMEMAKERS below! (A big thank you to Shannon Hayes herself for provided a copy of her masterpiece to one lucky reader!)

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Beyond Bacon (Book Review)

Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.

I am a huge fan of bacon. (From pastured, humanely-raised, healthy, traditionally-processed, non-CAFO hogs of course....)

But, I am also a huge fan of "waste not, want not" and economical food spending. So in the past few years my family has bought into both "pig-shares" and "cow-shares", where we split the cost of one animal amongst several families. This works out wonderfully for our pocket book, but....

The problem with buying "shares" of meat...

When we first got our pig share several years ago I remember enjoying bacon and sausage at breakfast for about two months straight... and then realizing that I still had a freezer full of meat left that (if I was being honest with myself) I really had NO IDEA how to cook....

Because, after all, no matter how hard pig farmers might try... they will never get JUST bacon and sausage from a pig.

That's where the Paleo Parents come to the rescue. They recently wrote a book, Beyond Bacon: Paleo Recipes that Respect the Whole Hog that I REALLY wish I had had for my kitchen starting about two years ago... (Better late then never, though, right?)

Paleo Parents to the rescue...

See it on Amazon.

This book is awesome on so many levels. It harkens back to an older, less-rushed, less pre-packaged, less wasteful time. A time when people used to know their butchers, if not the animals they ate. A time when people used to prepare food from scratch, not because it was "hip" but because there weren't other options....

This book helps us relearn some of the culinary skills that our grandparents knew, but our mothers and fathers took for granted. It helps us to relearn how to respect the whole animal. And not simply because we don't want to waste food... but because there are actually many, many, MANY delicious recipes we can make.

What's not to love...

This book covers everything from tail to snout and everything in-between. It provides easy to follow recipes with simple to source ingredients and simply stunning, mouth-watering food photography. Each recipe I have tried from this book so far has been amazing. 

The book starts with an explanation of why you should buy pastured pork and an in-depth examination of the fact that pig meat (and fat!) are actually good for us when they come from healthy animals. Even if you know all of this information already, this book is a great refresher course.

Next, the book examines different techniques used in the recipes including how to stuff your own sausages and render lard. Again, these are kitchen techniques that have been lost to all but most contemporary cooks, but they are not hard. And with the Paleo Parents as your guide, you are sure to succeed. 

Next, the recipes. When I first got my copy of Beyond Bacon I remember being completely blown away. The recipes in this book are incredible, gourmet and creative, yet accessible to even the newest cook. (Did you say, "Salted Caramel Bacon Sauce?! Yes. PLEASE.)

Suffice it to say, with this book in my hands I am beyond excited about buying a "pig share" because there are so many more recipes I want to try out! No more leaving the freezer full (sans bacon and sausage, of course...). I will confidently use each and every bit of pig we get.

Learn more about Beyond Bacon here!

Feeling lucky? Enter the GIVEAWAY for your own copy of this awesome book below. A big thank you to Paleo Parents for providing a book to one lucky reader. (Note: available to U.S residents only.)

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See it on Amazon.

Have kiddos with gluten sensitivities? Or simply looking for health food and snack options? Be sure and check out Paleo Parents other book, Eat Like a Dinosaur: Recipe & Guidebook for Gluten-free Kids

Like what you read? Be sure and follow LittleOwlCrunchyMomma on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+

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The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care (Review and Giveaway)

Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.

Most people have that one book. That one book that changed their life forever. For me, that book is Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon Morell. This should deservedly be called a chef d'oeuvre. It is a masterpiece, a work of art, an in-depth science, history, and anthropology lesson all rolled into one. It is all those things as well as an excellent cookbook. I have been independently studying nutrition for over six years now as a result of discovering this book.

See it on Amazon.

My one complaint about Morell's book? When I became pregnant there was not a large section on pregnancy and postpartum care. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement when I learned that Morell was writing a second book just on baby and child care. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Yet, The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care was not anything like I had expected. I expected a book similar to Nourishing Traditions but specifically geared to babies. I expected an awesome cookbook that also contained lots of other information. That's not what this book is at all. There are barely even any recipes. This book took me by surprise, but in a very, very good way. 

This book takes you by the hand and helps guide you through parenting choices that exist all the way starting with preconception to adulthood--including covering controversial topics like vaccines, autism, and birth control. This book is steeped in the philosophy of Rudolph Steiner, which whether or not you agree with his philosophy provides fascinating food for thought. This book is incredibly well-researched. It contains an impressive amount of references for every chapter and study cited as well as helpful "further reading" suggestions.

The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care covers a vast array of information and will most likely take any reader a while to digest. I would highly recommend buying it before you are pregnant so you can contemplate more of the information, but reading it and having it on hand for any stage of parenthood will be helpful. I plan on keeping mine handy to reference for at least the next 17 years....

For any parent, or couple looking to get pregnant, that is an excellent book to read together before you conceive or add to your family. In this book Morell spends a good amount of time talking about the importance of the fertility diet for both parents, as well as foods for optimal fetal development and healthy pregnancy for mother and baby.



Morell goes step-by-step through every newborn intervention (including cord clamping eye drops, shots, circumsision, etc.) a parent will encounter in a conventional birth setting and talks about each one in what I found to be a very balanced, rational manner. In the next section of her book, Morell examines the controversial vaccination debate with a clear head and lots of helpful information. She does not pass judgment on a parent's decision, and instead concludes this section by providing helpful tips for those looking to vaccinate on schedule, minimally, or not at all. 

Next, Morrell steps into the world of new motherhood and addresses issues regarding lactation and provides tips and solutions to common problems. She provides support emotionally as well as practically through her recipe for homemade formula. She then examines other issues surrounding new babies including the importance of touch, how to decide what diapers to use, how to deal with rashes, thoughts on sleeping arrangement and SIDS as well as much more. 



This book goes beyond just baby care and addresses issues that arise when raising children of all ages. Morell examines optimal nutrition for kids at different stages of development, talks about the importance of play for brain development, and addresses the controversial issues of child spacing and birth control, as well as providing solutions for dealing with the common illnesses of childhood, addresses the all too common issues of allergies, asthma and eczema and the tragic increase in neurological disorders in children and young adults

And after all of this, the book has recipes. 

As I stated previously, I would highly recommend couples read this book together before getting pregnant. But, it will make a wonderful addition to your home no matter what stage your family is at even if you have toddlers, teens, or adult children. I wish every home had a copy of this book. 

I plan on keeping mine around for a long time... that is, provided I can remember who I have loaned it to... 

You can help support the blog and buy the book on Amazon here. Or, if you are feeling lucky, you can enter the giveaway below. A big thank you to Sally Fallon Morell herself for giving away a copy of her book to one lucky reader. 

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Wanting to learn more about how to nourish your growing family? 

Here are a few more books I highly recommend:

See it on Amazon.

Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two and Baby's First Foods was written by Nina Planck, well-known author of the revolutionary book, Real Food. Planck wrote Mother and Baby as a response to the lack of helpful information available for mothers looking to raise healthy babies. This book is simple, straight-forward and full of information. Planck's lays out her vast knowledge in an approachable manner with a large dose of down-to-earth humor. (Read my full review of Planck's book here.)

See it on Amazon.

Beautiful Babies: Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Baby's First Foods was written by Kristen Michaelis author of the popular blog Food Renegade. Michaelis explains the problems with modern nutrition , but provides simple solutions. This book also contains wonderful recipes and simple shopping guidelines for any experience or financial level. (Read my full review of Michaelis' book here.)

See it on Amazon.

Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon is a veritable tome. This book belongs in every home. The knowledge that Fallon presents is life-changing. This book is incredibly well-researched. Fallon dispels the myth that a low-fat diet is healthy, instead arguing that traditional animal fats and cholesterol are vital nutrients for us, for our children, and for our children's children.

See it on Amazon.

Super Nutrition for Babies: The Right Way to Feed Your Baby for Optimal Health written by Katherine Erlich (M.D.) and Kelly Genzlinger (C.N.C/C.M.T.A) goes a step beyond the aforementioned books and provides a step-by-step approach to nutrition for every stage of a child's development. The authors present their information in a digestible manner without being overwhelming. This is the sort of book a parent will want to keep around to use as a reference throughout babies first two years. (Read my full review of this book here.)

(Note: this post contains affiliate links. Meaning, if you shop after clicking on one, you just might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. Thank you!) 

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