{edible gift} Apple Leather

  I have been blessed to find new neighbors who own apple trees this year! Though I am somewhat sheepish to go up to a random person’s house, knock on their door, and ask if they use their apples, I do it anyhow. Both times I’ve done this, the people have responded kindly, and say…

{recipe} Calabaza en Tacha (Candied Pumpkin)

Editor’s Note: Swapper Becky H wowed us with her piece on The Simplicity of Coconut Butter and now she’s back as a regular monthly contributor! I’m excited to have Becky join the team because she will bring something new, as a native of The Rio Grande Valley,  she will be featuring recipes & stories influenced by…

{recipe} Gluten-Free Crispy Treat Pops

Hi Folks! I’m thrilled Christina asked me to contribute to the FSC blog. For my first entry, I thought I’d share a bit of a culinary confession. Ready? I don’t like…cake pops. It’s not that I don’t think they’re adorable, I do! It’s just that I find the interior of the pops, usually a mixture…

{recipe recap} D.I.Y. Halloween Candy

Halloween is right around the corner, why not get creative in the kitchen with your chocolate skills or your sugar skills! The FSC Time Machine starts us out with the Becky Show with all of her fabulous posts from last October from her D.I.Y. Halloween Candy Series, then we move into other sugary items that…

{diy treat} Homemade Magic Shell, Demystified

Editor’s Note: Our ‘community voices’ series rolls along with swapper, and now FSC Academy teacher, Leah A. who is back with another hot swap item, Homemade Magic Shell. Food Allergy friendly w/ only three pantry staples- you bet I’m making this asap!-Christina We eat a relatively healthy, no fast food, freshly-made, organic-when-possible diet and have…

{strict avoidance} Celebrating w/ Food Allergies

My daughter Abby just turned 7 years old and she’s looking forward to celebrating with her friends at a party this weekend. She has multiple food allergies, some of which are life-threatening. I’m finalizing the snack and dessert menu and I thought I would share a bit about what I’ve learned about serving food at…

{gluten free / dairy free} S’mores Muffins

As the weather has turned warmer, and more Spring-like, my family has been spending more and more time outdoors. We take walks after dinner, race down the giant slides at the playground, and delight in the smells from our neighbor’s grill. A few evenings we have even smelt wood burning from fire pits and campfires…

{FSC EVENT} Free Kids Cooking Class at Chipotle

Besides Farmer Michael of Kilpatrick Family Farm, Justine & Brian of Denison Farm, Dianna & Michael for their urban maple syrup, Josh & Stephanie of West Wind Acres, Rick of Ballston Lake Apiaries, and the uber-talented Canners & Jammers of FSC Swappers,  I can also thank General Manager Tracie, Kendra & Kaia and the rest…

{recipe} Fried Cakes

Many people have a specialty in the kitchen. For some, it’s a killer chocolate cake. Others have a meatloaf recipe that cannot be matched. For Mrs. Stiles, it was fried cakes. What are fried cakes? They are essentially the same thing as Old-Fashioned cake donuts (okay, they are the same thing). Who is Mrs. Stiles?…

{gluten & dairy free} Soft Double Chocolate Cookies

Warmer days have started to descend on us, here in the Capital Region of NY, and everyone is cheering, hoping Spring is here to stay. The happiest of those in my house are my children.  They have been playing outside constantly, soaking up the fresh air and the sunny skies.  I wanted an easy, delicious…

{recipe & tips} Incorporating Chia Seeds Into Your Diet

Incorporating Chia Seeds Into Your Diet This year the Salvia hispanica, or chia seed, is popping up everywhere. This superfood is worth all of the hype, even if it somehow possesses some people to randomly break out into song about pets. The chia seed has many nutritional benefits. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, Chia is very…

{backyard-to-kitchen poultry} Rooster Nuggets

*Reader alert: The following story involves some general information on poultry processing (no gory details or photos, though). If you’d rather not hear more about how the meat my family eats came from real live animals, some of whom grew up in our backyard, stop here. If you do eat meat, however, I would encourage…

{cooking with kids} Tips to Keep You Sane

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…

{gardening} Making the Most of One Acre

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…

{be mine} DIY Conversation Hearts

Valentine’s Day is a holiday of love, but also of CANDY! While you might immediately imagine a red, heart-shaped box of chocolates when thinking of Valentine’s Day, there is another candy that has also been capturing hearts. A favorite amongst school-aged children, the Conversation Heart has had a steady fan base over the years.  I…