Back to School - The perfect instant snack

Back to school!  This was always one of the most exciting times of the year when I was a kid.  The smell of new crayons, picking out new shoes, and watching as Mom carefully wrote my name onto each brand new school supply.

The first day of school was always so exhilarating.  A new teacher and a class full of new friends-to-be, with so much anticipation building up into that day.  Its a lot for a kid to take in. After running in the sunshine and playing barefoot all summer, the classroom is an intense experience.  Sitting still, listening patiently, and making a good first impression take energy and concentration.

Try a2 Milk®...and win a trip to Australia!

 In France, they say that you tell exactly where a cow is from, based on the flavor of its milk.  Depending on the climate and grazing pastures, each region's cows are influenced by the environment and give the milk its own variation on flavors.  I love that attention to the origin of foods, and the connection between the earth and our own bodies.

Heirloom Milk for Happier Tummies

We love dairy products at our house.  Over our cereal at breakfast, warmed with chocolate for a cold-weather treat, as an ingredient in dinner or dessert...we use it all day long.  

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

We became absolutely addicted to Green Tea Ice Cream while living in Asia, and I'm thrilled to share with you this recipe to make it at home!

Making green tea ice cream at home couldn't be simpler!  It is so delicious - the perfect ending to a heavy meal - and is filled with all the great health benefits of Matcha Green Tea like:

How to make homemade Almond Milk

Almond milk has always intrigued me.  How do these dry little nuts turn into a creamy drink? It is simple, actually!  Turning a handful of almonds into a bottle of healthy milky goodness takes just a few minutes with this recipe.

Farm to Table Organic Cheese

I'm always looking to learn more about what we eat.  What are the ingredients?  What vitamins are in it?  Where is it grown?  How is it made?  What are the health benefits...or side-effects...to it?

I have visited a LOT of Dairies and Cheese Producers across the country for exactly that reason.  It is so interesting to learn how all our dairy products are made!  I especially love to learn about the families and farms that are behind the products in our refrigerators and pantries -- One glance at my humble little vegetable garden reminds me just how much work family farmers invest into stocking our shelves every day.

Amazingly Simple Homemade Ricotta

I absolutely love making foods from scratch in the kitchen that I'd previously thought could only be bought at the store.  Especially when it is ridiculously easy, like this Ricotta, and amazingly tasty. 

People are always so impressed when they find out it is not from the gourmet grocery, but is actually DIY...I get such a thrill out of the inevitable, "Wait, you MADE this??"