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8 Dehydrating Recipes You’ve Got To Try This Summer

Summer is coming to an end, and your gardens are bursting with produce! It’s time to break out your dehydrator to start preserving your fruits, vegetables, and herbs so that you can enjoy them later on in the season or throughout the fall and winter months.

Here are some of our favorite Instagram posts that deliver awesome dehydrated food inspiration!

1. Watermelon Candy via @the_combstead 

Dried “watermelon jerky” or watermelon candy is a sweet and delightful treat! It’s chewy like taffy and the flavor is reminiscent of a watermelon Jolly Rancher. Generally, you can be enjoying this homemade snack in 24 hours or less.


2. Zucchini Chips via @growforagecookferment

Skip the fatty potato chips and crunch on these! Zucchini chips can be seasoned with your favorite flavors and are completely guilt-free, so snack away!


3. Frozen Mixed Veggies via @forgetmenotstl

Let us introduce you to this meal-prepping hack! Dehydrate your mixed veggies and then freeze for long term storage. Make sure to use your vacuum sealer before sealing them away.


4. Fruit Leather Roll-Ups via @homesteading_fam_

If you have kids, this one’s for you! You’ll feel great about feeding your kids this healthy treat without any added sugar, colors, or preservatives. You’ll never buy store-bought fruit roll-ups again!

5. Kale Chips via @pheebsfoods

This light and flavorful snacks will satisfy your cravings for potato chips. Coat them with your favorite flavors and never let another leaf of kale from your garden go to waste.


6. Sundried Tomato Candies via @yaelfoodie_in_tlv

These truly are nature’s candy! Enjoy them on salads, sandwiches or right out of the jar.


7. Dehydrated Herbs via @littlegreendot

Save your abundance of fresh herbs by dehydrating them for future use.


8. Beet Chips via @afoodloverslife

These crisp, crunchy and nutritious beet chips will satisfy even the pickiest of snackers in your home! They are super flavorful and delicious.

 

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Hummus For Dessert?! 10 Recipes You HAVE TO TRY!

“If you haven’t heard about the latest trend in the last year of dessert hummus, and think it sounds weird, trust me it is amazing stuff.  I mean, you get to enjoy dessert and a protein and fiber-rich snack at the same time!  Which is why I love it.  I like my desserts to have nutritional benefits sometimes and this is perfect for that.” – Fragrant Vanilla

NEED CHICKPEAS to MAKE YOUR OWN HUMMUS? SHOP HERE!

 


1. Smores Dessert Hummus – S’mores Dessert Hummus is for the S’mores addict that loves a good treat, but wants it to be healthy too. You really won’t believe it’s a hummus! Yum! GET THE RECIPE: I Am A Honey Bee

 

2. Chocolate Snickerdoodle Hummus – Chocolate Snickerdoodle Dessert Hummus is a healthy protein-packed treat. It’s sweet enough to pass as a dessert and plant-based enough to pass as a healthy snack. I’d call that a win-win! GET THE RECIPE: Cozy Peach Kitchen

 

3. Raspberry Lemon Dessert Hummus – A sweet, tart, beautiful dessert hummus, perfect for meal prep snacking or school lunches! GET THE RECIPE: Radical Strength

 

4. Banana Bread Hummus – This hummus tasted exactly like banana bread but only took five minutes to prepare. GET THE RECIPE: Make The Best of Everything

 

5. Cake Batter Hummus –  This cake batter hummus tastes like cake batter, is super low in sugar and passed the test for BOTH of my kids (including both Picky Eater and Wannabe Foodie). GET THE RECIPE: Don’t Waste The Crumbs

 

6. Brownie Batter Hummus – This Chocolate Brownie Batter Hummus is the perfect healthy chocolate treat! It requires just 5 everyday ingredients and can be made in 10 minutes with one simple step. GET THE RECIPE: Catching Seeds

7. Pumpkin Pie Hummus – A delicious dessert hummus that takes just minutes to make! Grab a cinnamon sugar pita chip and dig into this addicting fall appetizer! GET THE RECIPE: Mildly Meandering

 

8. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hummus – A creamy and crunchy hummus recipe that’s actually a dessert!  Tastes like edible cookie dough that’s high in protein and oh so satisfying! Say hello to Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hummus! GET THE RECIPE: Natural Tasty Chef

 

9. Peanut Butter & Chocolate Hummus – Enjoy a healthier treat with this vegan, gluten-free Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert Hummus. Filled with protein, fiber and a bit of sweetness to satisfy your chocolate craving in a good way! GET THE RECIPE: Your Choice Nutrition

 

10. Vegan Cheesecake Hummus –  I have made many different kinds, including chocolate cake batter, red velvet cake batter, mint chip, strawberry, pumpkin pie, and salted caramel and they were all delicious.  I realized, however, I was missing cheesecake dessert hummus. How could I miss my favorite dessert for a hummus flavor inspiration? GET THE RECIPE: Fragrant Vanilla

 

Looking for something more savory? 

This is how you make the best hummus dip! DIY Recipe…

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DANDELION & HONEY ICE CREAM [Get The Recipe!]

If dandelion wine captures the essence of summer for adults, then dandelion ice cream sums it up for kids.  This flower infused treat is sweetened with honey.  All you need is one cup of dandelion petals, which should be available on any respectable pesticide-free lawn.

Making dandelions into ice cream isn’t a new idea, but rather than blossoms, most recipes use roasted dandelion roots.  The book Pacific Feast: A Foragers Guide to West Coast Cooking and Cuisine has a recipe for roasted dandelion root ice cream.  I’d imagine that it tastes a bit like coffee, given that roasted dandelion roots are used as a wild coffee substitute.

The blossoms have an entirely different character, and they taste like honey when made into a summertime dandelion jelly.  I’m playing up their honey notes by sweetening this ice cream with a light clover honey.

GET THE RECIPE AT https://practicalselfreliance.com

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HOW TO GROW A KOMBUCHA SCOBY FROM BOTTLED KOMBUCHA

Months ago I wanted to start making my own kombucha.  I was buying bottles of kombucha from the health store and the costs were adding up and I felt it was time for a cheaper way.  I researched a few ways for how to grow a kombucha scoby.  A scoby is the white alien looking thing floating at the top of the jar.  You need a scoby to ferment the tea to brew kombucha.  The scoby eats the sugar you add to the tea and you end up with a beverage that tastes great and is full of probiotics and is great for detoxing.

Purchase a bottle of kombucha.  The product must have an active bacteria culture and not be pasturized.  When I was purchasing bottles of kombucha I noticed that some had a slimy thing floating in it.  This is a baby scoby.  Look for a bottle in the store that has one but it is not necessary.  You can see the baby scoby floating at the top of the bottle.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST https://ditchthewheat.com

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Our 5 Favorite Holiday Platters To Help Keep You On Track This Christmas

1. A Veggie Tray for the Holidays

 Try this healthy tray via “ModernParentsMessyKids.com“

2. Christmas Tree Veggie Platter

The holidays are such a fun time to create fun and festive recipes and dishes. There are usually so many activities, get togethers and parties, providing countless opportunities to get creative and have some fun with these plates. via “LilLuna.com“

3. Easy Veggie Tray Wreath

Cutest veggie tray wreath, perfect for any Christmas party or get together! via “PrettyProvidence.com“

4. Santa Goes Healthy

This cute Santa veggie tray is a magical way to bring some healthy options to your Christmas table. via “EatingRichly.com“


5. Christmas Tree Vegetable Platter Appetizer Tray

Celebrate Christmas in style with this cute Christmas tree shaped vegetable platter!  Broccoli makes the green branches, red cherry tomatoes make the ornaments, cauliflower makes the white snow and the yellow bell pepper makes the bright star! via “MelanieCooks.com“

 

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How To Grow Wheatgrass At Home *WITHOUT SOIL*

Growing your own wheatgrass at home is easy and fun to do – especially during the winter months!

There are a lot of different methods on how you can achieve this, so below we are going to share with you some of our favorite.

There are both soil and soil-less methods.  Today we are focusing on soil-less.  Make sure you choose which will work best for you.

Before you get started, purchase your wheatgrass seeds.

And this is how it’s done ….

As you can see, wheatgrass can be easily grown and prepared at home.

Some claim it can do everything from detoxifying the liver to improving immune function & boost weight loss. Nevertheless, wheatgrass delivers many amazing benefits.

Now, let’s see what happens to your body if you drink wheatgrass daily …


We’ve talked about the amazing health benefits of consuming wheatgrass and showed you how to grow your own, now here are some great ways to enjoy your raw, healthy, nutrient-packed wheatgrass!

Check out these wheatgrass recipes:


Ready to start growing your own Wheatgrass? SHOP Wheatgrass seeds!

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10 Cauliflower Smoothies You Won’t Regret Trying!

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We’ve gone crazy over these super healthy shakes/smoothies that all have
1 SECRET INGREDIENT in common, Cauliflower!

Here’s a collection of our favorite Cauliflower Smoothie Recipes that we know you won’t regret trying.

 

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1. Malted Chocolate Cauliflower Smoothie via Eating Bird Food

“A chocolate cauliflower smoothie made malty with maca powder! The frozen cauliflower makes the smoothie thick and creamy without any added sugar or fruit.” [Get this recipe]

 

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2. Creamy Cauliflower Coconut Smoothie via The Glowing Fridge

“This Creamy Cauliflower Coconut Smoothie is the creamiest blend of whole food goodness… you’d have no idea it was veggie based!” [Get this recipe]

 

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3. Skinny Fruitless Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie via Paleo Gluten-Free Eats

“…this smoothie is a good one and I have been known to eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all in the same day). So, if the same happens to you- don’t say I didn’t want you. I’m dead serious when I say this is my go-to, make every day, never gets old, love of my life, smoothie. I don’t even know what to say, it’s just my absolute FAVE. I hope ya love it too!” [Get this recipe]

 

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4. Classic Cauliflower Blueberry Smoothie via Lee From America

“This classic, lightly sweetened mostly-cauliflower smoothie is a great introductory smoothie for those wishing to try a vegetable-based smoothie. It’s smooth, thick, and creamy. Trust me, you won’t even miss the banana! This is one of my all-time favorite smoothies and a regular occurrence in my breakfast rotation.” [Get this recipe]

 

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5. Salted Tahini Maca Smoothie w/Dates & Cauliflower via Running on Real Food

“This Salted Tahini Maca Smoothie is a little different but it’s really, really yummy and very filling and satisfying. Tahini is one of my favorite ingredients both for its flavor and nutritional benefits and maca is a wonderful adaptogenic superfood that pairs well with the other flavors in this healthy, nourishing smoothie.” [Get this recipe]

 

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6. Vegan Strawberry-Cauliflower Smoothie via Katalyst Heath

“Sneak in an extra serving of vegetables with this Strawberry Cauliflower Smoothie! Both vegan and paleo, this smoothie is thick, creamy and bursting with berry flavor! You won’t even know the cauliflower is there – I promise!” [Get this recipe]

 

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7. Blueberry Coconut Smoothie with Cauliflower via Running on Real Food

“If you’re not adding vegetables to your smoothies, you’re missing out! We’re talking ingredients beyond spinach and kale, too. Think zucchini, sweet potato, cauliflower, and beets. Adding vegetables to smoothies is a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet and take full advantage of the wide range of health benefits they offer. This healthy, low-sugar blueberry coconut smoothie bowl tastes like blueberry ice cream but won’t spike your blood sugar and will help keep you full and energize you for hours.” [Get this recipe]

 

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8. PB & J (&B) Shakes / Banana-Free via Flora and Vino

“These PB & J (&B) Shakes require only 5 minutes and 6 ingredients to start your day with a healthy dose of PB&J, protein, and veg.” [Get the recipe]

 

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9. Chocolate Gingerbread Protein Smoothie via Hummusapien

“This Chocolate Gingerbread Protein Smoothie is creamy, decadent, and packed with plant-powered protein, fiber, iron, calcium, and a secret ingredient…cauliflower! Enjoy this delicious shake for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.” [Get this recipe]

 

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10. Turmeric & Chai Spiced Cauliflower Smoothie via Feast of Green

“In this smoothie, chai spices and a bit of banana are the primary flavors, but there is definitely a hint of bitterness from the cauliflower. I was very skeptical while testing the recipe, but I found myself returning for sips with growing enthusiasm. I would definitely make it again and will be experimenting with more cauliflower smoothies in the future…”[Get this Recipe]

 

Check out more delicious Cauliflower Smoothie Recipes on this Pinterest Board!


 

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Grow a Fall/Winter Garden! Join the Monthly Seed Club, TODAY!

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ORDER BEFORE 11:59 PM PST November 4th to receive a shipment THIS MONTH! https://urbanorganicgardener.cratejoy.com/

Grow food ALL-YEAR-ROUND with us! Now is the perfect time to start stockpiling seeds for your fall, winter and even early spring gardens!All of our seed club members will be receiving varieties that are perfect for growing during the cooler months. Let us hand-select 5 varieties of heirloom, GMO-free seeds to ship to you EVERY MONTH!

TO LEARN MORE or SIGN UP just visit: https://urbanorganicgardener.cratejoy.com/

 

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Guacamole Garden! Grow Your Own…

“You can start with the seed of an avocado. Wash it. Use 3 toothpicks to suspend it broad-end down over a water-filled glass to cover about an inch of the seed. Put the glass in a warm place out of direct sunlight and replenish water as needed. You should see the roots and stem start to sprout in about 2-6 weeks. (If you’ve followed this process so far and have not seen roots or a stem sprout in more than 6-8 weeks, give another seed a try!) When the stem is 6-7 inches long, cut it back to about 3 inches. When the roots are thick and the stem has leaves again, plant it in a rich humus soil in a 10-1/2″ diameter pot, leaving the seed half exposed. Water it frequently with an occasional deep soak. Soil should be moist but not saturated. And don’t forget, the more sunlight, the better. If the plant turns yellow, you may be over-watering; let it dry out for a few days. If leaves turn brown and fry at the tips, too much salt has accumulated in the soil. Let water run freely into the pot and drain for several minutes. When the stem is 12 inches high, cut it back to 6 inches to encourage the growth of new shoots.”

Learn MORE about how to care for your own avocado tree at: https://www.californiaavocado.com

 

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8 Odd Things from your Garden You Can Candy

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Making candied treats is always a pleasure. Not only is it easy & requires very few ingredients…there are plenty of things you can harvest from your home garden to “candy”.

“Candied things are special. By cooking in a simple syrup and then drying, the moisture is removed and replaced with sugar which acts to preserve that which is being candied. The flavor is both sweetened and smoothed out, and the texture transformed. And it’s a great way to use up kitchen bits that would otherwise go to waste, like empty vanilla pods and citrus peels.”

From candied beets, herbs, flowers, and more…here are 8 ODD Things You Can Candy at home.

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35 Delicious Ways To Use Zucchini

The season is upon us! Gardeners all over are experiencing an abundance or “over-load” of zucchini squash. These prolific plants produce plenty of slender and long fruits, some even reaching an unwanted size that oddly enough can resemble a baseball bat!

If you’ve found yourself pondering ways to use up all of your fabulous zucchini squash, look no further. These zucchini recipes will have you covered for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snack time!

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