Well, 2020 has been quite a year...

Between rampant wildfires and other extreme weather events across the globe, racial protests that spanned the nation and beyond, a particularly divisive election season, and, of course, a global pandemic, many people are looking forward to saying goodbye to 2020. 

However, there are also many things to be grateful for this year, and as I compiled my annual "gratitude list," I thought I would do things a bit differently this year. There are so many things I am thankful for every year, but this year, I have the opportunity to take a new perspective and find the silver linings in something that has negatively impacted all of us in some way.

Below are 5 things that COVID-19 has given me to be thankful for in 2020:

While we usually try to find an "all-natural" and humanely raised turkey for Thanksgiving, this is the first year that we've actually gotten a truly free-range pasture-raised turkey from our local farmer.

Since it's just the hubby and I this year, we wanted a smaller bird, which meant we could avoid spending $75 on a turkey - which still seems exorbitant to me no matter how high-quality the meat is...

We have gotten used to the amazing flavor of the pasture-raised chicken that we buy from the same farm, so I'm excited to see how the turkey turns out!

However, as with other pasture-raised meats, we are aware that it may cook differently from the conventionally raised alternative, so we were looking for some instruction. Fortunately, I discovered the recipe below, and this is how we intend to cook our pasture-raised turkey this year. I'll have to let you know how it turns out, but the comments on the site were all very positive, so I have high hopes!

With the holiday season just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share a guest post on some tasty herbs and "super-spices" that you can use to spice up your holiday meals - AND stay healthy this winter!

Most of us think of herbs and spices simply as something to flavor our food, but many of these ingredients may actually have powerful health benefits. Not only can they make your food taste great, but they are also great for you!

Herbs and spices actually contain some of the most potent antioxidants of any food - even higher than some of the most touted "superfoods" such as kale, broccoli, or berries. These antioxidants have been shown to help protect against diseases like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and more. What's more, they not only contain their own healthy compounds, but they also can actually enhance the nutritional benefits of other foods when eaten in combination.

But it's not just about antioxidants; these "super-spices" also have properties that may help to stabilize and regulate blood sugar, boost metabolism, reduce inflammation, and help the body ward off pathogens - including viruses, bacteria, and even some fungal diseases. All of this without creating issues like antibiotic resistance or other side-effects created by many conventional medications.

This month's guest post lists 10 amazing herbs and super-spices that you'll want to include in your cooking on a regular basis. Check it out below to learn about the healing properties of these common natural flavoring agents, as well as ideas for including more of them in your meals.

As we move into the winter months and the pandemic rages on, many families are concerned about not only health, but also food security. Based on the shortages of some foods that we experienced back in the spring, it is reasonable to expect that if things shut down again, we may face the same - or perhaps worse - before things improve.

Let's face it: these are some crazy times we are living in, and it is important to be prepared for anything.
Fortunately, those of you who follow the holistic living way - growing your own food, taking responsibility for your own health, etc. are better prepared than most. Whether you're growing your own produce, or buying fresh, healthy foods from local farmers through a farmer's market or CSA program, learning to preserve your favorite fresh vegetables and herbs is one way to stock up so that you can enjoy healthy meals without going to the grocery store all the time - and ensure that you have plenty of food if the grocery stores run short.

There are so many amazing healthy foods out there that boost your immunity - and most of them can be easily grown in your own backyard. Imagine being able to preserve these foods to enjoy whenever you want them...

Today, more than ever, this is a game-changer.

And let’s face it, store-bought pasta sauce is just NEVER as good as fresh and homemade! When you make your own, you know it’s chock full of nutrients without all the crazy weird preservatives, sugars, and other additives.

So are you ready to learn how to start preserving fresh food for yourself… all the basics like pasta sauce, salsa, hot sauce, pickles, dried herbs, sauerkraut and more?

If so, you're in the right place!  My colleague, Stacey Murphy, is a "garden guru" who provides mentorship to thousands of people so they can nourish their loved ones with fresh, organic food. And now she’s released a brand new webinar to help you stock your kitchen with fresh goodies so you can enjoy fresh and healthy foods year-round!

Fall is the perfect time to make sure you are prepared for the winter months with plenty of healthy foods to keep your immune system strong.

Click here to register for the FREE webinar on preserving the harvest, or learn more below...