Tag: Freeze Dried

Eating Mushrooms for Gut Health

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Pexels - mushrooms-brown-mushrooms-cook-eat

A recent stay in the local hospital has me rethinking my eating habits!

True, I have been eating healthier lately, however, I’ve come to realize I need to reconsider some of my food choices when it comes to my gut health!

I’ve learned that eating mushrooms helps to reduce systemic inflammation.

See, our gut biomes – all the trillions of live bacteria in our gut – assimilate nutrients, and such, including the vitamins from our food. However, those biomes lose their ability to operate properly when our gastrointestinal tract is inflamed!

This inflammation affects our bodies in a number of different ways.

For example, our muscles become inflamed when we exercise… our joints and soft cartilage experience inflammation from degenerative bone diseases…

Likewise – as I’ve recently found out the hard way – my gastrointestinal system becomes inflamed when I eat refined, processed sugars and starches… especially from high fatty fried foods!

This inflammation is the primary cause of illness and health disorders in our bodies!

However, making wise choices can change my health for the better!

Simply adding mushrooms not only gives my recipes a distinct and flavorful experience, they also support my immune system, allowing me to feel fit and strong!

So, reconsidering some of my food choices has become a must for me!

I can add mushrooms to my pasta, giving it a rich and bold taste that is amazing!

What is more, I can add mushrooms to my spaghetti sauce… my stir-fry… and my soups…

I can also pair them with onions and sauté to top a steak or potato… I can add even them to scrambled eggs…

However, the best way to preserve their nutritional value is to grill them!

I’ve also found it an added bonus to keep a can of freeze-dried mushrooms in my pantry. This way I can reduce the waste of throwing out mushrooms that have become slimy! How cool is that!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

(P.S. Thank you for using my affiliate links. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! Both mom and I appreciate your support! ❤)

My Table Top Garden

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

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As spring approaches, I find myself longing for a garden, which brings memories of our first year on the farm! It was anything but easy!

Even back then, I looked forward to having a garden, but our land just wouldn’t cooperate! We tried in not one, but two different areas in our fields, but still nothing would produce!

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During our second year on the far, we tried yet a third area for a garden, and still we couldn’t get anything to grow!

It was very frustrating! Was it the soil? Was it me?

To this day, I still honestly don’t know why our land wouldn’t produce!! It wasn’t until our third year that we finally saw the fruits of our labor!

However, in the middle of that second year, I was so desperate that I decided I would try starting a garden in my kitchen!

We had a spare table that I moved to a window that got plenty of sunshine!

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I purchased the best soil I could afford for my little tabletop garden and lovingly made sure each day that my seeds had plenty of water and sun!

The day finally arrived when I started to see seedlings sprout up from the soil! I was in seventh heaven! At long last I had a garden!

It was a small garden; therefore, it didn’t produce much – just some peppers and cherry tomatoes and my favorite ‘go-to’ herbs for cooking – but it was a garden, nonetheless!

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I don’t know if we will be back on a traditional homestead this season, however, I am looking forward to growing at least some of my favorites for the kitchen!

However, instead of using our bulky flower pots, this year, I believe I will try for another tabletop garden! My thinking is this: should we find a more traditional homestead before the growing season is over, I won’t have such heavy pots to lift and move!

I do have a table outside my RV that gets plenty of sun! So yes, I do think I will try for another tabletop garden this year!

Until next time,

Peace, love, and safe travels… and happy homesteading!

~ Sheri

A Look at Growing Older

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

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As I looked into the mirror this morning, I realized that there were a few more grey hairs…

I don’t like getting older! So like many others, I have succumbed to try holding onto my youth by coloring my hair, exercising to keep up my strength and using the latest skin care treatments… but even Solomon in all his wisdom said that this too is meaningless.

Let’s be honest… our looks… our health… and our circumstances change with time. All too often in ways we do not want!

However, with the passage of time, I am coming to terms with my getting older…

I find it helps to remind myself that God made me in His image… He knows me by name… and He even knows the number of hairs on my head, grey or otherwise!

Just as each season of nature has its own beauty and purpose, I too have my own beauty and purpose.

I may no longer have the hair color of my youth – ahem, unless I find it in a bottle of hair color – however, I find that by remembering that God has a purpose for me… it gives me a reason to get up each morning!

I no longer have to feel depressed or miserable about my aging which helps me get through the changing seasons of my life!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

Homemade Slow-Cooker Beef Vegetable Soup

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

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Nothing says comfort like the pleasant and welcoming flavors of Beef Vegetable Soup!

This recipe is so simple, it almost seems wrong to call it a recipe! You have it all – tender pieces of beef paired with lots of veggies. Add in some of your favorite herbs and some gut healing bone broth and you’re all set!

What more could you ask for in a soup?!?

Another great thing about this soup is that it is so versatile! You can use whatever veggies you have on hand or is in season! So please keep in mind, this recipe is just a base to start from!

Usually, I just grab a big bag of frozen mixed veggies from the store and season with whatever herbs speak to me that day! And changing up the herbs each time you make it means you’ll never be bored with its flavor!

Need to go to work? Put all the ingredients in the slow-cooker before you leave, and when you get home, you’re greeted with a wonderful aroma and a delicious meal ready for you to enjoy!

Beef Vegetable Soup

Here’s what you need:

  • 1 ½ pounds chuck roast (in a pinch you can use ground beef)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 6-8 cups beef bone broth
  • 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 16 oz. bag frozen mixed veggies
  • 1 stalk celery sliced – include the leafy greens on the end

Let’s put it all together:

  • Place beef roast into slow-cooker.
  • Add in all the other ingredients and cover with bone broth.
  • Let cook in the slow-cooker for 8 hours or overnight.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Cooks Tips:

  • For added flavor, sear each side of the beef in a skillet with the oil, butter and garlic before placing in the slow-cooker. Make sure you scrape all the brown bits in the skillet into the slow-cooker as well!
  • If you’re using fresh herbs in your soup, make sure you double the amount: for example, if you’re using 1 Tbsp. of dried herbs, you want to use 2 Tbsp. fresh herbs.
  • Don’t be afraid to try using freeze-dried foods as well! They’re just as tasty as fresh and they have a long shelf life too!

Hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Until next time,

Peace, love and happy homesteading!

~ Sheri

(Thank you for using my affiliate links. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! Mom and I appreciate your support! ❤)

Comfort Food in a Can

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Thrive Life - Food - Mashed Potatoes (2)

Comfort food – food that provides a sense of well being; typically associated with childhood memories or good old-fashioned home cooking!

With less than 3 weeks till we hit the road again, I find myself feeling very stressed! And to anyone who truly knows me, this can lead to stress eating!

I find myself craving comfort foods… my favorite happens to be mashed potatoes and gravy!

There’s nothing more enjoyable than the creamy smoothness of a great bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy! That warm fuzzy feeling you get as you enjoy the taste of the gravy… and every once in a while, finding that delicious lump of real potato!

If you’ve ever made mashed potatoes from scratch, you know exactly what I mean!

But sometimes, in this busy world we live in, making mashed potatoes from scratch is not an option! So, once again, I dug into my pantry of freeze-dried canned goods to make this oh-so-delicious meal of mashed potatoes and pulled pork gravy!

Thrive Life - Sour Cream and Onion Potatoes with Pulled Pork Gravy - Food

Mashed Potatoes and Pulled Pork Gravy

What your need for the potatoes:

And for the pulled pork gravy:

Let’s put it all together:

  • In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add green onions, salt and butter, Quickly whisk in sour cream and mashed potatoes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in black pepper.
  • In another small saucepan, melt butter and stir in pulled pork. Add gravy powder, water and whisk. Allow gravy to simmer until it thickens, stirring occasionally.
  • Scoop mashed potatoes into a small bowl and pour gravy over the top.
  • Enjoy!

This savory dish is great for lunch or dinner or any time you crave a delicious comfort food meal! It only takes about 20 minutes to make using the freeze-dried foods found here!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri

And as always, thanks for using the links in the posts! We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! We thank you for your support!

Steamed Green Beans with Red Peppers

Posted on by Great Adventure Homestead

Thrive Life Recipe - Steamed Green Beans

With the growing season only just beginning to get underway, I find I am having to rely on using my supply of freeze-dried canned goods. Here’s where I get mine!

If you already have fresh produce coming in from your garden, you can certainly use it in this recipe… just cut back on the amount of broth you use!!

How to make Steamed Green Beans with Red Bell Peppers

What you need:

  • 2 cups Red Bell Peppers
  • 2 cups Green Beans
  • 1/2 cup Onion Slices
  • 1 Tbsp. Garlic, pressed or minced
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 3/4 tsp salt or favorite seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cups broth (I use homemade chicken bone broth, but your favorite broth will work, or you can simply use water)

How to make:

  • In a medium sized skillet, saute the garlic with the butter until it’s lightly caramelized and has a nice golden color.
  • toss the dry ingredients in the skillet with the salt or seasoning of choice, then add the broth or water..
  • Stir together thoroughly.
  • place the lid on top and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Once the veggies are fully cooked, you’re ready to go!

Tips from the kitchen:

  • Freeze dried foods crisp up fast, so make sure you measure out all your ingredients first.
  • You can use your fresh from the garden produce, you’ll just need to cut back on the amount of broth you use.
  • Pairs nicely as a side for grilled chicken, or add cooked chicken to the recipe for a great stir-fry!

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

Until next time,

Peace, love and safe travels!

~ Sheri