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Courtney


Courtney I'm passionate about birthing rights, real food, fertility, natural family living, and other "crunchy" things. Join our family in our adventures in healthy living!


Sites I Love

  • 20 Something Allergies
  • And Here We Are…
  • Beautiful Cervix Project
  • Butter Believer
  • Cheese Slave
  • Empowered Sustenance
  • Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
  • Food Renegade
  • Grace Full Mama
  • Gutsy: Nourishing Food for a Happy, Healthy Gut
  • Holistic Kid
  • Homebirth: A blog about Midwifery by Lisa Barrett
  • Honest to Goodness Living
  • Joel Salatin's Polyface Farm
  • Journey Kitchen
  • Kelly the Kitchen Kop
  • Laurel of Leaves
  • Living the Nourished Life
  • Mama Natural
  • Mommypotamus
  • Mountain Rose Herbs
  • Navelgazing Midwife
  • Nourished Kitchen
  • Nourishing Joy
  • Passionate Homemaking
  • Small Footprint Family
  • Thank Your Body
  • The Elliott Homestead
  • The Nourishing Home
  • The Weston A. Price Foundation
  • Too Many Jars In My Kitchen


May 25, 2013

Why I ditched birth control & how to prevent pregnancy without it
I believe that every woman should be fully informed of ALL her options before making a decision concerning what type of birth control she wishes to use. And I don't just mean fully informed of all your birth control options. No. I mean fully informed about your body, too! To ... more


May 22, 2013

Lu’s (Homemade Almond Joys)
What exactly are "Lu's"? Lu's are a real food version of almond joys, named by our friend's two year old. :) Thank you, Courtney, for sharing this delicious recipe with your readers! I love Almond Joys but refuse to eat them because of the HFCS and other terrible ingredients found in ... more


May 20, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #29
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



Know your farmer. Know your meat.
This is Chris Simpson. Chris runs Field of Dreams Farm iN Watertown, TN and is friends with my friend Brian Harville from KNB Jersey Farm. Together, they have provided us with the most wonderful raw milk, pastured chicken and eggs that I've ever had in my life. Frank and I started ... more


May 17, 2013

Show me the cheese.
I had a few people get their panties in a bunch when I posted this picture earlier today. First, let me be clear that I am NOT hatin' on people with dairy allergies, I'm not hatin' on vegans, and I'm not judging your food choices if you eat this. My point is ... more


May 13, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #28
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


May 6, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #27
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


May 4, 2013

The Big Move for Chiropractic School
So I've been keeping a secret from you all. When I left at the end of January for my Real Food Blogger Tour, Frank had just been accepted to Life University in Marietta, GA. As my two-month blogger tour drew to a close, I hurried to get back home by the beginning ... more


April 30, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Shaye @ The Elliott Homestead
I'm SOOO behind on posts. It's ridiculous, I know! I visited The Elliott Homestead a MONTH ago, and I'm JUST NOW getting this post up. I tried to keep up with posting as I traveled, I really did---and I knew that as soon as I got home, I'd be busy ... more


April 29, 2013

Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
This recipe is the bomb. It's awesome because it's (1) delicious and (2) ridiculously easy to make! It was inspired by this salad Frank and I ate for lunch the other day when we were traveling. Some really good friends of ours recommended the restaurant because it features local produce ... more



Family Table Tuesday #26
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


April 28, 2013

How to make a real food White Russian {+eBook GIVEAWAY!!}
I'm super excited to announce this giveaway! First of all, it's my birthday! YAY! And instead of getting presents, I get to give away this AWESOME eBook that my friend Kendahl from Our Nourishing Roots wrote! I had the unique opportunity to stay with Kendahl for a month during February and ... more


April 23, 2013

Crock pot Sloppy Joes
Frank and I are moving in less than a month, so I'm trying my best to use up all our food so we don't have to pack it or throw it away. What a challenge to combine all the things you have on-hand into a meal! :) Good thing I love ... more


April 22, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #25
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


April 19, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Kathy @ Granny’s Vital Vittles
In my hurry to get home in time for Easter, I was only able to stay with Kathy for a night. But she was ever so gracious to let me stay, and she even made me breakfast the next day. I was able to meet her husband and younger son, ... more


April 15, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #24
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


April 13, 2013

Best garden, farm, anytime boots! {BOGS boots giveaway!}
A few months ago, I found myself in the market for a good sturdy pair of boots. I wanted something that I could use gardening or in the rain, but that would also hold up under the rigor of homesteading activities (i.e. muck, manure, rocks, etc.). I also wanted something a ... more


April 11, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Lindsey @ Homemade Mommy
Yay! I got to see Lindsey again! AND I got to meet her precocious daughter, Ella, and her husband, Evan. Lindsey and I had followed each other's blogs for a little while before getting to in person this past November at the Weston Price conference in Santa Clara, CA. I was so ... more


April 9, 2013

Banana Pudding (with gelatin!)
There's nothing like a husband to give you a challenge. At least in this case, it was banana pudding!! Since the day I got back from my blogger tour, Frank has been beggin me to make banana pudding again. The problem was, the last time I made it, we both got the ... more


April 8, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #23
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


April 7, 2013

How to Perfectly Peel a Hard-Boiled Egg
It's funny the things your brain chooses to remember. Sometimes it's even funnier WHEN your brain chooses to remember them. Like last week. I was at Lindsey's house for Passover Seder on my Blogger Tour, and she asked me to peel the hard-boiled eggs for the Seder plate. And I just ... more


April 6, 2013

Hot Toddy Cocktail
This March, I was lucky enough to stay with Lindsey from Homemade Mommy, and she made me one of her South African hot toddies one evening. I really enjoyed it---enough to make it again. :) Today, I've taken her recipe and tweaked it a little to make it my own. This ... more


April 3, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Kristen Michaelis @ Food Renegade
This post is late in coming because I literally was driving every two days the last week and a half of March, and I was just EXHAUSTED and not in writing mode. From March 20 to March 22, I got to stay with Kristen Michaelis, who is the author of ... more


April 1, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #22
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


March 29, 2013

Detoxing Clay Mask
I'm sitting in the bathroom at my grandparents' house, on the way home from my Blogger Tour, covered in mud. Well, clay, really. A few weeks ago, while I was in Phoenix with Kendahl from Our Nourishing Roots, I learned all about real food cocktails and different types of beer. Because ... more


March 25, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #21
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



Learning to let go and free-dance
Last night, I did something incredible. I put in my headphones, turned on my iPod, and I FREE-DANCED! Okay, maybe it was just incredibly silly, but it felt AMAZING. If anyone had seen me, I'm sure I would have looked like a goofball: dancing in a dark kitchen by the light of the ... more


March 24, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Dina-Marie’s farm @ Cultured Palate
After leaving Kendahl's in Phoenix, Arizona, I stayed with Dina-Marie's family for four days in the West Texas desert. Dina-Marie, her husband John, and their ten children moved from Southern Alabama to West Texas five years ago to grow grapes for wineries. Whether it's helping tend the vineyards, milking the ... more


March 22, 2013

Homemade deodorant, that lasts all day
I don't know about you, but I live in the SOUTH, where it is hot and humid for most of the year. A good deodorant can become your best friend. And a natural antiperspirant? Even better. I'm not saying that this will keep you from sweating, but the arrowroot powder ... more


March 18, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #20
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



Pot Roast, baby.
This little classic number is sure to warm your insides and please your taste buds. Smooth and savory---you've had pot roast before. You know what this is about. But just like a good cup o' joe, everyone's take on this dish is different. This is mine. Hope you like it. ... more


March 14, 2013

Gift to a Black Sheep
If you can hang on long enough to read, I pour my heart out at the end of this. But you have to read the poem first. Don't worry. It's a beautiful one. ;) Gift to a Black Sheep By Steve Christopher And I asked them to bore the hole clean and straight, the circumference ... more


March 13, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Backyard Chickens & Kelly @ Oh, Lardy!
While I was here in Phoenix staying with Kendahl, I also learned that there is another blogger here! Together, Kelly Liston and Tamara Mannelly run the blog Oh, Lardy! I only got to spend a lunch hour with Kelly, but I did get to visit her home, meet her dogs and ... more


March 12, 2013

Fresh Herb Chicken Tetrazini with Homemade Pasta
Photo by Courtney Polivka Previously: Pie Week and Candy Week. Reposted with permission from Kendahl at Our Nourishing Roots. It's time to kick off savory, satisfying, comfort food, feed-the-whole-family CASSEROLE WEEK! As we work our way through the week, you can see some of my masterpieces already listed here. I ... more


March 11, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #19
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



VITAMIX Winner!
Congratulations to Johnna Fick for winning the Vitamix giveaway! I also want to thank all of you for participating and for all the lovely comments in support of Ann Connor-Griffin. If there is enough interest in donating money to her cause, please contact me at courtney[at]thepolivkafamily[dot]com, and I might try to organize ... more


March 10, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Kendahl @ Our Nourishing Roots
I arrived in Phoenix, AZ on Valentine's day. I thought I'd stay for a week. But then due to a series of events (and multiple bloggers further down the road being out of town), I ended up staying for three weeks instead of one! Tomorrow, I'm sad to leave, but ... more


March 7, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Milking Goats at DaNelle’s @ Weed ‘em & Reap
Let me tell you, I was SOOOO excited to meet DaNelle in person. I've been reading her blog, Weed 'Em & Reap for a while now, and she never fails to make me laugh or teach me something. One of my favorite posts is when DaNelle describes the most hilarious ... more



My Most Delicious Lamb Curry
So, I made this curry over at DaNelle's house one day on my Blogger Tour, and it ended up being the tastiest curry I've ever made. Maybe it had to do with the quality of lamb and the bones we put in it, but whatever it was, it was the ... more


March 4, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #18
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


February 28, 2013

Junk Your Purse Challenge
It's time for another junking challenge! We've already taken the Junk Your Bathroom and Junk Your Kitchen Challenges. It's time to junk your purse! I asked you what you carry in your purse, and you responded. Below, I've listed the most common items---along with their natural alternatives---so you can have ... more


February 25, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #17
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



My real food journey to health
A few years ago, I was trying to heal my eczema (which we now know is an aluminum allergy). But in the process, I eliminated, one-at-a-time, sugar, gluten, and dairy. I also incorporated probiotics (but not natural like in kefir), and tried vegetarianism for a brief period. Naturally, eliminating sugar ... more


February 20, 2013

Think alcohol isn’t for you? THINK AGAIN!
Before I stopped at Kendahl's from Our Nourishing Roots on my VGN Tour, I was convinced I didn't like alcohol. I've tried a few things over the years: beers, whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, tequila, brandy, wines... But none of them have ever appealed to me. Wine gives me a headache. Beer is ... more


February 18, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #16
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


February 15, 2013

Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Hannah @ Healy Real Food Vegetarian
I got to stay with Hannah and her boyfriend Victor in their apartment in San Francisco for two days and one night. I left "early" because it was their anniversary, and I didn't want to be in their way! Happy 4 year anniversary you guys! :) When I arrived on Hannah's ... more


February 14, 2013

How I fell completely head over heels in love with Frank (my Valentine’s Day post)
Frank and I met in an Argentine Tango dance class. And I know this sounds cheesy, but I loved him the moment I saw him. I had debated going to the class because I had "topped out" and was honestly bored. I wasn't sure if there would be any new ... more


February 11, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #15
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



Courtney’s Blogger Tour: Cara @ Health, Home & Happiness
[box class="info"]Cara lives in California with her two young children. They enjoy the sunshine, swimming, fun day trips (with food packed to bring along!) and hanging out with family. She uses background in the medical industry (working as a nurse’s aide, medical transcriptionist, and getting an associate’s of science degree with ... more


February 9, 2013

We are giving away a VITAMIX! :)
I've been wanting to do a VitaMix giveaway for a while now. Why? Because I LOVE mine! My grandmother has one, my mom has one, my aunt's have one. We all love them because the Vitamix is one of the best commercial-grade blenders on the market! It's one of my ... more



Preparing Vegetable Beds for Spring: Lasagna Gardening
What if I told you that you could plant your garden and eat it, too? Okay, maybe the eat-your-cake metaphor was cheesy. But seriously, how does a bountiful harvest with almost no work involved sound to you? Pretty awesome, right? Lasagna gardening is about as easy as it gets. No digging. ... more


February 8, 2013

Intro to Courtney’s Blogger Tour
As you might have noticed, I'm a part of a LOVELY group of real food bloggers. We are a mixed group that, in general, believes in real and traditionally prepared food, alternative health and healing, raising backyard chickens and dairy animals, and providing our families with the best nutrition possible. At ... more


February 7, 2013

Afsaneh’s Iranian Saffron Chicken
This is the story of how finding my perfect wedding dress, led to eating some of the tastiest saffron chicken this side of the Atlantic! I started planning our wedding WAAAAAY before we got engaged. So when Frank proposed to me, I went straight to the wedding boutique to buy my ... more



Beyond no ‘poo: Water-Washing UPDATE
On New Years, I started a hair care experiment using ONLY WATER to wash my hair. I'm calling this water-washing. SEE POST ONE. No shampoo. No conditioner. No anti-frizz. No anti-humidity spray. No curling mousse. No baking soda. No apple cider vinegar. JUST. WATER. Well, filtered water. I wouldn't wash treated city water, ... more


February 6, 2013

23 Spices for Indian Cooking
If you’re just beginning to cook Indian food, you will need some essential spices for Indian cooking. It is best to buy spices in bulk, and I typically buy mine in half pound to 2 pound sizes, depending on the spice and it’s frequency of use. For example, I use ... more


February 4, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #14
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


February 1, 2013

CUPPOW! Reusable mason jar lid giveaway!
Who here loves mason jars? :) *raises hand* You do? Me too! Which is why I am SO excited to announce that I am going to award THREE LUCKY WINNERS with a SET of two CUPPOWS, both regular and wide mouth versions!! What is a CUPPOW, you ask? Well, it's simple really! It's a ... more


January 31, 2013

Links I Loved in January
Hello new friends and old friends. :) I am so happy to have you here, and as always, I want to provide you with tools and information that may help you in your life. Each month, I post some of the top links from that month. Here are the ones ... more


January 28, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #13
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



Raw Milk Vanilla Ice-cream + Chocolate Shell
"I guess my husband doesn't want me eating our homemade raw milk vanilla ice-cream without him! LOL!!" I posted this status today on my Facebook page, and got a few requests to post the recipe, so here it is! :) Raw Milk Vanilla Ice-cream 3-1/2 cups full cream raw milk 2/3 cup organic cane ... more


January 24, 2013

Authentic Oxtail Pho (Phở đuôi bò) & my Vietnamese grandmother
Pho, or Vietnamese noodle soup, has gained much popularity in the U.S. over the last couple of decades. The big cities on the west coast, populated with so many Asian immigrants and with a constant influx of tourists, have turned pho into a hip, cool dish to eat. Many of my ... more


January 23, 2013

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bananas
I have no self-control. I just made these, and there are only two halves left. ...And Frank and I are about to eat them! You guys, these are so good and so easy to make. OMG YUM. Okay so remember my homemade peppermint patties recipe? Well, while making that recipe, I had to ... more


January 22, 2013

I have been tricked! Arm & Hammer has betrayed me.
I want to punch Arm & Hammer in the face. Yes, okay, I like their baking soda. But this rant is about their kitty litter. Poor Frank. He has had litter duty almost every day now for the last few months for MY cat because I can't scoop the litter ... more


January 21, 2013

Family Table Tuesday #12
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


January 16, 2013

I used to be an eyedrops addict (or how I cured my allergies)
See those little bottles right there? Yep. Those are mine. All of 'em. There are so many because I used to carry them around with me all the time. That, along with a sheet of Sudafed and a packet of Claritin. Allergies used to be the bane of my existence. (If ... more


January 15, 2013

I am a fashion rebel.
[box]My socks do not match, and my hair is not brushed, and I am okay with that.[/box] I do not want to wear makeup. I do not want to have to fix my hair. I do not want to wear jeans that are too tight or shirts that pinch my armpits. ... more


January 14, 2013

DIY Fruit Fly Trap & Family Table Tuesday #11
I don't know about you, but those little fruit flies get on my nerves. I've tried the apple cider vinegar and upside-down cone trick before, but was met with little success. Those pesky little things always graviate towards my compost bucket. So what did I do? Step 1: Take some produce ... more


January 13, 2013

Tongue Tacos & Courtney’s Famous Taco Seasoning
Last weekend, Frank and I drove down to southern Alabama to visit the Elliott's. It was so lovely to see them again. I actually met Shaye through her blog, and now we've become real life friends. I'm so thankful for the amazing friends the Internet has brought me through blogging. ... more


January 10, 2013

Beyond no ‘poo: washing only with water
At the end of December, I read this status on Unmistakably Food's Facebook page: At risk of grossing you out, I'm excited to say that I no longer have to wash my hair! October 25th was the last day I used shampoo. I transitioned using baking soda and liquid castille soap, ... more


January 8, 2013

Tom Kha Gai: Thai coconut chicken soup
Tom Kha Gai is always a toss up at a restaurant. It could be good. It could be...not good. But made at home, it's ALLLLLLWWAAAYYYSSS good! :) Today, it's a chilly 36˚F outside, and I've got a little tickle in my throat. So what better soup to make than Tom Kha ... more


January 7, 2013

Easy Spiced Cheese Balls & Family Table Tuesday #10
I ended up with extra milk over the holidays, so I made few soft cheeses. The last time I made cheese I flavored it with blueberries and cardamom and gave it to my mother. My mother loves cheese, and she enjoys trying all different varieties. Each bite is an adventure. ... more


January 4, 2013

Peppermint Dark Chocolate
In case you didn't notice, I LOVE chocolate and peppermint, especially together! In December, I made peppermint patties, which turned out better than the real thing (and if you're really getting technical, are even REAL-er than the "real" thing, ingredient-wise). Part of the recipe for peppermint patties calls for melted chocolate. ... more


December 31, 2012

A real food hangover cure + Family Table Tuesday #9
Happy New Years! Did you celebrate? Did you maybe drink too much? ;) Don't worry. I won't tell. But if you need a little pick-me-up, I've got a real food hangover cure for you! The main ingredient is turmeric, a lovely spice made from the turmeric root, which has been cultivated ... more


December 29, 2012

How I found raw milk and WAPF
My first experience with raw milk happened in the throes of labor... No, not my labor. I was doula-ing for a single first-time mother a couple of years ago, and she lived a little ways outside of town with her parents. Her parents had a farm with many cows, and her ... more


December 28, 2012

“Raw Milk Drinkers are Everywhere”
Me with my Costco-sized bag of kettle corn. Last night, Frank and I were walking around Costco, happily munching on some non-GMO kettle corn we found in the snack aisle... (Do you know how LONG it's been since I've had kettle corn???) ...when we came upon the giant pallets of organic ... more


December 26, 2012

Links I Loved in December
I hope your Christmas was as marvelous as ours! We spent a very intimate Christmas Day with my mother, sister, and grandparents. Each year, my grandparents write clues on the gift tags, and the recipient tries to guess what's inside. My grandparents have been married over 50 years, and my ... more


December 24, 2012

Family Table Tuesday #8
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


December 22, 2012

12 Tips for Natural Hair Care
Throughout history, poets and prose writers, lyricists and balladeers have written about the beauty of woman. Her intriguing eyes, delicate skilled hands, and, of course, her magnificent shining tresses falling gently on shoulders. Such hair is the pride of she who wears it. But it doesn't come without effort, does ... more


December 21, 2012

Winner, winner! Chicken dinner!
Photo by Ariana Have you read anything by Ariana over at the And Here We Are blog yet? If you haven't, today's the day! My friend Ariana currently lives in the UK, but she has traveled all over the world and has so many great stories to tell about her adventures. ... more


December 20, 2012

Homemade Peppermint Patties
Christmas is getting close! And everywhere I look I'm seeing fun, holiday recipes to celebrate the season. Today, I'm going to share with you a real food, homemade peppermint patties recipe that uses coconut, macadamia nuts, and fresh mint. Makes 24 patties You will need: 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (buy here) 1 cup ... more


December 17, 2012

Family Table Tuesday #7
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


December 14, 2012

Sweet Butternut Apple Soup
The tart taste of apples and natural sweetness of sweet potatoes make this butternut apple soup one of my favorite winter treats. I simmer the vegetables in hearty chicken stock with a hint of rosemary and garlic, and the result is a comforting soup that will last for days. You will ... more


December 11, 2012

Beware: there could be GMOs in your pastured eggs
Eggs. Should seem simple, right? But these days, with all the marketing gobbledygook to sift through, it can take a mini-handbook just to figure out what you're buying. Today, between 95-98% of eggs sold in the United States are from battery cage hens. These poor hens spend their entire lives, crammed ... more


December 10, 2012

Family Table Tuesday #6
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


December 7, 2012

Spiced Peas and Carrots
Spiced peas and carrots is my twist on a classic dish. It's mildly spicy, has great texture and interesting flavors. It's made in only 20 minutes, and it goes well with almost any main-dish Indian curry. You'll need the following spices for this dish: Also, dice your carrots beforehand. First, blend the following ... more



WAPF Conference 2012 Photos
[photomosaic] #Wise Traditions #Weston A. Price


December 6, 2012

Homemade Hot Chocolate & Marshmallows {Dairy-Free opt}
What could be more comforting or nostalgic than a warm cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows in your hands in the winter time? This recipe combines just three ingredients to make a rich cup of hot chocolate. Whipped raw cream or homemade marshmallows make this drink truly decadent. Tonight, Frank and ... more


December 3, 2012

Family Table Tuesday #5
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



Junk Your Kitchen Challenge
Maybe you weren't planning on asking for new pans this Christmas... But if your pots and pans look anything like the stuff in the picture above, you might want to reconsider writing a letter to St. Nick. (P.S. Santa, do you prefer grain-free cookies with your raw milk?) If your kitchen cookery ... more


December 2, 2012

Lamb and Turnip Curry: A royal dish
Last night, Frank and I made lamb and turnip curry for the first time, and it just might be my new favorite! The curry sauce features rich, deep flavor combinations and healing spices, set in an onion, ginger, garlic pureé. It was to die for. This particular curry originates from the ... more


November 30, 2012

Links I Loved in November
November marked the halfway point for Frank's semester classes. He buttoned down the hatches and dove headfirst into his books. He says the material is increasingly difficult, but he's doing well, and I'm proud of him. November, for me, has been a month of recovery. October socked me in the stomach ... more


November 29, 2012

Holiday Eggnog
Want a holiday eggnog without the stabilizers, high fructose corn syrup, carrageenan, and other thickeners? This homemade eggnog recipe is super easy and delicious, and it can be made dairy-free and sugar-free, as well! Eggnog is a classic tradition and is only made better by using real food ingredients, like whole ... more


November 26, 2012

Big decisions: buying vs. renting a house
Sorry that I've been missing in action lately. I decided to take off for the holiday and spend time with Frank and my family instead. We had a lovely Thanksgiving at my grandparents house, and my aunt and uncle and blonde cousins visited from Atlanta. A few pictures of the gang: Frank ... more



Family Table Tuesday #4
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more


November 19, 2012

Family Table Tuesday #3
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



Tandoori Butter Chicken & Bhindi Bhaji
Tandoori Butter Chicken will win your heart after the first bite. The first time I made this two years ago, it instantly became a staple in our home. Both fragrant and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice, this extremely simple Indian dish is the perfect end to any ... more


November 18, 2012

How to Make Kefir
Lately, I've been giving away a lot of my extra kefir grains, so Frank and I decided to make a video to show our friends how to make kefir. If you have any questions that aren't answered by the FAQ, please ask them in the comments! ~Courtney FAQ Q. What kinds of milk can ... more


November 17, 2012

I don’t like dirt.
I have a confession to make. I've spent a lot of my life avoiding dirt. My mom tells this story about me that goes like this: When I was little bitty, before I could talk or walk, I would crawl around on the ground and pick up the dust bunnies I found. ... more


November 14, 2012

Wilder’s Apples ‘n’ Onions
This recipe is straight out of a Little House book, Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This ENTIRE book made me incredibly hungry! Almanzo ate the sweet, mellow baked beans. He ate the bit of salt pork that melted like cream in his mouth. He ate mealy boiled potatoes, with brown ham ... more


November 12, 2012

Family Table Tuesday #2
Welcome to the Family Table Tuesday blog carnival! The purpose of this carnival is to connect like-minded people and share our ideas, recipes, tips, and successes. Eating real food and living holistically is easier when we work together and support each other. I'm very excited to see what you all ... more



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