One of the benefits of living in West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, on the corners of the states, is syrup: both maple and hickory. Sitting in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is this one - and it is some of the best I have ever had. They show… Continue reading My Obsession With Syrup
Tag: Clean Living
A More Unprocessed Life In 2026
We had been going full steam with clean living in 2024, and I really felt the change. I was cooking and baking nearly all our food; an ingredient household, we were mostly sugar-free and living a high-protein way of life. I was losing weight, and my joints felt great. Moving in 2025 threw me off… Continue reading A More Unprocessed Life In 2026
Pea Dip
It sounds unexciting to call it pea dip, but this simple dip is intensely flavored. It would also make an excellent spread on crusty bread to start a sandwich with. It has the thickness of guacamole. High in protein and fiber, with a brightness of spring. Tip: To thaw peas, measure them and leave them… Continue reading Pea Dip
Back To The Land
I was watching a recent video, and it mentioned the term "Back To Landers" to describe millennials living in the Appalachian Mountains who hadn't grown up there. It really got me thinking about my own childhood. I was born in the 1970s. My parents were members of the Silent Generation, born in 1939 and 1944.… Continue reading Back To The Land
To Be Beholden
I have been pretty open about my childhood, especially on Facebook, and how it shaped me as an adult. It's the fuel behind my entire life, and even at 52, it still affects me. I grew up in an apocalyptic faith. A doomsday cult, if you will, we were fundamentalist and very strict. If you… Continue reading To Be Beholden