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Welcome to The HeartStone Homestead

Recipes
Breakfast & Brunch all the way to Dinner & Dessert

Health & Wellness
Discussions About our Mental & Physical Wellbeing

Travel
Travel News & Tips

Pets & Wildlife
Articles to help your beloved household friends live their best lives too! Also information about wildlife.

Food News & History
Fun food history, along with information about food recalls, restaurant & grocery store news.
Food News & History


Why European Butter Is Different (And Why American Bakers Are Obsessed With It)
With its golden color, deep flavor, and extra fat, European-style butter is the secret weapon behind tender pastries, flaky crusts, and...

ER Kent
3 min read


5 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Olive Oil (And What ‘Cold-Pressed’ Really Means)
That sleek bottle on your shelf might be more complex—and more vulnerable—than you think; here’s how to decode your olive oil and never...

ER Kent
4 min read


7 Lesser-Known Mediterranean Dishes That Aren’t Greek or Italian (But Are Absolutely Delicious)
From Tunisian couscous to Provençal bourride, these underrated regional dishes will blow your mind—and your tastebuds—without a plate of...

ER Kent
3 min read


A Beginner’s Guide to Cooking With Seaweed (Plus 3 Quick Ways to Try It Tonight)
Once just sushi filler, seaweed is now a global pantry star—here’s how to harness its umami power, boost your nutrition, and cook with it...

ER Kent
3 min read


What Is Kefir, and Why Are So Many People Swapping It for Yogurt?
It’s tangy, fizzy, probiotic-rich, and quietly dominating breakfast bowls and blender bottles—here’s why kefir might be your gut’s new...

ER Kent
3 min read


How to Grow Edible Flowers (and 5 Ways to Use Them in Everyday Cooking)
From nasturtiums in your salad to violets in your jam, here’s how to plant, pick, and plate edible flowers that turn any dish into a...

ER Kent
3 min read


What the Color of Your Eggs Really Means (and Why Blue and Olive Eggs Are Totally Safe)
From chicken genetics to backyard coop secrets, here’s why your rainbow carton of eggs is totally normal—and maybe even more nutritious...

ER Kent
4 min read


Why Everyone’s Obsessed With Tinned Fish Right Now (And What to Do With It)
From pantry staple to posh picnic star, tinned fish is having a viral renaissance—and it’s way more delicious than you remember Once...

ER Kent
3 min read


Is Your Olive Oil Fake? How to Tell If You’re Being Duped at the Grocery Store
Learn how to spot real extra virgin olive oil, avoid grocery store scams, and make smarter choices when buying the world’s most faked...

ER Kent
4 min read


Why Your Sourdough Starter Keeps Dying (and How to Revive It for Good)
You’ve lovingly fed it, whispered encouragement, even given it a name—but somehow, your sourdough starter still ends up a sluggish, gray...

ER Kent
4 min read


Cooking Without a Fridge: How to Eat Fresh and Healthy Off the Grid
Whether you’re homesteading, camping, or living off-grid, these strategies will help you store food safely, eat well, and reduce...

ER Kent
4 min read


Fermented Foods from Around the World You’ve Never Heard Of—But Should Be Eating
You’ve likely heard of kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Maybe you’ve even tried miso or kefir. But the world of fermented foods is vast,...

ER Kent
4 min read


The Cool, Creamy History of Ice Cream Sandwiches—and Why We Still Love Them Today
Explore the delicious history, global variations, and modern twists of the ice cream sandwich—America’s favorite handheld frozen dessert...

ER Kent
4 min read


Are All Honeys Created Equal? Why Some Honeys Might Actually Be Healthier Than Others
So if you’re trying to make healthier choices without giving up your daily drizzle, here’s the breakdown on how different honeys...

ER Kent
4 min read


From Ancient Ovens to Your Cookie Jar: The Sweet, Surprising History of the Cookie
Whether it’s a warm chocolate chip fresh from the oven or a delicate shortbread at afternoon tea, cookies are the comfort food we never...

ER Kent
4 min read


Is That Grocery Store Olive Oil Actually 100% Olive Oil? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Pour Another Drop
You’re cooking dinner, the pan’s heating up, and you reach for that bottle of olive oil on your counter—maybe it’s labeled “extra...

ER Kent
4 min read


Raki, Grappa, Ouzo, and Friends: A Boozy Deep Dive Into the Fiery Spirits of the Mediterranean
From ancient monasteries to sun-soaked seaside tavernas, discover how the Mediterranean’s most iconic spirits each tell a unique story...

ER Kent
5 min read


Where Did Birthday Candles Come From? The Fascinating (and Surprisingly Ancient) Tradition of Blowing Out Fire on Cake
It’s a ritual we all know by heart: you gather around the cake, the lights dim, everyone sings, and for one brief moment, all eyes are on...

ER Kent
4 min read


Is Honey Really Healthier Than Sugar? A No-Nonsense Look at Nature’s Sweetest Debate
Which of these two sweetners fits your health goalsd best We all know sugar gets a bad rap these days—especially the refined white kind....

ER Kent
4 min read


What Makes Virginia Ham So Special: A Salty Slice of American History and Culinary Tradition
A Look at Its History, Flavor, and Time-Honored Craft Whether served on a holiday table or sliced thin for a midday sandwich, Virginia...

ER Kent
3 min read
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