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Lambs Quarters

Like many weeds, lambs quarters self seeds, so they are up and established weeks before your regular garden. Also called goose foot  – lambs quarters is a relative of spinach and quinoa. Sometimes known as wild spinach, and considered a weed in most gardens, it deserves more credit than it usually gets. Highly nutritious, tasting similar to spinach but more tender, rich in Vitamins A, C and E, essential fatty acids, iron, calcium, minerals and antioxidants.

Name:
I always thought the name was curious and so odd. Apparently, it comes from “Lammas quarter“, an old English harvest festival celebrating the first grain harvest at the beginning of August. Lammas means “loaf mass” in Old English, originating from two words meaning bread and festival. It seems the name evolved from “Lammas” to “lamb’s” over time. It may have had nothing to do with ‘lambs’ except that it likely was a field green they liked to eat. Certainly, it was an abundant green that people liked to eat as well.

Identifying:
I’ve heard many people call it pigweed, and fair enough they look similar. Sometimes pigweed is simply an easy name to call all sorts of weeds that look similar and are often given to pigs, but more precisely both lambs quarters and pigweed are in the amaranth family. That may not help much, because there are officially 42 types of amaranth in North America. For the record, red rooted amaranth IS red rooted pigweed.

Leaves: Young leaves are often opposite and become alternate as the plant matures. They are triangular to diamond-shaped, sometimes resembling a goose foot (often called Goosefoot).
Powdery Coating: The most distinctive feature is a whitish, dusty powder on new growth and the underside of leaves.
Stems: They are succulent, hairless, and frequently have reddish, purple, or light green lengthwise stripes.
Flowers: Small, grey-green, roundish flowers grow in tight clusters at the top of the stalk or in leaf axils.
Size: Generally grows 2 to 3 feet tall but can reach up to 6 feet.
Edible Parts: All parts are edible and nutritious, but the best-tasting and easiest to eat are the young leaves. Once the plant matures, energy goes into flowering, seeding and growing taller so the seeds can be more widely dispersed.
Location: Grows best in full sun to partially sunny areas, including gardens, roadsides, fields, and disturbed soil.
Growing Season: Germinates early in the season, with peak growth in late spring to early summer. After that, it begins going to seed, with less energy devoted to the leaves – but no matter, it’s filled its job of providing us with early greens, and it can step into the background while other garden greens become the focus.

What if nature gave you a FREE vegetable that is super nutritious, cold-hardy, and fed you while you waited for the rest of your garden to produce?
Oh Wait! It did!

Surely you recognize lambs quarters as a common weed in your garden. I did, and I was trained to look at all weeds as the enemy and to get rid of them. At the same time, I was a big fan of spinach, but when the spring weather warmed up, spinach would bolt – which means that a plant prematurely produces a flowering stem and goes to seed. This usually happens as a result of heat or stress. The plant takes its cues from hotter, longer, rainless days, and goes into the next phase of its life. It stops producing edible leaves or roots to focus energy on reproduction. Bolting commonly affects lettuce, chard, spinach, cilantro, broccoli and onions. It is irreversible, but you can break off the stem to buy yourself a few more days, and harvest all you can while you still can.

*tip: to prevent bolting, plant the affected plants earlier in the season when the weather is still cool, provide shade during heatwaves and keep the plants well watered.

This would be a big frustration to me. Had I understood that spinach should be planted much earlier, (at least a month earlier) when the spring was still cold, I would have been less frustrated. At the same time, while I was mourning the loss of spinach, I noticed lambs quarters in my garden living its best life. It seemed to be snubbing its nose at me – this incorrigible WEED. I also noticed that it tasted good (yes I tasted it). One day the light went on so-to-speak. “Why am I knocking my head against a brick wall trying to grow spinach, when this weed that tastes so much like it, WANTS TO GROW? Why am I ripping it out and feeling sorry for myself because my spinach hates me?” My story changed that day.

I looked into Lambs Quarters, and discovered it had much to offer a gardener with an open mind. I opened my mind.

Lambs Quarters in the Kitchen

* tip: Like spinach, beet greens, swiss chard and most other greens lambs quarters contains some oxalic acid which, when eaten raw in large quantities, can inhibit calcium absorption.
These plants are so loaded with calcium, however, that the amount of calcium not absorbed due to oxalic acid is minimized. Its a good idea to rotate your ‘greens’ for that reason anyway. Variety is always a good thing. Individuals with kidney issues, gout or arthritis – know that oxalic acid should be consumed in moderation.

Lambs Quarters is highly nutritious, with a taste similar to spinach, and is often used in salads, sautéed, or blanched. The black seeds are edible and are an excellent source of vegetable protein.

early spring green garden salad with a base of romaine and some marigold sprinkled on top. Use a nice mild vinaigrette dressing.

The underside of Lamb’s Quarters’ leaves and the top of the new leaves are covered in a fine whitish or pinkish ‘dust’. Resist the temptation to wash it off, as it is full of calcium and protein.  Lambs quarters contains more protein than kale, more iron than spinach, and it WANTS to grow in your garden. You don’t even need to plant it; it is so comfortable that it invites itself to the party. You’ve gotta respect that quality.

The stems and leaves can be eaten raw, steamed, or sautéed; used in any way and in any recipe calling for spinach: scrambled eggs, omelets, fresh as a green in sandwiches, in a mixed green salad, or in a green breakfast smoothie. Add some to your next spaghetti sauce, soup, or fried rice. Use them in your favourite “spinach dip”.

wash well as it can be gritty

recipe:
Korean Lambs Quarters Side Dish

Serves 2-4
10 oz lambs quarters (300 g) young leaves and stems
3 tablespoons doenjang (soybean paste)
1 tablespoon gochujang (hot pepper paste)
2 garlic cloves minced
1 green onion chopped
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Directions
1. Boil 3 quarts of water. Blanch the lamb’s quarters for about 1 to 2 minutes, until the leaves are tender.
2. Strain and rinse them in cold water a couple of times to stop them from cooking and to remove any grit.
3. Strain and squeeze out any excess water. If the leaves and stems are too long, cut them a few times into bite-sized pieces.
4. Put them into a mixing bowl and add soybean paste, hot pepper paste, garlic, green onion, and toasted sesame oil.
5. Mix by hand until all the leaves are well coated with the seasonings, and have absorbed them. You can wear disposable plastic gloves if you want.
6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and transfer to a serving plate.

Serve as a side dish to rice. Toss in or garnish with sundried tomatoes if desired. 

When I am in my garden, I will often pick the tender new plants and eat them while I work. I never pull them to get rid of them. They’re much too valuable for that, I just break them off, hoping they’ll come back and offer more. I’ll throw them into early season salads, and combine with other greens that I steam, including our favourite: spanakopita.1 (read more about Spanakopita here)

Back to that nasty rumour about lambs quarters being considered a ‘common weed’.
It’s true. Officially. But don’t listen to that sorta ridicule. Those other plants are just jealous.
Who cares what people call it? “Weed” is just a word. Don’t be unkind or avoid eating it. It’s not it’s fault that some uneducated person gave it such a rude nickname.

5 Facts:
1. Lambs quarters is cold-hardy, and heat-tolerant. That’s quite a talent.
2. Because it self-seeds, it will grow before any of your cultivated greens have even germinated.
3. It WANTS to grow in your garden. It WANTS to be your friend. And it’s FREE.
4. It is a versatile, nutrient-dense substitute for spinach or chard in nearly any recipe.
5. It deserves to be accepted on its own merit, not indiscriminately discarded because of some misunderstanding carried over from a previous generation.

Here’s to Lambs Quarters!
Enjoy it.

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

  1. link to my recipe for SPANAKOPITA https://backyardcityhomestead.com/2025/08/21/homemade-greek-spanakopita/ ↩︎

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Haskaps or Honeyberries

Also known as honey berries, haskaps are blue-purple berries that look similar to a blueberry or a saskatoon, except for their elongated – oblong shape. They are native to the northern boreal forests of the world. In the 1950’s Russia began cultivating them, and by the 1970’s Japan began commercially breeding the fruit. By the early 2000’s, the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon joined the party, and began their own research program, introducing haskaps to the prairie region.

The name Haskap comes from the Japanese name “hasukappu” which means “little present on the end of a branch”. You’ve gotta respect a name like that. It gets straight to the point. As a backyard fruit, Haskaps are gaining popularity fast in western Canada.

In Canada they are often called honey berries, but don’t let this fool you – they don’t taste like honey. When we first got them, I only knew them by that name, and expected that they must taste like honey – else why the name? Trickery! They are actually an edible member of the honeysuckle family – that’s where “honey berry” comes from, and if you’ve ever tasted a honeysuckle berry, you’ll identify slight hints of that taste. Warning: most honeysuckles have poisonous berries, so don’t get any bright ideas about eating THEM.

The names have become interchangeable. Don’t be confused: HONEY BERRIES and HASKAPS are both referring to the SAME berry.

berries in June, against the east wall.
Some of these berries are fully ripe, some are still green.

In about the year 2010, we planted our first six haskap bushes. I should clarify that it was Dan who brought them home after reading some very compelling information. I hadn’t read the same reports, so I wasn’t much interested at the time. He planted them in one of our raised beds because we didn’t have anything else prepared, and they stayed there for a couple of years—until I banished them from my limited vegetable-growing space.

By then they had doubled in size and were attractive plants, but they still hadn’t produced any berries.

The only spot we had available was beside the house on the east side. It was an area that didn’t get much attention—pretty dry and rarely watered. It received the morning sun, but not much past noon. All in all, it was one of the most inhospitable spots in our yard.

However, a couple of years after transplanting them, we noticed dark blue, oblong berries growing on the bushes. The taste was quite tart, but not unpleasant. Unfortunately, the birds noticed them too.

That was the beginning of our love affair.

I am not very patient with plants that are persnickety. I don’t have the time or inclination to fuss over those that don’t want to grow here—those that sulk and pout if they don’t get enough to drink once in a while, or complain about the cold (sissies).

The way to my heart is through strength of character. And after four years of intermittent care in a less-than-desirable location, our haskaps showed their true colours. They appreciated their new home. They had adapted to their surroundings, like true native plants. They didn’t mind the winters, had no apparent health or insect problems, and required no pruning or special care. In short, they proved themselves stronger than whatever opposing forces might threaten them.

They wanted to stay. They loved me, and they wanted to be of service. They found my soft spot. If a food producing plant wants ‘that much’ to be my friend, and if the food they offer is nutritious – I’m all in. You could say I converted to haskap-ism.

The modern name “haskap” translates to “berry of long life and good vision”, also a great name that gets right to the point.

Gramma Great picking haskap berries the beginning of June.

While haskaps have grown wild since time immemorial, they only started being scientifically bred and cultivated in the 1950’s – (appropriately) in Siberia. Since then, Japan and Canada joined the party, and many commercial varieties popular today were developed right here in our own backyard, at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon – improving size and taste. “U of Sask” is renowned for global leadership in water security and agricultural sciences. Go Riders!

Why we should grow Haskaps

  1. Haskaps are tremendously hardy, and ideal for cold-climate farming. They are hardy to Zone 2. Edmonton’s climate zone is 4a.
  2. They are a ‘bush’, and require two or more plants for pollination.
  3. They have early harvest times (starting in June), and you can plant different types to extend the harvest season.
  4. They are considered a true SUPER FOOD, being extremely high in antioxidants. They are an excellent source of Vitamins A and C, fiber and potassium. See below for more nutritional information.
  5. They have a unique oblong shape with a dark blue skin (like blueberries) and a deep crimson interior.
  6. They have a tangy, complex flavour that is hard to describe. I’ve heard it described as a combination of blueberry, raspberry and black currant – I can’t explain it better than that, but I might add the word “pungent”.
  7. They are not demanding, need little pruning, and can live up to 50 years. Well suited to an urban garden.
  8. They are perfect for eating out of hand, baking with, making jams, syrups and sauces, and for juicing.

Nutrition:

This is where Haskaps rock. They are richer in antioxidants than blueberries — four times more than cultivated blueberries — and contain more vitamin C than many citrus fruits.

You may be familiar with the natural pigments called anthocyanins, which create the gorgeous bright red, purple, and blue colours in fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It won’t surprise you then, to learn that haskaps are especially rich in them. In plants, anthocyanins help provide protection from environmental stressors such as extreme weather and insect attack. Anthocyanins also provide health benefits to the humans eating haskaps – like reduced inflammation and cardiovascular protection.

They are the ultimate superfood, and we don’t have to import them from some tropical climate. They grow right here, in your own backyard!

life story of a haskap muffin

Eye Health

Haskaps have a higher anthocyanin content, than many other berries, specifically cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G). These compounds act as potent antioxidants that help protect eyes from oxidative damage.
Anthocyanins are associated with enhanced night vision and improved circulation within the retinal capillaries.
Regular consumption is believed to help fight against age-related macular degeneration and to prevent retinopathy in diabetic patients.

In short, Haskaps are doing everything in their power to earn a place in your yard and on your table.

the boys picking berries

* I am told that haskaps require two different varieties that bloom at the same time for pollination. I am not convinced that we have two or more different varieties among our six bushes. I’m pretty sure we didn’t know that when we bought them all those years ago. It seems information has evolved since then. We will buy a couple more plants this spring, and I will do my best to be certain they are different ‘enough’, while blooming at the same time. Even though our berries are growing fine, I am anxious to benefit even more with this new information.

Growing is an ongoing journey.
I’ll share my progress here so stay tuned, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear your experience with growing or using Haskaps.

Warmly,

Cindy

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What do you know about blueberries?  

do you know the difference between wild blueberries and cultivated?  

Did you know that blueberries are one of the only foods naturally blue in colour?
Did you know that wild blueberries have been harvested by humans for more than 13,000 years?
Did you know that cultivated blueberries were developed in the 20th century?
Did you know that the silvery ‘bloom’ on blueberries is a protective coating and shouldn’t be washed off until you are ready to eat them?
Did you know that the United States is the world’s largest producer of cultivated blueberries?
Did you know that Canada is the world’s largest producer of wild blueberries?
Did you know that WILD blueberries are smaller in size than cultivated blueberries?
Did you know that wild blueberries have an intensity of flavour that cultivated blueberries simply don’t have?
Did you know that wild blueberries vary in colour from different shades of red, purple and blue to almost black, and that they also vary in sweetness?
Did you know that wild blueberries are more flavourful and nutrient dense than their cultivated and well mannered cousins?
Did you know that wild blueberries are considered a Superfood? and that they have double the antioxidants that cultivated blueberries have?

Why does any of this matter?

Because wild blueberries have a higher rate of genetic diversity than their cultivated 2nd cousins twice removed. 

Cultivated blueberries grow 6 to 12 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Not surprisingly, they’re called HIGH bush.

and why does this matter? 
Because that is what makes wild blueberries better for you! 

Why? 
Because they have a higher antioxidant content (double that of cultivated blueberries).  

Why? 
Because their smaller size gives them a higher skin-to-pulp ratio, containing more fiber, iron and a higher concentration of bioactive compounds including anthocyanins (remember that word).  

Unlike cultivated blueberries which are the result of generations of selective breeding and farming practices designed to make them easier to harvest, as well as bigger and juicier, wild blueberries grow 100% on their own (wild), not planted, or tampered with in any way.  This means they have NO genetic engineering, they are exactly what nature originally created. 

What does this mean for you?
It means BLUEBERRIES are very good for you, but WILD BLUEBERRIES are even better!

Wild blueberries grow 1 to 2 feet in height and breadth –
commonly referred to as Low bush blueberries.

Great right? Well-l-l, when was the last time you saw wild blueberries in the grocery store?

Problem #1:  you cannot PLANT wild blueberries. 
That’s why they’re call wild.  They grow where they want to, and only where they want to.  They have very specific soil requirements that cannot be duplicated. Wild blueberries (lowbush) primarily grow in the acidic soils of Eastern North America, especially in Atlantic Canada (Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island), and in north Atlantic USA (Maine), thriving in cool climates on sandy, well-drained land, often in areas previously burned or cleared.

Wild blueberries grow naturally in fields and rocky hills called barrens. No one ‘plants’ them; they’ve grown naturally for thousands of years by spreading via underground runners. As such they are a pretty ‘low-maintenance crop’ for the most part. Field owners are hands-off throughout most of the growing season, although they prune fields with rotary mowers on alternate years, working with the natural two year crop cycle. Bees and other natural pollinators are critical to pollinate the bushes.

Key Growing Regions and Conditions:

While Dan and I drove the roads of rural Nova Scotia last fall (October 2025), we saw this gorgeous site of red fields mile after mile. We looked for clues as to what it was, but found none. Finally we pulled over and walked out into the ‘red’ to get a closer look, My phone app told me we were looking at fields of WILD Blueberries!
Who knew? If you’re a native to Atlantic Canada you probably recognize the site, but neither Dan nor I had seen anything like it. And so began my deep dive into learning about wild blueberries.

Wild blueberries are native to Canada so you may find them growing in all sorts of wild areas that meet the climate and soil requirements. But those are generally small patches.
I grew up in northern Alberta and well remember going out to pick blueberries on summer days with my mom and a few other moms. We’d spread out and find a place to sit. My mom (and her other mom friends) were good blueberry pickers because they were motivated by love – making blueberry pie and other delectable treats that could only come to our families one way. Their children however, were not very good blueberry pickers. I was there for the fun of running around with my friends and eating whatever blueberries I picked. I was not beyond eating from my mom’s bucket if she let me – she DIDN’T. I can’t claim to have contributed much to the cause, but I benefit from the good memories. Since growing up and leaving home however, I moved to the city and have never picked a wild blueberry again.

Other than the small patches that are picked privately dotting the country, it is the eastern Canadian provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, where WILD BLUEBERRIES grow naturally – thousands of acres are set aside for them – protected.
In the United States, Maine is the single largest producer of wild blueberries. 

Ideal Conditions are:
Cold climates with plenty of fresh water.
Acidic, sandy, and well-drained soil.
Habitat naturally occurs on open, treeless land, pine barrens, or areas recently cleared by fire, which stimulates growth. 

Problem #2: it is very difficult to find wild blueberries in our world of shrinking wildlands.
Wildland areas suitable to growing them are getting less continually.
Naturalized fields are often managed through controlled burns or mowing to promote new growth and spread.  Wild blueberry bogs are protected. 

I already knew that next to freshly harvested, no method of preserving would be as nutritious as freeze drying, and since I am not likely to ever eat a “fresh” wild blueberry that I didn’t personally pick, my next best alternative to buying wild blueberries is to find them freeze dried.

Problem #3: even if you knew where some wild blueberries grew, most people will never be able to access them.  Lucky you. I hope you thank the Lord continually for your privilege.

Problem #4: because wild blueberries grow low to the ground, they must be harvested by hand – or with a hand rake specifically designed for this purpose. 
This is labour intensive, making harvesting difficult and expensive.

While cultivated blueberry plants have been engineered to grow tall (called highbush), and are planted in rows, making harvesting easier, wild blueberry plants spread low and wide randomly through runners.

So how can we partake of WILD BLUEBERRIES in a sustainable and affordable way?

Wise Harvest Freeze Dried Foods 1only buys wild blueberries from sustainable farms that are dedicated to preserving their wild habitat, and YES they’re still harvested by hand or with a hand rake specifically designed for this purpose. 

Wild blueberries are flash frozen within 24 hours of harvest, then transferred to a facility where remaining moisture is removed without thawing – in the second stage of the two step freeze-drying process. 

I found a source of freeze dried WILD Blueberries that I trust.
Wise Harvest.

This means that wild blueberries are available to all, in non perishable freeze dried form – which preserves over 90% of the original natural nutrition, and is packaged to have a shelf life of up to 8 years. 

Freeze drying wild blueberries makes them completely snackable – any time, any where. An easy go-to breakfast or midday snack – resealable so you can come back to it later.

start at 8:34 to see the wild blueberries

* Spoiler alert:  Though it might be a year or two out, Wise Harvest is moving toward packaging in BPA free cans which will extend the shelf life to 25 years.  Remember you heard that here first. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts about Wild Blueberries, and your experiences. Were you lucky enough to have picked them in the wild when you were growing up? Or maybe you still do? Have you tried the freeze dried?

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

  1. find Wild Blueberries on the Wise Harvest website – here is my affiliate link: https://shop.wiseharvestfreezedriedfoods.com/cindy
    Yes, I loved them so much, I became an affiliate. ↩︎
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The Ultimate Guide to Freeze-Dried Food: Benefits, Uses, and Everything You Need to Know

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience and nutrition must go hand-in-hand. One product that has gained significant popularity over the years for its long shelf life, ease of storage, and nutritional value is freeze-dried food. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a survivalist, or simply looking for an efficient way to preserve your meals, freeze-dried food is an excellent option. But what exactly is freeze-dried food? and how does it benefit you?

In this post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about freeze-dried food, including its benefits, uses, and why it’s quickly becoming a staple in so many households in North America and Europe, with new facilities springing up in Central and South America, Asia, and even Africa.

Have you wondered about any of these common questions people ask about Freeze Dried foods? What is freeze-dried food? – How does freeze-drying preserve food? – Is it safe to eat? – How long does freeze-dried food last? – Can freeze-dried food be rehydrated easily? – How does freeze-dried food compare in nutrition as fresh food? – How do I store freeze-dried food properly? – Are there any preservatives in freeze-dried food? – How do freeze-dried meals compare to dehydrated meals? – What is the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated food?

What is Freeze-Dried Food?

Freeze-drying is a preservation process where food is frozen and then placed in a vacuum, causing the ice in the food to turn directly into vapor without going through the liquid phase. This process removes moisture from the food, leaving it lightweight and shelf-stable while retaining much of the food’s original nutrients, flavour, and texture.

How ’bout: 1. How do you rehydrate freeze-dried food? 2. Can you eat freeze-dried food without rehydrating it? 3. How much water do you need to rehydrate freeze-dried food? 4. How long does it take to rehydrate freeze-dried food? 5. Can you cook freeze-dried food? 6. Can freeze-dried food be used in recipes? 7. Is freeze-dried food suitable for camping and hiking?

All good questions, and very common for the beginner. In order, here are some brief answers: 1. You dehydrate dehydrated foods. You REFRESH freeze dried food. Foods that are thicker or harder, need a little more time. Foods that are delicate refresh very quickly. 2. Can you eat it without refreshing. Absolutely, in fact its a popular way to eat it – right outta the can, as a snack. 3. How much water do you need? NOT much. Generally you barely cover the food with water. 4. Let sit from a couple minutes to up to about 30 minutes, depending on what it is. Then drain. seconds to several minutes. 5. Can you cook with it? Absolutely. And it will take a lot less time. 6. Can it be used in recipes? For sure! Use it the same way you would fresh, except adjust water content, and get used to dinner being ready a lot sooner than before. 7. Is it suitable for camping or hiking? 100%! So lightweight, easy to snack on or to refresh.

Unlike traditional drying methods like air drying or dehydrating, freeze-drying maintains MORE of the original food’s nutritional content because the process takes place at low temperatures, ensuring that heat-sensitive vitamins and minerals are preserved.

The Benefits of Freeze-Dried Food

freeze dried foods compared to the same food purchased in a grocery store IF those fruits were picked ripe when all phytonutrients are developed,
AND flash frozen within 4 hours of harvest

  1. Long Shelf Life
    One of the primary advantages of freeze-dried food is its exceptional shelf life. Since freeze-dried food contains hardly any moisture, it can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years (depending on storage conditions). This makes it an ideal choice for emergency preparedness, survival kits, and long-term food storage.
  2. Lightweight and Compact
    The freeze-drying process removes up to 98% of the food’s water content, making it incredibly lightweight and easy to pack. This is why it’s commonly used for camping, hiking, and backpacking. With freeze-dried meals, you can carry a substantial amount of food without the bulk.
  3. Retains Nutrients
    Commonly asked questions:
    1. Does freeze-dried food lose vitamins or minerals during the process? Freeze-dried food retains much of its original nutritional value. The preservation process preserves essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring that you get the same nutritional benefits as fresh food.
    2. Is freeze-dried food suitable for people with food allergies or sensitivities? ABSOLUTELY. For all intents and purpose, it is just as if it was fresh.
    3. Are freeze-dried meals low in calories? Nope. Not any more or less than the original food because as soon as you refresh them. they are the same thing.
    4. Can freeze-dried food be part of a balanced diet? You Bet!
    5. Is freeze-dried food suitable for babies or toddlers? It is a perfect choice for infants – right from early baby foods.

    So, whether you’re enjoying freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, or meals, you’re still getting a healthy option.
  4. Convenience and Easy to Prepare
    Freeze-dried food is easy to prepare. To rehydrate, you simply add water to the freeze-dried food and wait a few minutes for it to return to its original state. This ease of preparation makes freeze-dried meals perfect for busy individuals or anyone who doesn’t feel they have the time to wash, peel, and chop – not to mention the following clean up.
  5. Variety and Versatility
    Freeze-dried food isn’t limited to just fruits and vegetables. You can find a wide range of dairy, proteins, and even freeze-dried meals, including full entrees like pasta dishes, soups, and even desserts. This variety ensures that you have plenty of options to choose from when meal planning or prepping.

How Freeze-Dried Food is Used

  1. Emergency Preparedness and Survival Kits
    One of the most common uses for freeze-dried food is in emergency preparedness. Whether you’re planning for a natural disaster, power outage, or an unforeseen event, having freeze-dried meals on hand ensures you’ll have access to nutritious food when you need it most. Freeze-dried food is a crucial component of survival kits and bug-out bags due to its long shelf life and ease of transport.
  2. Outdoor Adventures (Camping, Hiking, Backpacking)
    Outdoor enthusiasts swear by freeze-dried food because it’s lightweight, compact, and convenient. Carrying bulky canned goods or fresh produce on a hiking or camping trip isn’t practical. Freeze-dried meals, however, offer an easy, lightweight alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste or nutrition. Plus, with an array of options available, you can enjoy a variety of meals while out in the wilderness.
  3. Everyday Meals and Convenience
    Freeze-dried food is becoming more popular for everyday use. Busy families and professionals can rely on freeze-dried meals as a quick and easy solution for lunch or dinner. With no need for refrigeration and a long shelf life, freeze-dried food is a pantry staple that’s always ready when you need it.
  4. Travel
    Whether you’re traveling abroad or going on a road trip, freeze-dried food can be a lifesaver. It doesn’t require refrigeration, making it perfect for those who need portable, nutritious meals while on the go. Simply pack a few freeze-dried meals, and you’ll always have something healthy to eat no matter where you are.

How to Store Freeze-Dried Food

Proper storage is key to maximizing the shelf life of freeze-dried food. To keep your food fresh for as long as possible, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. When storing the food you freeze dried yourself, a vacuum-sealed container or mylar bag with oxygen absorbers is an excellent choice for long-term storage. This helps protect the food from moisture, oxygen, and light, all of which can reduce its shelf life.

The Future of Freeze-Dried Food

As people’s needs for convenient, nutritious, and long-lasting food grow, the freeze-dried food industry will continue expanding. More companies are investing in freeze-drying technology to offer a broader range of food options, from gourmet meals to organic produce. Innovations are being made to improve the taste, texture, and variety of freeze-dried food, making it even more appealing to a wider audience.

Cost & Accessibility

  1. Is freeze-dried food more expensive than regular food?
    All food these days is shockingly expensive. Freeze dried food looks like it cost more, and in most situations it is. But the the thing to remember is: there is zero waste, and no trim. That ends up being quite economical.
  2. Where can I buy freeze-dried food?
    See below.
  3. Can I freeze-dry my own food at home?
    You sure can. See below.
  4. What brands make the best freeze-dried food?
    In my opionion, I prefer the quality and fresh taste of THRIVE LIFE foods.
  5. How do I know if freeze-dried food is high quality?
    Stick to the brands with accountability. Look at reviews. Listen to personal recommendations and referrals.

so if freeze dried food is so wonderful, why don’t you freeze dry yourself?

Yes I’ve been asked that before. Many times in fact. And I admit it must seem incongruous when considering how fully I advocate a self reliant lifestyle. I garden organically. I feed my family ‘garden-fresh’ as much as possible. I can, freeze, dehydrate, and ferment. I juice, and I pickle, I make my own bread, and grind my own flour. And yet . . . . I do not freeze dry. I BUY my freeze dried food. Where is the harmony in the lifestyle I choose when I choose to buy my freeze dried food instead of freeze drying it myself? You’re not the first to ask.

The truth is – I’ve considered it. I’ve looked very closely as a matter of fact. And if I thought for one minute that I could do a better job than what I’ve already found – I’d BE that person. But these are the facts that influence my decision to continue doing what I am currently doing.

  1. After trying multiple different brands of freeze dried food over the years, I finally settled on THRIVE LIFE. I was first introduced to it in 2008. I began purchasing it in 2009 – primarily for food storage. But while acquiring it as a storage food, I learned about it’s nutritional superiority – which validated my personal choice in a big way, but still didn’t influence my day to day meal preparation. I continued buying groceries the same way I always had, making meals the same way I always had.
    One day, while throwing some mushy peppers from the fridge to my compost pail – I was struck by the ridiculousness of what I was doing. I thought to myself “I KNOW that I have the most nutritious food on the planet downstairs. I know it will last at least 25 years, and I also know it will last me a year in the pantry once I open it. And I know we LIKE it. And yet, I continue buying groceries the same way I always have, knowing its not as fresh as I once thought it was, and throwing out too much of it because I didn’t get TO IT in time. There is something really wrong with this picture.” That moment was a defining moment, a fork in the road you might say, and everything changed after it. I decided to learn how to use it; and that choice opened up a whole new world. A wonderful new world.
  2. I have confidence in the quality of THRIVE LIFE freeze dried food. And after 16 years (and counting), I never cease to be impressed – sometimes even amazed.
  3. They have a guarantee that is pretty compelling; they call it their NUTRILOCK GUARANTEE. In a nutshell, the Nutrilock Guarantee is a 40+ step process that they never compromise, ensuring the highest quality. Like for instance: they meet with the growers and suppliers to ensure they continue to meet their high standards of production, including soil conditions and overall processes. They verify that each supplier follows strict food safety plans, they work with customers and consultants to design products that are desired and relevant for today. They use ONLY Grade A products. They prohibit foods from companies or countries that don’t meet their strict food standards. They do not use any artificial colours, flavours, sulfites, MSG, or hydrogenated oils. When possible, they select products that are Non-GMO and gluten-free. They verify that each harvest takes place at the peak time frame of ripeness. They flash freeze produce within 2-4 hours of harvest to maximize flavour and lock in nutrients. . . . . . .
    click HERE to see more
  4. Because of all these factors, I simply do not believe I can duplicate the quality.
    *I have a productive backyard garden, and from it, we eat pretty much all our vegetables and most of our fruits during the season. But we live in a city, and cannot produce enough to feed our family the whole year.
  5. I ‘put-up’ all the excess from our garden. But I’d have a hard time getting it from the garden to the freezer inside of four hours. I might get some of it from the garden to the table in a short time if I really set myself to accomplish it. I can get it from the garden to the kitchen counter inside of four hours, but I don’t think I could pick it, wash it, chop it, bag it and label it, and have it in the freezer in that amount of time.
  6. Everything begins deteriorating in the hour it’s harvested so you’re in a race with the clock. Every hour I don’t get it taken care of means more nutrients lost.
  7. I can’t possibly grow the variety of vegetable that I can buy through THRIVE LIFE: like broccoli, corn, green beans, kale, mushrooms, onions, peas, three different peppers, spinach, squash, tomatoes and zucchini. Or fruits like: apples, bananas, four kinds of berries, peaches, pineapple, mangoes and cherries. Not the mention the dairy and meat products.
  8. If I can’t grow them, that means I’m purchasing them from the grocery store. But since I live in central Alberta, that means I’m buying them a week or two or three after they were harvested – ‘unripe’. What would be the point of that?
  9. I figure if I had to buy them TO freeze dry, I might as well buy them freeze dried already.
  10. Considering the price of a good quality freeze dryer, I’d have to save a lot of money on the food, before I reached the break even point – while simultaneously not compromising the quality of the food I’m processing.

I just don’t believe I could do better than what THRIVE LIFE is providing.
I’m sure there are some who might be able to. But I know myself, and I know what my garden can produce. I also know I’ll get busy out there when I’m picking produce, and by the time I get it all in the kitchen, the clock will be ticking, and by the time I get it on trays and into the freezer (the first step in the process), I’ll be past the four hours THRIVE LIFE ensures. I also know that I don’t have scads of room in my freezer at any given time for trays of food that need to be frozen before they can go into the freeze dryer. I also know I don’t grow bananas, pineapple, mangoes, peaches, cranberries, or lots of other things I like – and I’m not buying them from the grocery store, to go into the freeze drier. If it comes to that, I’ll buy them already preserved.

Those are my personal reasons for continuing to purchase the food instead of freeze drying it myself, but I fully support someone else’s decision to do different. We’ve all gotta do the best we can do.

conclusion

Freeze-dried food is a game-changer for anyone looking for convenient, nutritious, and long-lasting food options. Whether you’re prepping for an emergency, heading out on an adventure, or you simply need an easy meal solution right now, it’s got you covered. With its impressive shelf life, lightweight nature, and ease of preparation, it’s no wonder that freeze-dried food is becoming a staple in homes, 72 hour bags and survival kits across the globe.

If you haven’t yet explored the world of freeze-dried food, now is the time to start. Whether you’re looking to add to your home food storage, your kitchen pantry or you’re embarking on your next outdoor journey – freeze-dried food is the perfect companion for your adventures.

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

ps – I loved Thrive Life freeze dried food so much, I decided to become a consultant!
To learn more about it, click this link: https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/all-products.html#freeze-dried-meals

I teach workshops on how to use it, including a LIVE Cooking show I do with some friends on ZOOM once a month. Always the 2nd Thursday of each month at 2:00 pm mountain time, we give four recipe demonstrations featuring the food that is currently on sale. We have a Q&A at the end, and the main body of it is recorded so we can share it later. We even have draws for prizes just to make it more fun. Mark your calendar right now for the 2nd Thursday of every month. 2:00 sharp Mountain time (adjust to your time). I hope you’ll sit in some time. Here’s the link to join me. The passcode is ThriveEx

Hey friends! 👋 Join me for a LIVE Cooking Show where we will be whipping up some easy, mouthwatering meals using freeze-dried ingredients that will change the way you think about cooking!
🌟 What’s in it for you?
✅ See how to make quick, tasty meals in minutes
✅ Get exclusive tips on saving time & money in the kitchen
✅WIN PRIZES! 🎁
✅ Bring a friend (or two!) and get extra chances to win!
Zoom Link: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/4033604361 Password: ThriveEx

Cindy

Posted on

is it Pizza? or is it Quiche?

Sometimes its simply a matter of looking OUTSIDE the proverbial box. This quick quiche loaded with protein and vegetables is eaten like a pizza. I call it QUICHE PIZZA, and it is a delicious, nutritious dinner that you hope to have leftovers of so you can eat it for lunch again tomorrow! It’s just as good cold.

This recipe serves four people with two eggs each. I use a family sized pie plate and two tortillas. If you want to make less in a smaller pie plate, just adjust accordingly. Shoot for two eggs per person, and the rest is up to you.

The vegetables:
Use what you have on hand. I like to use chopped onions, red peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and of course spinach. I add spinach to almost everything it seems. These are vegetables I always have on hand because I mostly use freeze dried vegetables – but if you have fresh out of your garden, AWESOME! Use those.

ingredients:
8 eggs
1 cup cottage cheese, beaten into the egg mixture
2 large tortillas
seasoning salt of your choice
assorted vegetables, suggested: diced red peppers, chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, broccoli flowerets, spinach
shredded cheddar or blend of cheddar and pepper jack

directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat eggs till frothy
Add cottage cheese and beat it into eggs till well blended
Arrange tortillas in a large pie plate. Cut the 2nd one into half or even quarters to arrange in pie plate making sure all of the plate is covered.
Pour egg mixture in.
Assuming you’re using the same vegetables I use, begin by arranging about 1/2 – 3/4 cup mushroom slices in the bottom of the egg mixture.
Sprinkle about 1/4 cup chopped onions on top of them.
Sprinkle about 3/4 cup red pepper slices over top of the onions.
Arrange small broccoli flowerets in some empty places between the red peppers.
Sprinkle a layer of spinach on top of everything else. I put quite a bit on (about a cup of freeze dried spinach)
If using freeze dried vegetables, use a fork to gently submerge all vegetables into the egg mixture so that they’re moistened by it.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add a layer of shredded cheese. Be generous. 1-2 cups.

Place into heated oven in the middle rack, and set the timer for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes test the middle to see that it is no longer liquid – ‘jiggly’.
If it needs a few more minutes, lower the heat to 325 and lay a sheet of aluminum over top to prevent the tortilla crust from over cooking.

Watch it carefully at this point so that you don’t over cook it. When the center is firm, remove from oven and let the ‘pizza’ rest on a rack for 10-15 minutes.

Remove from pan and cut into wedges as for a pizza. Serve. Enjoy.
You can eat it with your hands, and it’s pizza so DO.

Here’s my Secret: When I make this quiche pizza (or anything similar to it), unless I have fresh garden vegetables, I use freeze dried vegetables. But not just any freeze dried vegetables. After trying many different brands over the years, I now use Thrive Life freeze dried vegetables. There’s a good reason for that, and its a very important one to me (actually a few good reasons, but I’ll tell you five of them).

1. Thrive Life guarantees that their produce is picked ripe (at the peak of what nature intended that fruit or vegetable to be), AND guarantees that in less than six hours from harvest (usually two to four hours), that produce is washed peeled, chopped and flash frozen! Locking in the colour, texture, taste and ALL the natural goodness. In that frozen state (-40 degrees Celsius), it is transferred to a facility where it has all the remaining moisture removed without it thawing. That’s the second step in the two-step process of freeze drying.

2. Thrive Life fruits and vegetables are as organic as you can get without them being ‘certified’ organic. They monitor the process of planting, growing, harvesting, freeze drying and packaging from beginning to end. It’s part of what they call their NUTRILOCK Guarantee and its something they take very seriously.

3. Because of this attention to detail, Thrive Life foods are the BEST in the world and that is no empty claim. They have always been the best, but as of the beginning of 2024, they are also the biggest freeze dried company in the world. They literally are “Fresher-than-Fresh”, or what we frequently refer to as ‘fresh’ – the produce in our grocery stores, which are picked green if possible and are subjected to long travel times to get to us – anything but ‘fresh’.

4. Thrive Life freeze dried food has a 25 year shelf life, making it the most dependable, shelf stable, nutritious food on the market – the perfect choice for anyone interested in emergency preparedness, and long term food storage. So that means I always have fruits and vegetables in the pantry, ready any time I might decide I’d like to have spinach in my homemade quiche, or cheese on a homemade quiche, or mangoes in our yogurt, or blueberries on top of cereal or . . . . . well, the list is endless. And its always there because once you open that can, you can count on it being perfectly good for about a year afterward.

5. The other important reason I use Thrive Life freeze dried food is the convenience. Those vegetables are already washed and chopped. I just sprinkle the onions from the can, distribute the sliced mushrooms or red peppers from the can, add a layer of spinach from the can. It’s quick and easy. And guess what else? They even have freeze dried eggs! I literally had this recipe ready to go into the oven in less that ten minutes. With zero mess!

There now you have it. My secret. How I do things. And make no mistake – I’m all about down home goodness, and doing things from scratch. These are not ‘processed foods’. These are CLEAN, WHOLE FOODS and nothing but. Making dinner from scratch still counts even when you’re using freeze dried food. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

I hope you’ll try this easy recipe for a great dinner, lunch or brunch. Whether you use garden fresh, freeze dried or a mixture of both as I do much of the time.

Let me know what you think.

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

Here are some links that are worth looking into:
Freeze Dried Eggs – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/dried-egg.html
Freeze Dried Chopped Onions – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/freeze-dried-chopped-onions-694.html
Freeze Dried Mushrooms – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/freeze-dried-mushroom-pieces.html
Freeze Dried Red Peppers – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/red-bell-peppers-freeze-dried.html
Freeze Dried Broccoli – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/dried-broccoli-689.html
Freeze Dried Spinach – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/freeze-dried-chopped-spinach.html
Freeze Dried Shredded Cheddar Cheese – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/shredded-cheddar-cheese.html
Freeze Dried Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/pepper-jack-cheese-freeze-dried.html
Chef’s Choice Seasoning – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/chef-s-choice-can.html