SHIFTING ROOTS

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Saskatoon Berry Muffins

July 2, 2020

When you were growing up, did you have a favourite afterschool snack?  I don’t remember what I had when I was at home, but I do remember what my grandma usually made for me when I was at her house–Saskatoon Berry Muffins.

Saskatoon berry muffins make for a healthy after school snack.  You'll love this easy dessert recipe with hints of lemon.  Substitute blueberries if you can't find Saskatoon berries. #muffinrecipes #saskatoonberries #afterschoolsnacks #healthysnacks #blueberries
[Read more…]
Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

2 Comments
Filed Under: Baking, Fruit Season, Use it up! Tagged: afterschool snack, Baking, muffins, saskatoon berries, saskatoon berry

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

October 9, 2019

I’ll admit it, I’m pretty basic.  I love everything pumpkin spice and I’m not afraid to say so.  Weekends in October pretty much require that you consume as much of the stuff as possible.

In that spirit, I give you the recipe for Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing.

Take them to a potluck, I promise they’ll go fast.

Aaaah!  These Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting are every basic girl's dream fall dessert recipe!  It's the best, easy, from scratch recipe for Halloween or thanksgiving.  I dare you not to lick the icing of these muffins!! #pumpkin #pumpkinspice #icing #frosting #creamcheese #cupcakes #muffins #easy #best #recipe #dessert #Thanksgiving #Halloween
[Read more…]
Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

6 Comments
Filed Under: Baking, Use it up! Tagged: Baking, cream cheese icing, Cupcakes, fall baking, muffins, pumpkin, pumpkin spice

How to Can and Freeze Tomatoes when you have No Time

September 15, 2019

Every May I emerge from winter ready to conquer the world and plant an enormous garden, which may have included 27 tomato plants.  Every September I end up silently cursing my optimism.

I love canning and freezing tomatoes, but I find that tomato season in my zone 3 Saskatchewan garden always coincides with the busy back to school season in September–which means I’m short on time!

This year, I’ve come up with a better system to can and freeze tomatoes while still keeping my sanity. I’ve figured out how to make the tomato sauce and pasta sauce my family loves, all without marathon canning sessions.  Here’s how.

Preserving tomatoes by canning is great but time consuming.  Learn how to use your slow cooker, oven, and freezer to same you time this harvest.  Never waste your garden vegetables because you couldn't get to them! #gardening #tomatoes #vegetables #canning #freezing #preserving

Sort Tomatoes by Ripeness

For those of you who live in warmer climates where all your tomatoes are vine ripened, you can skip this tip.  Those of us in Saskatchewan and other USDA zone 2 or 3 areas have to pick most of our tomatoes green and ripen them indoors.

Related: Canning Guide for Beginners & Must Have Canning Supplies–and What Can Wait

Set out four (or more!) boxes and divide your tomatoes by colour and ripeness: green, yellow, orange, and red.  This way you will be able to grab the ripest box and save precious time that you could be canning. You also won’t miss any rotten tomatoes, meaning less wasted resources! 

Check your tomatoes every day or two and transfer any outliers to the correct box.

Cut your tomato processing time in half. Find out how!Click To Tweet

Cut and Prep Tomatoes Faster

I cut my tomatoes in large chunks and squeeze out the seeds.  You will not get every single seed out, so if you can’t stand any seeds in your tomato sauce, this is not the method for you.  For roma tomatoes, I cut off the top, make a small slit, squeeze out the seeds, and put them into my slow cooker whole.  Which brings me to my next point. . .

Related: Enjoy your tomatoes in Tomato Bacon Quiche or Red Relish.

Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot for Cooking Tomatoes Fast

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to sit around a stove for 3 hours ensuring my sauce doesn’t burn.  I also don’t have time to blanch and peel them.  I’m happy to deal with the odd bit of tomato skin in my sauce.

If I’m using the slow cooker, I cut up my tomatoes about 6 hours before I know I’ll have time to deal with them again.  Throw in other vegetables you want in your sauce such as onions, garlic, zucchini, carrots or squash and walk away.

Somewhere around hour 4-5 I come back and puree the sauce with a stick blender.  This ensures that my super picky small child will actually eat the sauce I make.

Let your slow cooker or oven do the heavy lifting. Process your tomatoes with less effort. Click To Tweet
Preserving tomatoes by canning is great but time consuming.  Learn how to use your slow cooker, oven, and freezer to same you time this harvest.  Never waste your garden vegetables because you couldn't get to them! #gardening #tomatoes #vegetables #canning #freezing #preserving

If you need everything done in an hour or two, then cooking your sauce in the Instant Pot is the way to go. Set your Instant Pot to the correct settings, blend when everything is cooked, and either freeze or can your sauce, whatever time allows.

Roast Tomatoes in the Oven

If a slow cooker isn’t your style, you can cut up all your veggies and roast them in the oven.  Roasting adds an extra sweet caramelized flavour that I’m a huge fan of.

Put all veggies in a large roasting pan and cook at 400 degrees for at least an hour, or until some of the tops turn a bit black.  Let cool, add spices, puree, and either can or freeze in containers.

Related: My Favourite Roasted Tomato Sauce

Can or Freeze and Done

We are short on freezer space here, so I try to can as many jars as I can.  However, I don’t always have the time or energy, so I put my sauce in smaller containers in the freezer and call it a day.  If you’re short on space, put your sauce in good quality freezer bags and freeze them flat for easier storage.

Grow the Best Tomatoes

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Zero Time?  Chop and Freeze Your Tomatoes to Can Later

Tomato season unfortunately seems to co-incide with back-to-school season, which in our house is a recipe for beautiful tomatoes going to waste.  If you find yourself with almost no time to deal, chop tomatoes in quarters or eights and freeze in plastic bags.  It’s not ideal, but you can always thaw frozen tomatoes and deal with them later.

While I haven’t tried this personally, I’ve heard that if you freeze tomatoes whole, the skins easily peel off when you thaw them.

Has trying to harvest, process, and eat your garden produce got you down?  Click here to download my free guide on what to do with the vegetables you harvest.

How do you process your tomatoes?  Any tips or tricks to add?  Let me know in the comments what your favourite method is.

Preserving tomatoes by canning is great but time consuming.  Learn how to use your slow cooker, oven, and freezer to same you time this harvest.  Never waste your garden vegetables because you couldn't get to them! #gardening #tomatoes #vegetables #canning #freezing #preserving
Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

7 Comments
Filed Under: Gardening, Harvest, Simple & Easy, Tutorials, Use it up!, Zero Waste Tagged: can, Canning, freeze, Garden, garden harvest, garden vegetables, harvest, oven, processing, slow cooker, tomato, tomato sauce, Vegetables

Deliciously Addicting Lemon Poppyseed Zucchini Muffins

August 24, 2019

This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase anything, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.  Thanks for your support!

If you are the owner of a zucchini plant gone wild, you know the struggle–what on earth do you make with zucchini that you haven’t already made before? There’s only so much chocolate zucchini cake one person can eat.

Today I’m going to share one of our family favourites–lemon poppyseed zucchini muffins.  You can use the regular green zucchini or yellow summer squash interchangeably with this recipe. I personally like the summer squash better than the zucchini.

Lemon poppyseed zucchini muffins are a great way to use up all your zucchini or summer squash. Serve them for back to school lunches, snacks, or even breakfast. It's such an easy recipe that you can even make it with your kids.

A Muffin for Picky Eaters

My son is often leery of different textures or anything that doesn’t look plain.  These muffins have been one of the ways I’ve been able to secretly pump extra nutrition in him.

I’m going to share the regular version that I would serve for guests.  However, I’ve successfully modified this recipe with yogurt and chia seeds to up the protein, and less sugar overall.

If you would like to modify the recipe this way, replace all the poppy seeds with chia seeds and add 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt to the recipe.

Everyone in my family goes crazy for these muffins and yours will too.

Related: How to Pick & Process Zucchini

Lemon poppyseed zucchini muffins are a great way to use up all your zucchini or summer squash. Serve them for back to school lunches, snacks, or even breakfast. It's such an easy recipe that you can even make it with your kids.

While muffins may not be the healthiest food ever, it’s nice to know there’s something we can all agree on.

Zucchini keeps the muffins moist and virtually disappears.  These muffins are perfect for breakfast, a treat with coffee, in a lunch, or as an after-school snack.

Need help using up all your zucchini?  Look no further!

Lemon poppyseed zucchini muffins are a great way to use up all your zucchini or summer squash. Serve them for back to school lunches, snacks, or even breakfast. It's such an easy recipe that you can even make it with your kids.

Muffin Baking Tips

  • Always mix the wet and dry ingredients separately and don’t over-mix.  Your muffins will have a much nicer texture than if you dump everything in one bowl.
  • Shell out the extra money for parchment liners.  I hate when half the muffin sticks to the liner, and parchment solves the problem.
  • use an ice cream scoop for less mess when distributing the batter.
  • Don’t let the muffins cool in the pan for more than 5 minutes.  Transfer them to a plate or wire rack so they don’t get soggy at the bottom.
  • Muffins freeze well.  Keep a few out and save the rest for school/work lunches.
  • Want to try a cake recipe but don’t know who will eat all that cake?  Put the batter into muffin tins instead!  Adjust the baking time, usually 20 or 25 minutes instead of 45-60.

Can’t get enough lemon?  Be sure to check out Lucious Lemon Cake with Candied Citrus and Lemon Buttercream.

Pin me for later!

Lemon poppyseed zucchini muffins are a great way to use up all your zucchini or summer squash. Serve them for back to school lunches, snacks, or even breakfast. It's such an easy recipe that you can even make it with your kids.
Yield: 18 muffins

Lemon Poppyseed Zucchini Muffins

Lemon Poppyseed Zucchini Muffins

A delicious muffin to help use up all your extra zucchini.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup grated zucchini or summer squash
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup poppy seeds

Instructions

    1. Combine the milk and poppy seeds in a small bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes.

    2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Make a well in the bowl.

    3. Once the poppyseed have soaked for 10 minutes, add the egg, cooking oil, sugar, zucchini, and lemon juice. Pour in the well of dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

    4. Divide into muffin liners and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 minutes, or an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Notes

To add extra nutrition for picky eaters, replace the poppyseeds with chia seeds and add 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt to the recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

18

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 136Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 107mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 3g
Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

24 Comments
Filed Under: Baking, Get Healthy, Recipes, Simple & Easy, Use it up! Tagged: Baking, family recipe, Lemon, lemon poppyseed, muffins, picky eaters, poppyseed, use up zucchini, Zucchini

6 Creative Uses for Leftover Eggnog

December 29, 2017

The presents have been opened, the feasts have been feasted, and all you’re left with is. . . eggnog.

Let’s face it, you’re not really in the mood to drink it as-is anymore.  Here’s 6 ideas to use up that last carton.

[Read more…]

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

1 Comment
Filed Under: Baking, Christmas, Recipes, Use it up! Tagged: egg nog, recipes, round up

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Grow roots with us

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

  • The Best Grow Lights for Seedlings (from Budget to Bougie)
  • How to Grow Eucalyptus for Cut Flowers (Even in a Short Growing Season!)
  • 26 Best Flowers to Grow for Dried Flower Arrangements
  • 17 Perennial Flowers That Love Shade
  • How to Design a Cut Flower Garden in Raised Beds

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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I love seeing the world through this loving boy’ I love seeing the world through this loving boy’s eyes.  Honestly, I’ve been so sick that I wasn’t really in the mood to “do Valentines Day” but there was this sweet little voice going on about how excited he was for today and how much he loves his family and I just couldn’t resist.  So whether you’re on your own, part of a couple, or in the thick of life-with-littles craziness, Happy Valentines Day!

#valentinesday2020 #mylittlevalentine #boymomlife #lifewithlittles
How do you pass a cold -28 day? By planning your How do you pass a cold -28 day?  By planning your garden, of course!  Today in my stories I’ll be going through the steps I take to start planning everything out.  I’m curious, do you start planning now or wait until the last minute?

P.S.  want your own copy of this planner?  This is the newly updated paid version and it’s on sale by itself from now until Sunday for only $5.  If you’re from Canada, use the code CANADA to make $5 USD be closer to $5 CAD.  Head over to the link in my bio to get yours.

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Curious about growing lettuce indoors? My experim Curious about growing lettuce indoors?  My experiment is a success so far, although it’s still going to be awhile before I’m eating another salad off of them.

Okay, so maybe a little rant today.  I think sometimes in the gardening space we’re guilty of making things seem easier than they are.  Myself included.  This lettuce project is a case in point.

Was it easy?  Yes.  But will it provide me with endless salads all winter long? Nope.  Or at least not at this scale.  I’m going to estimate that I’d need at least 15 plants this size, especially since it’s winter and everything just grows slower.  And I’m the only person in my family who really eats salad.

In conclusion, this is a fun project to pass the winter, and not a truly sustainable source of lettuce.

Thoughts?

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Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing ex Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing exactly what to start when.  Every two weeks, I'll be posting these handy guides so you have enough time to order your seeds and be ready to plant when it's time for your area.  To find out when these veggies, herbs, and flowers need to be started where you live. . . ⁠
⁠
1. Search out your area's last frost date.  There are plenty of calculators on the Internet.⁠
⁠
2. Count backwards 8 weeks from that date.⁠
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3. Start these seeds when that date hits.⁠
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If you follow me because we're in similar zones--don't panic, it's not time yet!! I won't be starting my 10 week seeds for another two weeks, and even that is slightly on the early side. (I'm starting everything a bit early so I can hopefully plant it out before baby gets here--I won't be physically able to do it after.) I like posting the info early for followers in warmer zones and so you can save it and still have time to order/buy seeds & supplies.⁠
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Which one of these are you most excited to start?⁠
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Eeeek!!! My luffa seedlings are up!! I’m growing Eeeek!!! My luffa seedlings are up!! I’m growing the whole seed packet in hopes that a few of these little luffa babies will provide me with zero waste sponges that I can use for home cleaning, and as an exfoliant in home made beauty products.

The catch?

These plants are notoriously hard to grow, especially when you live somewhere cold with a really cold growing season—and if they get a hint of frost on them they turn to mush and all my hard work is ruined.

Gulp.

But gardeners are born optimists, so I’m giving it a shot—because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

P.S. if you’re trying luffa in zone 3 like me, just basically ignore all the directions on the seed packet.  Start them immediately (two weeks ago would have been ideal) and follow along because I’ll show you exactly what to do and when.  I’ll be popping these under a grow light once the sun goes down.

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This weekend I took a big leap of faith. I came t This weekend I took a big leap of faith.  I came to New York to meet with other content creators/business owners to dig deep into what we do and create a strategy around our messaging.  I don’t even know how to properly describe what all went down, but is was incredibly life changing and I really feel connected to this tribe of women who are committed to playing to win and being the people our businesses need us to be.  I’m so excited to share what I’ve planned for my business with you in the coming months.

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Is there such a thing as a no-fail houseplant? I Is there such a thing as a no-fail houseplant?  I think the Sansevera or Snake Plant or Mother-in-law’s tongue comes close.  Sure, it might be the vanilla of the plant-loving world, but it is so good for so many situations!⁠
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It can handle you forgetting to water it, low light, or bright light.  It is somewhat forgiving if you are an over-waterer. ⁠
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I’ve had this one for 2 or 3 years now and I keep getting rewarded with more spikes.⁠
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Plant lovers, is there another houseplant you think would be perfect for beginners?⁠
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