Books

Books we recommend.

Mustards, Ketchups & Vinegars

Mustards, Ketchups & Vinegars

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“Mustards, Ketchups, and Vinegars” by Carol W. Costenbader is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to create their own homemade condiments. As a homesteader, I found this book to be especially useful because it allows me to use ingredients that I grew myself, giving me a sense of satisfaction in the final product.

One of the things I love most about this book is that it provides clear, easy-to-follow basic recipes for a variety of different condiments. I like knowing what ingredients are going into my recipes. I often “tweak” the recipes to reduce sugar. As a homesteader, I’m always looking for ways to cut down on sugar and preservatives that are filling many of the massed produced foods.

One of the best reasons to make your own condiments is that you can use fresh picked ingredients. As a homesteader, I have access to a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and this book provides recipes that give a great way to use them.

Overall, “Mustards, Ketchups, and Vinegars” by Carol W. Costenbader is an excellent resource for any homesteader looking to create delicious, healthy condiments from scratch. The recipes are clear and easy to follow. it’s a must-have for anyone looking to create homemade condiments that are both delicious and healthy.

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Thank you so much for your support!

We are full time homesteaders at Pioneer Mountain Homestead in the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania.   We have a sawmill, produce garden, honeybees, layer hens, laying ducks, pigs, and goats. We provide boat and camper storage to nearby visitors of Raystown Lake and sell firewood and lumber in south central Pennsylvania.  Our journey is to be as self-reliant as we can be; to live as much as we can from the resources we have at hand; to effectively be productive with as minimal environmental impact as possible; to raise food in an organic manner; and to give back to our community through education or demonstration. We are always learning, as well. Life is always an adventure! We enjoy learning from others and seeing what other people are doing as well.  – Bren and Chuck

Pioneer Mountain Homestead
16477 Sharman Lane
James Creek, PA 16657
814-505-6426
"Embracing Everything Farm and Forest"

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Natural Pest and Disease Control

Natural Pest and Disease Control

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This is an affiliate link which means that by clicking on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive a commission at no direct cost to you.

This book is designed for the organic gardener who is interested in having an ecologically balanced system for avoiding pests and diseases.  Written by Fern Marshall Bradley, Barbara W. Ellis, and Deborah L. Martin and published by Rodale.  

There are three main sections of this book that I use. One section identifies problems by plant.  Another section identifies pests and includes great pictures.  The third section I use gives a great overview of various organic tactics for solving pest and disease issues.  

If you are trying to grow organically, things sometimes go wrong and this book is a great addition to your library to help solve issues.  – Bren

 

Check out these related links. 

Thank you so much for your support!

We are full time homesteaders at Pioneer Mountain Homestead in the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania.   We have a sawmill, produce garden, honeybees, layer hens, laying ducks, pigs, and goats. We provide boat and camper storage to nearby visitors of Raystown Lake and sell firewood and lumber in south central Pennsylvania.  Our journey is to be as self-reliant as we can be; to live as much as we can from the resources we have at hand; to effectively be productive with as minimal environmental impact as possible; to raise food in an organic manner; and to give back to our community through education or demonstration. We are always learning, as well. Life is always an adventure! We enjoy learning from others and seeing what other people are doing as well.  – Bren and Chuck

Pioneer Mountain Homestead
16477 Sharman Lane
James Creek, PA 16657
814-505-6426
"Embracing Everything Farm and Forest"

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Good Bug Bad Bug by Jessica Walliser

Good Bug Bad Bug by Jessica Walliser

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This is an affiliate link which means that by clicking on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive a commission at no direct cost to you.

This is one of my favorite books for identifying bugs.  There is a nice picture or two of each bug for easy identification.  Bugs are identified as “pest” or “beneficial”.   Each bug has a description, what type of damage they cause if they are a pest, what plants they attack if they are a pest, biological, preventive, or organic controls if a pest, pests they control if a beneficial bug, and how to attract the good bugs.   

I have used this book so many times over the years that my copy is now looking a bit tattered (but that’s a good thing as it means I use it regularly). I highly recommend this book be included in your library. – Bren 

 

Check out these related links. 

Thank you so much for your support!

We are full time homesteaders at Pioneer Mountain Homestead in the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania.   We have a sawmill, produce garden, honeybees, layer hens, laying ducks, pigs, and goats. We provide boat and camper storage to nearby visitors of Raystown Lake and sell firewood and lumber in south central Pennsylvania.  Our journey is to be as self-reliant as we can be; to live as much as we can from the resources we have at hand; to effectively be productive with as minimal environmental impact as possible; to raise food in an organic manner; and to give back to our community through education or demonstration. We are always learning, as well. Life is always an adventure! We enjoy learning from others and seeing what other people are doing as well.  – Bren and Chuck

Pioneer Mountain Homestead
16477 Sharman Lane
James Creek, PA 16657
814-505-6426
"Embracing Everything Farm and Forest"

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”