Author: Betty Albert Chronicles

California-born Betty Albert is a certified Naturopathic Doctor, author (“Lost in Italy and Loving it”, Amazon/Kindle), freelance writer, and speaker/presenter on health/wellness/longevity topics. She holds dear the art and science of proper cooking and healthy eating, and works as a lifestyle coach even in retirement. Past history include 20-year careers in corporation, professional photography and natural health. Her website is www.bettyalbertchronicles.com, and she can be reached at balbert7072@gmail.com.

Seven Grandfathers Farm

  Thirty years ago, Craig Thomas had toiled over a specific French drain for his raspberries, hoping to eliminate any standing water, and improve drainage. It wasn’t about the bees pollinating or the rabbits eating the canes in winter. Soil structure and organic nutrients were not the problem in this meticulously tended garden. Insects and… Continue reading Seven Grandfathers Farm

February Comfort Food

A winter pot roast is the perfect match for a day when the rains took a breather and you want to get out in the garden, or at least get some seeds planted in the garage! So simple to do in the morning: Put the pot roast in a skillet with some bacon drippings and… Continue reading February Comfort Food

Seeds for Spring

Sounds like a book title, but no, it was to be a video.  Then I find out I have to upgrade this site to post videos.  The forthcoming rains predicted are a good reason not to plant directly into the garden containers.   So here is the set up in photos, instead. The shoe bag is… Continue reading Seeds for Spring

RECIPE ADDICT TELLS ALL

CONFESSIONS OF A RECIPE ADDICT and Michael’s Coconut Cake There I go again, copying one of those “that looks good” recipes off the internet.Yesterday, I must have torn out a baker’s dozen from some of the magazines saved up. What is the matter with me?! The internet is full of any and every possible recipe… Continue reading RECIPE ADDICT TELLS ALL

GOING NUTS!

Approximately 4,000 California walnut growers produce over 600,000 short tons of walnuts annually.  Right here in El Dorado County, 205 walnut trees on 10 acres at Perry Creek Walnut Farm are budding out that delicious fruit at a steady pace.  A rainy season promises a bumper crop of organic English walnuts for the farm in… Continue reading GOING NUTS!

LET’S TALK TURKEY!

  Adapted from a great site “Modern Farmer” you might want to correspond via http://modernfarmer.com/2016/11/foods-at-first-thanksgiving-meal/ By Dan Nosowitz on November 15, 2016 The history of turkey domestication goes back 2,000 plus years to an archaeological site in Guatemala, probably a ceremony, sacrifice or feast. Picture this. The first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, where the Mayflower’s provisions… Continue reading LET’S TALK TURKEY!

Digging the Dirt with UCCE Master Gardeners

I recently had the pleasure of attending Secrets of the Soil, a workshop, http://mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Secrets_of_Soil/         with the likes of: Chuck Ingels, Farm and Horticulture Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension in Sacramento County since 1996 and overseer of the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center. His topic:            Physical Characteristics of Soil, Plant Roots and the Rhizosphere Amanda Hodson, Ph.D… Continue reading Digging the Dirt with UCCE Master Gardeners

SECURED! A Short Story of Reinforced Dimensions

                             The new compost bin was long in contemplation and even longer to begin. The small version of a composter–a catalog-order tumbler– had been in use for three seasons now and had to be rejected since, come each spring, it produced slightly more than a couple of buckets of compost tea. It really wasn’t… Continue reading SECURED! A Short Story of Reinforced Dimensions