…an also be purchased in bulk at natural food stores. Fill a mason jar about ¼ full of dried herbs. Pour extra virgin olive oil over herbs, filling jar ¾ full. (This leaves room for dried herbs to swell.) Seal tightly with cap and store in cool dark place for about 6 weeks. Strain through cheese cloth. If you are looking for a short cut, you can also buy essential oils at health food stores, but they are pricey. 3.1 https://growing-minds.org/homema…
…ng came from the Earth and the sun and the rain, and they were all proud of their own work and care. For some of them it was a huge realization that food does not actually come from a store. It was such a joyful moment for our whole class and I cannot wait for our garden to produce more food and experiences for my students!”…
…unds you may include: Dripping or trickling water Wind chimes (homemade or store bought) Encourage birds into your garden with a birdbath, nectar or non-toxic berry producing trees and plants Quiet places (sometimes sounds are too overwhelming) Touch – Think texture: Include soft flowers, fuzzy leaves, springy moss, rough bark, succulent leaves, and prickly seed pods. Choose hardy varieties of plants that can cope with handling. Place delicate flo…
Good food doesn’t begin on a store shelf with a box. It comes from a garden bursting with life, color, sounds, smells, sunshine, moisture, birds, and bees! Kids will find a variety of fruits and vegetables, and a tasty, kid-friendly recipe for each one to start a lifetime of good eating. A food for thought section presents interesting facts about each fruit and vegetable, and a how does your garden grow? section explains facts about gardening and…
…nature. Each resource list includes thematic recommendations for children’s literature, local food recipes, lesson plans, activities, and online resources curated by the Growing Minds team….
…es on top of the quartered apple. Enjoy this healthy and adorable snack! Online Resources for Wednesday, 7/29: Frogs and Toads in the Garden, and Beyond Frogs and toads play an important role in natural ecosystems as well as in the garden. Adult frogs and toads are little carnivores with big appetites. They eat insects, slugs, and other small invertebrates, making them a friendly inhabitant of the garden that helps with pest control. Frogs and t…
…eirloom apples. Some apples taste sweet, while others are tart. Use ASAP’s online Local Food Guide to search for apple orchards in the Appalachian Grown region that accept visitors for u-pick or other fall activities like corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Today we’re sharing two simple recipes that highlight this famous fall fruit. Kids who help prepare either of the recipes below can earn a square on our Fall Bingo card! Warm Apple Punch Makes 8 8…
…rg to see what’s available this week at Asheville-area farmers markets. Online Resources for Wednesday, 5/6: Gardening Lesson Plans Growing Minds Lesson Plans This week we’re recommending the following Growing Minds lesson plans for younger children: Watering the Garden: children will explore both dry and wet soils and practice watering plants in the garden. Garden Color Hunt: children will explore the garden and practice garden rules. They’ll…
…g on the field trip to ensure a memorable and successful visit. Use ASAP’s online Local Food Guide to find farms in the Appalachian Grown region that have pumpkin patches. Activities for Thursday, 10/9 Do pumpkins float? Ask children what their predictions are and chart them. Fill buckets with water and see if each pumpkin floats. Ask children why they think it floats (it floats because it is hollow inside and filled with air like a balloon). Y…
…measure and mix the dressing ingredients, and stir everything together. Online Resources for Wednesday, 7/1 Raise your own butterflies! If your family has never raised its own butterflies at home, we highly recommend ordering a Live Butterfly Kit this summer. Caterpillars will arrive in the mail within a few days of ordering. This immersive science project is a hands-on way for children to learn about butterfly life cycles, practice their obser…