We want to use and consume more natural products to support our health and well-being. That means reducing unnecessary preservatives and pesticides whenever we reasonably can and paying closer attention to the ingredients in the food we prepare.

Convenience has shaped the modern food system, but it can also separate us from how our food is grown and made. We decided to make changes gradually, adding more preservative-free and thoughtfully sourced foods as we developed the skills and processes to manage them well.

Learning From Two Different Backgrounds

Kris grew up on a farm in Nebraska and always remembered the difference between farm food and many canned products sold in grocery stores. I grew up in the city and did not think much about that difference. Visits with my grandparents included fresh vegetables and food made from scratch, but as a child I was more interested in fast-food fries than traditional kitchen skills.

Those different experiences eventually came together. Family knowledge, farming connections, and memories of home cooking gave us a foundation for learning as adults.

Rediscovering Traditional Skills

I started making juices and canning fruits and juice. From there, I moved into preserving more of the foods we use regularly. The difference in taste and quality surprised me. I enjoy knowing what is in our food and having more control over how it is prepared.

Making butter, buttermilk, whipped cream, and homemade ice cream brought back childhood memories while showing us how much flavor can come from simple ingredients and traditional methods.

A Healthier Choice Became a Passion

This journey began with the goal of eating healthier and reducing preservatives and pesticides. We did not expect the improvement in flavor and quality to be so noticeable.

Tasks that once felt like childhood chores—snapping peas, stringing beans, and canning in a warm kitchen—now feel like valuable skills. We are grateful those lessons were shared with us, and we are excited to keep developing new preservation methods and creative recipes.