Tomatoes are better than dinner (and how to use a lot of BASIL) | VLOG

[@joannagilbert3555]

I lost it when Ben tossed the chicken over the fence! That was great. He cracks me up everytime.

[@stillquestioning...6458]

Ya....my mouth dropped open for that. That was hilarious!

[@rachelhall4808]

A done something is better than a perfect nothing! I love you guys!

[@april5666]

That is a great saying -- someone should turn that into a T-shirt :)

[@pamt8430]

Absolutely Rachel Hall!!!

[@laineyb5276]

LOVE IT!! ❤❤❤❤

[@Just-Nikki]

Rachel Hall stealing this 😘

[@srhodes09]

I love this I will be using it in the future

[@FranchesicaMiddleton]

Benjamin is literally the sweetest and kindest little boy. You're doing such a great job with your little helper!

[@deewinston5651]

You are an encourager Jess. You bring me joy with your smiles and giggles. In this world of so much negative criticism, division, and sadness, it’s such a joy to watch you and your family interact and walk through y’all’s amazing garden. You just make me happy. Thank you ! God bless!🥰🍅

[@kristydickens1283]

On the topic of food snobbery, Preach on girl! I tell my kids all the time, don't let perfection be the enemy of progress.

[@starwhite8461]

Such a wise saying .. for everything in life.. except maybe for a brain surgeon. "smiles"

[@melissam874]

I cannot stand how freaking cute Benjamin is!! All your kids are amazing, but that little boy and his passion for gardening is something to behold!!

[@saraj4009]

I’m proud of me because I live in an apartment and I have about ten green bean plants with some little green beans on them. Can hardly wait for them to be big enough to harvest.

[@chomama1628]

Sara J you go girl!

[@pamt8430]

AWESOME!!

[@kimberlydiaz6208]

Can't wait for Tomatoes! That pesto looked so yummy. You need to make a shirt that says Tomatoes Are Better Than Dinner :)

[@Cielohomestead]

Jess! I’m in the waiting period in my life right now. Per your encouragement Ive started a small raised bed garden where I’m at, but I’m Anxiously waiting for a home with land we can garden and farm in. I can hardly wait for when that time comes. Your videos are so welcome. Cooking for others is my love language as well. ♥️

[@TheNeeenha]

I think to most women that like to cook...cooking is their "Love language". Historically speaking that's all she had to give, she had no money of her own and was the person running the kitchen..so food was her gift. I miss cooking for my son, he loved almost everything I made and would try so many different thing I'd come up with. He was fun to cook for.

[@canadiangirl5159]

I had never known about Ground Cherries until I'd seen them on your videos, so in the spring when I saw seeds for them, I jumped on it. And do they ever germinate well. So I planted lots of them, and gave some away. My sister and her husband had been buying them in the grocery store sold under a different name, and they love them. She is so excited that she now has them in her garden. Roots and Refuge Farm is spreading the love in central Alberta. :)

[@mbwhims]

The recipe calls for garlic, I'm using extra. That could be a chapter in the book of my life 😂😂😂😂😂

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Its pretty much like creed. Use extra garlic, every time, always.

[@katiePBD]

Haha same! I add garlic in almost every savory application! I'm waiting for a garlic dessert!!!

[@mbwhims]

The following chapter would have to be: This recipe didn't call for garlic so I'm adding it. Lololol maybe this is why the mosquitos don't bother me half as much as others.

[@jasonskerbitz298]

My rough equation for garlic is if they're calling for 1 clove, I'm using one 1 BULB!.... LMAO!! ;-)

[@jeremytompson4044]

Yes! The amount of garlic on any recipe I find is always just a suggestion in my mind! lol

[@arios8121]

After you and MIgardner helped me through my first raised bed garden last year, my daughter helped me put in 4 more beds this year! She went to culinary school and one bed is herbs , radishes, beets, getting kids to try new things! Our basil is going great and I made home made pesto first time ever! We put pesto on everything too! My daughter made basil and other ingredients on ribbon pasta (green!) At first they said no but our rule is you have to try it...they loved it! They love fresh herbs cooked on chicken breast! You have helped us create such great memories here at this 1.7 acre rental! 1 more year of college and my daughter will be getting a teaching job! Hope she will have time for at least 1 raised bed!

[@Just-Nikki]

A Rios that is wonderful. My 5 year old neighbor calls sage “ chicken plant “ because her mom makes a sage butter chicken and she recognizes the smell and flavor. She picks a single leaf every time she comes over and walks around smelling it as she checks for ripe fruits and vegetables to “ help “ me harvest. Happy planting!

[@arios8121]

Nikki that sounds delicious. Our cilantro bolted, I should try to plant some sage! Sage butter sounds yummy!

[@lizzkitty09]

Your son huging that chicken so gently completely melted my heart... awww!

[@AfifaQureshi94]

The whole time when jess was sitting in the pavilion eating the tomatoes i was waiting for her to say "tomatoes are better than dinner" ... ben surprized me!!!

[@kristinepope5890]

When I was a young Mom; sometimes we would have little money. I would prepare dinner; which might be Pasta with Butter and Parmesan cheese. Those were some of the most precious times! It tasted yummy; we were satisfied!

[@claireisacamel]

This is a dish that Italians make all the time!! Pasta di Aglio e Olio! So simple yet so delicious!!

[@sharoncardenas5447]

It's not money that makes us wealthy, it's the love & our precious memories. I've never had much in terms of money, but I had a grandma I adored. She always told me "waste not, want not". I've lived my life accordingly. Love is the true riches of life!!! God Bless❤😇

[@KenS1267]

Several things. I was a restaurant cook for many years. There is little than I cannot make from scratch if I really want to. Do I make pasta from scratch every time? No. I think I've made dried pasta twice since I stopped working in restaurants. It's a lot of work for a product that is not better than what can be gotten from a quality brand, and if you buy a top tier brand you cannot match it at home without very specialized equipment, the very best dried pasta is extruded with bronze dies which give the pasta surface texture which a stainless steel die (found on most home extruders) cannot do. People get really fixated on pesto alla genovese, basil, pine nuts, grating cheese, garlic and olive oil. That is just one style. Pesto alla siciliana cuts back on the basil, adds tomatoes and subs almonds for the pine nuts. There are several other Italian variants and many non traditional recipes. I've even had pesto made with mint rather than basil. So don't worry about subbing ingredients or using grated cheese that isn't parm. Also be very careful buying pine nuts. Most pine nuts sold in the US come from China and do not come from Stone Pines which are what the Europeans use. This can be a problem as those Chinese pine nuts seem to be the cause of pine mouth, a lingering metallic taste after eating pine nuts. I just use other nuts.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@erinnkemp]

I use walnuts and arugula

[@juliemathis2733]

I use 75% spinach and 25% basil since I'm not a huge fan of strong basil flavor

[@AtlantaHospiceRN]

I had NO idea about the pine nuts!!!!!!! I’m not paying $23/lb when I don’t know what I’m getting

[@whippetpuli8342]

I've been using cashews! (I also freeze it in a really cute heart-shaped ice cube mold so my pesto cubes are always fulla love)

[@lucindasantiago2600]

We are “foodies” but I also have two teen boys and a hungry husband so I need to be practical too. The kids go/went to school with the kids of a prominent chef. He was asking me about a meal I had made and our kids had discussed...so he’d heard about it. I began explaining the ‘recipe’ and realized some of it was...practical...and started to hesitate. Shame might be overstating but you get the idea. He reached out, put his hand on mine and said “Was it good? They obviously like it. That counts double.” Very freeing experience!

[@trishapomeroy9251]

Quote of the day "we will never actually do better if we feel shame and condemnation about what your doing". BEAUTIFUL! Jess, you are always such an inspiration and a motivator. Thank you!

[@NS-pf2zc]

Here's my encouragement to Miah: The other day I visited a friend who was so kind and excited to share their tomatoes with me. It was one of their first, and I didn't have the heart to share I seriously disliked eating raw tomatoes. I can't stand the watery acidic taste. But I tell you what, I took a bite to please this excited person, and wow...I liked it!!! It was so good I finished the tomato! So have faith, I think you may truly enjoy this tomato that brought your lovely Jess her Freeze drier! 😁👍

[@michellewohlers3995]

Natasha S. There is nothing like a fresh tomato from the garden. If you always had only “store” bought tomatoes I understand your dislike. Soon YOU will be growing your own!

[@redsgardens8609]

I love how you inspire people to try in any form and not be hard on them self's. I think that's something so many people do. Any step forward is better than no steps forward. ❤️❤️❤️

[@wrinklesandsprinkles]

Dry roasting nuts on the stovetop elevates the flavor of pesto tremendously!!!! It takes seconds to do and is worth the time.

[@whippetpuli8342]

As always, Jess, your authenticity shines. Thank you for helping to cultivate healthy, realistic, grace-filled attitudes toward how we feed ourselves and our loved ones.

[@indarafarms]

I read a post once and it referred to it as an “ego trap”, like when someone starts a diet and looses a bit of weight but someone else isn’t so they start judging, or like you said someone is trying to eat better and do better but there is always someone more advanced looking back at that person with their high egos. I always remind myself of this, don’t fall into that *ego trap. I have never made Pesto before so when it’s our season I look forward to giving it a go. Thanks Jess & Miah, with love From Western Australia.

[@user-di6cn2ne7u]

I have heard that once a tomatoe is formed , it disconnects from getting nutrients from the plant . So counter top ripening is no different than vine ripening. It's just a placebo effect making you think they are sweeter. It would be a cool video to do another blindfold test - 5 vine ripened versus 5 counter ripened tomatoes (maybe like 5 varieties and do 1 of each)

[@lisagaedike741]

Sierra Marini I’ve heard that nutrients stop because doesn’t need it anymore but sugar production still goes up with sun exposure, and you need to have it attached to the vine. But maybe that’s wrong there’s so many theories!

[@marylouise890]

I have never heard that before! I find it hard to believe

[@sherry2836]

Yes, I submitted a similar comment a couple weeks back. Once a tomato reaches it's mature size it stops growing. The blushing is actually a sign that it is on it's way to dying, like any plant or flower wanting to reproduce. The plant stops sending nutrients to the "dying" fruit and the ripening is just the final process. Luckily for us!

[@moonlightmagick9858]

Yes would love her to do a taste test for this

[@deadkittens3]

Learned this last year after a battle with slugs. Picked some in the 'blush' stage and the only difference is I didn't have to cut half of the tomato off from the slug damage. They were so sweet! Would love to see someone else experiment with it too, maybe I have weak taste buds lol!

[@g.cosper]

Ben is super awesome! Chicken chucker and "tomatoes are better than dinner!" He will be welcome wherever he goes. Good job parents!

[@kristenstormes1303]

I bought my first hydroponic vegetable garden this year and have been watching your channel like crazy. I have learned SO much! I love your laugh, your sunny attitude and your real take on life. My favorite part is when you say, "I bless you." I bless you back. Much love.

[@tennmcclain]

I love Ben hugging the chicken after he caught it. He was so sweet. I love reading cookbooks also. Love all of the encouragement you give! You keep just being you! That is more than enough. Blessings to you and your family😊

[@Just-Nikki]

Harvesting dinner is a sense of pride for me. We have a small outdoor kitchen and when we have company I love harvesting with them and taking it directly to the table. My brother in law brings girls on dates to pick their own dinner because he wants a girl who wants this life...it really is a pretty great life...

[@jenniferbinder8663]

When you said to shake that off and do your best, I felt so affirmed. Don’t tell, but it made me cry. I’m so tired of being food shamed. I have have a 425ish square foot garden that grows enough food for our empty nest on our row crop farm. Busy enough already. When we eat at 9-1o:oo pm because that’s when my farmer comes in from his 16 hr day, then I do my best. Thank you for the affirmation.

[@SteadInTheCity]

They way Ben threw the chicken over the fence took...me...down!! HAHAHA!! Totally doing pesto for dinner tonight too

[@peeechiz]

I was searching for this un the comments! I couldn't believe he threw that chicken!

[@rachelhughes9201]

Cracked me UP! He did a great job!

[@yeevita]

Loved that he threw the chicken! He is a sweetheart.

[@mydear6788]

That hurts the chicken its not funny

[@jillclements59]

You need a "gardener's tool belt". You could use a regular tool belt used for construction, but stock it with all the things you'd need in the garden, such as scissors, things to tie up the plants, shaker of salt for those tomatoes, bags for harvest, etc. You could put your stocked tool belt on each morning and have what you need when you need it.

[@lindasuerussell4398]

I placed my first order with Baker's Creek today and ordered 6 different kinds of tomatoes, just because of you, Jess. My husband is the gardener in the family and he is super pumped that I am interested in growing some things for myself. Hubby purchased two Greenstalk planters for the deck, for my herbs and strawberries. I look forward to each of your videos and I am eager to learn more. Thanks, Miah and Jess. My hobby is quilting, but I also love coffee, dogs and chickens, in that order. I like seeing your goats, alpacas and horses too.

[@lifeonhuckleberryhill6052]

Thank you so much for your reminders about food snobbery, because...yeah. We're all just doing the best we can, and you're right, we ought to encouraging each other, rather than shaking our heads at any perceived shortcomings. Thank you also for sharing the joy of the harvest with us! Blessings to you and yours!

[@lisapolinsky309]

I love to watch Southern cooks, their techniques are time tested. I update for my health beliefs but those ladies can cook. No room for judgement anywhere, but especially not the kitchen!💕💐

[@danagibbs5664]

One of the things i love the most about you and your channel is how encouraging you are, emphasizing the ways we can, and should, give ourselves grace. The "self loathing perfectionist" (LOL) in me really appreciates and is thankful for that!!

[@sarahvondeck6486]

We keep getting more and more into gardening year by year. We love watching your videos for all the tips and tricks and love your enthusiasm so much!!! Gardening and homesteading is so rewarding!

[@kateymateymusic1]

Thankyou Jess, feeding a family and feeding them anything from your own garden is better than nothing like some get. X

[@stacybradt6793]

Sunflower seed kernels are a great substitute for pine nuts in Pesto for us common folk that dont want to pay $$$$ for pine nuts. 😆☺️👍

[@ameliat8981]

I’ve been using walnuts but that’s even more economical. Thanks!

[@audreyvann5336]

Good idea! Our kids are allergic to nuts and we just go with no nuts instead of trying to explain all the kinds of nuts to them at this point.

[@linuxelf]

Hrmm.....

[@pamt8430]

Thanks for that tip!! I was trying to figure out a substitute and not a fan of walnuts. How much do you use?

[@pamt8430]

@@linuxelf me too!!!

[@slhemp3556]

You are so cool and we’re blessed to have you share from your soul. I mean, I’m watching you, listening to you, and learning from you. A year ago I would have been too busy, but now I have the time and blah, blah, blah, thank you and your husband for being good human beings, and your son is a charmer and living a charmed life.

[@listenthenspeak]

"We will never actually do better if we feel shame and condemnation about what we're doing." YES. This is true in so many areas.

[@Daynamyte]

I have to comment ... Jess, you provided a God thing of encouragement to keep going with life when life is too tough but you were speaking in terms of a fall garden and a fall harvest when the summer harvest kicks butt. I was overwhelmed when losing my job and getting beat up by my boss. “Condemnation doesn’t improve performance, no learning takes place in condemnation”. I wanted to give up. But your garden speak really spoke to my heart. Thank you.

[@heathermayfield4247]

When it's raining and they are ready to pick I pick and roast them with basil, salt and black pepper, and then freeze for roast tomato soup in the winter.

[@catherineanderson3393]

Yum -- I make that kind of soup too - I never thought to do that part ahead of time and freeze -- thanks for that!

[@tahliel]

I just got really hungry!

[@katiew8511]

Just had our second tomato soup, but will definitely try a roasting step!

[@Katydidit]

@Heather Mayfield Thanks for that info, that sounds like a great way to preserve summer! That just installed a lovely vision for the inevitable grey, dreary days, as we have so many rainy winter days here!

[@heathermayfield4247]

@@Katydidit I am in England it's cold and wet now! Two foods bring the taste of summer in January - roast tomato soup and stewed raspberries and red currants with custard.

[@danaspetrini8338]

Your basil is beautiful! It's OK if you spoil your dinner, you're getting your veggies in! Sweet Ben!! Huggin' his chicken! He's definitely yours.

[@verytrickypixie]

Ohhhh Jess, you spoke right to my heart today. My health has been ROUGH the last few years & part of my motivation to garden is to feed my family better. Better ingredients, better taste for real food, I'm just really trying. Today I felt very, very defeated because I am not doing as well as I would have hoped & I was being really hard on myself. While you were talking & making pesto I just cried & then watched it again. It'll never get better if I don't keep at this now. Thank you, sister. Today I bless you. You've been such a blessing to my family & I can't thank you enough.

[@texasbaby2053]

There is a calming honesty and transparency that permeates throughout your videos and it does not go unnoticed. I love wrapping up my day with your channel❤️

[@yvonnecfeuer7751]

Quarantine since March and my motto has been "I'm doing the best I can with what I have." Honestly, the rest will shake out.

[@deirdrecollins3987]

Just a little perturbed re social distancing! Lovely to have a friend drop by but As a nurse please consider your following and how you can help keep people safe! Please please wear masks and keep the 2 meter distance to keep people safe. We have flattened the curve here in Ireland and are slowly opening up but we still need to keep our guard up so please stay safe and encourage others to do the same.

[@kaycompton8983]

I love that you don't be a snob about what you are able to do with the time and other needs of your family. Another aspect of that for me is being ok with making substitutes when there are food allergies. I have serious allergies to certain things that limit me from enjoying some things, but I have learned that there are substitutions I can make that will get me close to what someone else would consider necessary.

[@stacychavez2167]

Great timing AGAIN as usual Jess. I was just outside looking at my large leaf Italian basil plants knowing full well that they need to be harvested or at least pinched back pretty hard. We haven’t been eating carbs at night, but thanks to your video, I feel “allowed” to eat my favorite family pesto dinner (my granddaddy was Sicilian) and that I don’t HAVE TO stick to harsh standards of dietary restrictions just “because.” Furthermore, we can indulge healthfully for the next few days until it gone ❤️ and then, make some more !! This is a true “Jess made me do it” moment. LOL 😂

[@joanneganon7157]

Hey Jess, I am a Master Chef retired and I use dried pasta from a box. Never second guess yourself because someone not so nice has something not so nice to say. Food is food, it nourishes the mind and body wether you slaved over it all day or you put something together to feed your hungry Family. 😘 Your Kitchen is Beautiful! JO JO IN VT 💕😄

[@ellscruiser]

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your vlogs. You are always educational but what I really Love is how inspirational and how happy you always are. Thank you!

[@turtlelilysgarden5258]

I love the "you do you" attitude. We are all just passing through. Bless you

[@nmdispatchlady]

Thank you for those words of encouragement. Living alone, sometimes it is just easier to make a sandwich or have a bowl of cereal (way to often) than to have to make a "full" meal and then clean up after it. I know some much simpler meals that I need to start doing again. Preservatives make several health challenges that I have so much worse. I need to make ME a priority and stop worrying about it always being "right". Thanks again. God bless.

[@myenchantedlife5262]

You are the Disney Princess of gardens and I love it. You overjoyed giggle is so lovely to witness 💜 “Tomatoes are better the Dinner” would be you Disney song. Ben of course would be you plucky sidekick lol

[@denisescull4227]

A little tip for pesto preservation. Yes, I know the old ways aren't recommended sometimes, but they work and are safe if you know the little things that keep them that way. Put your pesto in a jar, straight sides are easiest, scrape it down off of the sides and pat it flat. Float a layer half inch or so of olive oil on the top and refrigerate. This will keep a long time, I don't know how long because I've never had it go bad. Months. When you need some, push the oil aside and scoop what you need, flatten it out again, put more oil if you need more to keep that half inch. The key is to keep the sides of the jar clean and all of the pesto flat and under the oil. Thanks for sharing, I really learn a lot in your garden and I appreciate you sharing how you use what you grow. Please know that even the little things that you think everyone knows, are not common knowledge sometimes. Sending love to you and your family!

[@sharonpack4696]

Loved your company. Best part was the way y'all put back those chickens. Perfectly done. 😁💖. Best way ever. GREAT job Ben.

[@lcostantino7931]

Love Ben he's going to have An incredible Future in the food industry....just watch The way he actually taste The pesto.. adorable..give him a hug for me....

[@tessagarrard2413]

Your little Ben's sayings make me smile super hard! ❤

[@saundramorris5530]

Let your best, be your best until you can do better. Love hanging out with you, and seeing the love for your family you show every day. Blessings💕

[@chrisderouchey1491]

I absolutely LOVE that you have Spock up on your kitchen shelf!!! Live long and prosper!

[@sierragustafson3806]

Jess, thank you so much for your encouragement! I needed to hear that tonight. ❤ I was getting really down on myself. Thank you for pouring into to our viewers and lifting us up.

[@herezdeb]

Great advice Jess about being proud and happy when a person is doing their best. It's the simple things we need to appreciate.

[@ReneesNest91]

This is very exciting, and I think will help grow your channel even BIGGER. Have a segment of cooking shows where u can literally relate from farm to table, and show us not just what you can grow that you cant just buy at the store, and much like this there are so many things you can cook that isn't "mainstream" but so amazing. I'm like you, I put my heart in to cooking and really love serving food to my friends and family. Loved the video~Renee

[@drewblack749]

So glad you are not a kitchen slave. Your farm is knock’um dead gorgeous! You inspire us!!! (I am jealous of those tomatoes!!)

[@mindys74]

one of my favourite things about gardening is the quick harvest before a meal but its usually breakfast and I put some bacon in the pan and then rush out in my dressing gown and slippers to harvest some eggs, tomatoes, beans, spinach and spring onion. quickly back inside to throw them all in the pan for my favourite breakfast cook up.

[@kbjerke]

Sometimes, when it's available, (like *right now!* ) I pick a few handfuls of wild garlic mustard and add it to our pesto. It's also good steamed as a vegetable! It's invasive here, so I try to eat as much of it as I can. Rather than just chop it down and waste it!!

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

Jess: Many of us will give you our blessing to be a "tomato snob" -- yes, store-bought tomatoes taste like disappointment. With that being said... if store-bought is the BEST a person can do because of space or physical limitations ....then that is their truth. Go for it! Best wishes to ALL! Kate from Olympia, WA 7/7/2020.

[@april5666]

That is another great saying: Store-bought Tomatoes Taste like Disappointment

[@marinar3772]

Thank you for that pep talk at the end! I often feel that because I can’t always afford the “fancy” stuff it is not as good as it can be...however, when everyone scarfs it down, it does make me feel a bit better. 👍🏻😌

[@mississippigirlgardening8396]

I’m not all the way there of being 100% food sufficient... but love how far I am and know I will only be further next year... but so love this life💚🌱💚

[@ahicken9631]

Oh my goodness! Watching Ben "wind up" to throw that chicken was so funny. We have a small flock and I tell my littles not to throw them, so this is a video they won't watch. They love to see anything with your animals.

[@gwencrawford9617]

Linda Vader has a channel where she grows a beautiful garden of trees and shrubs and she hangs these cool baskets all along her fences in various areas. Such a good idea!

[@keelyokeefe5270]

Pesto also freezes great! At the end of the season, we would always clear out our basil bushes and make a whole lot of pesto for the freezer

[@ilkecarmel5316]

Thank you for the motivation to still try. So many people are all or nothing people and thats why so many of us give up and stop trying. I feel something is better than nothing and Rome wasn't built in a day...

[@MsMeaghatron]

When you said, "cause I grew these!" Your eyes lit up and you were so genuinely happy. And that was everything to me. I picked up gardening this year and started with 17 beds in zone 3b. I can't believe how much it's changed me mentally and spiritually. And I have been watching you since the beginning of my journey, so thank you for all your help! But this right here helped me the most. It showed me that no matter how long I do this for I am still going to be like a little kid every year at Christmas! I have found my calling, and you have just cemented it. Thank you!

[@tdwatki]

I show my love for people by cooking too. When I say I cooked this with love, it means you’re about to get top notch food 🥰

[@SteveJohnston]

Jess, you always bring a smile to my face with your family vlogs. Thank you. And I love how your kitchen turned out!

[@katiea.584]

Super happy, elated even, when my eldest came home with a tiny basil bush (ours from seed are struggling). It smells amazing and I cant wait for it to take off so I can get some cuttings :) Genovese is the variety and it smells ..oh guess I already said that 😁😋 Harmony, Happiness and Health 🖖☮❣🌱🌱🌱

[@AtlantaHospiceRN]

Eating fresh tomatoes in the garden right now! One for me, two in the basket, one more for me, 2 more for the basket 🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅

[@jopiaspieder1184]

Seeing you cook a meal for your family from the garden you have is definitely inspiring thank you

[@dimasitnik6335]

She is lovely and understanding.i thank you misses.😃

[@claireisacamel]

I love how fascinated Ben is with learning new people and visitors in your space. It’s absolutely endearing to the highest!

[@diannemiller8061]

I'm drooling over your tomatoes!! My Rutgers are the size of your cherry tomatoes. Soon I'll have my first garden fresh tomatoes. Love watching you harvest Jess then eat from the garden.

[@jeffmartin693]

I graze my way through the garden each morning.... Plant your cherry tomatos here and there all over the farm where you spend time and there is always a snack near by.

[@kelliebaranowski]

"I grew this", I say it in awe everytime I harvest something. Like, I can't believe it worked! Lol

[@Sh4peofmyheart]

The feeling of accomplishment was so clear "I grew this! I grew this, too! *giggle*". I've said it before: that enthusiasm, and sense of accomplishment, is absolutely contagious!

[@myrtleesther8855]

I have never been successful growing tomatoes before but this year I am doing better I have 2 moneymakers that are 8ft tall and growing they have fruit set and flowers , they are still green though and weather has not been great last couple of weeks. I will be happy even if I just get to eat 1 ripe juicy tomato! Praying over them!

[@thelocalroot1724]

Sooo excited about the cooking with your harvest! 🥳🥳. So helpful and enjoyable to wash! Pesto here we come!

[@JohnsonFamilyFarmstead]

Hi Jessica excited to see more of your meals! I love seeing what others are cooking up on the homesteads.

[@urbanyolk]

We recently came across pesto made with cashew nuts instead of pine nuts and it was delicious. As an avid home cook I can also recognize the joy of having items on hand. Not all brands are bad and being selective is the key. Today we had instant ramen for lunch even though we can make it from scratch. Sometimes it is just helpful to have premade items.

[@threegoodeyes7400]

So many of the things you said in this video resonated with me, as they often do. How you discuss your approaches to failure and obstacles and differences really speak to my soul. I served in the USAF for over 8 years and had to leave new use of PTSD inducing circumstances. That was 5 years ago now, and it’s been a really hard and slow journey to healing. Some things still seem like yesterday, but gardening has been one of the most healing things for me. I’ve isolated myself from my family for the most part, but can connect with the food I grow and cook for them. I don’t have active friendships anymore... but I’d just like to say that I feel we have a lot of things in common, and probably lots of differences too, but I think our hearts are similar and I just want to say, even though I don’t have friends in my life anymore, and I’ve never met you, I consider you my friend. You’re helping me girl, thank you.

[@flipflopgardener6629]

What a beautiful imperfect, perfect life ❤️ I see love in your garden, and kitchen.

[@joysikes3001]

I love your enthusiasm !!!! I agree with you......cooking is love !!!! Once again, I am so blessed and thankful that I found your channel !!! Take care and God bless you all !

[@terrym.2264]

Pesto freezes beautifully. I put leftovers in ice cube trays freeze, then pop out and put in ziplock bags or glass jars.

[@GreenZebraGardening]

Love your videos. On my, working from home days, I go through the fridge and garden and just make something from that. I'm still going into the office Wednesday through Friday and I will try to make my lunch to take into the office. The garden is doing so well that I need to use it.

[@CommonGroundGardens]

Lol this cracks me up. You would think I would remember baskets as I go out to the garden but sure enough I just end-up balancing eggs zucchini and whatever else in my tee shirt 😃

[@trinityestrada9588]

I think your passion for your garden and cooking is so great!

[@annakalicka3430]

Hahaha! It made me laugh, Your saying "I grew these" and I find it especially funny, because I use my own equivalent of this joke, being a professional chef, sometimes I face my customers, when I get to tell them about the food I cooked on the day, what it is, how is it made, what they can expect, and when a customer makes a comment "it looks lovely", or "I've had this dish and it was gorgeous", I reply: "thank You, I cooked it myself".... It makes me crack up, because it's so obvious I cooked it, it's been my job for last 15 years, hahaha!! Love it!

[@erinhudgins1135]

Thank you for sharing. We used the pesto tonight with dinner. It was a HUGE hit!! I like what Ken said below, and we will be having it in lots of different ways. Can you imagine...pesto with tomatoes!!!! YUM!

[@hilltophideaway4932]

I love the "use what you have" , this spring I made pesto with radish leaves - very good! Radishes went to seed too early, I picked the seed pods and got a few family members who never liked radishes to have a new fave spring food!

[@rosemcdonald5681]

I understand exactly how you feel trying to feed your family healthfully plus needing help like store bought pasta.

[@rosemcdonald5681]

Thank you for validation. I can’t do everything I want to but keep enjoying cooking, gardening, and expanding my knowledge of it all.

[@mackenzieholtog4866]

“I love good food.” Amen, sister! 😋