About the Author

Rita Heikenfeld

Starting with the most important, I'm a wife, mom, grandma, aunt and sister to a very large family. My own family includes husband Frank, 3 grown sons and, to date, 11 grandchildren. We live on a little patch of heaven outside of Batavia, Ohio where we raise produce and herbs, and chickens for eggs. We heat with wood that we gather. Professionally, I've had numerous "careers". I'm an herbalist, educator, media personality, speaker, journalist and author. I've published books on kids & adults nutrition, gifts from the kitchen and garden, and herbs. My website abouteating.com reaches people who share their tips, thoughts, recipes and memories. My philosophy is simple. I have a deep faith and believe in the law of abundance: share your talents, encourage others. I love writing for the Countryside group and it's fun to see so many like-minded folks sharing my vision!
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Articles by Rita Heikenfeld

Healthy Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups Recipe
February 8, 2023 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

Skirt artificial ingredients, high-fructose corn syrup, and high prices by choosing your own favorite fruits and making your own fruit roll-ups recipe.

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Cinnamon Bread Treats for the Holidays
December 27, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

When it comes to holiday baking, sweet cinnamon yeast bread is at the top of my list for both family and friends.

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“No-Peek” Beef Stew for a Winter Warm Up
December 8, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

Is there anything better to chase away the bone-chilling cold of winter than old-fashioned beef stew?

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Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
December 7, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Holiday, Recipes

My old-fashioned peanut butter fudge recipe is a perennial favorite during the holidays. My sisters and I make batches of this easy peanut butter fudge to give away.

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Bone Broth Recipe: A Hot Trend in Modern Health
November 17, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

Learning how to make bone broth is easy. Next time you have a leftover poultry carcass or bones from a roast, don’t relegate them to the trash. Use them in a bone broth recipe!

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3 Chill-Chasing Soup Recipes and 2 Quick Breads
November 8, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

Need a meal that matches the autumn weather? Here are three soup recipes and two quick breads.

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How to Make No-Knead Artisan Bread
November 8, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

Nothing says “welcome” like a warm loaf of crusty bread or a basket of buttery rolls. Here are two favorites, no-knead artisan bread and brown and serve rolls that are perfect for entertaining or anytime.

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Preserve Recipes Turn a Bountiful Harvest into Holiday Gifts in a Jar
October 14, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Holiday, Recipes

You could have a pantry full of superior edibles made from preserve recipes that make convenient, thoughtful gifts in a jar from your pantry or freezer.

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How to Make Bath Salts, Soaps, Scrubs, and Balms
October 11, 2022 · · Soapmaking

Making spa products started as a fun experiment starting with bath salts. Then came the Eureka moment.

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Food Preservation Methods for an Abundant Tomato Harvest
August 5, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen

Add to Favorites As an herbalist, I’m always thinking of ways to use the abundance of herbs this time of year. Couple that with a huge tomato harvest and it’s …

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Wild Violet Recipes
July 26, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

Wild wood violets are one of the harbingers of spring. Here are some tasty ways to enjoy this beautiful bounty of spring.

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A Simpling Garden Offers DIY Herbal Remedies
June 2, 2022 · · Growing

In the early days of our country, certain herbs were grown and used for the household and for simple medicinal, herbal remedies. There was no drug store around the corner so whether one was rich or poor, every household had what was then known as a garden of simples.

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Treasured Coffee Cakes
May 19, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

Bake a treasured cherry crumb cake recipe or a cinnamon streusel coffee cake recipe to enjoy with friends.

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Growing Jalapeño Peppers
April 6, 2022 · · Growing

Add to Favorites I remember well the first time I started growing jalapeño peppers in my vegetable garden. That was years ago, when growing jalapeño peppers was considered a novelty. …

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Growing Calendula from Seed
March 22, 2022 · · Growing

Growing calendula (Calendula officinalis) from seed is an annual garden project in my family. We let the little ones help, and they enjoy monitoring growth as the first seedlings push their way through the soil.

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