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

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 Cake Recipes
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 recall vividly the first time I began 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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Black Raspberries (Rubus): 2020 Herb of the Year
March 15, 2022 · · Growing, Recipes

The 2020 Herb of the Year is Rubus which not only includes black raspberries, but red raspberries, blackberries, and dewberries, too. I am going to specifically talk about black raspberries and how to grow, harvest, and store them.

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Edible Flowers List: 5 Plants for Culinary Creations
March 14, 2022 · · Growing

An edible flowers list doesn’t have to be exotic. Your own flower garden can supply your kitchen with yummy goodies.

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Substitutions in Recipes
February 25, 2022 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

If the pandemic has taught us one crucial skill with homemaking, it’s flexibility — especially regarding food preparation.

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Growing the Best Herbs for Containers
February 1, 2022 · · Growing

Growing the best herbs for containers needn’t be difficult. Most herbs can live their lives happily in containers. Especially herbs for culinary use.

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How to Make Ginger Beer
December 7, 2021 · · Canning & Kitchen, Recipes

Ginger beer contains anti-inflammatory benefits, along with minerals and, of course, compounds that help quell nausea and soothe the tummy.

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Herbes de Provence Recipe
November 26, 2021 · · Recipes

Expensive to buy and sometimes hard to find, you can make your own Herbes de Provence recipe blend.

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Natural Pain Relievers from your Garden
November 26, 2021 · · Growing

Did you know that some of the most commonly grown culinary herbs are natural pain relievers? There’s a reason a sprig of parsley adorns your restaurant plate, and it’s not just for looks.

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Best Kitchen Gadgets
October 27, 2021 · · Canning & Kitchen, Holiday

When each of us kids left home, Mom gave us several of the best kitchen gadgets, one of which was a cast iron skillet. I still have that skillet and it gets daily use.

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How to Plant Daffodil, Tulip, and Other Bulbs in Pots
September 1, 2021 · · Growing

Even in small growing spaces, enjoy continual color and fragrance from spring bulbs by learning how to plant daffodils, tulips, and other bulbs in pots.

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Elderberry Offers Edible and Medicinal Benefits
August 5, 2021 · · Recipes, Self-Reliance

My first experience with elderberries came when my husband and I moved to the country to build our first home. We purchased land that was pretty much untouched as far as wild edibles went.

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