Eating From the Ground Up

a welcome

by

Well hello!

I’m Alana.

It only seems necessary to say this now, today, because it seems that we have some new visitors here at Eating From the Ground Up. Maybe you’re here because someone led you over to the site, or because you read a review of The Homemade Pantry and wanted to see what was going on in my kitchen? Or maybe, just maybe, my book has found its way into your hands, on this day (the book’s birthday!), and you saw the blog address on the cover and thought you would take a peek.

Whatever brought you here, welcome! Feel free to poke around, although I haven’t cleaned the bathrooms and there might be a slight layer of dust on my dining room light fixture. But we have food, and lots of drinks, and stories that I hope will make you laugh (don’t snort the drinks out your nose!) and sometimes cry (in a good way, I hope), and most of all inspire you to get into the kitchen.

There’s also a pretty wonderful group of readers here–I’d say, just about the best group of readers a woman could hope for. So old readers? Say hello to new readers! Luckily, we have a REALLY BIG table.

Joey and I are breaking out a good bottle of wine tonight. It’s a good one that his brother gave us years ago. He made us promise we would only drink it on a special occasion. We’ve eyed it through births and book contracts and last days of school, but it’s still there, and we’ve decided it was waiting for this day, this special occasion. And the nice thing about the internet is that a bottle of wine goes a long way, so if you will, new readers and old, grab a glass so I can fill it to the top.

Cheers!

Comments

  1. I’m a new-ish reader, found your site through Heidi’s site. My in-laws were visiting this weekend, and we made butter (again!!). My mother-in-law really enjoyed this, as did my 3 year-old. Thanks again for sharing the stories, the recipes, and now, a lovely glass of wine.

  2. I’ve been a friend for about 9 months. I love your message and how you present it. I’ve been making my own foods, breads, etc. for over 30 years, and always am looking to be re-inspired…you do that. Thank you! I had a yogurt maker ages ago…then was disatisfied with the poor quality and got rid of it. I’ve been looking over the new ones…what do you use?

  3. As an old reader, all I can say is I can’t wait for the mail tomorrow! I love your blog, but I am looking forward to holding that book of yours in my hands!

    • Hey Alana, thought i’d just piggy back to say I just read a bunch of reviews, watches some videos of you and the girls (say hi to them for me by the way!) and i’m so extremely happy and excited for you! I told my soon-to-be housemate about your book, and we can’t make your recipes. Congratulations on everything 🙂

  4. Hi There Alana,
    I stopped by your site after reading your bio on barnesandnoble.com. I’ve been poking around the site on and off all day and I think it’s wonderful! I love your sense of humor and positive attitude. You’ve got yourself a new regular!

  5. Hi, I’m one of the new readers you’re talking about ! 🙂 I’m not sure how I found your site, but I like it!

    As someone who is also balancing food, family and life, I’m always interested in healthy whole food recipes that are also family friendly. Thanks!

  7. I am a frequent reader of your blog and have been for a while. I was interested in your book, but am getting tired of bloggers writing books and then promoting them nonstop! No offense, but you are kind of losing me with so much talk about the book.

  9. I enjoyed your article in Martha Stewart magazine and wanted to know more. Just five minutes of browsing your blog have convinced me that I will be a regular reader. How could I not come back when you have so many delicious recipes listed? Congratulations on your new book; I look forward to reading and trying it out.

  10. Just bought your book and I am so excited to get working on your recipes. I am a certified Master Food Preserver and love that you have incorporated canning into the book. Once I get into making some of the canning recipes I will share with my FB page if you want feedback. Good luck, but I think you have an amazing niche for a cookbook!

  11. I posted a review of your book on Amazon the day I got it — with your book by my side, I finally made bread! It has taken far too long to find a book that centers on real, fresh, do-able recipes without tipping into ‘healthy for the wealthy’. After browsing around your site, I completely fell for your style, wit and earthiness. It is a treat to see a mother/wife/woman merge past with present and get us all in the kitchen with smiles on our faces. Your book is a lovely piece of work and your ‘stories’ ring so true. Please don’t ever stop writing!

    • Hello, and thank you for all your kind words! I’m so glad you’ve left a comment, as it was with your help that I discovered there is a typo in the book. The correct amount of salt in the white bread is actually 2 1/2 teaspoons, not tablespoons. Thanks to you, I’ll post a correction on the blog, and I’ll let people know to make a note of the change. Thanks again, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying the book!

  12. Followed Ashley English’s link to your blog and I’m now anxiously awaiting The Homemade Pantry to land on my doorstep. It looks fantastic! I can’t wait to dig in!

  16. Why, thank you for the warm welcome! I came across two recipes today that I think I’ll have to make immediately–granola bars on Food in Jars and actually-rolling-fruit-roll-ups on Gilt Taste–and they were both yours! So glad to have found your site and I look forward to finding your book. Especially now that I have three young kids, I find that it is important to me to make many “pantry” items from scratch–but I’m probably not up to 101 yet. 🙂 I’m always looking for inspiration, so glad to find so much here!

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Learn more about my latest book, Eating from the Ground Up. It's perfect for all you vegetable lovers out there.