I would like to introduce you a family almanac that isn’t anything like our forefathers had SEASONAL FAMILY ALMANAC which I was blessed to receive a copy of in exchange for this review.
About:
Chronicle Books published SEASONAL FAMILY ALMANAC: Recipes, Rituals, and Crafts to Embrace the Magic of the Year which you will find on (on-sale: April 18), by mothers, Chefs, entrepreneurs, and authors Jana Blankenship and Emma Frisch. This new book is filled with recipes for meals, activities, and self-care for the whole family. I especially love that the book is inclusive and thoroughly researched to include customs from other cultures. Its not often I find a book that is perfect for families who homeschool, but that is what this book is and so much more.
An indispensable guide and hands-on resource for families that want to joyfully build or deepen their connection with Nature through a range of recipes for cooking, wellness, personal care, and crafts all year long. The book is broken down into 12 Chapters showcasing the different Seasons we go through including Early Summer and Later Summer. Allowing me to prepare before the kids get out of school in 8 weeks. Yes, you heard me right there is only 8 weeks of school left. How can this be possible?
Having the book broken down into chapters/ sections allows parent to have different activities to share with their families throughout the year. I love that you can feel the LOVE that went into creating this one-of-a-kind book. The friendship between these ladies is amazing and it’s what more of us need in this crazy unpredictable world.
I would like to let you know d SEASONAL FAMILY ALMANAC isn’t just for women. Men will find activities in the book especially recipes they like as well. In our family we will be starting at the front of the book and working our way through doing each of the activities and using the recipes in our Homeschool Cooking Class which will keep me from having to make so many lesson plans which is a Godsend.
I love knowing by the time my family is finished making things inside the book we will have Gifts to give at Christmas because instead of just making something for ourselves we can make extra for our families like the Marshmallow Honey Throat Spray for my sister whose allergies are always bothering her.
I also can’t wait to create a Butterfly Nursery and since Butterflies are special to my sister, and my best friend as well I plan on contacting my sister to bring Lily and Jason my niece and nephew over. As well as asking my best friend Debbie to bring Austin over so they can make a Butterfly Nursery for their home as well. Would you like to join us and make one for your home?
Seasonal Family Almanac gives families the tools to rediscover the soul-stirring magic that comes from living in tune with the Seasons. Organized into twelve chapters and with content from a host of diverse contributors, it includes:
- Over 40 delicious food and beverage recipes from around the world, inspired by the authors’ heritage and community, including Soothing White Pine Tea; Lunar New Year Dumplings; and Blueberry Lavender Crisp Bars
- Over 30 personal care and wellness recipes ranging from Violet and Dandelion Face Steam to a complete Newborn Care Kit, Clearing Chest Rub, and Forest Bathing Salts
- 25 crafts and activities including beautiful and easy twisted rope flower crowns, beginner-friendly botanically dyed capes, shadow puppets, and more.
An invaluable resource for essential wisdom and creative inspiration every day of the year.
Inside you’ll find:
Staycation activities: Turquoise Seas Bath Fizz; Apple cinnamon buttered popcorn
Spring break activities: Rainbow Window Prisms. Shadow Puppets.
Earth Day treats: Tree Candy; Seed Sowing Paper; Daily Green Magic Tea; Cleaning Caddy (less plastic, more natural formulas!).
Homeschool segment: Flower Power Suncatchers; Shadow Puppets; Cosmic Egg Mobile; Leaf Rubbing Crayons; Green Magic Tea.
Celebration of flowers: Wildflower butter; Nettle Oatcakes; Violet and Dandelion Face Steam; Flower Crowns or Flower Power Suncatchers
Get outside ideas (this would more be for heading into summer): Campfire pizza pockets; Blueberry Lavender Crisp Bars; Botanical Bug Spray; Sun Protection Spray
Special Family Meals: No Fuss Crispy Roast Chicken with Winter Roots or Pasta Primavera; Lunar Digestion Tea; Spring Colors Botanical Makeup; Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Bedtime rituals: Rituals to help everyone ease into bed or naptime; Cozy Chamo-Milk; Sweet Dreams Spray; Chamomile & Cattail Eye Pillows.
New Family Care: recipes to support parents and new baby, Frothy Immunity Boosting Cocoa; Newborn Care Kit.
And so much more. Fingers crossed you’ll purchase this book not only for your Family but friends as well. Especially with Easter & Mother’s Day right around the corner.
Meet the Authors: Jana Blankenship
Jana Blankenship is the founder of Captain Blankenship and a passionate educator about the transformative power of plants and minerals for beauty, personal care and wellbeing. Jana first started making herbal potions as a child and is still in complete awe of the intelligence of Nature. She loves to experiment with new products using both foraged and garden-grown ingredients, which she lovingly shares with her family, friends and the world. Her studies in herbalism and natural perfumery led her to start the pioneering clean beauty company, Captain Blankenship, in 2009.
The business grew from a passion project in her kitchen to a mission driven company with a full line of products carried worldwide. Integrity of ingredients, social and environmental responsibility are at the heart of Captain Blankenship, which is a B Corp, Leaping Bunny approved and part of 1% for the Planet.
The MadeSafe approved line of plant-based haircare and bodycare products are made with organic ingredients sourced from farmers and cooperatives, which enhance your wild beauty, never hide it. Jana is the author of Wild Beauty: Wisdom & Recipes for Natural Self-Care and co-author of the forthcoming book, Seasonal Family Almanac: Recipes, Rituals & Crafts to Embrace the Magic of the Year. She lives in Gardiner, NY with her husband, two children, two dogs and cat. Find out more at
About: Emma Frisch
About the Author
Emma Frisch is the author of “Feast by Firelight: Simple Recipes for Camping, Cabins, and the Great Outdoors” and “Seasonal Family Almanac: Recipes, Rituals, and Crafts to Embrace the Magic of the Year.”
Emma was a top finalist on Food Network Star Season 10, and has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, Epicurious, Martha Stewart, Conde Nast Traveler, and Forbes.
She and her husband Bobby co-founded Firelight Camps, a glamping destination in Upstate New York, and La Buena Onda, a boutique hotel and Café in Nicaragua.
As a cooking teacher and recipe developer, Emma offers hundreds of seasonal recipes and videos on her food blog (emmafrisch.com). She has worked with various non-profit organizations to support small-scale farms and rebuild farm-to-city relationships in Kenya, Philadelphia, the Bronx, as a Fulbright Scholar in Ecuador, and in Tompkins County New York.
She currently lives in an old farmhouse outside Ithaca, NY with her husband, two daughters and two kittens. Her home is infused with the flavors and languages of her Italian, British, and Jewish heritage, and her wildly international family.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
