Review: Solavore TR-86 High Performance Reflector

Solavore TR-86 High Performance Reflector
 

NEW!

Bring on the heat with Solavore’s powerful new TR-86 Reflector. Its mirror-like surface – 86% Total Reflectance - means faster preheat, higher oven temperatures, and increased range for partial-sun days.

• Great for baking. Cook year-round - even up north, far from the sunbelt
• Weather and tarnish resistant surface, a finish that will stay looking new for years, thanks to anodizing that hardens and coats the aluminum
• Detachable, folds flat. Includes carry case for safe storage when not in use
• Made in the USA
• Save $17 and get free shipping when purchased with your Solavore Sport

Visit Solavore:
www.solavore.com
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

Shop:
www.solavore.com/shop

Our Thoughts
I reviewed the Solavore Sport Solar Oven a few months ago (read my original review here) and I have to say, I still love it and continue to use it - it will definitely see the most use in the summer so I don't have to use my traditional oven and heat up the house! 

It has been frustrating though, to not be able to use it in the winter months - for about a month before, and a month after, the winter solstice.  Not the fault of the solar oven by any means, just a sad combination of our specific location in town with surrounding buildings, trees, and the low position of the sun in the sky.  Our backyard gets plenty of ambient light during the day, but not enough direct sun so there's not enough time to cook foods for the longer periods the solar oven requires.  So as you can imagine, when Solavore offered me the chance to try out the new TR-86 high performance reflectors I jumped at it because the new reflectors capture more of the sun's rays for winter performance.

So this beautiful shiny thing arrives . . . and I kid you not, we then had like 2 weeks of overcast days, snow, and fog.  The news said at one point 51 straight hours of FOG.  That wasn't even the end of the fog though. Ridiculous. And certainly not conducive to solar cooking!

For a comparison, this is the "old" reflector that came with my Solavore Sport - definitely reflective and helpful for solar cooking.

Now compare the new TR-86 Reflector - much shinier; a higher reflective surface:





Finally the weather cooperated and we had a day of SUN! Awesome.  Great, now what to cook?  Hmm.  Let's try some muffins. This recipe is straight out of my own paleo cookbook which I believe you can read about in my profile on Blogger (if you wish!). It's a nut flour based recipe since we are grain-free, and the base recipe is very versatile and has served me well over the years - one I know to work well with a variety of different added ingredients.  For this one, I made a cinnamon spice muffin with dried fruits.  I started pre-heating the oven at about 9:30am, when the first sliver of morning sun came up over the house and hit the far west side of our backyard.  The outside temp was 9F.  The muffins went in the oven about 10:30am.  I did have to move the oven a couple of times to keep it in direct sunlight but it's not heavy, and the smooth bottom slides nicely over the snow.

The oven temp with the TR-86 Reflector was about the normal temp I'd expect during the warmer months without using a reflector, about 225F. 

The recommended baking time is 90 minutes, and the temp inside the oven was steady. You can see the condensation building up in this photo.

I did open the oven to check the done-ness of the muffins and decided they weren't quite done yet.  Just be aware that opening the solar oven during a frigid day (remember the outside temp was 9F!), it will lose some heat and need more time for the sun to bring it back up to the required temp.

Overall, the muffins took about 2 hours to bake until they got as done as I like them.  Much longer than the 20 minutes in my (gas) oven, so you know, have patience!  Their consistency/texture was a little different than traditional cooking - wetter, chewier. I will try this again during the warmer months when I can get the oven temp up a little higher.  (Don't let the solar oven get over 300F or warping may occur.)

Next up - with the success of the muffins, I thought I'd try a cake.  Well, it didn't start out as a cake.  Really I just wanted to make a sauce.  But then I kept adding stuff to it and it ended up as a cake. (That's rather how I cook anyway, adding stuff here and there and the end result doesn't always resemble what my first intent was!)

This one failed for three reasons:

1. I think it's because I used my own cooking pot, which has a blue lid, rather than the black lids that come with the pots that come with the solar oven.  I think a black lid would have absorbed more light.

2. While I can throw together a muffin recipe without actually using a recipe - just been doing it long enough I'm used to it - I don't think I got the ratio of ingredients quite right since solar baking involves more moisture during the baking process. Something to work on.

3. Weather.  Granted it was mostly sunny out (there were some clouds), but we also had high winds - in the 20-30mph range.  The solar oven, even with the TR-86 Reflector, had trouble keeping the temps up enough for baking.  It was at about 180F, which will cook your roasts fine if you cook them all day, but trying to bake in the winter, well, not so much.  I ended up scooping out the batter into a muffin tin and finishing it in my gas oven.

I tried to put in some halved acorn squash in the black pots after I gave up on the cake but again, with the high winds, there was not enough warmth and certainly not enough direct sunlight time to get the squash more than lukewarm. 

Seeing what the temps and weather conditions needed to be for successful winter solar cooking, and the time frame we actually have direct sunlight in the backyard - I decided not to try a roast - there just wouldn't be enough time of direct sunlight - not yet.  Soon though . . . another few weeks or so and the sun will be much higher in the sky and I can get back to it.  (As a side note, we are moving to the country this year (building a house) and out at our new property - I won't have to worry about having enough direct sunlight because we aren't surrounded by buildings - plenty of open space to soak up all the sun's rays, all day long.)

The last test I did with the TR-86 Reflector, was chocolate chip cookies (almond flour based).  I knew with the moisture content inside the solar oven the cookies would turn out chewy and soft.  Not crispy, like my husband likes them.  Haha, more for me!

I didn't have a cookie sheet small enough to fit inside the solar oven so I just used the pots (uncovered) it came with. I was able to fit 14 cookies inside the two 10" pots.

Now, our crazy weather had changed enough in the last couple of weeks - we went from frigid temps to, well, nice out. But this gives me an idea on how well the new reflectors perform in warmer temps.

You can see the snow's already melted, that's how nice it was out - in the 40-50F range. 

The cookies really didn't take too long to bake, about 90 minutes. With the combination of the outside weather and the new reflectors, the solar oven temp reached about 275F.  The cookies turned out awesome. Chewy, delicious, perfect, and best of all, I didn't have to share!

Book Review: Natural Antibiotics & Botanical Treatments by Aruna M. Siewert

“The most effective medicine is the natural healing power that can be found within each and every one of us.” – Hippocrates

 The information and suggestions in this book will make it easier for you to achieve health and wellness in your life — both physically and emotionally. The fact that both it tackles both components makes it truly unique and an indispensable resource. And most importantly, it takes a wholly and completely natural approach.

Full color thoughout, with dozens of color photographs, the book is broken down in a way that’s very easy to digest, beginning with a section on natural antibiotics and how herbal remedies work to support our body’s own defences. Once you understand why natural antibiotics are the right choice, you’ll have 46 plant medicines to choose from, and you’ll learn the medicinal profiles and uses of ingredients like camomile, horseradish, watercress, arnica and thyme. Plus, over 20 common disorders are listed from A to Z so that you can find just the right herb and dosage for your condition.

The final section contains an index of all the herbs with a cross-reference to the specific concern they treat, along with a complete profile, making this a very useful resource to have at your fingertips.Aruna M. Siewert is a healing practitioner, having completed her extensive training and advanced medical education under the umbrella of botanical/ herbal medicine and the workings of the body. She has her own daily practice and was for many years a docent at the Campus Naturalis in Berlin in the disciplines of healing practise, botanical medicine and aromatherapy. Aruna lives in Berlin, Germany (and speaks fluent German only).

Purchase Natural Antibiotics & Botanical Treatments at major online retailers:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Walmart

Our Thoughts

Natural Antibiotics & Botanical Treatments is right up my alley and makes a great addition to my library of herbal medicines. I think I have somewhere around 20 books on plant medicine so far - I find it best to cross reference between several books to be able to choose the best plant (or plants) for the specific application I'm creating.

Most of my herbal books just stick to the plant name, a photo, and a list of what it can do.  Some of them have recipes, some do not. What I like about this book is that not only does it talk about specific plants and the common ailments/disorders they're used for, but puts a strong emphasis on subjects such as antibiotics, bacteria, psychological conditions, how-to's & recipes, and discusses dosages.

In this book, you'll learn about why and how antibiotics work, and why and how plants can be used instead of, or in conjunction with, antibiotics.  It covers psychological conditions, psychotropic drugs, and alternative therapies.  I especially appreciated the section on the Bach flower remedies as there is an emotional/behavioral issue with my pup I think it could help with.

There's a lot of info to take in here. It's well written and easy enough for a beginner to understand and begin their own journey with herbal medicine. 5 stars from me!



Smart Summer Snacking Tips from Justin’s.

As summer moves along, your friends at Justin’s want to be sure you are keeping those hard earned summer bodies in check with ease. Below you will find a full list of snacking tips from Justin Gold himself, designed to keep you full and fit all season long, including ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without over-indulging!

1. Road trip? BYO fast food. Would you like Snack Packs with that?

2. Stay energized! Outdoor activities may require extra fueling (and extra nut buttery protein).

3. Snack cooler – literally. Don’t go to the pool without one!

4. Pair protein with seasonal fruit. Fresh berries + Chocolate Hazelnut Butter = Heaven.

5. Maximize airport options. Pack your carry-on with an emergency stash of snacks.

6. Chill out. Frozen PB Cups satisfy the need for something cold and sweet.

My Thoughts: 

I am a huge fan of Justin's products for a variety of reasons. They are all natural, healthy, filling, and the best part; Justin's products let me enjoy my favorite treats like nut butters and peanut butter cups without the guilt! I was thrilled to try a variety of Justin's favorite treats for summer! 

Justin's  Almond Butter Squeeze Packs- Classic, Maple and Vanilla: 

Almond butter is something I've recently added to my diet. I love how rich and hearty it is. A good treat to have when you want something to fill you up quickly, but not skip on deliciousness. Justin's has some of the freshest almond butters I have ever tried. I love snacking on these during mid day breaks or as a late night indulgence. The classic flavor tastes just like munching on a delicious almond, but with the enjoyment of spreading it on your favorite foods! The maple and vanilla are like a gift from sweet heaven. You can treat yourself without worry! The Maple variety reminds me of natural maple syrup delight, and vanilla is reminiscent of a classic vanilla bean ice cream. 

Justin's Chocolate Treats- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Chocolate Hazelnut Snack Pack:

Like many of us, I LOVE chocolate. Two of my favorite chocolate treats are Peanut Butter Cups and Hazelnut spreads. I've tried many, but Justin's has raised the bar for me. When I tried Justin's varieties of Organic Peanut Butter Cups I was blown away. The dark chocolate one is now my new favorite. It's so rich and creamy. The amount of peanut butter is also just right. The milk chocolate choice is smooth, flavorful with the right amount of sweetness. Along with these delightful chocolate treats is the, Chocolate Hazelnut Snack Pack that comes with pretzels for dipping. These are perfect for on the go treats. The pretzels have a nice sprinkle of salt, and the hazelnut is thick and bursting with flavor. The best part is the reminder that all of these are natural!  

I want to send many thanks to Justin's for allowing me to try all of these wonderful products!   

Connect with Justin's:

Website Facebook Twitter  Instagram Pinterest  Blog

  

Review: Glasstic Shatterproof Water Bottle

Enjoy great tasting water in a pure glass water bottle you can confidently take anywhere. Sleek, worry-free, clean, green, reusable...don't settle for silicone covered glass bottles that easily break and make a dangerous mess when they are dropped, use Glasstic Glass Water Bottles as your worry free, non-toxic, eco-friendly alternative to metal, plastic or worrisome glass bottles with rubber sleeves.

The BPA/BPS Free protective shell securely protects the inner glass bottle while also providing a condensation free surface that provides some insulation and is easy to grip. Glasstic is perfect for essential oils, hot and cold teas, fruit infused waters, etc...because of this unique design. We think of it as the 'purity of glass with the portability of plastic'. 

• 16oz pure glass bottle
• BPA/BPS Free protective outer shell
• Lockable, leak-free flip cap with easy carry handle
• 3rd party tested to ensure safety and durability

• Although our bottle resists most drops, it safely contains any broken glass inside the protective shell. Please use appropriate caution.
• If glass bottle breaks or cracks, dispose of immediately and contact us for a FREE replacement.
• Not intended for carbonated beverages.
• Do not freeze with liquid inside. This will cause the bottle to break.
• Do not use abrasive cleansers, scrubbers or bleach cleaners on product. They may harm the outer shell and lid.
• All parts are top-shelf dishwasher safe.

Purchase Glasstic Shatterproof Glass Water Bottles online at www.glassticwaterbottle.com or on Amazon.

Visit Glasstic on their social media:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Tumbler
YouTube
LinkedIn

Our Thoughts:
I break all things glass. Over the years I've broken no less than 30 drinking glasses and countless jars.  At home, all our drinking glasses have been replaced with plastic because, well, I've broken all the others. We even have a running joke up at our cabin - a family member brought me a set of plastic children's glasses to use there so I wouldn't break the glass glasses. (And I use them!)

I am aware of the benefits of glass over plastic for drinking, but when my immediate safety and the safety of others is concerned, I choose plastic. LOL.   Until now.

I gotta say, these Glasstic water bottles are pretty cool. Really.  What's really interesting is the way they are constructed - the whole water bottle comes apart - you have a locking lid, a bottom, the outer plastic shell, and a glass insert, all of which is easily washable.  This way, if you drop it, the plastic (BPA-free!) absorbs the impact and the glass remains intact.  However, if it does somehow break . . . the glass is completely contained inside the plastic shell, so no worries about cleaning up or stepping on broken glass.

Glasstic offers both a printed plastic shell and a clear one with a variety of decorative inserts.  They have a ton of different insert designs to choose from! You can choose from 5 packs for $5, or purchase individual designs for $2. I think this 5 pack's my favorite:

The way the bottle is constructed, you can even make your own decorative inserts to use. Check out their ideas here: http://www.glassticwaterbottle.com/style. 

The inserts are very easy to use - you just take apart the bottle, roll up an insert and well, simply insert it into the plastic shell where it unfurls. 

You are able to make some minor adjustments to get the insert perfectly aligned if you wish, then reassemble your water bottle, fill, and go! They advertise the bottles fit most vehicle drink holders, and that's true.  I have two sizes of drink holders in the center console of my Jeep, and it fits perfectly in the smaller one.

The water bottle has a handle on the top lid, but they do offer shoulder straps to make them even more portable, something I might just take advantage of since I like to have both my hands free when out and about, especially when trying to push my son's stroller and walk the dog at the same time.

Glasstic offers free replacement if the glass does somehow break, and I really appreciate they also offer all replacement parts for sale should you need them.  We have many reusable eating/drinking products we like, but if something breaks, we're left having to purchase a whole new assembly because most companies do not offer replacement parts.

I do want to note, if you're making the switch from plastic to glass, these glass water bottles are heavier than you'd think when full - just takes a little getting used to. :)

LOVE these bottles.  Highly recommend!

 

Review: Dolcedi

Natural Low-Glycemic Sweetener From Organic Apples

Dolcedì’ is a new, all-natural liquid sweetener that’s made from 100% organic apples and is a low-glycemic* alternative to sugar and other sweeteners.

Dolcedì’ can be used any way you would use traditional table sugar or honey. Its neutral flavor enhances the taste of food and drinks without altering them. Dolcedì’ is also highly soluble in both cold and hot drinks and can be enjoyed with pancakes, on yogurt, in fruit salad, and in baking. With 25% fewer calories than table sugar and higher sweetening power (you just need ½ tsp vs. 1 tsp granulated sugar) Rigoni di Asiago Dolcedì’ is made from the concentrated and filtered sugar extracted from organic apples. It is certified USDA organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, and STAR-KOSHER.

*Dolcedì’, with a GI value of 22.5**, is suitable for those who want to eat well, following a balanced diet for a healthy lifestyle.**GI = 22.5 +/- 5, determined as set out by the standardized method (ISO 26642:2010(E); FAO/ WHO Expert Consultation 1998; Wolever et al 2008.

About
Rigoni di Asiago® is a family-owned and operated business based in the Altopiano di Asiago, a mountain plateau in Northern Italy (90 miles north of Venice). Committed to sourcing the finest ingredients, their certified organic products include Fiordifrutta fruit preserves (the leading jam in Italy), Nocciolate hazelnut and chocolate spread, Dolcedì’ natural sweetener and Meilbio, honey from the best production areas of Italy.  The company was one of the first in Europe to turn to organic farming in the early 1990s and merit the Certified Organic label.

Find Rigoni di Asiago® products on Amazon or through the "Find a Store" search on their website. 

You can also find Rigoni di Asiago® on:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Our Thoughts
Being into whole fresh foods and the nutrient-dense paleo way of eating, as you can imagine, I've tried a variety of natural sweeteners - including some that are fruit-based. Dolcedì’ is made from apples - that's it, nothing else added. Organic apples, at that! (Actually their whole company focuses on organic farming - one of the first in Italy to "go organic" - and sustainable, eco-friendly manufacturing processes.)

The first thing I did was taste Dolcedì’ all by itself.  It's a clear, thick syrup. The taste is pretty neutral, as promised. 

So let's see how it worked for me: it's suggested use is for teas, baking, and any other place you'd use sugar.  I don't drink much tea in the hot summers, and I've never been a fan of iced tea, so I skipped that option. 

The first recipe I made with Dolcedì’ was one I recently created and have been enjoying this summer, an avocado and ginger coleslaw dressing. 

This is a fully raw recipe, no cooking involved. My recipe calls for maple syrup, and the substitution ratio calls for the same amount.  Maple syrup of course has its own flavor; substituting it with Dolcedì’ didn't go quite as I expected.  The dressing was missing the full, round flavor maple syrup provides and actually left the dressing with a somewhat bitter aftertaste (I find stevia to have the same effect).

Ok, next up, baking! I wanted to see if the aftertaste disappeared with the heat of baking.  We have a Harrelson apple tree and recent storms had knocked down several small apples.  Now, Harrelson's are TART and the young apples are even more so.  Storms knock some early apples down every year and I use them in a easy stovetop dessert that consists simply of apple slices, cinnamon, maple syrup, and cherry wine, cooked until the apples are soft and the sauce reduced.  And really, apple sweetener used on apples?  Should be a perfect combination!

Again, I was surprised that Dolcedì’ didn't perform as expected. While I didn't get a bitter aftertaste, I used way more than I would have of maple syrup as the Dolcedì’ did not overpower the tartness of the apples no matter how much I used.  I ended up adding maple syrup, which immediately reduced the tartness.

For me, I'll stick with my trusty maple syrup.  I do think that used raw, Dolcedì’ would perform fine in teas, and I'll try that when the cold weather hits in a few months.

I do want to note that Rigoni di Asiago® has a variety of other products that look right up my alley - a chocolate hazelnut spread that looks beyond delicious, as well as several honeys.  I wish I could try them all!  I can't even pick a favorite to try but right now it's a toss up between the Organic Italian Forest Raw Honey, Organic Italian Orange Blossom Raw & Creamy Honey, and the Organic Italian Wildflower Raw & Creamy Honey.



Ozery Bakery One Bun Review.

These preservative-free, thin sandwich buns are made in hand batches to reflect the process of baking by hand. They are completely non-GMO, vegan, allergen-friendly, soy-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and nut-free (made in a nut-free facility).

Other “skinny” sandwich buns on the market are made with dough conditioners, loaded with chemicals and additives and focus solely on being a 100 calorie product. Ozery Bakery’s One Buns offer a host of nutritional benefits, being high in protein and fiber and low in calories and fat.

For example, the One Bun Multigrain contains 7g of protein and 4g of fiber per serving and is made with flax seeds, sunflower seeds, barley, grits, and rolled oats. They also contains vitamins and minerals such as calcium, thiamin, niacin, folate, magnesium, iron, riboflavin, vitamin B, phosphorus and zinc.

  My Thoughts:

Ozery Bakery was kind enough to send me multiple samples of the large variety of buns they make. They were all so delicious, hearty, and had that fresh from the bakery taste and texture. Below, I have attached a picture of each as well as what I thought when I tried them.

One Bun Spelt Organic- Anyone who is looking for an organic bread or bun will adore these! They are made of certified organic spelt flour. They're low in sodium and a great source of fiber, vitamin b, niacin, phosphorus and magnesium. Although they contain wheat, I would say they taste similar to a blend of white and wheat bread together. Very delicious! What I love is that they're a wonderful size for larger sandwiches, as well as toast, dipping strips, or pizzas. 

One Bun Organic Wheat Thins- Out of all of the buns, these were my favorite! They have six grams of protein per serving. A plus side is they're also low fat, heart healthy and a good source of fiber. The taste is hearty and a bit sweet. They're very soft and chewy. A great addition for burgers and sandwiches!

One Bun Original Multi Grain- The Original One Bun is the perfect addition to anyone that loves multi grains. You'll notice with the first bite that the bun is flavorful and nutritious. You can clearly see the grains throughout the bun. There are seven grams of protein per serving. These are also low in fat and provide a nice serving of fiber. 

One Bun Multi Grain Sliders- Although these slider buns may be small, there is nothing small about their flavor! These are wholesome and bursting with multi grain taste. The best part is they're only 70 calories and free of artificial preservatives! There's a nice crunch to the grains, but the bun itself is soft. These will add a great kick to any sliders you decide to make or be a quick and filling snack. 

One Bun Whole Wheat 100 Calorie- Soft, chewy, and a natural taste describe these buns. The wheat is cut finely and the bun still feels like a normal slice of bread despite being 100 calories. They're low in fat and contain no trans fat either. Perfect for sandwiches, a panini, pizzas, burgers, or a quick snack. 

Connect with Ozery Bakery: 

Pinterest Youtube Facebook Twitter Website

Book Review: Mother Earth News Almanac

Mother Earth News Almanac: A Guide Through the Seasons returns! The 1970s classic has been out of print for years. Now, updated for today's readers and back in print, its information is as useful as ever. It contains instructions and illustrations for everything from harnessing solar energy to cultivating a sustainable garden to learning how to keep bees. Simply put, Mother Earth News Almanac is designed to empower readers to be self-sufficient.

The Mother Earth News team has updated the essentials, but left the core of the guide intact, with all the charm of the original … from the writing style to the signature line drawings. This is a must-have for any fan of Mother Earth News, and a budget-friendly guide for a new generation of homesteaders. 

The almanac is a seasonal guide with subject matter that every passionate DIYer, homesteader or environmentally aware reader can appreciate. You'll find recipes, money-saving tips, and homesteading techniques such as illustrated directions for tying a timber hitch, cat's-paw, sheepshank, and other knots; folk medicine treatments and preventatives; tips on raising chickens and keeping bees; plans for building three kinds of kites; complete instructions for fast and easy compost; and much, much more!

The simple life doesn't have to be hard, not when you have this timeless almanac.

About Mother Earth News
The most popular and longest-running sustainable-lifestyle magazine, MOTHER EARTH NEWS provides wide-ranging, expert editorial coverage of organic foods, country living, green transportation, renewable energy, natural health and green building. Lively, insightful and on the cutting edge, MOTHER EARTH NEWS is the definitive read for the growing number of Americans who choose wisely and live well. 

Read Mother Earth News magazine and visit them on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Mother Earth News Almanac: A Guide Through the Seasons may be purchased both on their website and on Amazon. 

Our Thoughts
We've been on our way to a more economical, healthier lifestyle for the last several years and have now finally purchased an acreage way out in the country for a future build site.

The Mother Earth News Almanac: A Guide Through the Seasons is exactly what I want to be reading as we prepare our new place. This book isn't just about gardening, homesteading, livestock, etc - it's also full of good useful household tips on just about everything, from DIY repairs and projects, to recipes, and hints on where to find the things you need.  I like the humorous writing style it has, too. 

Many of the tips & tricks mentioned are ones I grew up with - like using wood ashes on an icy driveway - boy, as kids we hated it when Dad spread ashes on the driveway - it wasn't slippery enough to sled down anymore (but it sure made driving up it easier!).  There's even a bit in there about lubricating nails so they pound in easier - something I well know, as pins were my all-time favorite (yes, even over snaps and aplix!) on cloth diapers - have to lubricate pins, too, in order to get them to slide thru fabric like butter.  There's even a paragraph in there about hunting morel mushrooms, one of my favorite spring activities!

The Mother Earth News online magazine is filled with informative articles - I just finished reading How to Sell at a Farmers Market as I know we'll have more garden produce than we will need.  I could easily spend days on this website . . . in fact I just subscribed to their magazine, which you can get in print, digital, or both. And I know both my mother and myself will greatly enjoy the magazines.

An enjoyable read, Mother Earth News Almanac: A Guide Through the Seasons is the type of gift I'd want to receive for Mother's Day! (And it'd make a great Father's Day gift as well!)