As The Modern Pioneer Pantry book tour came to an end, I could not have asked for a more meaningful final stop than the San Antonio Book Festival on April 11, 2016. The day was full of learning, laughter, and the kind of warm connections that remind me why I love teaching traditional skills.
From the moment I arrived, there was a lively curiosity in the air—people gathering to share an interest in food, heritage, and the satisfaction of making things with their hands.
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Table of Contents
- A Delightful Conversation: Foraging Meets Preserving
- Your Questions Made the Day So Special
- Learn More About Pressure Canning
- Finding Confidence in Fermenting
- A Joyous Time in the Book Signing Tent
- A Heart Full of Gratitude
- Masontops Mason Jar Fermentation Kit Discount Coupon
- Backwoods Home and Self-Reliance
- The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
- The Modern Pioneer Pantry
- Start Your Traditional Foods Journey
- Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List
- Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
- Kitchen Academy Videos
- Shop for My Favorite Items
A Delightful Conversation: Foraging Meets Preserving
One of the highlights was taking part in a panel moderated by Wendy Atwell, with Gabrielle Cerberville, a talented mushroom forager and author of Gathered: On Foraging, Feasting, and the Seasonal Life. Our conversation flowed naturally—Gabrielle spoke about identifying wild foods and harvesting thoughtfully, and I talked about preserving those seasonal gifts to enjoy later.
It was a beautiful reminder that gardening, foraging, fermenting, and canning are all part of the same tradition: learning to work in harmony with the land and the seasons.
Together we emphasized respect for natural resources, safe harvesting practices, and simple ways to transform a harvest into nourishing food for the months ahead.
Your Questions Made the Day So Special
What truly made the event memorable was the audience. Your questions were thoughtful, curious, and full of enthusiasm. It was inspiring to meet so many people already practicing traditional kitchen skills—and to see others ready to take the next step.
From Jams and Jellies to So Much More
Many attendees shared they already make jams, jellies, and preserves and were eager to expand into more home-canning projects. Water-bath canning is a great place to start, and pressure canning opens the door to safely preserving many types of low-acid foods.
- Canning Crushed Tomatoes with Water Bath Tutorial
- Canning Crushed Tomatoes with Water Bath Tutorial
I was especially proud to hear from people preparing to try pressure canning for the first time — it’s an empowering skill that lets you preserve many nourishing foods for your family.
Learn More About Pressure Canning
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How to Use the Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canner
A step-by-step look at using a digital pressure canner to cold-pack and preserve carrots and other vegetables.
Pressure Canning Essentials: Tools and Supplies Every Home Cook Needs
The essential tools and tips to help beginners pressure can with confidence.
Choosing the Right Pressure Canner: What Every Home Cook Should Know
A guide to selecting the pressure canner that fits your kitchen and preservation goals.
Finding Confidence in Fermenting
We also talked about fermenting — a process that can seem mysterious at first. One simple, reassuring tool for beginners is pH test strips. Measuring a ferment that has reached a pH of 4.6 or below gives clear evidence that the environment is safely acidic.
At that acidity level, harmful bacteria cannot thrive. That small confirmation often gives people the confidence to continue, and before long fermenting becomes familiar and rewarding.
A Joyous Time in the Book Signing Tent
After the panel, the book signing tent was pure joy. Meeting readers face-to-face, hearing short stories of kitchens and kitchens-in-progress, and personalizing books are moments I cherish. Those one-on-one conversations—full of smiles and shared encouragement—mean so much to me.
A Heart Full of Gratitude
As the day wound down, I reflected on how grateful I am to be part of this community—friends and readers who want to build nourishing kitchens and preserve traditions. Seeing so many of you embrace traditional foods and learn new skills truly fills my heart.
- What is a Traditional Foods Kitchen? (You might be surprised!)
If there’s one takeaway from San Antonio, it’s that we’re on this traditional foods journey together—and it’s a wonderful journey.
Masontops Mason Jar Fermentation Kit Discount Coupon
You don’t need special equipment to begin fermenting, but a Masontops kit can simplify the process and help you get consistent, successful results. In my unboxing video I walk through the complete kit and explain how each piece supports easy mason-jar fermenting.
- Use promo code MARYSNST for a one-time 15% off Masontops and Breadsmart products on Amazon.com. (Masontops provided a discount code for my viewers.)
- Masontops Unboxing – Fermentation Made Easy
Backwoods Home and Self-Reliance
Backwoods Home and Self Reliance are two printed magazines I recommend for readers interested in self-reliance and traditional skills. The publisher offered a special discount for printed subscriptions, which I’m pleased to share with this community.
- Special Offer: The publisher is offering 50% off subscriptions to their printed magazines for my readers. I enjoy these publications and thought you might as well.
Order YOUR COPY Now!
The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
Seasonal ingredients, traditional techniques, and nourishing recipes. Over 85 from-scratch recipes show how simple ingredients and time-honored methods can create modern, wholesome meals.
Order YOUR COPY Now!
The Modern Pioneer Pantry
Simple ingredients, timeless techniques, and a well-stocked pantry. Over 100 recipes guide you in preserving food and turning pantry staples into nourishing meals—building a traditional pantry for modern life.
Start Your Traditional Foods Journey
My work extends beyond videos into the pages of two books published by Penguin Random House: The Modern Pioneer Cookbook and The Modern Pioneer Pantry. The first offers time-honored recipes to help you build a traditional foods kitchen, and the second is a complete guide to home food preservation.
Both books pair practical instruction with approachable recipes so you can start or continue your traditional foods journey at your own pace.
Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List
For a comprehensive list of traditional foods to make and keep on hand, download the free 36-page Traditional Foods Pantry List. It includes recipe links, helpful articles, and practical suggestions for stocking a nourishing pantry.
- FREE 36 Page Traditional Foods Pantry List – Printable Pantry Staples List
Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
If you want more in-depth videos, consider joining the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy. Members receive exclusive videos and perks within the community, including a members-only badge on YouTube comments.
Kitchen Academy Videos
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Baking with Whole Grains: The Maslin Method, Grain Mills, and America’s Bread Basket
Explore whole grain baking, fresh-milled flour, grain mills, and heritage wheats.
A Sweet Season of Celebration and New Beginnings with The Maslin Method Baking School Series
Celebrating a book tour and the launch of a new baking series focused on traditional methods.
Why We Should Incorporate Mackerel Into Our Diet
Practical, nourishing ways to add mackerel into your meals.
Shop for My Favorite Items
Favorite Kitchen Supplies
- Favorite Aprons
- Spice Grinder
- Countertop Burner (handy on a kitchen island)
- Handheld Vacuum Sealing System
- Vacuum Lids
- Whisk
- Silica Gel Packets (helps reduce moisture in mixes)
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
- Fat Separator (useful for decanting bone broth)
- Flour Sack Towels
- pH Strips (useful for checking vinegar and ferments)
Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide
- Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
- Get a 30-day Audible trial with a free audiobook
- Visit the Shopping Guide page for discounts on pantry and kitchen supplies from a variety of vendors.
Recommended Reading
- The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
- The Modern Pioneer Pantry
- Nourishing Traditions