Eat Your Seasons

You probably think you know apples. You pick them in the fall, slice them up for the kids, bake them into a pie, maybe grab a Honeycrisp at the grocery store and call it a day.

But the life of an apple is a whole lot more complicated than that.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, we’re going to farm school to uncover the secret life of an apple.

Why can’t you just plant a Honeycrisp seed and grow another Honeycrisp? Why do apple trees need bees? How are apples like people? And what do farmers do if they can't just plant a seed? 

If you enjoy this episode, make sure you subscribe on Apple Podcasts or follow on Spotify, so you don’t miss our next trip to farm school. And if you have a minute, leave the show a review. It helps more curious minds find the show

And I want to hear from you! DM me on Instagram instagram.com/ashtincopeseasonal and tell me what you thought of this episode, what surprised you, or what you want to learn about next.

REFERENCE: 

USApple reports 2026 negative margins despite sustained yields - FreshFruitPortal.com

Have you ever wondered what farmers wish consumers understood about the food they grow and the lives they live?

In today's episode, I'm joined by Kathryn Christie, a fifth-generation farmer, children's author, agricultural advocate, speaker, and mom. Kathryn shares what life is really like on a multi-generation family farm, common misconceptions about modern agriculture, and simple ways families can begin supporting local farmers and eating more seasonally.

We also dive into Kathryn's passion for helping children better understand where their food comes from through engaging farm-themed picture books, including her book The Hibernating Combine. If you've ever wanted to strengthen your family's connection to agriculture, support local food systems, or raise farm-literate kids, this conversation is full of insight and encouragement.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What farmers wish consumers knew about farming today
• The realities of life on a multi-generation family farm
• Practical ways to start supporting local farmers
• Why farm literacy matters for children
• Kathryn's journey as the author of The Hibernating Combine
• How stories can help connect kids to the people who grow their food

GRAB KATHRYNS BOOK HERE >> The Hibernating Combine — An Ear Full of Agriculture

Follow her on the 'gram >> https://www.instagram.com/an.ear.full.of.agriculture/

If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who wants to feel more connected to the farmers growing their food.

In this episode we’re celebrating Beef Month with two of my favorite things: local beef and seasonal produce. I’m sharing five spring-inspired meals packed with flavor, colorful produce, and different cuts of beef to keep things fresh and simple in the kitchen this month.

We’ll talk about everything from beef bulgogi bowls and steak tips with asparagus to cherry-braised short ribs and Caribbean-inspired steak sandwiches. These meals balance the cozy comfort foods we still crave in spring with the lighter, fresher flavors of the season.

Of course, we’re also diving into the science and marketing behind local, conventional, grass-fed, and organic beef, what the actual nutritional differences are, and what really matters when making food choices for our families.

At the heart of this episode is a reminder that supporting local food was never just about health. It’s about community, connection, and getting back to knowing the people growing and raising our food.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, we’re tackling a big one: organic produce. Is it actually healthier, or is it just another thing we’ve been made to stress about?

I’m breaking down what “organic” really means, how it compares to conventionally grown produce, and what the research actually says about nutrition, pesticides, and long-term health. We’ll also talk about the reality farmers are facing, why these decisions aren’t as simple as they seem, and how fear-based messaging has made this topic way more overwhelming than it needs to be.

My goal with this episode is to give you clear, simplified information so you can make the best choices for your family without guilt, pressure, or confusion. Because at the end of the day, eating fruits and vegetables...period...is what matters most.

If you’ve ever stood in the grocery store debating organic vs. conventional and wondering if you’re making the “right” choice, this episode is for you. Let’s take a breath, look at the facts, and find a more grounded way forward.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, we’re diving into one of my favorite topics: spring produce. There’s just something so refreshing about this time of year. After months of cozy, hearty meals, spring invites us to lighten things up and bring more greens and freshness back to our plates.

I’m sharing my favorite spring fruits and vegetables. Here's a hint: asparagus, greens, leeks, radishes, and more, along with simple ways I love to prepare them, plus a few new ideas I’m excited to try this season. Think of this as both inspiration and an invitation to experiment right alongside me.

We’ll talk about the beauty of seasonal transitions, how to balance those lingering cozy meals with fresh, energizing additions, and why this time of year is perfect for slowly stepping out of winter’s slower rhythm and into something a little lighter, brighter, and more alive.

If you’ve been wanting to eat more seasonally but keep it simple and doable for your family, this episode is for you.

JOIN MY PINTEREST BOARD FULL OF SEASONAL RECIPES: https://pin.it/cM4cD7qrt

Food labels can be confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes even scary. One of the most misunderstood terms you’ll see at the grocery store is GMO.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, I break down what genetically modified foods actually are, why farmers use them, and what they really mean for the food you’re feeding your family. No science degree required. No fear tactics. Just a calm, honest explanation.

We’ll talk about why GMOs were created in the first place, how they can affect food prices, food waste, and the environment, and why opinions about them are so divided, especially among parents. I also explain the real concerns people have, the benefits most of us don’t hear about, and how to decide what matters most for your own home without guilt or pressure.

This episode is for anyone who has ever stood in the produce aisle wondering if they’re making the “right” choice, or felt caught between conflicting food advice online.

You don’t have to care about farming to care about this. If you eat food, feed kids, or shop on a budget, this conversation matters.

Today’s episode is a replay from 2023—and it’s just as relevant now as it was then.

If months of gray skies leave you feeling “fine, but blah,” this episode is for you.

In this replay, I’m sharing my honest experience with what I call bad weather burnout—that drained, restless feeling that isn’t quite depression, but still weighs on you after long stretches of gloomy weather. I also share the simple mindset shift that helps me every year: finding or creating something pretty, even when the weather isn’t.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between seasonal depression and bad weather burnout
• Why seeing sunlight matters just as much as getting vitamin D
• Five practical coping skill categories you can build on good days to survive the gloomy ones
• Gentle, realistic ways to self-soothe, reframe, and regulate as a busy mom
• How creativity, beauty, and making something with your hands can shift your mood

If you’re craving more lightness, creativity, and emotional breathing room during long stretches of gray days, this episode will feel like a warm, validating reminder that you’re not alone—and that small shifts really do matter.

💛 Screenshot and share this episode with a friend who could use a little encouragement, and don’t forget to leave a quick review to help more moms find the show.

Enjoy this season and all the cozy moments it has to offer.

Food waste feels personal. 

It’s money in the trash, guilt in your chest, and the quiet frustration of trying to do better.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, I’m sharing a real-life look at food waste—from forgotten pantry snacks and browning produce to a surprising homeschool field trip at a local apple orchard that completely shifted how I think about using what we buy.

We’re breaking down three simple principles farmers use to waste less—and how we can apply them at home without rigid meal plans, perfection, or overwhelm.

You’ll walk away with:

• A gentler way to plan for the food you already have
• Simple strategies to stop “losing” ingredients in your fridge
• A fresh mindset around sharing, storing, and actually using your groceries

If you’ve ever opened your fridge and thought, How did this go bad already? — this episode is for you.

LINKS:

Show notes for today's episode: http://ashtincopeseasonal.com/?p=28

SEASONAL PRODUCE GUIDE: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/whats-in-season 

ULTIMATE SEASONAL MEAL PLANNING GUIDE: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/meal-planning-guide 

JOIN MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/mealspiration-newsletter 

JOIN MY PINTEREST SEASONAL MEAL BOARD: https://pin.it/7y9aDhtR5

Picky eaters aren’t just toddlers. They can be spouses, big kids, and sometimes even us.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, I’m sharing my number one rule for introducing new foods without turning dinner into a battle. We’re talking about how to help kids try unfamiliar ingredients, especially seasonal produce, while still keeping meals comforting and realistic for busy families.

I walk through how I approach picky eating in my own home, why pairing new foods with familiar favorites actually works, and how seasonal eating can be a tool for connection instead of pressure. This episode is for any mom who wants to expand her family’s menu without guilt, force, or food fights.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by eye rolls at the dinner table or stuck cooking the same meals on repeat, this one’s for you.

Check the show notes for links, resources, and ways to get extra support with seasonal meal planning.

JOIN MY EMAIL LIST: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/mealspiration-newsletter 

SNAG MY SEASONAL MEAL PLANNING GUIDE: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/meal-planning-guide 

GRAB MY SEASONAL PRODUCE GUIDE:  https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/whats-in-season 

CUSTOM MEAL PLANNING SERVICE: https://forms.gle/GJh7n67b7ZQM16qM7 

What marrying an Englishman taught me about seasonal eating.

In this episode, I’m sharing how British food culture, yes even beans on toast, completely reshaped the way I approach fall and winter cooking. From growing up on Midwest comfort food to learning how to actually cook root vegetables, winter squash, and hearty greens, this is a story about expanding our food horizons, honoring seasonal produce, and building confidence in the kitchen.

We talk cozy UK food traditions, why some “weird” foods make more sense than we think, and how learning to cook unfamiliar ingredients helped me connect more deeply to food, culture, and family life. I also walk through a list of lesser-loved fall produce and share simple, realistic ways to work them into your weekly meals without a culinary degree required.

If you’ve ever felt stuck cooking the same things on repeat or unsure how to use seasonal produce, this episode is for you. It’s an invitation to try something new, let food be a source of connection, and enjoy this season one meal at a time.

PINTEREST SEARCH TERMS: ("x vegetable" dinners) aka, "Beets Dinners", "Leeks Dinners", "Winter Squash Dinners", and so forth. You can also search "Winter Produce Meal Ideas" and be less specific, but I believe that specificity yields better, more targeted results while leaving you space to get creative. 

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JOIN MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER! https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/mealspiration-newsletter

SNAG MY (FREE) SEASONAL PRODUCE GUIDE! https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/whats-in-season

CUSTOM MEAL PLANNING SERICE: https://forms.gle/GJh7n67b7ZQM16qM7

SHOW NOTES: http://ashtincopeseasonal.com/?p=18