Today’s modern home is loaded with toxic and polluting substances designed to make domestic life easier. In the US, 1 in 3 people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis (US National Center for Health Statistics). Treatment for these conditions should include reducing synthetic chemicals in the home environment. This cleaner is ridiculously easy to... Continue Reading →
Measurement Units Conversion Guide for Cooking, Baking, and More
I'm a huge tinkerer. I love experimenting, with recipes I eat and recipes for homemade cleaners and beauty products. Sometimes it is really confusing and time consuming to figure out and compare different recipes from different authors. It seems everyone has her own favorite measurement units. Cups, ounces, milliliters, teaspoons, tablespoons and drops… Yipes! For... Continue Reading →
Building a Root Cellar: Tips and a Collection of Photos
Root cellars are for keeping food supplies at a low temperature and steady humidity. They keep food from freezing during the winter and keep food cool during the summer months to prevent spoilage. Typically, a variety of vegetables are placed in the root cellar in the autumn, after harvesting. A secondary use for the root... Continue Reading →
Roasted Cabbage w/ Poached Egg
Cabbage and I have never been great chums. I have many clothes-pin-to-the-nose memories of both my mother and grandmother boiling huge pots of cabbage at New Year's. Besides the atrocious smell, I can't stand mushy vegetables, so it's no surprise that cole slaw has been my preparation of choice when it comes to cabbage. Still,... Continue Reading →
Inter-Species Snuggling
Sweetness abounds! Happy Canoodling! (originally posted 9/5/12)
Homemade Laundry Detergent Concentrate
I have been making my own laundry detergent for a couple years now. I started for three reasons: one, I love to make useful things- two, I couldn't resist the fact that it would save me SO much money- and three, I have always had easily irritated skin, and making my own detergent is a... Continue Reading →
I Love Asheville, NC
I grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. It was a fine place to grow up, I was exposed to good schools, and great diversity, ethnic, economical, and cultural. As I grew up, I felt simply stifled by the big city, the government bru-ha-ha, and proverbial rat race. I tried a few different places... Continue Reading →
Blackberry Lime Jam – Low Sugar
I am of the opinion that lime, in almost all cases is far superior in flavor to lemon when it comes to canning fruits. I love how it brightens up flavors, and whatever fruity-limey concoction I've put on my toast or oatmeal in the morning puts me in mind of eating sunshine. I also feel... Continue Reading →
My Fantasy Car
When I imagine what it would be like to be behind the wheel of this car, I get very happy.
How To: Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs (really!)
With 8 chickens for only 3 humans, there is never a shortage of fresh eggs at our house. I can cook eggs in a ton of delicious ways. There was one way that frustratingly eluded me: hard-boiled, and all the things you can make with them. Fresh eggs are notoriously difficult to peel, because the... Continue Reading →