I’ve been making my own cleaners lately and they’re simple recipes made from vegetarian ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. I scent my Drain Cleaner with high quality, pure essential oils which make everything smell better. (Pure lemon oil is also a great astringent, which makes it a nice addition to cleaning products.) 3 INGREDIENT DRAIN CLEANER Baking s … [Read more...] about Easy Homemade Drain Cleaner
Food/DIY
Healthy Snacks for a Road Trip
When we're heading off a long trip with our kids, snacks are an essential item! Unfortunately, convenient snacks for kids are often pretty unhealthy, not to mention expensive. Keeping our small kids occupied in the back seat can be challenging at the best of times, without constant cries of “I’m hungry!” resonating around the car. We found that they are loads of healthy snack … [Read more...] about Healthy Snacks for a Road Trip
Create a Peaceful Holiday Home
It’s that time of year again, when sparkling displays and nostalgic jingles light up every corner, but for many Americans, me included, these celebrated customs can bring on a sense of uneasiness. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the feel-good vibes of the season. I love gift-giving to others, and you probably won’t find a more extroverted introvert on the planet … [Read more...] about Create a Peaceful Holiday Home
Caffeine-Free Chai
Right now I want a strong flavored hot drink, but I'm all full up on caffeine and looking for something hearty without caffeine. Homemade chai is the perfect solution. Plus this drink is festive and goes well with the New Year. I've had this caffeine-free recipe since the 1970s, long before chai became popular here in the US. We called it Yogi Tea then. I served this to my … [Read more...] about Caffeine-Free Chai
DIY Laundry Detergent
I have been making my own kitchen cleaners for years but it never occurred to me until recently to make other kinds of every day home products as well. I’ve always used essential oils around the house but only recently began buying the really high quality, truly pure kind that actually retain their medicinal and/or cleansing properties. The more I began experimenting with oi … [Read more...] about DIY Laundry Detergent
Preparing The Winter Garden
As winter slowly slips in we are starting to transition into the internal senescence of the season. The leaves are falling, blanketing the world and garden for a rest. As a human being I too will rest, though I continue to eat all winter long and love to provide at least a little fresh food for my family. I believe in letting go, but I also like to hang on, just a little. The … [Read more...] about Preparing The Winter Garden
6 Easy Meal Swaps Kids Love
Can’t give up some bad habits? Do you love a sneaky soda or do you get the tub of ice-cream out for just two (six) scoops? Well what if you could still enjoy them? You just have to be a little inventive and make some small changes. Have you ever tried frozen banana in the blender? Well it is a game changer, tastes exactly like ice-cream! You can learn to make some simple c … [Read more...] about 6 Easy Meal Swaps Kids Love
The End of Summer Salad
I'm always looking for ways to eat more greens. When I couldn't find a salad mix at my local co-op, I realized I could make my own. I used beet greens, arugula and leaf lettuce because they were what I had on hand. I didn't think I liked raw beet greens until I created this salad. Try them when they are young and fresh. I tore the beet greens and arugula off their stems, and … [Read more...] about The End of Summer Salad
Baked Pear Crumble
I want to share this sweet and crunchy dessert that's become a favorite with our family. It's easy to prepare and it's a good time to make it as pears are starting to come into season. INGREDIENTS 2 ripe but firm pears. 2-3 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup sliced almonds 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds … [Read more...] about Baked Pear Crumble
Tips for Easy School Lunches
We all know that the middle meal of the day is important. In my mother’s family it was the most important meal of the day, called dinner not lunch, a common practice among midwestern farmers. Supper was the evening meal. We all want to make sure that our children have a healthy lunch when they're away from home so here are some ideas to make this easier to figure out. Make a … [Read more...] about Tips for Easy School Lunches