Using sound judgment to be more self-reliant.
Back when I worked catering, we were required by the health department to use plastic cutting boards because “they were more sanitary”. Like so many well-intentioned government agencies, they were wrong. This post explains why wooden cutting boards are better than plastic or glass and why I only use wood cutting boards in my kitchen. [Read more…]
My stove gets a workout. Between cooking from scratch and canning and preserving, there are plenty of spills, drips and stains. I wipe up the main surfaces daily, often multiple times per day, but the drip pans and the grates over the burners are usually too hot to clean until later – when I'm on to another task. In the over, things do run over occasionally, so that must be dealt with as well. When I went searching for “natural stove cleaners” and “natural stove top cleaners”, I came up with images of stoves with just minor baked on smudges and smears. I figured I can't be the only one out there with a really grimy stove looking for a non-toxic option, so I decided to share what works for me. [Read more…]
Spring cleaning, like many tasks, is pleasant for some and annoying for others. The amount of time you spend spring cleaning depends on a variety of factors including:
For some spring cleaning means scrubbing every square inch. For others it means chasing out the biggest dust bunnies, clearing some cobwebs, and donating a few items that are no longer of use.
Even if you don’t enjoy the act of cleaning, the end result – a clean home – will probably improve your mood. Studies have linked clutter with an inability to focus and depression. Clear your space, clear your mind. [Read more…]
Apple scrap vinegar is a quick and easy way to turn apple scraps into apple cider vinegar (ACV). Apple cider vinegar can be used as a home remedy for everything from warts to acid reflux, and makes a tasty salad dressing. Homemade apple cider vinegar is not recommended for canning, because the pH will vary from batch to batch. If you wanted to create a homemade vinegar that was safe for canning, you'd need a pH of 2.4. (pH can be tested with a digital pH tester.) [Read more…]
Since I live out in the country, when I don't have an ingredient on hand, it's not very handy to pop out to the store to pick up what I need. Over the years I've found an assortment of kitchen substitutions that have worked well for me, so I thought I would put them all together in one spot and share them with you. These won't work *exactly* like the original ingredients, but they should do in a pinch. You may even like them better than the original. [Read more…]
