Flooring runs from classic favorites, like hardwood, to technologically inspired products. Here’s a look at what’s underfoot these days. By Eli Wallace When it comes to giving your home a makeover, there’s nothing quite like getting to the bottom of the matter—floors. Though we often overlook the styles underfoot, flooring sets the tone for an […]
A couple who lost everything in the 2013 flood gained it back through the charity of friends and strangers, and their own resilient spirits.
These tips can help generate a spiritual essence in your garden. By Tori Peglar The ancient Chinese philosopher and poet Lao Tzu once wrote, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” And so it may be said that the path to creating a spiritual garden begins with a single idea. “Find […]
The Beauty of Ugly Food: Why imperfect food should find its way to our tables instead of the trash.
When mass shootings grab headlines every day, it’s easy to become suspicious and fearful. It’s easy to think that arming yourself is the only way to greet violence head-on. It’s easy to shed tears and say prayers and go on with our lives. What’s not so easy is doing what all memorable leaders—Gandhi, Jesus, Buddha, the […]
It's easy to make this festive holiday star.
With school underway, we can all use an easy go-to meal that satisfies the whole family. This chicken dish requires very little prep and uses mostly pantry and freezer ingredients, so there’s rarely a need to run out to the store to prepare this weeknight wonderful meal. Ingredients 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or […]
Most places that sell Christmas trees have piles of tree branches available for free in all shapes, sizes and tree varieties. And we’re not talking scrawny little Charlie Brown tree branches. I’ve found hearty boughs that make for simple, yet elegant, holiday décor. Hanging an unadorned swag lends a nice change of pace from mass-produced […]
Who doesn’t like more for less? While bagels may not be the biggest financial investment you make this week, why not maximize what you get while shaving a few calories at the same time? Instead of buying thinner bagels—often labeled bagel thins or bagel slims—that pale in comparison to the real deal, slice your favorite […]
While I love my Magic Eraser (I find the name brand and generic versions work equally well), sometimes I want to use a more natural product. Luckily, baking soda is an effective and eco-friendly alternative. Yes, the household staple that is great at deodorizing also KOs many challenging household stains. As always, test the surface […]
Last week I shared one of my favorite—albeit simple—cleaners, Dawn dish soap. This week I’m letting you in one of nature’s best-kept cleaning secrets—the sun. You might be skeptical. I was at first, but after I put a few soiled garments in the sun for a few hours and saw how effective it was, I’m […]
Pumpkin Spice ’n’ Everything Nice Looking for a way to spice up your favorite foods this holiday season? This slightly sweet pumpkin spice goat cheese is the perfect addition to bagels, crackers and even apple slices. INGREDIENTS 8 ounces goat cheese ¼ cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling) 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice ½ […]
Stain Solution Tip To kick off a miniseries of stain-fighting tips, I’m sharing my almost fail-proof stain solution: Dawn, the original blue dish soap. This ubiquitous gem has serious fighting power for all kinds of stains—fresh, as well as set-in, common and complex stains The fact that Dawn removed a set-in chocolate stain from my […]
Truth be told, there are very few “must-haves” when it comes to newborn baby equipment. But the Halo Bassinest is one of them. The Bassinest takes the idea of co-sleeping and makes it more convenient and, for many of us, safer. Consider it “close sleeping” as opposed to “co-sleeping”. The Halo Bassinest sits right atop […]
Apple of Everyone’s Eye Instead of OD-ing on pumpkin spice lattes this season, create a healthier sweet treat of your own. Apple cider syrup is delicious on many things, including French toast, pancakes, winter squash and ice cream. And, it’s a cinch to make. The only ingredient is apple cider (fresh is best). First, gather […]
Why wait till the holidays arrive to decorate your front door? For mere pennies—and very little effort—you can create a leafy wreath for the fall season. And if you have children, it’s a fun project to do with them. The least expensive way to make a leaf wreath is to simply cut a wreath shape […]
Few baby toys are worth their salt, considering babies don’t need much to be entertained in their first few months. But when you need a few moments of quiet, a simple yet stimulating toy is worth its weight in gold. Luckily, the Oball Classic fits the bill. Costing around $7, this flexible ball is simplicity […]
As we begin to spend more time indoors, it’s tempting to light a scented candle or use air freshener to rid your home of stale air. But most conventional products—and even a few products labeled “natural”—contain undesirable ingredients, including synthetic fragrances and additives that can even be more harmful to our health when heated. So […]
If you smell a not-so-pleasant aroma emanating from your basement, getting rid of it can be challenging. Most commercial products or even home solutions are formulated to cover up offending odors rather than eliminate them. What’s a better solution? Charcoal. Similar to fresh coffee grounds, charcoal helps absorb, rather than mask, stinky smells. But charcoal […]
Last post I tackled pantry moths. This week I’ll address clothing moths. As temperatures start to dip, it’s the perfect time to take preventive measures to avoid these unwanted pests. First, treat all clothes as potential targets and wash after every use, since body odor, perspiration and food traces attract these insects “like moths to […]
