By Leigh Ann Dutton, Contributing Writer With seasons of constant change, I often feel like I’m living in crisis mode, putting out fires and just surviving, let alone living simply. I learned about the natural living lifestyle in the fall of 2009 after debilitating sickness threatened to take my quality of life. I grew up on …
Homemade Canned Soup Replacement
By Stacy Karen, Contributing Writer When I think back to my newlywed days, and all the canned soup we consumed, I cringe a little. As a newlywed, I learned to prepare all manner of meals while clutching my Betty Crocker Cookbook. I followed each recipe step by step, not thinking much about any kind of …
Homemade Iced Tea Popsicles
Like all kids, mine love nothing better than a cool snack on a hot day. A common summertime treat around our house is popsicles. Since popsicles are so easy to make, we stick with homemade ones, rather than buying them. Sometimes we make them out of a smoothie-type blend of frozen fruits, with things like …
Once A Month Meals Giveaway: Win a 1-Year Pro Membership Subscription to Simplify Your Meal Times!
Want to fill your freezer and free your schedule? Then you’ll love today’s giveaway from one of my favorite online resources, Once A Month Meals! Once-a-month cooking is a wonderful way to keep your freezer stocked with ready-to-eat meals. All you have to do is pull them from the freezer, heat them up and you’ve …
How to Make Colorful Homemade Sprinkles (plus DIY yellow cake mix!)
By Kresha Faber, Contributing Writer While I was writing my book, The DIY Pantry, it was essential to me that the book include the staples that people actually USE regularly in their kitchens. A few things were obvious, like taco seasoning and ketchup, but of all the vast array of foods we eat, what’s actually essential? …
How to Make Colorful Homemade Sprinkles (plus DIY yellow cake mix!)Read More
65 Fabulous Gluten-Free Strawberry Recipes for Spring
By Kelly Smith, Contributing Writer Strawberry season has arrived! And even though these bright red beauties are calling to us everywhere we turn – from roadside stands to farmers markets to local grocery stores – my family’s favorite way to get our hands on them is to pick them ourselves. Nothing compares to the taste of fresh-picked, sun-ripened …
65 Fabulous Gluten-Free Strawberry Recipes for SpringRead More
Allergy-Friendly Menu for Spring and Summer Entertaining
; By Jessica Smartt, Contributing Writer We are eagerly, painfully, awaiting the coming of warm weather here in the southeast United States. It has been COLD! We love to have friends over during the warm-weather months and I’m always looking for easy, delicious meals to serve to our friends and family. Today I’m sharing an allergy-friendly menu …
Allergy-Friendly Menu for Spring and Summer EntertainingRead More
Build Your Own Healthy Salad
By Hilary Bernstein, Contributing Writer Salad season is here again! If you’re excited to get back to the healthy crunch of fresh foods at mealtime or you’re simply trying to add more vegetables to your daily diet, use this guide to pair together your favorite salad fixings. Simply build your own healthy salad based on your flavor …
My love of BendSoap and 30 reasons I use it in my “NEW” Natural Home
Stephanie’s note: I’m pleased to introduce you today to Jennifer, who works on our Keeper of the Home team, connecting naturally-minded companies and products with our conscientious readers! I’ll let her share her story with you… A few years ago I had a life altering experience that changed my life forever. I was exposed to …
My love of BendSoap and 30 reasons I use it in my “NEW” Natural HomeRead More
8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home
Do you own your stuff or does your stuff own you? Several years ago, my husband and I discovered that the clutter in our homes was eating away at our peace and enjoyment. It distracted us, made us grumpy, created extra work and messes, and just generally detracted from our lives. During that season, we …
Simple Homemade Ranch Dressing
By Emily McClements, Contributing Writer Whether a topping for salad, a dip for crudités, or a way to get your kids to eat something they might not otherwise eat, ranch dressing is a staple for many families. But as those of us who have been around the real food/natural living world for more than a …
Orzo Salad with Spinach and Sun Dried Tomatoes
By Andrea Green, Contributing Writer I love this recipe for orzo salad with spinach and sun dried tomatoes for many reasons. First, the dressing is a simple red wine vinaigrette. Because it’s not a mayo-based dressing, it’s perfect for packing in lunches or for picnics. Second, the classic Mediterranean flavors are always a crowd pleaser. Double or …