Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #28

Got a great gluten free recipe, some frugal tips or a healthy living article? Well come join the party!

The Waste Not Want Not Wednesday link-up party is inspired by World Food Day (Oct. 16), and recent articles such as this one that show between 40-51% of food in Canada and America ends up in the garbage.  Over-consumption, lack of knowledge, low cost and over purchasing are common causes of food waste in North America.  This unsustainable over-consumption extends to so many aspects of our lives.

So perhaps if we all share our tips for consuming a little less stuff in general, cooking more responsibly and frugally, and living eco-friendly, we can each take a small part in making our world a little more sustainable.

And besides, who couldn't save a little bit of $$$ anyway?

Meal Planning Around the Farmers Market

This week's farmers market finds and how I'm planning around them

It's been a long and grey winter and this Saturday was finally a beautiful spring day and the Dane County Farmers Market was crazy packed with shoppers and runners for the Crazy Legs Marathon. There were tons of beautiful bedding plants for those lucky enough to have a place to plant them. 

Produce is still a bit sparse at the market since it's been so cold and wet, but I managed to find a few things. Before I make our meal plan for the week I like to see what's available at the farmers market, so that I can plan to eat in season, and go local as much as possible. 

Easy Organic Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

Free of gluten, nuts, eggs and soy with dairy free option

My body is pretty predictable.  This might sound funny, and I apologize to any male readers who get a little squeamish with this, but I know that when I start craving chocolate chip cookie dough my special "lady time" isn't far away.

I kid you not. When this happens my husband knows to just hand over the jar of chocolate chips and a heating pad for my belly, and maybe a movie for me to watch while I lay on the couch and lament my fate. 

But the last few months I've been looking for healthier, less calorie laden sweet treats to satisfy my, ehm... abdominal urges... hence this super fast chocolate covered caramel popcorn...

Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #27

Got a great gluten free recipe, some frugal tips or a healthy living article? Well come join the party!

The Waste Not Want Not Wednesday link-up party is inspired by World Food Day (Oct. 16), and recent articles such as this one that show between 40-51% of food in Canada and America ends up in the garbage.  Over-consumption, lack of knowledge, low cost and over purchasing are common causes of food waste in North America.  This unsustainable over-consumption extends to so many aspects of our lives.

So perhaps if we all share our tips for consuming a little less stuff in general, cooking more responsibly and frugally, and living eco-friendly, we can each take a small part in making our world a little more sustainable.

And besides, who couldn't save a little bit of $$$ anyway?

How to Make Limoncello (Lemon Flavoured Vodka)

Making Homemade Italian-style Limoncello

Whoa Nelly!  This lemon flavoured vodka is delicate, sweet and totally lipsmackingly good.  You're going to want to keep a large jar of this on hand in your fridge to impress your dinner guests, or maybe just hide it in the back of the fridge for yourself...

 I first had Limoncello in Bologna, Italy, a few days before my now-husband proposed (he proposed on a park bench in a garden in Venice, clever boy). Naturally it brings back good memories.  When I asked about it, I was told that anyone can make it themselves with only 4 ingredients:

Vodka, lemons, sugar and water! 

Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #26

Got a great gluten free recipe, some frugal tips or a healthy living article? Well come join the party!

The Waste Not Want Not Wednesday link-up party is inspired by World Food Day (Oct. 16), and recent articles such as this one that show between 40-51% of food in Canada and America ends up in the garbage.  Over-consumption, lack of knowledge, low cost and over purchasing are common causes of food waste in North America.  This unsustainable over-consumption extends to so many aspects of our lives.

So perhaps if we all share our tips for consuming a little less stuff in general, cooking more responsibly and frugally, and living eco-friendly, we can each take a small part in making our world a little more sustainable.

And besides, who couldn't save a little bit of $$$ anyway? 

The Apartment Garden: How to Take Cuttings to Propagate Mint and Cuban Oregano

Using a bunch of store bought mint and a beat up Cuban Oregano in a cup of water

Ever wondered if you could take cuttings from a bunch of fresh herbs bought at the market, or if you could propagate without any fancy shmancy greenhouse stuff?  I did, so I gave it a shot.

And it worked!  At least with peppermint.  Which practically grows like a weed anyway.  I also decided to take some cuttings from a scraggly Cuban Oregano (a variety of mint also known as Mexican Mint or Oregano) from last summer, and that's worked out nicely too.  

I think this would be a super fun project for kids, too, as they can actually see the roots develop. 

Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #25

Got a great gluten free recipe, some frugal tips or a healthy living article? Well come join the party!

The Waste Not Want Not Wednesday link-up party is inspired by World Food Day (Oct. 16), and recent articles such as this one that show between 40-51% of food in Canada and America ends up in the garbage.  Over-consumption, lack of knowledge, low cost and over purchasing are common causes of food waste in North America.  This unsustainable over-consumption extends to so many aspects of our lives.

So perhaps if we all share our tips for consuming a little less stuff in general, cooking more responsibly and frugally, and living eco-friendly, we can each take a small part in making our world a little more sustainable.

And besides, who couldn't save a little bit of $$$ anyway? 

How to Make Yogurt, Syrian-style, and Labneh (Greek Yogurt)

Easy Gluten Free Yogurt

Making yogurt is so easy, and not at all technical.  People have been doing it for ages without food thermometers or fancy yogurt makers!

I learned how to make yogurt from a couple of Syrian ladies a few years ago, so this method is based on what they showed me.  I'm calling it Syrian yogurt in honour of them, and in the hopes that their families and friends are safe despite the escalating casualties in the Syrian civil war.

Once you get the hang of making basic yogurt you can up your game and make Greek style yogurt, or the thick, drained yogurt known as labneh in the Middle East. This is my absolute favorite type of yogurt! 

On Ladybugs, Birds and Bunnies

Spring has finally arrived in Madison... well, sort of...   

How do I know spring is here?  I think the photos say it all...

Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #24

Got a great gluten free recipe, some frugal tips or a healthy living article? Well come join the party!

The Waste Not Want Not Wednesday link-up party is inspired by World Food Day (Oct. 16), and recent articles such as this one that show between 40-51% of food in Canada and America ends up in the garbage.  Over-consumption, lack of knowledge, low cost and over purchasing are common causes of food waste in North America.  This unsustainable over-consumption extends to so many aspects of our lives.

So perhaps if we all share our tips for consuming a little less stuff in general, cooking more responsibly and frugally, and living eco-friendly, we can each take a small part in making our world a little more sustainable.

And besides, who couldn't save a little bit of $$$ anyway? 

Eating Gluten Free in Chicago on the Cheap

Huevos Rancheros from e.leaven in Chicago

Last week I spent 3 days in and around downtown Chicago, IL.  After the ridiculously tall buildings the second thing one learns pretty quick about downtown Chicago is that it ain't cheap. 

So I thought I'd share how we managed to eat gluten free on a budget in downtown Chicago! 

I've got some tips, restaurant reviews, a list of some sources I found helpful in finding locations, and some of the wonderful suggestions you, my resourceful and helpful readers, provided before and during my trip.