Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #30

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?

Farmers Market Spinach & Vegetable Omelette

Free of gluten, dairy, soy and nuts

I'm a crazy breakfast person! My husband knows that even when we're traveling I absolutely need my breakfast or else I will be cranky, headache-y and downright nasty. For me personally, I don't consider it a breakfast unless there's eggs in it! I realize not everyone holds this opinion, but that's just  the way I've always been.

So I figured a big veggie omellete was a great way to make use of some of the spinach I picked up at the farmers market a couple of weeks ago.

30 Days to a Greek Body & How to Train for Hiking

Image courtesy of Victor Habbick, / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Well it's confirmed, the flights and hotels are booked! In about 30 days time we're going to Greece for 2 weeks! But here's the catch, it's not about sipping wine on the waterfront and laying on the beach. It's about hiking... and I'm not a hiker. 

So I'm sharing how I'm getting back into shape (my pants have been fitting a bit tight lately!!) and preparing to hike up large hills to visit old Byzantine fortresses - built specifically to prevent invaders from climbing them!

And the best part? You can do all of these exercises in your own home, without any fancy equipment!

Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #29

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?

Brie Baked in Gluten Free Pie Dough with Apple Pear Compote

Free of gluten, eggs, soy, nuts and sugar

Awhile ago my friend and I went out for dinner and drooled over a particular menu item, baked brie with fresh fruit for dipping. Well since I have oral allergy syndrome and am allergic to most fresh fruit, we skipped it, but I vowed to make us baked brie another day.  

Lo and behold, as I searched around I found that many people actually bake brie in pie crust! I'm a fan of edible bowls and such (less dishes, yay!) so we went ahead and made it with GF pie dough and an apple-pear compote (I can have cooked fruit, just not fresh) and grapes for dipping.  

The result?  We ate the whole gorgeous, decadent, rich, gooey, flaky round of brie for dinner, using slices of pie dough to scoop it up! 

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.