It's been a few years now since I began to understand that using aluminum in my cooking and personal products had a good chance of increasing my risk of disease. I've been avoided it almost religiously ever since, and even stopped wearing antiperspirant in favor of a simple homemade deodorant. If you've read about the potential risks, you might be ready to seek out alternatives to your aluminum cookware and bakeware. I have some ideas for you beyond "replace your entire cookware set!" that … [Read more...]
Sausage Zucchini Bake Recipe
Is everyone still drowning in zucchini out there? If you're looking for a keto, low-carb (no-carb?), filled with veggies, use-up-your-zucchini meal that fills tummies and pleases tastebuds, you're at the right post. This may well be our favorite summer meal, and I love it because it's so healthy and easy to make. I also have some great memories of my two-year-old son slicing zucchini with his cheese slicer that looks like a meat cleaver. (See this post for a photo!) Buddy Boy completely did … [Read more...]
Olive Oil Update: Can You Saute with EVOO?
I can't tell you how much joy it brings my heart to find a quality company with actual, reasonable, high-quality customer service. It's also great if they sell a quality product that I need at a price that beats the grocery store. Today I get to share good news with you about just such a company...and confusing news about olive oil!! Read on, if you dare... (photo source) I have been searching and searching for some answers about olive oil, virgin and extra virgin, and I wish I had something … [Read more...]
Call to Action: Bath and Body Works Anti-antibacterial Soap Letter
Welcome Fight Back Fridays from Food Renegade! Please check out Analyzing Aluminum in August as well. Your second Call to Action is an idea that's been percolating in my head for a few years now, and I'm finally going to do it (and ask you to join me!). Last week I discussed the problem of antibacterial cleaners in schools and reminded you of my earlier posts on antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizer. If you haven't read them, take a moment. Every time I walk into a Bath and Body Works, … [Read more...]
Monday Mission: Upgrade your Condiment Awareness
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to "choose your own adventure" in the new and exciting field of condiment awareness. Last week in the mental mission, I encouraged you to begin reading condiment labels and being conscious of how many condiments you use and what quantity. (photo source) At our house, we have some very condiment-heavy meals. When we have homemade chicken nuggets and baked French fries, we can easily have a dozen condiment bottles on the table. Don't believe me? … [Read more...]
Food for Thought: Health Benefits of Cinnamon, Raw Honey, and Dark Chocolate
Well friends, we are on the last week of the Super Foods series! It's been a good way to organize the ol' blog for 15 weeks, but I'll be glad to be finished at the same time. I have lots of other ideas to share with you! As with dinner and dessert, I've saved the best for last: cinnamon, raw honey (use the code Katie15 for 15% off at that site!), and dark chocolate. It's always fun to have health benefits when you're eating something delicious, don't you think? I happen to LOVE all three … [Read more...]
My Story: What I Learned from my Mother
We all do a lot of things because it's the way "Mom" did it. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it's not so great. Fortunately for me, my mom's a pretty great woman with a lot of common sense, practical knowledge and foresight. I learned a lot from her. After understanding my conscious thought process and being born a conservationist, the next part of my story is the first of three lists. When I was digging deeper into nutrition last winter, I decided it would be interesting to see how far I've … [Read more...]
Kitchen Tip Tuesday: Random Ideas for your KitchenAid Mixer
My kitchen tip for this week is to think outside the box when it comes to counter space. If you have an appliance as heavy as a KitchenAid mixer, you probably store it on your countertop. (top photo source) Here are three tips to help you make better use of time and space: Put a dishcloth or small towel under the mixer, making it easy to slide around your counter as needed. Allow yourself to store a few items inside the bowl. You know, those random little things that you use often and/or … [Read more...]
My Story: I’m a Born Conservationist
This is the first in a series about my story, a little history of the journey to a passion for food, nutrition, and environmentalism. I am a born conservationist. Proof of this includes the fact that my 4-year-old son is using the "special" watercolors that I had when I was in third grade. I took care not to waste them, to the point of hardly using them, apparently. He would be able to use my fancy-tipped markers from that era, too, if they hadn't dried out before I got the chance to utilize … [Read more...]
Pennywise Platter Thursday: A Reduced Produce Primer
Be sure to click over to the Mrs. Meyer's dishsoap giveaway for a chance to win free stuff! For this week's Pennywise Platter Thursday, I'm pleased to share one of my popular posts about buying reduced produce at the grocery store: a how-to primer with tips about what to look for, how to make sure you're saving money, how to use the produce, and a form letter to request it if your store doesn't reduce their nearly expired produce. A Reduced Produce Primer Enjoy! … [Read more...]
