Sustainable & Creative Living
As Florida winters go, it’s been a cold one this year, and the past few days have definitely been a bit chilly. When it’s cold outside I need the three S’s: sweaters, scarves, and soup. Of course, I usually need these things year round because even when it’s very hot outside, my house and office tend to have the air conditioner turned down so low that I’m always cold no matter what. Easy Broccoli Soup is perfect whether it’s cold outside or just cold inside.
I’m the kind of person who likes to have a plan. More importantly, I like things to go as planned! I imagine most people probably do too. Of course, I know this isn’t always reality. Owning and running a service business for almost 30 years—not to mention raising 3 kids—has definitely taught me this.
Still, every time I start my next big project I get a low-level gnawing feeling that maybe my plans won’t go as planned. I never let that feeling stop me from moving forward. I’d never get anywhere if I did, but I’m trying to be more comfortable these days with the uncertainty that comes with the unknown of new projects and new stages in life.
Using too many paper towels around the house is my biggest vice when it comes to lowering my carbon footprint. Every time I swear I’m going to do better, I end up slipping back into my old bad habit. Then I give up for a while and concentrate on other eco-friendly practices that, for me, seem easier to adopt.
I don’t really know why the paper towel habit has been so hard to kick. Years ago I practiced eco-friendly habits like using cloth napkins and canvas grocery bags before it became popular. Then owning and running a business along with raising three kids consumed all my physical and mental energy and those practices got put aside. While I’ve gotten back to my old eco-friendly practices, this paper towel thing has been, I like said, a hard habit to break.
Easy Baked Onion Rings are a quick and simple snack to make when the craving for something crisp, crunchy, and sweet takes over. I like to eat them by themselves, but they’re also tasty as a side dish for soup or salad. They go great with my Easy Low-CalorieTomato Soup. Since they’re baked instead of fried they’re healthier but still feel indulgent and satisfying. Best of all, they’re one of those dishes that I almost always have the ingredients for on hand in my kitchen!
I’m always looking for ways to soften and soothe my tired feet. Still, I often have a hard time sitting still to let my feet soak—even if I happen to be watching T.V. I want to be able to jump up at any time and run and get a drink or find my phone—or whatever. So, if I’m going to confine myself to one spot for 30 minutes, there has to be a worthwhile payoff. This Lavender Peppermint Foot Soak is an excellent way to take care of my feet and relax at the same time.
It doesn’t have to be winter for me to enjoy a good bowl of soup—especially homemade soup. If I’m making soup, though, it does have to be easy. This Easy Low-Calorie Tomato Soup recipe is super simple and tasty. You can have a delicious hot bowl of it on your table and ready to eat in less than an hour.
This Easy Low-Calorie Tomato Soup is also light and healthy. I like to eat it in the evenings for a snack if I’m feeling hungry but I’ve already eaten dinner—or if I had a big lunch and I just want to eat a light dinner.
Decluttering possessions is something I tend to do on an ongoing basis, and I do a lot of it right after the holidays. It’s the perfect time to declutter, of course, because with so many new items to put away, old ones have to go. This is so true when you have small children and they receive a barrage of new toys for Christmas!
This January I’ve done a lot of decluttering. Even though I’ve always done my usual decluttering, this year was different. For the past several years, my extra time has been taken up by health issues surrounding my [Read more…]
Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts make tasty treats for Valentine’s Day or for any special occasion. They also make nice hostess gifts or party favors. They’re so simple to make that you can actually make them anytime at all—because they’re so delicious.
Any nut or combination of nuts will work for this simple recipe. I chose walnuts, pecans, and cashews but all nuts are tasty and healthy. Nuts are full of healthy fats, protein, fiber, and a wide range of nutrients like vitamin e, magnesium, and selenium. These Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts make healthy and filling snacks. They also smell so delicious—the last time I made them everyone who came into the house kept asking, “What smells so good? Is that Cinnamon?” These Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts were definitely a huge hit!
Recently, after making some face mists, I learned how versatile and beneficial rose water can be. Rose water is a super simple DIY beauty tonic that anyone can make in a hurry. In less than an hour, you can have a multipurpose beauty potion that is both functional and fun.
Face mists are a great way to hydrate your skin all year but are especially refreshing during dry weather season. Not only do they soothe and calm irritated skin, but with their pleasant scents, they’re also a great mood and spirit booster. I love the way mists relieve my dry skin and make me feel refreshed. After inadvertently spending $17 on a face mist for oily skin, I decided to start making my own mists. I’m so glad I did – they’re more cost effective and I can tailor them to my own skin and the scents I love.