Sustainable & Creative Living
Summer is the time of year for light, fresh, and tasty salads. They can be served at lunch or dinner. They can also be served as an easy stand-alone meal or a yummy side dish at a summer holiday party or picnic. My whole family loves this Veggie and Feta Pasta Salad, especially my husband. We’ll definitely be mixing up a big bowl of it for Father’s Day. Why not make some for the special man in your life.
Pizza is, hands down, my favorite guilty indulgence. I love it! One of my favorite pizzas is called the Magical Mystery Tour made by Mellow Mushroom. It has a pesto base with Portobello and button mushrooms, topped with warm, gooey feta and mozzarella cheese, a touch of spinach, and just the right amount of jalapeños for a bit of spice. If calories weren’t a factor, [Read more…]
Everyone likes to save money, right? What if I told you, you can save money by saving energy? There are so many things we can do to save energy in our homes that actually translates into money savings!
This past Earth Day, we here at From Under a Palm Tree attended a local Eco-Fest. We were able to meet with all kinds of organizations and vendors, with the intent to live more sustainable lives. In the second of a 4-part series, I want to share some of the energy-saving, money-saving tips we learned from Eco-Fest!
Coffee Made Me Do It! It’s true, there’s something about the way it smells, tastes, and makes you feel. The instant “ahh” moment right after you take a sip will have you slurping lattes all day long. Before you know it, you’re 10 cups deep, on edge like a junky looking for [Read more…]
One of my favorite DIY crafts is candle making. I love to burn candles…especially at mealtime. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s nothing like the light from a burning candle to give any meal a special ambiance.
I used to make candles from paraffin wax, but now I only make soy wax candles. Do you ever notice the black around the rim of candles? That’s what you’re [Read more…]
After a long and treacherous winter (just kidding), Spring is finally here and that means it’s time to start planting flowers and veggies, cleaning the house, and decorating for the new season. Which means my weekends are filled with [Read more…]
Baking soda is one of the safest, simplest, and most gentle cleaning products available. It has so many different uses that it’s also one of the most versatile products you’ll ever buy. While it’s effective and inexpensive for many home cleaning chores, it also an excellent useful and a versatile personal care product.
Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) regulates and neutralizes pH. It cleans, neutralizes, and deodorizes. The best part is that when it washes down the drain, it won’t pollute our water supply.
You probably already have a box or two in your cupboards, but after reading this you’ll want to stock up!
Spring is here and Easter is just around the corner. That means it’s not only time to break out the Claritin, but also get out your plastic eggs and ceramic bunnies. Pastel is in full bloom and I love it!
I always look forward to decorating my house for every holiday, but Easter is one of my favorite. I love the soft undertones that Easter colors bring, the look of shabby-chic fabric bunnies, and warmth of Spring in the air. Decorating my large dining room table is my most favorite. It’s one of the focal points when you walk into my home and though it doesn’t get much use on a daily basis, I know it gets its much-needed attention during the holidays. So, it’s gotta be all dressed to impress! If you’re looking for a Pottery Barn “esk” table centerpiece, but not looking to spend the Pottery Barn bucks, [Read more…]
In honor of National Dog Biscuit Day, I’ve put together a quick little recipe your furry pooch is sure to love. It’s made from ingredients you probably already have in your pantry! One of the main ingredients, pumpkin, is loaded with fiber and beta-carotene which not only helps aid digestion but can also ease tummy troubles for your furry friend. Enjoy! [Read more…]
After the holiday season, with its sweets and treats, we’re probably all going to be thinking about cutting back on the calories for a while. We are, after all, going to have to fit back into our skinny jeans! We might be cutting back on sweets, but this recipe is full of flavor and is a really tasty and healthy treat.
People often give and receive plants as holiday or hostess gifts this time of year. One of the most popular is the Christmas cactus. Normally at holiday time they are healthy and in full and beautiful bloom. This plant can live many years and bloom again seasonally with the right care.
This week I’m making holiday bath bombs!
Bath bombs are great all year around, but they’re also a great little holiday gift. You can make them for a hostess gift or even secret Santa – because who doesn’t love a nice warm bath once in a while? Especially you! You can always keep them for yourself and take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle.
These bath bombs are [Read more…]
Women tend to give their time and attention to everyone and everything but themselves. We’re all so busy! Most of us don’t have the time for all of our basic needs let alone day-long spa visits. Indulge yourself today with one of my simple, at home skin treats.
Sugar scrubs are a simple and easy way to pamper your skin. Not only do they feel luxurious while using them, they make your skin feel soft and smooth afterward. The sugar’s granules act as an exfoliant and slough off dead skin cells. Sugar scrubs are a great moisturizer because sugar is a natural humectant—meaning sugar retains and preserves moisture. The scrub’s honey or oil also make it moisturizing.
These simple sugar scrubs are easy and quick to make at home with only a few ingredients. Make them for yourself or give them as a thoughtful, homemade gift.
