I don’t know about you, but I LOVE pesto. That’s why we grow so much basil in our herb garden every summer. Only this year’s basil crop was disappointing – to say the least. I don’t know what it was about our Carolina weather, but I had the worst basil crop I’ve had in the past two ...
Green Living
Spicy Greek Wagonwheels
I'm always in search of different pasta shapes. One I was re-introduced to recently is Rotelle. You probably called it “Wagonwheels” as a kid, because that’s exactly what it looks like. It’s a round, ridged wheel with a spoke in the center and six rays coming out to the wheel’s edge. It is a ...
Beyond Meat Fools Carnivores on the Today Show!
You know that I love the idea of fooling carnivores into thinking that they are eating meat - when they aren't! When I wrote Fool a Carnivore, Beyond Meat's products weren't available in our area. Luckily, Whole Foods, Publix, and Earth Fare stock Beyond Meat's chicken-free products, and I am ...
Two Great Ways to Celebrate Earth Day in Fort Mill
Although Earth Day is technically tomorrow (April 22), many communities are holding their events this weekend. One of the reasons we moved to Fort Mill sixteen years ago was the Anne Springs Close Greenway - that beautiful 2,100 acre natural buffer that keeps Charlotte's sprawl at bay. My husband ...
Grow Your Own
Want a local cure for the rising costs of veggies as a result of the horrible drought in California? I’ve got three words for you – “Grow Your Own.” While I’m not going to have much success growing avocados and almonds in South Carolina, I can easily grow my own lettuce, kale, and tomatoes and Fort ...
Herb Gardening Made Easy
I've been lazy about my posts because I've been outside gardening! My first Herb Gardening Made Easy class was a big hit at the York Public Library on April 5th. People asked great questions and enjoyed taking home samples of my dried herbs, like rosemary, tarragon, oregano, and Bay ...
Are Four Extra Steps Needed To Make Great Pesto?
As a veteran pesto maker (35+ years and counting), I was intrigued by Cook’s Illustrated’s promise of gentler, more well-balanced pesto, without the “bite” of raw garlic. After making their recipe tonight, I have to tell you to not waste your time. My pesto takes about 20 minutes to make – Cook’s ...
Birthday Musings on 40 Years Without Meat
Earlier this week I was at a business meeting at which lunch was served. As usual, I was the only person not eating meat. With a smile, I told everyone not to hold it against me, to which one of the men snickered, "Don't worry - you'll come around." I laughed it off, because after ...
