Eleven days ago, I launched a challenge to my readers to prevent food waste in some way, big or small, and report back after Easter. Now it's the Tuesday after Easter, and I haven't heard from anyone yet. Did you accept my challenge? Tell me about it in the comments, or link to your own … Continue reading Did you find Jesus anything to eat?
Have you anything to eat? a food-waste prevention challenge!
According to the Gospel of Luke, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead and appeared to his disciples, he said, "Have you anything here to eat?" He must have been really hungry after being dead for three days! In that spirit, as Easter approaches, I'm challenging all of you--Christians and everybody else--to do what you … Continue reading Have you anything to eat? a food-waste prevention challenge!
Books from Other Cultures: Japan, Sweden, Louisiana…
I didn't specifically plan to read about foreign cultures in 2016, but the books I got for Christmas happened to include three translated from Swedish, one translated from Japanese, one set in rural Louisiana, and one about houses around the world--so these are what I've been reading! I reviewed the other two Swedish books last … Continue reading Books from Other Cultures: Japan, Sweden, Louisiana…
Seeking the Greatest Sliced Bread
Like many families, we don't bake our own bread. We make quick breads sometimes, like Raisin Bran Bread, but baking with yeast is not something that any of us finds soothing or fun or worth the time. We really appreciate the convenience of buying bread that's already neatly sliced and ready to use! The only … Continue reading Seeking the Greatest Sliced Bread
Coffee in Moderation: The 7-1-7 Plan
When I was in college, in each September's first meeting of my social organization, a few people would get up and make an earnest speech entitled, "Caffeine Is an Addictive, Psychoactive Drug" in which they tried to convince the new students to respect the power of caffeine by saving it for times when they really … Continue reading Coffee in Moderation: The 7-1-7 Plan
The City of Slim Shadies
On days like this, when the sky is so heavy with clouds that we never glimpse the sun, and the wind is cold and damp, and it seems like winter will never end . . . I think of Eminem. I guess I don't mean the rapper himself so much as the character he played … Continue reading The City of Slim Shadies
5 Fish-Free Family-Friendly Meals for Lent
UPDATE: Just before the beginning of Lent 2020, I'm linking up to Meatless Monday--because these are great meals for Mondays as well as Fridays or any other day! I've added some links to more recent articles. It's the third week of Lent, and if you observe the custom of fasting from land-animal meat on Fridays … Continue reading 5 Fish-Free Family-Friendly Meals for Lent
What I’ve Been Reading Lately
It's been a difficult year for me so far, but you know what I can do when I'm sick, when I'm hanging around the hospital waiting for things to happen, and when I'm recovering from surgery and have to rest a lot? I can read! And it happens that I received a lovely stack of … Continue reading What I’ve Been Reading Lately
Diaper Changing Duties: What’s Fair?
Our daughter Lydia is 21 months old. Since she was born, almost all of her diaper changes at home (rather than childcare) have been my job. I also launder the cloth diapers myself. Unfair, right? Daniel is just as responsible as I am for the existence of this messy little human, so he should take … Continue reading Diaper Changing Duties: What’s Fair?
Book reviews coming in 2016
I've been very busy this year so far, but I've been reading anyway! Here is a hasty iPad photo of the wonderful stack of books I received for Christmas, all of which I expect to read and review over the next few months. [UPDATE: I added links to the reviews when I posted them.] Totto-Chan: … Continue reading Book reviews coming in 2016
Get FREE Breadcrumbs for All Your Recipe Needs!
Did you make a new year's resolution to waste less food, to do more cooking from scratch, or to buy less over-packaged food? If you did, or if you have ever bought a canister of ready-to-use breadcrumbs, this article is for YOU! And if you don't fit into any of those categories, but you do … Continue reading Get FREE Breadcrumbs for All Your Recipe Needs!
Top 10 New Articles of 2015
This isn't really a blog. The Earthling's Handbook is more like a reference book. Most years, the 10 most-read articles are very similar to the previous year's 10 most-read, because over time more people link to them and their increasing popularity makes them rank higher in search-engine results. My #1 article this year is the … Continue reading Top 10 New Articles of 2015
Books for Adults, Preteens, and Toddlers
I'm starting a new "preteen" tag with this post because my son Nicholas, as he approaches his eleventh birthday, has started to ask for "more young-adult-type books" and has been appreciating most of what we've been finding for him, including a book I picked up used and read aloud to him without having read it … Continue reading Books for Adults, Preteens, and Toddlers
Coffee Hour at Midnight (how to host on short notice)
I've written before about hosting church coffee hour. The people in my church are willing to eat packaged coffee-cakes and things of that ilk, but most of them prefer healthier snacks, and so do I--our coffee hour begins just before noon, so my stomach is ready for lunch, not just simple carbs! I try hard … Continue reading Coffee Hour at Midnight (how to host on short notice)
24 Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers–Not Just Turkey!
My partner Daniel's cousin Mike has just concluded a 25-year tradition of inviting all the extended family to Thanksgiving dinner at his home in upstate New York. We're planning to get together next November, too, but it'll have to be somewhere else because Mike is selling his house and moving to Florida. As one of … Continue reading 24 Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers–Not Just Turkey!
5 Must-See Environmental Documentaries
This is a guest post by Maria Ramos. Maria is a freelance writer currently living in Chicago. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a minor in Communication. She blogs about environmentally friendly tips, technological advancements, and healthy active lifestyles. Without positive human intervention, global … Continue reading 5 Must-See Environmental Documentaries
Book Reviews and Giveaway!
The silver lining of being mildly disabled for months after a car accident is that I've had lots of time for reading! I'm grateful that I had the type of concussion that makes computer work difficult but isn't hampered by reading on paper. Here are some of the books I've read. I'm giving away my … Continue reading Book Reviews and Giveaway!
Book Reviews by a 10-and-11/12-year-old
This is a guest post by Nicholas Efran. Key: ☆=1 star ⭐︎=1/2 star The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo This is a book about a mouse who gets sent to the dungeon for being different. He is in love with the princess in the castle he lives in. Then he discovers that a … Continue reading Book Reviews by a 10-and-11/12-year-old
Delicious Roasted Broccoli Leaves
The past few years have taught us what Earthlings really want to know, and we are pleased to be spreading the word that cauliflower leaves are edible! In that spirit, we'd like to tell you that broccoli leaves are edible, too, and explain a slightly easier method of preparation. Our local organic CSA farm has … Continue reading Delicious Roasted Broccoli Leaves
Why My Toddler Doesn’t Watch Sesame Street
I remember, when I was 3 or 4 years old, sitting in front of the television watching the test pattern waiting for my local public television station to begin its broadcast day. I liked the pretty colored stripes. Finally they would disappear, the station information would be displayed along with a drawing of a scissor-tailed … Continue reading Why My Toddler Doesn’t Watch Sesame Street
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