Spaghetti with marinara sauce is my favorite food. However, tomato sauce and spices can be irritating to a stomach that's been having that burning "acid" feeling or a tongue with inflamed taste buds at the very back. I have been having both problems lately...but I really wanted to make a new batch of spaghetti sauce...so … Continue reading Less Acid Spaghetti Sauce, January 20 Version
How to Get a Kid to Like Mushrooms
We strive to be the kind of family that shares meals--not the kind that "has to" fix nuggets and fries for the kid every night! The reality is somewhere in between. Many of my multi-week menus indicate adaptations for Nicholas: We prepared meal components separately and served his in separate dishes not touching, while we … Continue reading How to Get a Kid to Like Mushrooms
Top 10 Articles Earthlings Read in 2012
On New Year's Eve, I looked at my WordPress statistics to see which articles in The Earthling's Handbook drew the most readers in 2012. Interestingly, 9 of the top 10 were published before 2012! I choose to believe that this is not because my writing has declined but because my older articles have ongoing relevance … Continue reading Top 10 Articles Earthlings Read in 2012
3 Books for Laughing Out Loud
Today's Three Books on Thursday theme is books that make the reader laugh out loud. I can't, of course, guarantee that what's funny to me will be funny to you, but here are three books that in my opinion are filled with hilarious moments: Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson is an account … Continue reading 3 Books for Laughing Out Loud
10 Lessons Learned from Rewiring an Old House
This is a guest post by Ben Stallings, my brother, who is a permaculture gardener, home energy efficiency auditor, and owner of a curbside recycling business in Kansas. I spent most of my spare time in 2011 rewiring our 1920 house, replacing the old knob & tube wiring with modern nonmetallic cable that meets code. … Continue reading 10 Lessons Learned from Rewiring an Old House
Japanese Udon Noodle Soup
Happy New Year!! Somebody told me long ago that in some cultures it's traditional to eat "long noodles for long life" at the turn of the year. We all like noodles in our family, so we have taken up this tradition. This year and last I made Japanese Udon Noodle Soup for dinner on New … Continue reading Japanese Udon Noodle Soup
Pens Made from Recycled Plastic (B2P product review)
Note to my relatives coming to my house for Christmas: Spoiler alert! Don't read this until after Christmas! I've had a pretty hectic December--including a back injury that has made some tasks impossible and forced me to spend more time resting than usual--but my gift shopping has come together pretty well. Just last night, though, … Continue reading Pens Made from Recycled Plastic (B2P product review)
Science Projects for Kids!
Our son Nicholas is in second grade at a great public school! Each month, he has to do two science projects at home. I really like the way these projects are organized. [UPDATE: When I wrote this, the project ideas were available online. They aren't anymore--sorry!--but at least we still have the ideas discussed here!] … Continue reading Science Projects for Kids!
How to Salvage Over-baked Brownies
This past Sunday, we brought the food for church coffee hour. In addition to carrots, spinach dip, hummus, cheese, and crackers, my son wanted to bring brownies. Things Not To Do When Baking Brownies: Don't agree to do it in between two hours-long shopping expeditions, on a day when you are still recovering from a … Continue reading How to Salvage Over-baked Brownies
Should I start using Pinterest?
I am seeking the opinions of my readers! Please comment! Over the course of this year, I've browsed other people's Pinterest boards a number of times, and I've seen a small but increasing amount of visitors to my site coming in through links on Pinterest. I read more about Pinterest in my college alumni magazine … Continue reading Should I start using Pinterest?
Fluxx: A Fun Card Game for Everyone!
If you've never played Fluxx, this holiday season is the time to start! It's now easier to buy and less expensive than ever before. A new edition of Fluxx has just been released in Target stores, and until December 8, 2012, it is on sale for only $4! After that, it will be $10, still … Continue reading Fluxx: A Fun Card Game for Everyone!
Great Shoes at a Fraction of the Price!
I've had some shoe trouble in the past couple of years, since Keen stopped making that style I raved about. All I want is a pair of black leather shoes that are comfortable for walking, don't smash my high arches, look good with skirts or jeans, and don't have Velcro. (I hate that ripping sound … Continue reading Great Shoes at a Fraction of the Price!
Sphagnum Moss Diapers
This is a guest post from storyteller Doug Elliott, whose free e-newsletter offers occasional stories like this one. Doug's storytelling DVD, and his books about nature for children and adults, would make great holiday gifts! Sphagnum moss sure is an amazing plant! I’ve been hanging out in some wetlands lately, and with our son Todd … Continue reading Sphagnum Moss Diapers
Multiple Shopping Lists: Key to Grocery-Shopping Sanity!
My grocery-shopping strategy attempts to maximize the quality of food we get for our money, and one key tactic is shopping at multiple stores. Since I have limited time and don't like to waste gasoline, I want to make sure that in each shopping trip I get all the things we need that are best-priced … Continue reading Multiple Shopping Lists: Key to Grocery-Shopping Sanity!
Pumpkin Burritos
It may seem somewhat obvious that, if you can make Butternut Squash Burritos from the same recipe as Sweet Potato Burritos, you could also make Pumpkin Burritos. But if you're among the many people desperately searching the Internet this month for new and different ways to serve the remains of your jack o'lantern, it might … Continue reading Pumpkin Burritos
You do not know what you are asking.
This fall, our church has launched a new Bible study session, on Sundays between the two church services, to discuss the portion of the Gospel that will be read in church that day. As Episcopalians, we follow a lectionary that tells us which scriptures to read each day, and this fall the Gospel readings for … Continue reading You do not know what you are asking.
Four Weeks of Pesco-Vegetarian Dinners (late autumn)
Here is what we made for dinner (and a few lunches) the past four weeks, using many vegetables and mushrooms from our community-supported agriculture share in a farm here in Pennsylvania. I hope it gives you some new ideas for meals based around the local foods of the season! I plan our menu a few … Continue reading Four Weeks of Pesco-Vegetarian Dinners (late autumn)
The Horror From Beyond Time
I meant to post this on Halloween, but perhaps--just as our neighborhood's Halloween celebration was postponed until Saturday (due to rain)--you are willing to extend the Halloween season by a few days and read this creepy short story, carefully honed over several years by the man I love, who really ought to write more often. … Continue reading The Horror From Beyond Time
Milk: What kind we buy, and why
I love saving money, yet I routinely buy half-gallon cartons of milk that cost twice as much as the cheapest milk in the supermarket! Furthermore, two half-gallon paper cartons cost more than one gallon plastic jug, for the same amount of milk! What am I thinking?! Several years ago, Daniel and I decided that milk … Continue reading Milk: What kind we buy, and why
What to Do with Bread Heels
Some people consider the ends of a loaf of bread to be the best parts. My family, though, prefers the middle slices. Daniel often will eat the heel that is at the top of the bag, but by the time we get to the bottom of the bag, the other heel is less appealing. (This … Continue reading What to Do with Bread Heels
The Earthling's Handbook 