Art of Natural Living

One Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup with Kale

By Inger Aug 29, 2026 Cooking & Recipes, Soup 5 Comments

Like an extra rich, creamy Chicken Soup, Chicken Gnocchi Soup with Kale takes comfort to the next level.  Make it in one pot even!

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

With fall coming up (shhh), I’m starting to think about soups again.  Perhaps it’s because we just finished our final lake vacation…  and the evening fun came with a notable chill.  Perhaps it’s that northwoods trees just starting to turn.

But whatever the reason, serving up a steaming bowl of soup with a slab of bread is starting to sound… delicious! 

The soup is based on one from the Savory Moments blog and reminds me a lot of my Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Sage–but with gnocchi and kale instead.

Now for true confessions, I am one of three people in the world who doesn’t like your basic chicken noodle soup. But enrich it with some cream and a few more ingredients (um, like kale and gnocchi) and I’m in! 

‘Cause this variation is delicious!  Read more

Tasty Shrimp Roll

By Inger Aug 23, 2026 Cooking & Recipes, Sandwich, Seafood No Comments

The classic New England Lobster Roll gets a budget friendly makeover in this tasty Shrimp Roll sandwich.

Shrimp Rolls

Today’s Shrimp Roll is based on the well-known Lobster Roll, a delicious and classic New England sandwich.  The darling of sea-side events, I decided it’s also perfect in the Fresh Coast Midwest.

Well, truthfully, I’d be happy to eat one anywhere.

You start by making a chunky, light shrimp salad.  Then you stuff the tasty mixture into a buttery grilled hotdog bun.

With a light, lemony dressing, creamy seafood and buttery crunchy bun, a Shrimp Roll may be the perfect summer sandwich.  Read more

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

By Inger Aug 13, 2026 Appetizers, Condiments, Preserving & More, Cooking & Recipes 16 Comments

Savory, rich and unconventional, Sun Dried Tomato Pesto is an easy condiment or dip.  Add to pasta, sandwiches, crostini, and more.    

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto serve on french bread

It was probably a decade ago when I first tried Sun Dried tomato Pesto.  One of my CSA owners brought it to an event–and I had to have the recipe.

Alas, when I tried it myself, it wasn’t as good. So I put the recipe away.

Thankfully when I decided to revisit it for today’s Farmers Market Week post, I managed to find the recipe–and my notes.  A few small tweaks later, it got a unanimous thumbs up at last weekend’s Saturday brunch!

This recipe can be made with commercial sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained) or your own dried tomatoes (rehydrated).  Read more

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

By Inger Aug 11, 2026 Cooking & Recipes, Salads 9 Comments

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is tasty, impressive and easier to make than you think. Life’s too short for boring salads!

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salads

On busy days, I’m always tempted to take short cuts.  Use a bottled salad dressing, skip the salad toppings. 

But it truly reduces the flavor experience.  And isn’t life too short to eat boring salads?  

So what if minimal toppings and a simple dressing could give you both ease of preparation and a special salad experience?

Today’s Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad does just that.  By using only a scant 3-4 toppings and just over a half dozen dressing ingredients.  Yes, you can have a nice salad and time to eat it too!  Read more