Art of Natural Living

Quick Cranberry Pecan Bread

By Inger Nov 16, 2024 Breads & Muffins, Cooking & Recipes 19 Comments

An easy bread that is loaded with flavor, Quick Cranberry Pecan Bread is made with fresh cranberries and perfect for fall snacking.

Quick Cranberry Pecan Bread

Of all the wonderful associations with fall, my favorite is the harvest—probably not surprising for a natural food blogger!  And when the cranberries start to arrive, I am get even more excited.

Should I make a crisp? Cranberry sauce for my Swedish pancakes? So many recipes, so little time!

For this cranberry season, I went back to an old favorite cookbook, Beard on Bread, by James Beard. When I first started baking in the 80s, it was one of my bread bibles. I make it with just a couple of small changes then we indulged!

‘Cause who can resist a nice cranberry pecan bread! Read more

Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

By Inger Nov 9, 2024 Condiments, Preserving & More, Cooking & Recipes 3 Comments

With a bright, tart flavor, and overtones of herbs and garlic, Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes are perfect for salads or charcuterie boards!

Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

This year I had a fun problem. With the warm fall and late frost, my garden seemed to grow on forever!

And this meant loads of cherry tomatoes.  But what would I do with them all!

Happily, the bounty allowed me to complete something that’s been on my “to do” list for over a decade (shhh).   And that is making Refrigerator Pickle Cherry Tomatoes!

You see, way back when CSAs still had member potlucks, someone brought pickled cherry tomatoes. And I still remember my delight at the tart freshness and robust flavor from the garlic and herbs. 

Once I’d made my first batch (of many), I loved the flavor along with the east of preparation.  So why did I wait so long to try my own?  Read more

(Whole Wheat) Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

By Inger Oct 26, 2024 Breads & Muffins, Cooking & Recipes 28 Comments

What’s slightly caramelized, dense, rich, and sweet—but healthier than regular banana bread?  This Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Starting back in the crunchy granola seventies—even before I was out of school, I set out on a mission.  I would try converting many of my favorite family recipes to new dietary standards. 

I figured If my childhood favorite food could

  1. handle whole wheat flour,
  2. use less fat and sugar and
  3. still taste devastatingly good

then it had to be a win-win!  Read more

Halloween Bark

By Inger Oct 17, 2024 Cooking & Recipes, Halloween 6 Comments

With spooky eyeballs and colorful Halloween sprinkles, Halloween Bark is a fun and easy candy treat to get the season rolling!

Halloween Bark

There’s no doubt about it, chocolate’s a crowd-pleaser! And as nice as it is all alone, it’s even more fun dressed up for Halloween! 

After years of spending fall focused on preserving the harvest, this year I decided to have more fun and get with the Halloween festivities.

And so I was delighted to discover this easy and tasty Halloween Bark!  It comes together in a snap.  Read more

css.php