Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream

By Inger Nov 17, 2025 Desserts & Snacks 1 Comment

Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream is fun and tasty with this easy recipe. Perfect for a holiday dessert or anytime!

Peppermint ice cream has always had a special place in my heart. For one thing, it’s a perfect flavor for holiday noshing. Yes, even in a chilly climate, Wisconsin eats ice cream all year!

But it’s even more special if it comes about as a special Christmas gift

You see, I always enjoyed peppermint ice cream, but it wasn’t something you could readily find in the stores. So when my younger (always broke) brother asked what I wanted for Christmas, I told him I’d like crushed candy canes.

He made a small financial investment in candy canes, then a big labor investment crushing them in time for Christmas. And mixed with vanilla ice cream, it made delicious peppermint ice cream that I enjoyed all winter! A perfect win-win!

And I still love it today—especially homemade! Read more

Hershey’s Hot Cocoa Recipe

By Inger Nov 15, 2025 Beverages 13 Comments

Warm, rich and sweet, the Hershey’s Hot Cocoa Recipe is still my favorite winter beverage! And only 6 ingredients!

What would winter be without hot cocoa? The sweet, rich beverage brightens winter days and fills childhood memories–truly the stuff that dreams are made of.

You see, I grew up living atop a big hill, and every snow day, the neighborhood kids would come over, sledding first, then making snowmen and snow forts. When it grew too dark to see, everyone headed home to warm fingers and toes over steamy heating vents. But my siblings & I got an extra treat when we went inside–our mother made hot cocoa from scratch!

I swear that sometimes I went outside just for the cocoa afterwards. Today I wonder if my mother wasn’t complicit–make a little hot cocoa for a couple hours of peace!

Of course, when I had kids, I couldn’t wait to share the experience. My mother made the Hershey’s hot cocoa recipe right from the can and I still use it today. (Though I tend to buy organic cocoa). Read more

Savory Tomato Butternut Soup

By Inger Nov 9, 2025 Soup 2 Comments

With two delicious flavors, Tomato Butternut Soup is a healthy and tasty addition to your fall table. Happy soup season!

I love all the pumpkin and winter squash recipes in fall! They’re almost universally tasty–plus you get a generous serving of healthy orange vegetables. The one downside is that a lot of them are pretty similar. And I love variety in my soups!

So I was excited when a recent book club meeting featured a Tomato Butternut Soup. It was delicious, unique and had the added benefit of delivering a healthy dose of tomato too. Add a veggie!

Our hostess got the recipe from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook and modified it slightly, as have I. The vegan (if you use a vegetable broth) soup starts with a mirepoix, a mix of carrots, celery and onion that is chopped fine and sauteed without browning.

It’s a common base for many soups since it’s known to deliver a big punch of flavor. And while the chopping prep sounds hard, a food processor makes it quick and easy. Which is perfect for getting out to catch the last glorious colors–or the joys of any season! Read more

Pear Compote with Port

By Inger Nov 7, 2025 Condiments, Preserving & More, Fruits & Vegetables 9 Comments

Almost like a grown-up applesauce, Pear Compote with Port combines pears and dried fruit for a tasty fall side. Can be canned too!

I think children are on to something. Plate up an entrée, then drop a scoop of applesauce next to it. What’s better than a fruity side dish that’s also healthful! Like today’s Pear Compote!

Now for some (undeserved) reason, it can feel like pears are the red headed stepchild of the fall harvest. They don’t get the accolades of apples or the praise of pumpkins. But give them a chance and they’re glorious–sweet, juicy and flavorful!

Originally I intended to use Pear Compote as a tasty side (we served it with Chicken Kiev today). But I quickly realized that it could go almost anywhere you’d use a fruit sauce. Top ice cream or angel food cake, spread on waffles, or make an impromptu tart by filling a ready-made pie crust (this was amazing!).

Not a canner? Halve the recipe and eat it up within a week or so (we ate a pint in a sitting, ahem). Or pop into your freezer for a future treat! Read more

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