Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Vintage Tuna Rarebit

By Inger Apr 18, 2026 Main Dish No Comments

Come enjoy this makeover of the vintage classic Tuna Rarebit. With rich cheddar and healthy tuna it will please kids and adults.

Today, nutrition is in. But the sixties, when I was a child, was not the era of health food. Orange juice was mixed up from powder, spaghetti came out of a can… and hotdogs were everywhere!

Even many foods that could be natural, like cheese, got processed. There was easy-to-melt Velveeta, sandwich-ready American Cheese (separated by layers of plastic), and even cheese you could squirt from a can!

But like a formerly grand old house, some of the classic old recipes are blessed with good bones. Which means they can be tweaked, and maybe even turned healthy! Read more

Strawberry Creme Brulee

By Inger Apr 4, 2026 Cooking & Recipes, Desserts & Snacks No Comments

Strawberry Creme Brulee is silky smooth custard, lightly flavored with strawberry, and topped with a crunchy caramelized sugar topping.

It was a fateful day when I realized you didn’t need a torch to make crème brulee. Instead you can caramelize the topping under the broiler.

That revelation set off a series of experiments from cream to egg ratios… to fun new flavors (see Variations below).

And even though I’ve now purchased a torch, I still like experimenting. Today, I did Strawberry Crème Brulee to celebrate spring! Read more

Thai Shrimp Soup (with Extra Carrots–shh)

By Inger Mar 28, 2026 Seafood, Soup 13 Comments

Thai Shrimp Soup is a little bit exotic, a little bit spicy, and a lot fun–with carrot strings and rice noodles to add nutrition and please the kids.

Today’s Thai Shrimp Soup (aka Thai Noodle Soup) is tasty and fun. And it’s also healthy–in part due to one of the cooking adages I live by, Add-a-Veggie!

You see, US diets are likely to be lacking in vegetables, so I often ask if there is something I can add to a dish I’m cooking. All while keeping (or improving) the character of the dish of course.

In this case I tossed in some julienned carrots. The change was especially easy since I bought them precut! When cooked in the soup, the long carrot strands become almost noodle-like. (Not that I’d ever try to fool my kids, ahem.)

Thai Shrimp Soup was the hit my Christmas Eve party, nearly a decade ago, with everyone going back for seconds. And the kids loved it for a simple lunch or dinner. But somehow it fell off the radar.

Here’s to a welcome re-discovery! Read more

Kentucky Derby (Bourbon) Pie

By Inger Mar 26, 2026 Desserts & Snacks 7 Comments

Like a cross between a gooey chocolate chip cookie and a rich pecan pie, Kentucky Derby Pie is a chocolate lovers dream.

If my husband had described Kentucky Derby pie to me—rather than setting a slice in front of me—I’d have said, no thanks, too sweet.

Happily, a slice did appear in front of me after a local Chocolate Benefit Sale. And even among a large box of really good desserts, this pie stood out.

With the nuttiness of pecan pie, the irresistibility of a warm chocolate chip cookie, and a shot of bourbon for good measure, this pie is a winner.

It may even make to our Thanksgiving table this year. Don’t panic, there are around 6 pies, all different including new options, and classics like apple and pumpkin (yes, it’s a tough crowd).

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