Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette

By Inger May 23, 2026 Salads No Comments

With a bright fruit flavor and creamy goodness, this Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing is a salad lover’s delight.

Raspberries have been one of my favorite fruits since childhood. Yes, way back in my preschool days, a neighbor had berry bushes and freely shared. Which set up a lifetime of berry love for me!

So I was delighted when I started to see Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing appearing in stores and restaurants.

But the problem was, I couldn’t find any that did justice to the flavorful fresh berries of my childhood. So I decided to make a homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette.

With a higher berry ratio, and all natural ingredients, this is a dressing worthy of the beautiful fresh lettuces and toppings of the season. Read more

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Pie

By Inger May 16, 2026 Cooking & Recipes, Desserts & Snacks 9 Comments

Sweet, tart and fruity, with a rich crumb topping, Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Pie is a fun dessert that’s easy and tasty!

Is there anything that welcomes the new growing season quite as joyfully as rhubarb?

Barbara Kingsolver fans may remember her joy in spotting fresh stalks at a farmer’s market the year she ate locally (chronicled in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle). Fruit? her daughter had scrawled hopefully on the shopping list.

Of course, shortly after the rhubarb, a new ray of sunshine arrives with the strawberry crop. Combine these two delights and the chill of winter is forgotten.

And if that isn’t enough, you can top the combo with a rich crumble topping! Besides being super tasty, I think a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with crumb topping is actually easier than a double crust pie! Perfect!

Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

By Inger May 10, 2026 Sandwich 4 Comments

Creamy, rich and cheesy, this Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich takes the classic comfort food to a new level for a quick and easy lunch.

If you’re a fan of grilled cheese sandwiches but haven’t tried an avocado grilled cheese yet, you’re missing out! Like a cross between a grilled cheese and avocado toast, this may be the tasty, easy lunch entrée you’ve been looking for.

And if flavor and simplicity aren’t enough, I saw something on TV recently that surprised me. It said you could count avocado as a serving of vegetables. Come on, I thought, isn’t that like counting butter as dairy serving?

So I consulted my sister who’s a registered dietitian. While she said they count it as a fat for diabetic exchanges, she noted it does have a lot of fiber and some good nutrition. Yes!

Finally, did I mention that an Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich is seriously satisfying? Kind of like comfort food for the over-30 crowd! Count me in!

Bagels and Lox

By Inger May 2, 2026 Breakfast, Cooking & Recipes 5 Comments

Bagels and Lox pairs flavorful cured salmon, rich cream cheese, juicy tomatoes, onions, and bagels, for a simple but special breakfast or brunch entree.

I’ve been eating Bagels and Lox for as long as I can remember. My mother served it regularly for holiday breakfasts, where it was always received with delight. The versatile dish can be served alone for a simple repast, or paired with quiches and salads for an extravaganza.

Now beyond the novelty and the rich flavor of the dish, it has another upside. It’s probably the easiest brunch-type food you can serve your guests without copping out! ‘Cause who wants to be in the kitchen during the mimosa toast!

Now, one of my favorite memories is serving it as part of our Christmas breakfast in the 2020 pandemic days. With just two parents and two kids, it was simple, but elegant, fare. No deprivation here. Read more

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