Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Homemade Pan-fried Perch

By Inger Jul 11, 2026 Main Dish, Seafood 24 Comments

Pan-fried perch are the darling of the Wisconsin fish fry. Did you know they are easy to prepare at home with some simple instructions?

I love eating out. But sometimes eating at home feels even better.

Like when I’m watching my pennies. Or having a bad weight week. Or when I’m in a cozy mood and dinner on the deck or by the fireplace just feels right.

Now recently, my husband and I tried out a new restaurant–and got a terrible fish fry. This made me wonder… How hard would it be to make pan-fried perch at home?

Perch are the darlings of the Wisconsin fish fry. Small, tender and flavorful, they go for a premium price—and are well worth it!

Of course for the best perch you don’t want to overwhelm their delicate flavor with thick breading or heavy oil. Time to experiment! Read more

Dill Pickle Relish

By Inger Jul 5, 2026 Condiments, Preserving & More 6 Comments

Tart, flavorful and a perfect addition to many dishes, Dill Pickle Relish is a fun and practical home canning project.

Summer is a great time for fun fresh food experiments. With the seasonal bounty of healthy fruits and vegetables… well, the opportunities are endless.

And it’s not limited to classic health foods like Tuscan Kale Salad or Seafood Kabobs. Even classic snack and picnic foods can get in the act.

Yes, dip some chips in Tangy Mango Pineapple Salsa. Or top your July 4^th or picnic hotdog with today’s homemade Dill Pickle Relish. It’s a handy condiment that adds flavor to so many dishes from egg salad to thousand island dressing!

Yum! Read more

4th of July Fruit Kabobs

By Inger Jun 27, 2026 Desserts & Snacks, July 4th/Memorial Day 8 Comments

Pretty in red, white and blue, these 4^th of July Fruit Kabobs are a perfect family snack or dessert. Serve with a cream cheese yogurt dip for even more fun.

Summertime and the living is… well, not always easy. So it’s not surprising that hot dogs, sweet snacks and frozen cocktails can sometimes dominate the summer cookout scene.

But, with a little creativity, I’ve found that healthy, easy, and tasty are not so out of reach. And they can even look cute, all dressed up for the July 4^th holiday.

So today I made fruit skewers using bite-sized strawberries, whole blackberries and some striking white and black dragon fruit. And just in case that’s being too good, there’s an optional yogurt cream cheese dip to put it over the top.

After all, you only turn 250 once! Read more

Tropical Pineapple Martini

By Inger Jun 20, 2026 Cooking & Recipes 7 Comments

A Pineapple Martini is a fun summer cocktail with just a touch of elegance. Perfect for a cocktail party or a simple evening drink on the deck!

Is your summertime coming up easy? Whether the answer is yes or no, this tasty Pineapple Martini can help you get it on track.

Flavored with pineapple, lime and orange, it is the essence of summer.

And with its casual elegance and easy preparation, the only excuse you need to make one is “because.” Read more

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