Art of Natural Living

Tropical Sangria

By Inger Apr 25, 2026 Beverages No Comments

With flavors of coconut, rum and orange, plus a profusion of exotic fruit, this Tropical Sangria is a tasty and refreshing summer wine cocktail.

Tropical Sangria

I admit it. When the weather starts to warm up, I’m ready for a fun cocktail–and the more festive the better!  The tipping point is usually Cinco de Mayo!

Now I love a nice Margarita as much as the next guy (hey, just check out my Frozen Strawberry Margarita or Festive Purple Margarita.).  But sometimes you gotta shake things up.

So this year I decided to make a Tropical Sangria. A white wine sangria that’s a little rummy and a lot fruity, it pulls together all the flavors of summer.  No matter what the weather!  Read more

Strawberry Meringue Cake

By Inger Apr 23, 2026 Desserts & Snacks 22 Comments

Two “cake” layers of tender meringue, layered with strawberries and whipped cream create a lovely dessert that’s perfect for spring.

Strawberry Meringue Cake

This Strawberry Meringue Cake is an old family favorite.  My mother regularly brought it to special events, especially in spring, when the strawberries came back into season.  Yes, an Easter or Mother’s Day brunch table would have seemed naked without it.

The dessert isn’t difficult to prepare as long as you aren’t intimidated by meringue.  You first make two layers of meringue in 9-inch layer cake pans.  Then you “frost” them like a layer cake, using a mixture of whipped cream and sliced strawberries as your icing.  It’s light and delicious and perfect after gorging on a leg of lamb, eight quiches and a big potato casserole.  Read more

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

By Inger Apr 21, 2026 Main Dish 7 Comments

Chicken in a paprika-tomato-onion sauce, Chicken Paprikash is a tasty and unique entrée that’s perfect for dinner or brunch.

Chicken Paprikash served

Today’s recipe comes to you courtesy of a rainstorm.  Because bad weather when you travel is really just a sign.

Rain in Monet’s gardens?  Take beautiful pictures of visitors with umbrellas.  Snow in Norway?  Time for a reindeer sleigh ride.  Rain AND snow in Budapest?  Perfect for a cooking class! 

Which is how I came to make Chicken Paprikash! 

This Hungarian comfort food consists of chicken in a paprika sauce, served over spaetzle-like pasta or egg noodles.  It’s unique, flavorful and loaded with natural goodness. 

Serve it for a family dinner with a nice salad.  Or add it to the Mother’s Day buffet!  You really didn’t want that same ol’ quiche again, did you?  Read more

Lemon Panna Cotta

By Inger Apr 19, 2026 Cooking & Recipes 7 Comments

Creamy, bright, and lemony, Lemon Panna Cotta is an easy and special dessert.  Perfect for a holiday brunch like Mother’s Day or Easter. 

Lemon Panna Cotta

In the often inconsistent days of spring, sometimes you need a dessert that reminds you of sunshine.  Like this tasty Lemon Panna Cotta! 

Yes, lately it seems that one day it’s t-shirt weather, the next it’s snowing, and then it’s so rainy that ducks are swimming in the newly formed back yard pond. 

I sure could use a good dessert! Something bright, tart, and EASY.  

This Lemon Panna Cotta is all of the above.  Even better, with brunch season upon us, today’s Lemon Panna Cotta can move seamlessly from attitude adjustment right into Mother’s Day buffet star!  Read more