Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Frosty Bourbon Slush

By Inger Jun 8, 2025 Beverages 12 Comments

Frosty, citrusy, sweet, and boozy, a Bourbon Slush is a frozen drink that’s easy to make in advance. Rock your summer cocktail hour.

I don’t know why, after so many years, I recently started thinking about my mother’s Brandy Slush again. I even texted my siblings to see if either of them had the recipe.

A favorite party beverage back in the 70s, Mom would make up a giant tray then scoop out glassfuls as party guests conversed on the patio. Similar to today’s Bourbon Slush, the refreshing frozen drink was always the hit of a summer party!

So it must have been fate when my daughter and I went to Mackinac Island over Memorial Day, popped into Mary’s Bistro Draught House and found they were serving up Bourbon Slushies.

Even better, the bartender confided that they were made simply of Orange Juice, Lemonade, Sweet Tea and Bourbon. Yup, can’t argue when life gives you a Bourbon Slush, complete with ingredient list! Read more

Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onion Pizza with Pears

By Inger Jun 7, 2025 Appetizers, Main Dish 16 Comments

Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Pizza with Pears serves up a unique flavor combo that is delicious both as a tasty appetizer or fun dinner.

Pizza is a favorite food and for good reason–it’s always a crowd-pleaser! From family mealtime to college exam break to late night tech team meal, it’s one of life’s major comfort foods, as well as a favorite practical dish!

And I especially appreciate that pizza is delicious with a wide variety of toppings. Go classic with cheese and sausage for dinner. Or get creative by making a White Seafood Pizza or today’s Goat Cheese Caramelized Onion Pizza with Pears. No boredom here!

I created this pizza a few years back to use up a cupboard full of onion jam–a caramelized-onion-like condiment. And at the time I wrote,

The pizza was a great success in our household–except for my youngest who took just one piece, then ate it entirely with a wrinkled up nose. Daughter #2 actually asked if I could make a second pizza, and declared that if I kept cooking foods like this, it would be hard for her to go away for college. I told her that I’d be sure to make some bad things too.

While we sometimes eat this pizza for dinner, I think it really shines as an appetizer. Yes, cut it into 2-inch squares and watch your guests go wild! Read more

Spicy Peanut Noodles with Chicken and Veggies

By Inger May 31, 2025 Main Dish, Poultry 6 Comments

Spicy Peanut Noodles (with Chicken and Vegetables) is tasty and balanced, with an Asian-inspired sauce and lots of veggies.

This summer I’m on a mission to streamline my cooking. And I knew right away that the popular Meal Prep wasn’t the answer since I tend to be impulsive when dinner time arrives. Yes, if I don’t feel like burgers, I’m not making burgers.

But give me a dish that is tasty served hot, and then delicious served cold as leftovers, and I’m all over it. Especially if the recipe is a complete meal by itself, like these Spicy Peanut Noodles (or my recent French Lentil Salad).

Doused in an Asian-inspired spicy peanut sauce, it makes getting your 5-a-day (servings of fruit and vegetables) realistic–and delightful. Read more

Tasty Iced Rooibos Tea

By Inger May 17, 2025 Beverages, vegan, Vegetarian Recipes 12 Comments

Containing Rooibos, black tea, lemon juice and ginger beer, this tasty Iced Rooibos Tea will get you psyched for summer. Make hydrating fun!

I got my first taste of Iced Rooibos Tea at book club a number of years ago. Our hostess had just returned from a trip to Africa where she liked the “Botswanan Iced Tea” so much she asked for the recipe. Isn’t it great to have friends who are well traveled!

Normally our book club meets at night and we drink wine. But that meeting fell on Valentine’s Day, so we got together in the afternoon and had both wine AND Iced tea! Yum!

Besides the red, nutty/sweet, Rooibos, this iced tea is rounded out with black tea, lemon, sugar and (non-alcoholic) ginger beer. It was so good we all had two glasses (plus wine!)!

Now that summer’s rapidly approaching, I’m looking for lots of tasty ways to hydrate. With drinks like this Iced Rooibos Tea (and my recent Strawberry Limeade), happily I won’t have to compromise taste. Yes, it’s going to be a win-win summer! Read more