Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Tasty Cherry Shrub Beverage

By Inger Jul 15, 2024 Cooking & Recipes 9 Comments

With a sweet-tart fruity flavor and a hint of vanilla, a Cherry Shrub makes a delicious alcohol-free beverage or a tasty cocktail mixer.

Necessity was the mother of invention today. You see, I was planning to make Cherry Turnovers for my blogging group’s National Cherry Day celebration (see below for more tasty cherry treats). I even had a half gallon of cherries pitted and frozen from last year’s harvest.

Well sadly when I went to the freezer to pull them out, I found it had stopped working. It was working the day before but now the temperature read 32 and all that was left was a mound of limp fruit lying in a puddle of juice.

Which means that instead of pastries we’re having drinks today! Cherry Shrubs to be precise. I figure that, since I’ve been making my Strawberry Rhubarb Shrub almost weekly, it’s time to move on anyway! Read more

Easiest Stracciatella Gelato

By Inger Jul 9, 2024 Cooking & Recipes 17 Comments

Smooth vanilla gelato, accented with crisp chocolate crumbles, makes Stracciatella Gelato a taste delight. And this easy version needs no cooking!

Usually when I think seasonal, it’s fresh local fruits and vegetables. But lately, I’ve been thinking of, well, all kinds of frozen desserts.

Becuase, in the heat of summer, what’s more satisfying than a yummy chocolate frozen yogurt (people say mine just like ice cream), or a tasty smooth gelato. Like my new Stracciatella Gelato!

Now normally I’d be hitting up the local gelato stand, but since my prediabetes diagnosis, I’m really watching the sugar in my diet. But what if I could make it homemade—with a sugar version for guests and a sweetener version for myself.

And what if it were super easy to make… so I could have it anytime I wanted.

In the end I got everything on my wish list. Just blend the ingredients (mostly in the blender) and pour it into the ice cream freezer.

Yup, this could be life changing! Read more

Lettuce Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

By Inger Jul 7, 2024 Salads, vegan, Vegetarian Recipes 14 Comments

Butter Lettuce Strawberry Salad pairs tender lettuce, juicy berries, crisp pecans & sweet poppy seed dressing. A perfect spring or summer salad.

You may already be familiar with today’s Butter Lettuce Strawberry Salad. There is a popular version circulating on the internet, prepared with spinach.

But I prefer my mother’s version–made using butter lettuce. It’s a little simpler and I love the way the delicate mild lettuce pairs with the juicy berries and crisp pecans. All topped with a delicately sweet poppy seed dressing. Yum!

Whenever I think of this salad, I remember how it was the hit of my mother’s retirement community party group. They had regular potlucks and always (“ALWAYS,” she complained with a smile) ask her to bring this.

Finally, I asked her to bring it to a family potluck. Why should the seniors have all the fun! Read more

Strawberry Rhubarb Shrub

By Inger Jun 30, 2024 Beverages, vegan, Vegetarian Recipes 15 Comments

With a sweet-tart fruity flavor, a Strawberry Rhubarb Shrub is a delicious alcohol free beverage or a trendy cocktail.

Today I’m updating an old recipe that has just come back into my life. In abundance.

You see about a year ago, I tested as pre-diabetic. And after some simple lifestyle changes, my new test results came back… worse!

Which means it’s time to get serious. No more beers around the campfire or sweet cocktails on the deck. Yup, it’s time for some tasty alternatives.

So, bring me–a shrubbery! Okay, not a bush like Monty Python’s King Arthur sought. I’ll just have a nice strawberry rhubarb shrub beverage. Delicious without alcohol (or with) and lower in carbs, it just might make my summer! Read more