Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Peach Hand Pies

By Inger Mar 8, 2025 Desserts & Snacks 4 Comments

Sweet and fruity, Peach Hand Pies are as tasty as regular pie. But you can eat them with your hands for more fun!

I am a huge pie lover! When Thanksgiving rolls around, I typically bring six different kinds to the extended family gathering!

But as much as I love regular pie, there’s nothing like hand pies when it comes to fun. Walk around munching on a crunchy-sweet fruit dessert? Count me in!

And today I’m making peach hand pies–one of my favorite fruits! I love how the sweet rich flavor from the fruit goes perfectly with the sugar-sprinkled crust! Yum! Read more

Flowering Branches: Forcing Forsythia and More

By Inger Mar 8, 2025 Gardening 8 Comments

Did you know you can cut flowering branches from dormant flowering shrubs–then bring them indoors for winter flowers? It’s easy and fun–instructions here!

I love winter. But I still miss having fresh flowers regularly to cheer up the house. So as soon as the Christmas poinsettia has dropped its last leaf (I am a notorious poinsettia killer), I’m looking for new winter flower options.

Of course most people know that you can pot up bulbs like tulips and hyacinths in the fall to get a Winter Bulb Garden in winter. But another option is to cut flowering branches and bring them indoors.

Yes, many spring flowering trees and shrubs can be encouraged to flower indoors long before real spring arrives. Forsythia, flowering crab, magnolia, plum, pear, red twig dogwood and spirea are all good candidates.

How fun is that! Read more

Tasty Banana Crepes

By Inger Mar 2, 2025 Breakfast, Desserts & Snacks 2 Comments

Tender crepes filled with banana slices in a sweet cinnamon brown sugar sauce make these Banana Crepes a special breakfast or dessert.

Crepes are always a special treat. And today I’m making Banana Crepes, based loosely on the dessert Bananas Foster of New Orleans fame.

But instead flaming my bananas and topping ice cream, my bananas and sauce are served in crepes. Well, maybe with some ice cream on top too! Read more

White Chili with Pork or Chicken

By Inger Feb 22, 2025 Soup 8 Comments

Creamy-smooth and spicy, White Chili with Pork or Chicken is an easy and tasty alternative to red chili. Perfect for potlucks or winter comfort food.

Chili, like this White Chili, is always a delight. Whether it’s served as winter comfort food or at a summer potluck, it’s going to be a sure-fire hit!

Yes, that’s probably why I have a whole lot of red chili recipes (like Slow Cooker Chili or (Red) Pork Chili) which are dearly loved. But sometimes tomatoes and red beans aren’t your jam. Maybe today you’re wanting a dish that’s rich and creamy, with white meat and beans.

In that case this White Chili is just what you need, with a rich spice flavor from peppers and spices, plus a creaminess from a little cream cheese.

Now most White Chili recipes you see will have chicken or turkey, I designed this recipe to be versatile with pork as an option. Because well, you never know what might be leftover in your fridge or freezer. Read more