Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Ruby Prosecco Cocktail

By Inger Jan 28, 2024 Beverages, Christmas 16 Comments

Rosy-red and sparkling, with a cranberry orange flavor, this Prosecco Cocktail is perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day or a winter brunch.

When I first spotted this Prosecco Cocktail (on the Comfort of Cooking Blog), I considered it a Christmas Prosecco Cocktail. Rich with cranberry and orange juice, the drink perfectly celebrates the flavors of the season.

But it was so pretty, with its rosy-red color and sparkling bubbles, I decided to use it as a Romantic Cocktail for Valentine’s Day too. And I’d also be happy to serve it at a winter brunch or as an Easter or Mother’s Day drink–as long as the cranberries hold out! Read more

Chow Mein, Hamburger Rice Hotdish (Casserole)

By Inger Jan 27, 2024 Cooking & Recipes, Main Dish 7 Comments

Rich & creamy, this Hamburger Rice Hotdish is flavored with soy & garlic & topped with Chow Mein Noodles. A vintage casserole at its best!

Growing up, I never liked casseroles. Or jello. Yes, I was known as the picky child.

But there was one exception to my casserole aversion—today’s Chow Mein Topped Hamburger Rice Hot Dish.

Full of a creamy rice and ground beef mixture, then topped with cashews and chow mein noodles, it gets an added punch of flavor from soy sauce and garlic. Yes, even 8-year-old me couldn’t resist. Read more

Fun Oatmeal M&M Blondies

By Inger Jan 20, 2024 Cookies & Candies 31 Comments

Tasty and easy to make, Oatmeal M&M Blondies are a fun and popular cookie or snack. You can even adjust the M&M color to the season!

Bar cookies are the workhorse of the cookie family. Fun and flavorful, they are also less work than cookies that need to be formed individually. And with the happy combo of easy and tasty, they are perfect anytime you need a quick treat! Potluck or lunchbox food anyone?

Of course, the stars of the bar cookie family are brownies and blondies. Rich and chocolatey, brownies are the better known of the two. But vanilla flavored, chewy blondies are also delicious–and worthy of a lot more attention than they get. Read more

Cajun 15 Bean Soup

By Inger Jan 13, 2024 Beans, Sausage, Soup 25 Comments

Cajun 15 Bean Soup is spicy and meaty with ham, andouille sausage, beans, tomatoes and green chilis. Can’t beat hearty and healthy!

What’s the best thing about holiday leftovers? For me, it’s making ham bone soup!

Every year I serve a ham during the holiday season–and some years it’s two! Besides being a real crowd pleaser, you can’t beat the leftovers. And one of my favorites is leftover ham bone soup like this Cajun 15 Bean Soup.

Yes, how do you beat tasty and nutritious, with its healthy beans, tomatoes and peppers and a rich, spicy kick. The soup was meaty and flavorful without having so much spice that my husband objected. Read more