Home & Hearth

Understanding Eggs: Behind the Ingredients

February 25, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 1 Comment

There is a lot of freedom in knowing how key ingredients work the way they do. Leave the guesswork behind in the first of this Behind the Ingredients series where we dive into learning about the humble egg.

`Photo by Natalie Rhea Riggs on Unsplash`

THE HUMBLE, YET MIGHTY EGG

Almost all of us have eaten eggs at some point in our lives and many of us reach for the egg carton first thing in the morning. Apart from making bacon and eggs, why is it that eggs are called for in so many recipes? What is it about eggs that keep us hungry for more?

Well, for one, eggs are a complete protein checking off all the essential amino acids. Eggs also have a number of B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, minerals, and other nutrients you can easily look up online. They’re nutritious, they keep us full, and they’re relatively inexpensive.

We don’t usually think about these things when we fry, scramble, or poach these edible gems. They’re humble in that they’re depended on, yet overlooked. When’s the last time you’ve been grateful for eggs? During rationing in WWII, eggs were a precious commodity and unless folks kept their own chickens, dried egg powder took the forefront. Gross. Indeed, eggs are humble, but they’re also mighty.

RELATED: Sauerkraut and Bacon Quiche

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Old-Fashioned Skills We Should Reclaim

February 18, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 14 Comments

Here are 15 old-fashioned skills worth keeping alive to start saving money and become more self-sufficient. How many are you proficient at?

harvesting herbs practicing old-fashioned skills

OLD-FASHIONED SKILLS FOR ENRICHING YOUR LIFE

I don’t know about you, but I’m a strong advocate for simple living.

While there’s nothing simple about simple living, it does come with a reward.

Simple, old-fashioned living is about self-sufficiency, gratitude, and connection.

Here are 15 old-fashioned skills we should learn to live more simply and abundantly.

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How do I Quarter a Chicken?

February 14, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Buying and quartering a whole chicken is a lot more economical than picking up a couple of chicken breasts. When you make the switch from purchasing pieces to a whole bird, the question needs to be asked: How do I quarter a chicken?

kefir brined chicken on carrots and onions

READY, SET, QUARTER

So you went to the grocery store and bought a whole chicken, now what?

First off, look at you, you savvy shopper! Buying a whole chicken is a much more economical option in the long run because you can get three or four meals out of it and you won’t need to buy chicken broth if you make your own.

There are so many options when you bring home a whole chicken.

One route to go is throwing it in a roaster with some veggies, herbs, and salt and pepper, like my paprika roast chicken recipe.

Another is to quarter up the bird for more meal variety and more flavourful stock. Let’s take a look at what we will need to get started.

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Hosting a Soup Swap Party for Winter Warmth

February 4, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

On a chilly day, a soup swap party is a wonderful place to be. When the days are short and it feels like winter will never end, organizing a soup swap party is just the thing to invite warmth and cheer into your home.

getting jars ready for a soup swap party

GATHERING OVER SOUP

If you’ve never been to a soup swap party before, don’t worry; it’s exactly what it sounds like.

It’s a unique opportunity to gather your fellow soup fan friends and neighbours, uniting everyone over a shared love of soup.

Since soup isn’t generally served at this kind of party, even non-soup fans can be included in the festivities as long as they adhere to the number one rule…

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5 Natural Cleaning Ingredients to Start Using NOW

January 21, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 18 Comments

Switching over to natural cleaners is one of the best things you can do for your home. It’s an easy way to eliminate unnecessary toxins from your cleaning routine once you have what you need. Here’s a list of 5 natural cleaning ingredients to help get you started on your green cleaning journey!

WHY SHOULD I START USING NATURAL CLEANING INGREDIENTS?

Whether we want to admit it or not, we are surrounded by all kinds of toxins.

It’s not just what we eat (that’s a huge part of it, though), it’s everything we expose ourselves to.

The personal care products, the plastic, the wifi… Then there are the commercial cleaners we keep under the sink.

The way I look at it, anything that gets a huge marketing and advertising budget is something I should stay away from.

Do you want to know why?

Here in Canada, 1 in 2 Canadians is expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. In the States, the CDC reported that allergies in children increased significantly between 1997-2011.

Then there are the growing numbers of people being diagnosed with conditions like Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, heart disease, and infertility amongst others.

Before you scourge me, I am not saying these problems are caused by what you clean your home with. Changing what you clean your home with, however, is an easy way to become more conscious of what you invite into your life.

Switching to natural cleaners is a good first step to reducing the toxins you’re exposing yourself and your family to.

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Cleaning an Oven Naturally without Toxic Cleaners

January 7, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Say goodbye to harsh chemical oven cleaners! Swap them out with something that’s gentle, yet powerful. Similar to using commercial cleaners, cleaning an oven naturally calls for time and a little bit of elbow grease without all the nasty toxins.

CLEANING AN OVEN NATURALLY

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think I’ve met a single person who enjoys cleaning their oven.

Like cleaning the fridge, scrubbing down that hardworking oven isn’t high up on anyone’s list of favourite afternoon activities.

It’s one of those chores that is often put off until it can’t be ignored any longer.

I know my oven is due for a cleaning when every time I turn it on, it smells like smoke from that pile of burned melted cheese that oozed from a frozen pizza.

That’s a clear sign that it’s time to put on the pink rubber gloves and get to it.

Forget about the chemicals or the self-clean option, though. There’s a better way that won’t have you coughing up a storm or fearing for your skin.

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