Shawls and stoles are the most versatile and eye-catching accessories you can knit. From a light and lacy splash of color to accent an outfit to a full worsted-weight cover-up to provide warmth and insulation from the elements, shawls are your go-to companions. So imagine … Read More

The factory-farm sector has been guilty of trying to make of the hog a creature that nature never intended it to be: lapdog docile for a life in crates and crowded compounds, with a fat rind that’s potato-chip thin, bred to the uniformity of a … Read More

Many a home cheese maker started off with cultured dairy products such as butter, sour cream, yogurt, and crème fraîche. The methods used to produce them are simple and straightforward, and you can use almost any type of milk, including dried milk powder, low-fat milk, … Read More

Designing a cornucopian cheese board to celebrate the start of a festive dinner can be a most creative and satisfying endeavor. At its simplest, the cheese plate is a humble gift before the main course unfolds. Or it can be the meal itself. On many … Read More

As an author, educator, and home cook myself I often find this time of year a challenge. It’s dark and cold, I have a growing list of extra tasks to fit into my schedule, and sugar-laden holiday treats are starting to pop up around every … Read More

So, you’re thinking about setting out to build your own tiny home or structure. Congrats! “But how do I get started?” People email me with this question all the time, and rightfully so. I mean, who wants to blindly jump into the alligator-infested pit of … Read More

Illness and minor injuries don’t just happen when we’re at home. Bruises, headaches, cuts and scrapes, sore throats, stuffy noses, achy muscles, and feelings of anxiety or depression can occur just as easily when we’re on the road. It’s handy to have essential oils for … Read More

You have undoubtedly cooked and baked with butter yourself, or others have prepared food with butter for you. But have you tasted a superior piecrust or a biscuit made with lard or beef tallow? Fat tastes good — and it defines the flavor of traditional … Read More

Many of the synthetic chemicals and artificial fragrances in our everyday skin care products have names that might sound like Greek to us. Their pronounceability is only a tiny part of the problem they pose. Because our skin can absorb up to 60 percent of … Read More

I don’t know about you, but for me the dinnertime scramble is real. Whether you have a job or kids or both, it can be a struggle to satisfy the desire to eat something vibrant and delectable without having hours to spend in the kitchen. Read More