I was recently asked to take a look at Bare by Solo, an “eco-forward” line of single-use plates and cups from the popular Solo brand.   As a Homemade Mother, I just do not buy disposable plates and cups, and I am especially wary of mixing food with plastic.  So, my first instinct upon receiving the […]

I am always tinkering with homemade ways to clean my home.  I don’t like the expense and chemical overload associated with conventional cleaners, so more often than not I turn to old-fashioned staples like white vinegar and baking soda to get a job done. For a while now I’ve wanted to make a homemade cleaner […]

I grew up without a microwave in our house.  It wasn’t until recently that I realized this was odd.  When I asked my mom why she never installed one in our kitchen, she said quite frankly, “They kinda freaked me out.” Good enough reason for me! Although I now have a microwave in my small […]

Some of my tricks for re-purposing common household staples were recently published in an article on Mint.com.  While I’m no fan of house cleaning, it actually becomes kinda fun when I experiment with new methods of taking care of common chores.  Products like vinegar, baking soda and banana peels take on a whole new life […]

My grandma just sent me an urgent message about an upcoming decision from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on deregulating genetically engineered alfalfa, a clover-like forage crop.  As humans don’t normally consume alfalfa, it may seem like an unimportant issue for us.  However, when you consider the food chain it is easy to see […]

We are very fortunate to live in a generously sized downtown Chicago apartment.  When we first moved in two years ago we thought two bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, a dining room and in-unit laundry all spaced on two floors would be more than enough room for our young family. Oh, how foolish we were… Christmas […]

I was recently interviewed for an article about green-themed New Year’s resolutions.  At first it took me a while to come up with one – I make an effort every day to green my life.  It quickly dawned on me that the best way for me to continue the green lifestyle is to share it […]

One of the saddest parts about this gray time of the year is the lack of fresh local produce. We visit our neighborhood farmer’s market every week during the summer, so adjusting to imported vegetables can be a subtle shock to the palate. However, my entire family finds great delight in the adorable little clementine […]

On Sunday we took a family stroll to do some shopping along Michigan Avenue. Despite the crowds and hot stores and long lines Evelyn was a very good girl. To thank her, I let her choose a treat for herself on the walk home. It was no surprise to me that she asked for a […]

My tip for keeping the house tidy without going crazy was recently featured on the Virtue Radio Network, an internet community for contemporary women. I created a weekly “to-do” list that assigns specific chores to specific days, helping me keep life organized and clean. Other women contributed to the article, so you can find plenty […]