Kitchen Stories

Eggshells are the best!

Posted on by Jean Campbell

  Make use of refuse. Lean into resourcefulness for a bit of support through the trying times ahead. I love eggshells- everything about them. An eggshell protects the baby bird contained within, holding it in a perfect, liquid environment that doesn't leak yet still breathes. Or, they may hold a delicious little protein-packed bit of yumminess. I feel much gratitude for the gift of an egg. But once the shell has completed its job, there is still more goodness to be had. And keeping food... Continue reading

Self-care in the New Year

Posted on by Jean Campbell

  The title of this post may sound suspiciously like it's leading up to a New Year's Resolution, but it's not. Also known as, "The main things I plan to change next year but am not going to," resolutions are made to be broken. All my self-made promises of regimented workout routines, valiant housekeeping practices, and inspired money management programs were lovely suggestions that passed on by like dry leaves caught in the wind. Instead, I like to make a New Year's plan, and that... Continue reading

What do you get when you cross eggshells and coffee grounds with a banana peel?

Posted on by Jean Campbell

  Fertilizer! One of my favorite ways to divert kitchen refuse from the landfill is by making homemade liquid fertilizer. We boiled eggs for breakfast one morning. I peeled the shells, returned them to the water I'd boiled them in, and poured the whole thing into the blender. To this, I added the morning's spent coffee grounds and the chopped-up peel of the banana we'd shared. The eggshells provide calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. The banana peels contribute potassium, and the coffee... Continue reading

Garden Bones and Chicken Broth

Posted on by Jean Campbell

  A soft footprint is not what I'm after. I don't want the planet to diminish because of me. My goal is to leave it better. I want nature to start singing the Hallelujah Chorus because I showed up. To that end, I am following the lead of the indigenous people of this continent, the original citizens of North America, in showing appreciation and using my resources without waste. It's not only good for me; it's good for the planet. Here's an idea, and it's pretty simple. Replace... Continue reading