Top Posts of 2019
Top Recipe of 2019: Rhubarb Crumble Pie
Having reached the end of a decade, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where the blog has been and where it’s going. This blog has been a creative outlet for me over the past year and a half and I am so grateful for all my readers and fans! In the new year, you can look forward to more recipes, more sustainability tips and more (gorgeous) photography. But before moving forward, let’s take a moment to look back at your favorite posts of 2019.
Top Recipes
Rhubarb Crumble Pie
I like this pie recipe for its simplicity and its deliciousness. You probably have most of the ingredients on hand, and they taste just delightful together. The tart rhubarb perfect compliments the touch of warmth and sweetness from the cardamom, coconut sugar and pecans.
Grandma's Blueberry Muffins
When I was younger, my Grandma Betty’s blueberry muffins were the star of every family gathering. One Easter, I ate 5 of them (all buttered up, natch) in lieu of ham. In her muffins, my grandma always used blueberries from my grandpa's garden, which were tarter than any blueberries I've ever tasted and pinker than any bluebs I've ever seen. Add a pat of butter and you're golden.
Kombucha Muffins
When I saw this recipe for kombucha muffins in Jerrelle Guy's book Black Girl Baking, I knew I needed to make it. And the recipe did not disappoint. Jerrelle is really a master of her craft and these muffins prove it. They're lightly sweet, a little wheaty, a little tangy, and make the perfect breakfast, snack or treat.
Vegan Plum Scones
This recipe started with a handful of overripe plums and a leftover bowl of aquafaba. I expected this recipe to be good, but I didn't anticipate it becoming my new favorite scone recipe. The batter is moist, tender, fluffy and flavorful, while the plums add just the right amount of sweet and tart.
Roasted Asparagus Soup
You guys. I wasn't sure this soup would work, but trust me: It. Is. Magic.
With only five ingredients and the most basic instructions I have ever read, Mark Bittman's original recipe seemed too good to be true. But after trying it out, I have to say that this recipe is one of my new favorites.
Top Sustainability Posts
Pros and Cons of Eco-Labeling
Many companies market their products with labels like “organic,” “fair trade,” “Rainforest Alliance certified,” “vegan” or a slew of other supposedly sustainable certifications. Although these labels can provide useful information, they often have unintended consequences on public perception and the market. In this post, I explain the pros and cons of marketing products using eco-friendly labels.
Pros and Cons of the Triple Bottom Line
The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) is a conceptual tool that companies use to prioritize sustainability and social betterment. More specifically, companies that follow the TBL business model claim to equally prioritize three pillars (or "bottom lines"): people, planet and profit. In this post, I review the pros and cons of this holistic business model.
Pros and Cons of Monoculture Farming
Monoculture agricultural fields only contain one type of crop, while polyculture agricultural fields contain several types of crops interspersed with one another. The vast majority of modern agricultural fields are monoculture fields. In this post, I break down the pros and cons (mostly cons, let’s be honest) of industrial monoculture farming.
Girl Scout Cookie Sustainability
The most wonderful time of the year is when scouts in little green vests post up outside grocery stores with piles of Tagalongs, Samoas and Lemon Cookies in tow. We all know Girl Scout cookies are delicious but are they sustainable? In this post, I give you the DL on Girl Scout cookie sustainability.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 101
Most synthetic pesticides (and even many non-synthetic pesticides) are super bad for our environment. They can wreck ecosystems, pollute soil and groundwater and harm our precious animal friends. However, pests (think: aphids, beetles, bunnies, deer...) can be a major problem in agriculture. If farmers don't protect their plants against pests, their crops will be destroyed before they make it to your plate. This where Integrated Pest Management (IPM) comes in. In this post, I define IPM and explain its practical uses in agriculture and your home garden.