If you only have a small space available to grow vegetables and herbs, but you love being able to use your own home grown, you might find this Vertical Herb Garden design by Xavier Calluaud very interesting.   He is an industrial design student in Australia, and I think it’s safe to save that we’ll probably see more fabulous eco-conscious designs from him in the future.  Right now, Xavier is looking for employment…anyone?

via Craftzine.com
Image: Xavier Calluaud

When my kids were young, chore charts helped them to keep track of what was expected of them each day and weekly.  I found that by raising them on the concept of everyone having chores, rather than the notion that they were “helping me out”, they felt pride in being an important part of the family.  Even if they didn’t particularly like all the chores

And where did we keep our Chore Charts?  On the door of the fridge, of course!  I made our charts and we decorated them, but recently I found this really cute chart that I …read more

I must have kids on the brain recently.  I’ve been looking at all kinds of kid-oriented kitchen products, and look what caught my attention:
This Kitchen Coloring Book is available at Wilson’s Shop, originally made for the artist’s daughter to color and learn about kitchen gadgets and cooking.   Twenty-four pages, printed on recycled paper.  A great way for the child in your life to play and learn.  About  $6.

I can’t even tell you how much I wanted one of these when I was a kid.  But my mom was a practical woman, and she pointed out that I could bake with her anytime I wanted to, real food in real sizes.  And we did spend many hours baking and cooking together.  I credit her with much of my love for feeding people today.
But man, did I ever want that oven!

The classic style Easy-Bake Oven is back in stock again, if not totally back in favor.  The little mixes that they sell are still ridiculously high priced for what …read more

Just in case you’re not busy enough simply cooking for your friends and family, why not learn to say the names of the tools, appliances, foods, and parts of the kitchen…all in French!  I don’t know why it is, but French pronunciation just seems to add that little extra bit of snob appeal
Visit Imagiers.net and check out their other French language videos, especially the kitchen-related ones.

Michael Pollan came out with three “simple” rules in his book In Defense of Food: eat food, not too much, mostly plants.  The problem is, for a nation of fast food and processed food junkies, we don’t really know what those simple statements mean.

So Pollan has come out with a new book, Food Rules, which takes us through 64 very concise “rules” to teach us just what is and is not food, and what is meant by eating enough, but not too much.
I mean, “Go-gurt”?   Is that really a food?
Repetitive for those who’ve already read his other books, but a …read more

Theoretically, hanging your produce to wash it should be a bit more gentle than pouring it into a colander.  Especially if you need to wash delicate fruits like berries, think about getting yourself a set of these Produce Washing Nets.

They collapse flat and nest together to store, but will hang right on the end of your faucet for washing and drip drying.   The outer foam rings float so that you can soak your fruit and then just lift it out of the water if you’d like.  About $15 set of three.
Image: Improvements

WorldCentric.org boasts of compostable products, sustainable materials, and fair trade practices.  What they carry are bags, cups, trays, containers, plates, bowls, and even utensils that are better for the environment.
I am totally taken by their Corn Starch Utensils.  Yup, you read that right…corn starch.  The heat-resistant line of utensils are good for up to 200 F.  Pretty cool, so to speak.  They will service cafeterias and restaurants as well as retailers and events.
Image: WorldCentric.org

The new family of Scotch-Brite products has a greener look, but more importantly, greener content.  Scrubbers from agave plant fibers, soap pads from recycled plastics, cleaning cloths from sustainable bamboo fibers, and biodegradable natural fiber sponges.  Who’d have thought? Pair them with green cleansers, and you’re all set.
If they’re not already at a retailer near you, I’m sure they will be soon.
Image: 3M

It seems to be all the rage on competitive cooking shows, and we’ve seen how chefs can rise or fall on their ability to master sous vide cooking. Sous vide means “under vacuum”, and has been a staple of cooking in French restaurants since the late 1970s.
However, before you go running off to buy sous vide equipment, please know that it is considered highly dangerous for home cooking.  You’ve got to promise that you’ll follow directions meticulously, or else you run the risk of giving your guests food poisoning, including botulism.  Yuck.  No one wants to end a dinner …read more