by on June 19, 2019   •   14 Comments Home DIY

The Community Zero Waste Picnic Baskets

If you’re just catching up, I’ve officially declared this the Summer of the Picnic.

Now that we live just a short drive away from the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline beckon to us on sunny days. I’ve always got a basket at the ready and a plan of action for transporting our meal.

I’ve always been a picnic enthusiast, no matter the season. When the kids were little we bundled up for snow picnics, complete with hot cocoa and warm cookies.  My backyard garden inspired many a vegetarian picnic, and I’ve always found a reason to plan a fall picnic. They are good, simple family fun and we make the best memories every time we adventure out of doors with our dinner.

Earlier this spring, I did a massive sorting of all of my picnic gear and found I had plenty to spare. I decided to put together a few baskets for sharing around my community – zero-waste, plastic free picnic baskets with everything required for an outdoor feast.

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by on April 22, 2019   •   15 Comments Home DIY

How to Move Towards a Zero-Waste Kitchen

Simple tips for going zero-waste in the kitchen – with a goal of progress, not perfection.

Happy Earth Day!

Is anyone else watching Our Planet on Netflix? Each episode is equally inspiring and sobering. It is so important to be informed about the impact that our daily habits have on the environment.

As the snow melts in our yards and new life sprouts forth, let’s motivate each other to make more eco-friendly choices in the kitchen. I know you’re already doing a fantastic job, but there’s always room for improvement, right?

From energy-saving ideas to zero waste tips, here’s what I’m specifically doing in the Simple Bites kitchen. There are a hundred other directions we could take this topic, but I’m choosing to only list what I put into practice every single day.

So if you’re wondering how to move towards a zero-waste kitchen, begin with the small steps listed below and work up to the big ones.

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by on February 25, 2019   •   10 Comments Urban Homesteading

How to Regrow Vegetable Scraps

Tips for turning kitchen compost scraps into pretty spring greens.

Even thought my daughter is just six years old, it’s clear that I’m raising a little environmentalist.

Clara carries a bag and picks up garbage on our forest walks, aghast at people who litter. Of her own free will, she turns off the water in the shower when soaping and is keenly aware of water conservation. She wants to know about everything from global warming to water pollution and is fiercely protective of nature.

This simple kitchen project started as a way to demonstrate to Clara how not all vegetable scraps need to end up the compost bin – many can sprout again if given the chance. You all know how I love a good lesson from the kitchen, especially if it promotes food sustainability.

Once you start looking, there are a thousand little ways we can make environmentally friendly choices in the kitchen. Regrowing vegetable scraps is just one of them.

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by on December 4, 2018   •   47 Comments My Culinary Journey

A New Home for the Holidays

Hello from the other side of the Montreal-to-Halifax journey.

It’s been quiet here on the blog, mainly because over the past month we packed up a truck with all of our belongings and moved our three kids and two cats to an ocean province. For those just tuning it, it was a lifestyle move, a conscious step to slow down and refocus in a place that truly values family over ambition.

I’ve been waiting for inspiration to strike and the right words to explain how much this journey from homestead to seashore means to us. I’m still not quite there yet, but I wanted to give an update, especially for the kind readers who have messaged and emailed to check in. Thank you for sharing our excitement and joy. [Read more…]

by on October 25, 2018   •   Leave a Comment Traveling

Montréal Casual Eats

After spending two decades in Montréal, I am saying goodbye to this beautiful, diverse and delicious city. Upon your request, I’m listing my favourite food places in a 4-part series; consider them yours to discover. See you in Halifax. xox

Montréal just might lead Canadian cities with the best casual eats in the country. Diversity, atmosphere, style, flavour, affordability – it’s all here in the unique neighbourhood restaurants that span one end of the island to the other.

If you’ve got twenty bucks and the bravado to take on the construction around the city, virtually any food craving – from pizza to poutine – can be properly satiated.

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