It’s the irony of the universe, that when you really need a staple-remover all you can find is a stapler, and vice…
Green
Winding Up: Crank-Operated Gadgets
When it comes to environmentally-friendly living, we need more cranks. We’re talking about the hand-mechanical ene…
Bioflavonoids, Antioxidants and Phytochemicals: a Nutritional Primer
Most of us intuitively know, from an early age, that our bodies are more likely to resist illness if we eat the right fo…
Seasonal Living: Spring Series – Flowers
Viewing one flower at a time in the garden calls to mind the difference between a landscape painting and a portrait. A l…
Best Plants for an Indoor Topiary
For the gardener who enjoys pruning and snipping for relaxation, a bonsai-sized topiary can satisfy the urge to trim whe…
The History of Elixirs
In ancient China, where the elixir tradition was first recorded, tribal shamans, or “medicine men,” believed…
The History of Tonics
The essential wisdom of tonics is as down-to-earth as the roots, herbs, seeds, vegetables, fruits, and berries used in t…
A Guide to Making Infusions and Decoctions
Decoctions simply require a longer extraction process to get at their essential nutrients than do infusions. Roots, bar…