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In my post on seasonal skincare tweaks (you can read that in full here) I talked about some of the things I change in my routine when autumn gets into full swing. Swapping lighter moisturisers for richer ones, for example, to counteract the drying effects of colder weather and central heating. Arguably the most important tip in that post was the one that advised stepping back from very potent, powerful active ingredients if your skin is feeling on the irritable side. Strong vitamin C serums, intense acid peels, advanced retinoids – shelve them for a bit until your face feels robust…
A new, terrible era in my online shopping life has begun. One where any remaining iota of self-restraint has been completely banished, where there is an uneasy sense that the person at the helm of the Good Ship Buyalot (me) is, in fact, deeply unhinged. It’s a bit like that scene where Scar takes his place at Pride Rock (Lion King reference, keep up): you can almost see the skies darkening, the hyenas circling, the vultures swooping in. For I have discovered the Vinted app and it is surely going to lead to my ultimate demise. Perhaps not financially, because almost…
Texas A&M AgriLife researcher helps outline RNAi alternative to ‘knock out’ technology in thought piece Until the 1992 advent of a tomato that could delay softening, the fruit was picked green to withstand shipping. The delayed-softening trait was an example of the gene-silencing technique RNA interference, RNAi, before the underlying mechanism was understood and the term was created. FAST FACTS RNA interference, RNAi, is a natural gene-silencing technology that has been used in agriculture for years, but science has only recently begun exploring how it can be deliberately applied outside of the lab. RNAi acts as a dimmer switch for…
Complex patterns of motion emerge when water drops condense on an oiled surface. A more efficient way to capture fresh water from the air could be inspired by a phenomenon of motion first glimpsed in bowls of breakfast cereal. KAUST researchers have observed that, when water droplets condense from the air onto a cold surface coated with oil, the droplets commence a complex dance. This motion — akin to a process known as the Cheerios effect whereby the floating cereal tends to cluster due to surface tension — could help to speed up the harvesting of water from the atmosphere in…
In a corner of Kelsey Hatzell’s lab sits a small jar filled with a material that has an ability far beyond what its nondescript appearance would suggest: a way to capture and release carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by simply changing the surrounding humidity. The material could slash the energy costs associated with so-called direct air capture systems, which conventionally rely on energy-intensive temperature or pressure shifts to switch between carbon capture and release. By instead relying on humidity, the material could yield energy efficiency improvements over five times above current technologies. The researchers reported their findings in Environmental Science & Technology Letters on…
Created On: April 19, 2024 | By Debbie | 3 Comments These oven baked kale chips are sure to become your family’s favorite new salty snack that is also good for you! All you need are 6 simple ingredients and 25 minutes to make these delicious and nutritious veggie chips. Post originally published November 2014; updated April 2024. I know everyone was talking about oven-baked kale chips ages ago, but it’s still one of our favorite healthy snack options. Bite sized pieces of kale seasoned with your favorite spices and baked til crispy – they never last long in our…
Created On: April 24, 2024 | By Debbie | 2 Comments This quick and easy no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe needs only a handful of simple ingredients that you likely have in your pantry now. They are a family favorite post-dinner sweet treat that is vegan and gluten free. Post originally published January 2019; updated April 2024. These no bake chocolate peanut butter oat bars are my new favorite delicious treat! Peanut butter and chocolate is my all-time favorite flavor combination. Seriously, is there anything better? Luckily, if you’re a peanut butter lover like me there isn’t much…
Created On: April 29, 2024 | By Debbie | Leave a comment This quick and easy vegan beef and broccoli recipe has been on repeat in our house lately. The vegan “beef” gets cooked in a flavorful sauce with lots of ginger and garlic for a Chinese takeout inspired meal If you’re looking for a flavor-packed meal inspired your favorite take-out, you are going to love this vegan beef and broccoli recipe. In just 20 minutes, you can have this dish hot and ready to serve – perfect for this busy toddler mom. This recipe quickly became a staple in…
Created On: July 1, 2024 | By Debbie | 2 Comments This vegetarian bolognese is a plant-based twist on the classic Italian meat sauce. A heart and filling dish packed with plant-based protein that’s perfect for chilly, rainy days. Post originally published June 2015; updated July 2024. This vegetarian bolognese recipe is the brain child of several consecutive rainy days here in Chicago. I was looking for something hearty and filling and this dish is just that. In fact, we’ve already made it a few times! The leftovers are great for taking along to work the next day as well. The other…
Created On: October 30, 2024 | By Debbie | Leave a comment This soup season, give celery the star treatment it deserves with this simple but delicious creamy celery soup. Celery, potatoes, and fresh herbs are cooked until tender in broth before pureeing until smooth. I’ll be eating this one on repeat all season long. This post is sponsored by Dandy®. For most recipes, celery is a supporting actor of an ingredient. It lends a hand by offering some additional flavor, but seldom is celery the star of a recipe – except when it comes to this delicious creamy celery soup…