Best Practices

Here you will find links to some of the most popular projects I have featured at FC&G.  I have determined popularity from a combination of post hits, reader comments, and emails from readers.  And, of course, a few of my favorites are in here too!  Enjoy! 


I hate paying the heat bill, but I hate being cold.

• Make hand warmers for your pockets.
• Make bed warmers (AKA "knee thingies") for your bed.
• Make a fleece (un)quilt.
• Make fleece pillowcases.
• Knit a cowl.
• Knit some yoga socks.
• Use your fireplace insert to its advantage by stockpiling wood.
• Heat with passive solar.

I have an expensive food treat that I want to use to its best advantage.

• Feature an artisinal cheese this way in summer or winter.
• Feature a special meat next to piles of veggies.
• Stretch the expensive food.

I want to explore herbal remedies.

• Learn more about feverfew in summer and winter.
• Feed a cold with sage noodle soup.

I hate buying cleaning products.

• Make your own Swiffer cloths.
• Stop paying to ship water.
• Make your own laundry soap.
• Snow wash your rugs.

I hate buying personal care products.

• Switch from tissues to hankies for free.
• Rethink the way you shave.
• Make your own "cotton balls."

I want to start preserving food.

• Get a huge bang for your buck with basil pesto.
• Keep every tomato.
• Investigate canning.
• Dry tomatoes.
• Freeze cherries for pies and yogurt toppings.

I want to lower my food bill.

• Make yogurt.
• Bake some spoonbread.
• Make some August Pasta.
• Visit a u-pick strawberry farm.
• Think about what you buy that you could make.
• Make stock.
• Stock up with predictable sales.
• Learn to bake bread,

I want to boost my sustainable cred with some resource-friendly projects.

• Hang out your laundry.
• Compost.