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Old-Fashioned Skills

How to Save Energy the Vintage Way – 9 Old-Fashioned Tips

January 15, 2023 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Here are 9 old-fashioned ways to help you reduce your energy consumption and give your wallet a break.

snuffing out a candle

Let’s rewind to a time when folks didn’t rely on electricity to get by to the degree that most of us are accustomed to. At the peak of summer’s sweltering heat, air conditioners didn’t run the way they do today. Depending on the time period, people would go somewhere communal that was air-conditioned, like the movie theatre. In the winter, people bundled up for extra warmth.

It’s not that way anymore, at least, not in North America.

As a Canadian, I would have to say that most people have gotten lazy when it comes to energy consumption. The ways of our forefathers (and mothers) have been forgotten. Convenience is king, but it comes at a cost.

The costs that may come to mind are environmental and financial. Energy based on fossil fuels isn’t as affordable as it once was. In fact, it’s become downright expensive.

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Filed Under: Frugal Living, Old-Fashioned Skills

20 Rationing Tips from WWII (in case you need them)

January 17, 2022 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Rationing tips were plentiful during WWII. Here are twenty vintage pointers that might help you, too, if you ever find yourself in a pinch.

World War 2 Ration Books And Stamps D. D. Teoli Jr. A. C.
Source: World War 2 Ration Books And Stamps D. D. Teoli Jr. A. C.

In 1940, Britain began rationing; in 1942, Canada and the US followed suit. Goods that had previously been taken for granted either became scarce or cost dearly.

Ration stamps were distributed to every household, granting families a purchasing allowance for meat, butter, sugar, coffee, tea, dairy and preserves. Needless to say, this changed the way folks ate.

Since resources were being focussed on the war effort, there was a massive shift from importation to local production and consumption. To do their part on the homefront, women had to be creative in the kitchen, making do with what they could buy for their families. There’s a lot we can learn from them.

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Filed Under: Frugal Living, Old-Fashioned Skills

Maple Bourbon Pumpkin Pie (so good, you won’t want to share)

November 15, 2021 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

This maple bourbon pumpkin pie is naturally sweetened and lightly spiked.  It makes for a fun twist on this holiday favourite!

maple bourbon pumpkin pie slice with whipped cream

If you’re a sucker for a good old-fashioned pumpkin pie, then you’re going to love this punched-up version. It’s rich, maple sweet and has just enough spice.

The bourbon takes it to a whole new level; a slight twist of orange livens things up. If the orange sounds weird to you, don’t worry, I was skeptical, too. It works, though, and it helps make this holiday classic top-notch.

RELATED: Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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Filed Under: Baking, Holidays, RECIPES

Cleaning With FlyLady Plus for a Sparkling Home (it’s easy!)

November 1, 2021 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

FlyLady Plus is an app and cleaning system that’s a total gamechanger when it comes to keeping a tidy home. And best of all, it’s FREE!

microfibre cloths and cleaning spray

Do you have a hard time keeping your home tidy? Have you made cleaning schedules for yourself that always get abandoned? Or perhaps it’s a matter of never having enough time to tend to the cleanliness of your home? No matter the story, I’m willing to bet that FlyLady can help you with your struggle.

It’s possible that you’ve never heard of the FlyLady app before. I certainly hadn’t! But when I kept hearing about it, I had to investigate.

It completely changed the way I clean.

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Filed Under: Cleaning, Old-Fashioned Skills

Easy Sauerkraut & Bacon Quiche Recipe

October 18, 2021 by Sylvia Rose 7 Comments

This sauerkraut and bacon quiche recipe will tickle your tastebuds in the best possible way. It’s  super easy to make, too!

Quiche is a versatile dish that can be served at practically any meal. Leftover quiche makes a quick and easy breakfast, and no one is going to complain if there’s a fresh quiche at the brunch table. In the winter, eat it warm, just barely out of the oven. In summer, serve it cold to help beat the heat.

If you don’t welcome gluten in your life, turn it into a frittata, eliminating the crust to make it keto-friendly. And the flavour! Oh my gosh, it’s superb. Raw sauerkraut is tamed with smoky bacon, sauteed onions, and a hint of dry white wine.

I think you’re going to love this unique quiche recipe, but try it out and see for yourself…

RELATED: Homemade Raw Sauerkraut Recipe

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Filed Under: Baking, Breakfast, Main Dishes, RECIPES

Dark Chocolate-Drizzled Almond Biscotti Recipe & Video

September 20, 2021 by Sylvia Rose 3 Comments

These crispy dark chocolate-drizzled almond biscotti are studded with almonds and are seriously addictive. Will you be able to stop at one?

dark chocolate almond biscotti with almonds and dark chocolate

It probably goes without saying, but biscotti are cookies. Italian cookies.

Biscotti also means twice baked, which is the secret behind their crispiness. They are baked not once, but twice.

Biscotti are also lower in sugar than most cookies, and I made this recipe just a tad bit healthier by cutting half of the flour with whole wheat.

But then I threw away its whole wheat virtues and had it mingle with dark chocolate.

I don’t normally drizzle or dip my biscotti in chocolate and I quickly discovered why.

Regular almond biscotti, without the chocolate treatment, last three times as long as their decorated brethren in my house.

If you’re not careful, yours will disappear, too.

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Filed Under: Baking, RECIPES

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Welcome to the Kitchen!

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I’m delighted to have you here!

Hi! I’m Sylvia, a vintage-loving gal. Join me weekly as I share old-fashioned tips and recipes to help you become more intentional and self-sufficient. Want to get to know me better? Please join me over here.

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