The Hands-On Home

by Erica Strauss

[Beth C.]

I have been a follower of Erica Strauss' blog 'Northwest Edible Life' for quite some time now, and have gotten so much wonderful information from it. However, I have found that sometimes the successful blog does not translate well into book form. So I was alternately very excited and somewhat apprehensive when I saw this was coming out. I'm thrilled to say that it's fabulous!

Strauss takes the reader on a seasonal "homekeeping" journey, imparting hints, tips, recipes and more to help the curious, the lost, and the frustrated figure out a way to do it better. What I loved the most is that she never preaches, nor is it her way or bust. There's a very friendly "we're all in this together" kind of vibe going on, and it was...sort of...comforting?

The book is divided up into six sections: Basics & Techniques, Year-Round, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Within those sections are hints & tips, suggestions, and recipes for cooking, preserving, home care and personal care. Year-round recipes include flatbread, one-hour ricotta cheese, infused vinegar, all-purpose cleaner, and "potty powder". Spring has watercress salad with stir-fried beef and peanuts, vanilla cream tart with fresh strawberries, pickled asparagus, carpet freshener, and two-in-one facial exfoliant and moisturizer. Summer has grilled nectarines with red onion, basil, mint, and blue cheese, grilled strip steak with fresh herb chimichurri, simple jam with flavor zings (well worth reading for the "zing" information alone), lacto-fermented pico de gallo, stink stopper toilet spray, comfrey and aloe skin-soothing gel. And on it goes, season by season, full of amazing information and wonderful recipes. All easy to do, all with the goal of simplifying and making your home cleaner and more natural.

The book itself is gorgeous. The cover is embossed and thick, the pages are thicker-weight, and the bookmark ribbon was the best touch. Sadly, there is only one ribbon, and I have already marked multiple pages.

If you're in a rut with your home, frustrated, or just want to explore new options to benefit your family and your home, this book is well worth the purchase price. I highly recommend it for just about everyone who wants to be a little more hands-on while feeling less overwhelmed.