Freelance

, ,

The Fiddle-Leaf Fig: A Headstrong Houseplant

, ,
The Fiddle-Leaf Fig: A Headstrong Houseplant

The fiddle-leaf fig is the outlaw of the houseplant world: tough to tame, hard to understand, difficult to love. Yet, we try to keep it and love it.

The fiddle-leaf fig’s columnar, complicated physique makes it among the most photogenic of trees; its likeness is printed, etched, and painted onto countless pieces of décor and works of art. Fiddle-leaf figs have been central to thousands of interior designs in the past decade; the focus of dozens of websites, giveaways, chat rooms, and weekly newsletters; and the muse for a seemingly endless stream of Pinterest galleries. Even The New York Times called the fiddle-leaf fig the new “it” plant. And no matter what houseplant trend comes up, nothing has budged this tree from its pedestal.

, ,

Discover the Healing Power of Labyrinths

, ,
Discover the Healing Power of Labyrinths

Some people clear their heads by running. Others practice yoga, hike to a mountaintop, or walk in silence. A labyrinth is another form of moving meditation, spiraling its participants toward its center and back out again. The non-branching path, while meandering, is singular. Where a maze confounds, a labyrinth clarifies.

, , , , , , , , , ,

We Are 'All in the Same Boat'

, , , , , , , , , ,
We Are 'All in the Same Boat'

Eco-friendly initiatives, from zero-waste living to reducing meat consumption, are no longer concepts relegated to cities, progressive coastal communities, or the tired trope of yesterday’s “hippie.” With growing scientific evidence of the roles we all play in polluting our waterways, affecting climate change, and harming fragile eco systems all over the world, choosing to “live green” and tread more lightly aren’t fringe ideas at all—nor are they new in the north country.

,

Vegan Dishes Find a Home on Fine-Dining Menus Throughout the North Country

,
Vegan Dishes Find a Home on Fine-Dining Menus Throughout the North Country

Vegans and vegetarians in the north country will log hundreds of miles throughout the year in order to patronize restaurants with savory options stretching beyond a simple salad, pasta with red sauce, or having to be that customer, asking for customized meals that aren’t on the menu.

     But these days, vegetarians and vegans in the north country don’t have to make pilgrimages to Kingston or Syracuse—there are plenty of options here at home. Chefs throughout the tri-county area are taking on the challenge of catering to vegans and vegetarians with dishes flavorful enough to please even the most discerning omnivore.

     There are a number of reasons people are more open to plant-based eating nowadays, whether they be for the environment, health or animal welfare. But we can add a new excuse: Chefs in the north country are making vegan and vegetarian meals that are just plain delicious.

5 Easy Boredom Busters for Dogs Who Are Alone all Day

5 Easy Boredom Busters for Dogs Who Are Alone all Day

By Nicole Caldwell, for FourLeggedGuru.com

There’s nothing worse than dealing with aggression or behavioral issues in adult dogs—and no simpler solution than doing away with the boredom that causes it.

Dogs were bred to be companion animals. They’ve worked and played by our sides for thousands of years. When we don’t give them the attention or work they need, dogs respond by acting out.

Does your dog run amok when you’re at work all day? Is he or she bouncing off the walls every time you walk through the door? Here are some simple ways to stave off canine boredom while you’re not home.