Free Up Your Spice Cabinet

Time for another review of eco-alternatives I LOVE: Gneiss Spice!

Gneiss Spice is organic, refillable, uses eco friendly packaging AND is super cute to boot with hexagon jars. 

It's an investment, and my collection has been built over a few years, but almost all of my spices are on my fridge instead of taking up space in the cabinets! You can buy it already in the jar with the label stamped into the lid, or you can buy jars and labels and spices separately, and purchase your refills in compostable packaging!

I use my fridge (which is not uniformly magnetic btw), but they also sell wall plates. Some people do under-cabinet mounts using knife plates!

Im thinking about switching all my loose leaf teas to this system as well 😉

There's no kickbacks for sharing my favorite "good things" with you, but when i find an eco-alternative that i just *love*, i want you to know about it too!

Full disclosure: i often buy my hexagon jars from other online retailers like this one. Honey suppliers are also a great source. Ive even found them cheap on poshmark! Ive found the little ones are 1.5oz. the large are 4oz, and the tall are 6oz. I buy my niodymium magnets on Amazon. I also sometimes use tack magnets to keep jars from sliding on my unevenly magnetic fridge. I usually end up paying ~$3/jar with magnet instead of $6. Sometimes i get them even cheaper! Because i have purchased jars from Gneiss in the past, i have labels, but you can purchase labels on their site without the jars, or if you have a label maker, that works too.

Update: i *did* switch my teas. I often buy my jars cheaper from other sellers, and these 6oz hexagon jars were taller and thinner my regular ones, but still great for tea 😁

I used some of my little ones for single serving teas from my sipsby tea subscription (one of the few subscriptions ive kept for years!) This particular set of jars came with jute cord and cardboard tags, which i love because my teas change frequently!

Mighty Fix Eco-Alternatives Video Review

Ignore my sweaty summer mom look, and check out some of the products I've received in my Mighty Fix (eco-alternatives subscription box).

Mighty Fix is a subscription box from Mighty Nest that sends you eco-alternatives to everyday pollution in your life- alternatives to plastic bags and bottles, lunch solutions, environmentally friendly cleaning products, etc- helping you change your lifestyle one item at a time.

I don't get a kick back for this video, I just believe in the product and thought I'd take advantage of my clean kitchen to *show* you some of the fixes I've received in the past two years, so you can see that they are everyday alternatives that you will realistically adopt in your life.

https://mightynest.com/the-mighty-fix
Code: FIX99FORAYEAR

*I DO get a small kickback if I send you a referral email, and it does allow me to customize your first item when you subscribe
Items like:

• Collapse-It Food Storage (shown in video- i received the medium 4 cup size)
• Silikids Silicone Coffee Mug (I didn't show this, but i do use it- standard travel cup in teal)
• 5 Piece Food Hugger Set (shown in video)
• E Cloth Window Pack (shown in video- i received 2)
• Stasher Storage Bag (not shown- This a silicone ziplock alternative, DH uses for toiletries)
• Edgy Moose 10" Fabric Bowl Cover (not shown- I use this to rise bread)
• To Go Ware Utensils (not shown)
• Stainless Steel Straws (I didn't show this, but we use them a lot and have repurchased- set of 4)
• Meliora Laundry Set (shown in video- detergent and stain stick- sample size is half size)
• Swedish Dish Cloths (shown in video- received 2)
• Healing Balm (shown in video)
• Duralex Glass Food Storage (shown in video received a small square and small rectangle)
• Magic Mud Toothpaste & Preserve Toothbrush (shown in video)
• Bambu Bar Board (shown in video)
• All Good Lotion (not shown)
• Moso Charcoal Bag 200g (not shown in video, its a charcoal bag for odors)
• Silicone Spatula and Spoon (this was actually the blue handles on the counter in the video)
• Tidy Dishcloths (not shown)
• LunchSkins Set (shown in video- i received 2 in sandwich and snack size)
• Spray Bottle Set (shown in video- Meliora)
• Bees Wrap Set (shown in video)
• Dryer Balls (shown in video- i believe i received 3 of them)
• Flip & Tumble Produce Bags (shown in video- set of 3)

Vegetable Spiralers

Veggie spiralers are gaining popularity with the healthfood movement because they allow you to make noodles out of vegetables. I use and love them, but have had a few duds, so i thought I'd compare them for you here. All of these can be obtained for ~$15-$25 depending on where you look.

Overall, I prefer the conical one, because it is sturdy, has the variety i want, and stores small. However, it is the slower of your options if you're working bulk. I use (and compared here) an all-times finest version, but suspect that all the "pencil sharpener" varieties perform similarly. it was important to me that it did flats and noodles.

How do I use this product?
I use this for julienned carrots in my curries, and flat cucumber noodles for cucumber salad. Looking for to trying a sweet potato noodle dish soon!

Apple, Corer, Peeler, Slicer
Storage Space: Medium-Large. These are about 10" x 6" x 1"
Durability: These are usually metal so pretty sturdy
Functions: Cores, peels, Slices
Variety: Just spirals
Thickness: very thick. Over 1/8"
Ease of Use: super easy. It centers well and the crank is efficient
Speed: Very fast


Wellness Tri-Blade
Storage Space: Large. This is about 12" x 6" x 5"
Durability: Mine got knocked by another appliance and the crank snapped. So plastic. not sturdy
Functions: Cores and slices
Variety: 3 different plates for different noodles
Thickness: Medium thickness. 1/16"-1/8"
Ease of Use: Because the blades are offset from the corer, i found it difficult to perfectly center to maximize the length of the spirals.
Speed:Very fast



All Times Finest
Storage Space: minimal. Comes in a box 6"x 3"x 3"
Durability: Stable shape and Lifetime guarantee.
Functions:Just slices
Variety: Spirals or noodles
Thickness: Very thin
Ease of Use: Read the instructions and it's very easy
Speed: This is hand powered rather than crank powered so it's slightly slower. ~30-60 seconds for a carrot or cucumber

Infused Oils & Vinegars +Bonus Recipes

I want to talk about infused oils and vinegars because i cook with them a lot and I was refraining from posting recipes that use them. Infused Olive Oils and vinegars are a great way to add flavor to dishes. In Central Pennsylvania, I know of 2 "Taprooms" for oil and vinegar- 1 in CampHill(Taste-a-Lotta) and 1 in Lancaster(Seasons Taproom)- both located beside but not within their respective farmers markets. Below I've highlighted their primary uses and featured an easy no-brainer recipe recommendation with each!

Dressings:With a wide variety of flavors, theres lots of possibilities for dressing. Try the combination of blood orange olive oil and chocolate balsamic at the tap room- delish!


Cocktails: You might be surprised to learn that flavored vinegars make great additives to drinks. Try blueberry balsamic and club soda for a light and refreshing summer sparkler. Garnish with mint! I have also cooked it with maple syrup for pancakes!

Cooking: Flavored oils and vinegars can be added to baking recipes, but they especially shine in the sautee pan! One of my favorites is scallops steamed in coconut balsamic with lemongrass! yum!

A new piece for my Copper Kitchen

I've wanted both a copper whisk and a twisty whisk for a long time, so tonight, i made one that was both!