Making your own non-toxic cooking spray is easier than you think! Store-bought cooking sprays are full of harmful chemicals, and tossing all those cans in the garbage can’t be good for the environment. Learn how to make your own at home with only a few basic items.

What you will need:

– a spray bottle

– olive oil (or any other kind of oil, except coconut because of its low melting point)

– distilled water (you can use boiled or filtered, the important thing is that it’s sterilized to prevent bacteria growth)

The first thing you need to to is sterilize your spray bottle to kill any bacteria that might be in it. Put 1 part olive oil to 5 parts water in the spray bottle. You might need to test it out a few times to adjust the spray to your liking. Shake the spray bottle well and use! Remember to only make small batches at a time, since this spray will be good for 1 week. Make sure you store it in the fridge and don’t use it on a hot pan!

Photos: Sweet and Savory Food.

Originating from the Middle East, this amazing avocado hummus will definitely have you reaching for seconds! Delicious avocado combined with the nuttiness of the chickpeas is just to die for! You can serve this at any party and BBQ, and it’s perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Fill up your favorite veggie wraps with hummus or use it for a healthy dip with crackers or chips! In this hummus, we used avocado, chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic. Super healthy and protein-packed, this hummus won’t disappoint!

Healthy Avocado Hummus

Quick to prepare, this avocado hummus goes great as a dip with pita chips! You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to a month

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz can of chickpeas
• 1 avocado, halved, pitted, and flesh removed
• 1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
• 3-5 tbsp lemon juice (to taste)
• 1 1/2 tbsp tahini
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Drain the chickpeas and set aside 1/4 cup of liquid from the can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender and add liquid from chickpeas. Blend on low speed until smooth.
2. Place in a serving bowl, creating a well in the center of the hummus. Add olive oil into the well.
3. Garnish with parsley (optional).
4. Serve with pita chips.

Photos: Joy the Baker, Food, Samsmeddeli, The Comfort of Cooking.

There is nothing more refreshing than eating ice-cold watermelon in the scorching summer heat. Our watermelon summer salad is perfect for those endless heat waves, and you can eat it as a side to your BBQ, or as a snack by itself. Cold watermelon, refreshing lime juice, feta cheese, fresh mint, and olives come together in this fantastic salad that is easy and quick to make! For parties, try putting the watermelon, feta, and olives on bamboo skewers for a fun and mess-free way for guests to enjoy.

Refreshing Watermelon Summer Salad

This watermelon summer salad is quick to prepare and is great for BBQ parties. Impress your guests with this unique twist on the classic watermelon salad!

Ingredients

• 1 red onion
• 4 limes
• 1 medium watermelon
• 250 grams feta cheese
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• 1 bunch fresh mint, chopped
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 100 grams black olives, pitted
• black pepper

Instructions

1. Peel and halve red onion, slicing it into fine half-moons. Place it in a small bowl to steep with the lime juice.
2. Remove the rind and seeds from the watermelon, and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks. Cut feta into similar pieces, and put them in a large bowl. Don’t chop the parsley, instead tear off sprigs and add them to the bowl along with the chopped mint.
3. Add the onions and juice into the bowl along with the oil and olives. Toss the salad gently so that the feta and watermelon don’t lose their shape.
4. Add black pepper to taste.

Photos: Photo Appetite, Meats Roots and Leaves.

Scratches on wooden furniture is inevitable. Whether it’s from kids, pets, or making you doubt that impulse wooden chair purchase from the thrift store, we’ve got the secret solution to make it look good as new! This method is cheap and easy, plus you can repeat it as many times as you like, since it’s actually good for the wood!

This is what you will need: 3/4 cup olive or vegetable oil and 1/4 cup white or apple cider vinegar.

Mix the ingredients together and using a clean cloth, dip it into the mixture and rub it over your wooden furniture. This solution will get rid of all those little nicks and make it look new! This is great for the wood, so repeat as often as necessary.

Check out the results!

Before:

After:

Photos: Lily and Thistle.