Newsletters

Emily Han

Emily Han is a Los Angeles-based recipe developer, educator, herbalist, and author of Wild Drinks & Cocktails: Handcrafted Squashes, Shrubs, Switchels, Tonics, and Infusions to Mix at Home. For recipes and classes, check out her personal site.
    How To Make Your Own Natural Bathroom Cleaners
    There are tons of “green” bathroom cleaners on the market, but most of the time it’s cheaper and just as effective to make your own. Armed with a few simple non-toxic and biodegradable ingredients, you can keep your bathroom fresh and sparkling. If you’ve got a little extra time today, grab this shopping list, head to the store and make a few batches of healthy cleaners to keep your bathroom (or any room) healthy!
    Emily Han
    May 21, 2023
    The 15 Best Organic Bedding Sources
    You spend about one-third of your life in bed, so it's an important place to invest in clean, healthy, and beautiful products!
    Emily Han
    Feb 24, 2023
    Kelly and Erik’s Urban Farm
    Name: Kelly Coyne and Erik KnutzenLocation: Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park/Silver Lake area)Years lived in: 13 Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen didn’t set out to become back –and front!– yard farmers. But once this Los Angeles couple discovered the pleasures of making things by hand and living close to the natural world, one thing led to another and today their ever-evolving urban homestead (if we dare call it that) is a true inspiration in the heart of the city.
    Emily Han
    Apr 11, 2012
    Product Review: Method Antibacterial Cleaners
    Name: Method Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner & Antibacterial Kitchen CleanerPrice: $3.99Rating: Recommend* We don’t usually buy household cleaning products, preferring instead to make our own for the kitchen and bathroom. However, of all the commercial products out there we have always liked Method, so we were curious to try their new Antibac line.
    Emily Han
    Dec 16, 2010
    5 Ways To Recycle Your Old Digital Camera
    Our digital camera died the other day, and after saying our tearful goodbyes, we started to wonder what we should do with it. Throwing electronic waste in the trash or even our curbside recycling bin is a no-no. Fortunately, we found lots of other ways to recycle a digital camera.• Donate it: If the camera still works, consider giving it to a school, youth program, animal shelter, nature center, or another organization.
    Emily Han
    Oct 28, 2010
    Recycled and Rugged: 5 Eco-Friendly Outdoor Doormats
    Rugged and durable, these outdoor doormats not only stop dirt and mud from entering the home, but they also help keep rubber and plastics out of the landfill. Check out these five great examples that give new life to materials like tires, flip flops, and plastic bottles.1 Mudhog Doormat made from recycled plastic bottles, $59 at L.L. Bean2 Flip Flop Door Mat made from recycled flip flop remnants, $29-89 at VivaTerra3 Recycled Tire Doormat, $19.
    Emily Han
    Jun 29, 2010
    How To Start and Use an Outdoor Stackable Compost Bin
    Composters come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, and one of the most popular models is the stackable bin. Such bins tend to be sturdy, convenient, weather- and pest-proof, and the separate tiers allow for easy turning. Here are step-by-step instructions for starting and maintaining your compost pile in a stackable bin.MaterialsOutdoor area Compostable wasteAirWater Equipment and ToolsStackable compost binLatch (optional)Shovel and/or garden fork 1. Procure a stackable compost bin.
    Emily Han
    Jun 14, 2010
    How To Buy Only What You Love (and Need)
    How many times have you been shopping, seen something beautiful, or cool or cute or on sale, snatched it up, and then later realized you didn’t really love or need it? Learning to shop conscientiously, or not at all, is liberating, better for the environment, and essential if you live in a small space. Here are some of the things we’ve learned on our own journey. Shop with a goal.
    Emily Han
    Apr 13, 2010
    How Much Water Do You Use Each Day? Week? Year?
    The average American family of four uses 400 gallons of water each day. How does your household compare? Using an interactive online calculator from UL.com, you can get an estimate of your daily, weekly, and annual household water consumption and learn ways to save this precious resource.The calculator takes you through the house, asking questions about your routines in the laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, and outdoors.
    Emily Han
    Apr 2, 2010
    Plastic Bag Dryers: Buy or DIY?
    We aren’t in the habit of buying plastic bags, but we do keep a small collection to wash and reuse. Drying the bags usually entails propping them around utensils in the dish rack or over chopsticks in a jar. The thought of purchasing a plastic bag drying contraption for ourselves seems like a waste of money and resources.
    Emily Han
    Mar 26, 2010
    Best Water-Saving Kitchen Faucets: 10 Models from High to Low
    Looking to save water in the kitchen? Although the majority of water-saving faucets are manufactured for bathrooms, we searched high and low to bring you a list of faucets for the kitchen. Here are 10 handsome models ranging from $120 to $1,200 … and if that’s still a stretch for your budget, we’ve included a $2 option, too!Note: the standard flow rate for faucets is 2.2 to 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm).
    Emily Han
    Mar 24, 2010
    Top 5: Eco-Friendly Cutting Board Materials
    Recycled paper, flax, and cork are just some of the materials that comprise eco-friendly cutting boards. Here’s a list of five materials worth keeping an eye out for, along with examples that are beautiful, durable, and in many cases, quite affordable. With so many options, there’s sure to be a cutting board to suit every cook and kitchen.
    Emily Han
    Mar 23, 2010
    Quick Tip #22: How to Remove Rust From Household Items
    Every well-run home is teeming with tricks and shortcuts to keep it humming along. We’re sharing our best quick tips — for cleaning, organizing and repairing stuff at home — to save you time and money. Click through for today’s helpful hint, and links to tons more… Try a POTATO. Cut one in half lengthwise or crosswise, depending on how large a surface area you want. Dip the cut end in dish soap or baking soda and firmly rub it over the rusted area.
    Emily Han
    Mar 15, 2010
    The Best Eco-Friendly Bathroom Tile
    Choosing tiles has to be one of the most fun aspects of renovating or building a bathroom. And fortunately, there are plenty of eco-friendly options, whether you prefer the look of earthy cork, clean ceramic, or shimmering glass. Here are ten of our favorite tile companies and designs that incorporate recycled materials and green manufacturing processes.
    Emily Han
    Mar 9, 2010
    How To Prevent & Get Rid Of Pantry Moths
    Pantry moth infestations are most frustrating. At the same time, I am committed to using natural, non-toxic, and mostly no-kill methods to deal with pantry moths. Here are the methods we recommend to get rid of them and effectively prevent further infestation. If you suspect you have pantry moths, first inspect everything in your pantry. Although moths tend to infest flours and grains, you should also check dried fruit, candy, pet food, etc.
    Emily Han
    Feb 25, 2010
    How To Clean a Cast Iron Skillet
    image:1091dfc769cb0c41e1d9410d6aee8834d7f9a565 w:540 s:"fit" class_name:"mt-image-center" show_pin_button:"true" show_image_credits:"true" Instructions for cast iron skillet cleaning often include a lot of don’ts: don’t use soap, don’t use steel wool, don’t put it in the dishwasher. It’s almost enough to scare one off from cast iron completely! However, with a few simple techniques, you’ll be able to keep your skillet clean, rust-free, and well-seasoned.
    Emily Han
    Feb 19, 2010
    How To Buy and Store Bulk Foods
    Looking for a way to significantly reduce packaging waste? A visit to your local bulk bin offers this, plus the opportunity to save money, to buy only what you need, and to try new foods with minimal investment. Here’s how to go about scooping and and storing…MaterialsContainers or bags for shopping and storing 1. Locate a bulk food seller near you.
    Emily Han
    Feb 9, 2010
    How To Remove Jar Labels and Odors
    We reuse jars and bottles everywhere in the home – to store bulk grains, dish soap, buttons, nails, you name it. Removing the sticky labels and any odors (most often from foods like tomatoes, pickles, and garlic) from the jars is a mundane yet satisfying task. Here’s how we do it.MaterialsHot waterDish soapSponge or steel woolVegetable oil or peanut butter (optional)Sunshine (optional)Vinegar (optional)Baking soda (optional) ToolsHair dryer (optional) To remove labels1.
    Emily Han
    Feb 3, 2010
    Tips: Bay Leaves in the Pantry
    Why is there a bay leaf in our flour canister? green transfered posted originally from: TheKitchnYears ago, in the midst of a moth infestation, we read that bay leaves repel pantry insects. Everyone from beetles to weevils, moths, cockroaches, ants, and flies is said to hate the herb’s fragrance. The leaves can be placed in containers of flour, rice, and other dry goods, or taped inside cupboards and shelves.
    Emily Han
    Nov 18, 2008