Terrain Bulletin

Back Pocket Pasta with Colu Henry

Thu, 05 Apr 2018

It was 2013 when writer and cook Colu Henry began incorporating photos of her unfussy homemade pasta dishes into her stylish Instagram feed with the hashtag #backpocketpasta. Suddenly, linguine with anchovies and lemony breadcrumbs was sharing the spotlight with her interminably cool caftan collection, a heaping bowl of blond puttanesca came right after a peek inside her effortlessly chic Hudson Valley home, and a cozy plate of fusilli with sausage, fennel and greens signaled that she and her husband were getting resettled after another fun-filled vacation abroad.

While she began posting these “inspired dinners, cooked on the fly” in an effort to encourage her close friends and family to shake up their weeknight dinner routine, the hashtag quickly caught on, spurring hundreds of others to share their own versions of Colu’s pasta dishes created with whatever ingredients they had in their kitchens.

The movement eventually led Colu to write her gorgeous new book, Back Pocket Pasta, a refreshing collection of uncomplicated pasta recipes, side dishes, cocktails and wine suggestions that’s helping even more home cooks create delicious, nourishing dinners with a few basic ingredients and a little time.

This easy-going, soul-satisfying ethos that drives Colu’s cooking is one we can definitely get behind - which is why we’re so excited to host Colu and her friends from Scribe Winery for a decadent evening of pasta and wine at Terrain later this month. In anticipation of the dinner, we chatted with Colu to get her secrets to perfectly cooked pasta, how to elevate any pasta dish and the best time to drink rosé (hint: it’s always).

terrain: We read in Back Pocket Pasta that your family is from Italy and that your great-grandmother was the original back pocket pasta cook. Can you tell us how you were inspired by her and your heritage to create these pasta recipes for your cookbook?

Colu: Both of my great-grandparents came over from Italy at the turn of the century and similarly to the others that also made the voyage, they arrived with nothing. My grandmother (who we called Nonni) was the oldest of 5 and recounted in stories from her childhood that with many mouths to feed, her mother’s (my great-grandmother, also named Colu) recipes were born out of poverty and necessity. That said, they were always prepared with great care with whatever was available at the market. The concept that she was able to pull together creative and beautiful meals with next to nothing became the ethos for the book.

terrian: What does “back pocket cooking” mean to you and what do you hope it means to your readers?

Colu: Cooking “back pocket” means no rules (!) except for a few cooking techniques all of which are outlined in the book. Once you understand what flavor profiles work with what, you should feel to play around, swap things in, etc. The whole concept is meant to encourage home cooks to get comfortable and creative in the kitchen.

terrain: Can you give us a list of must-have pantry items to start our own Back Pocket Pasta cooking journey?

Colu: You bet! Canned San Marzano tomatoes, a variety of nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts, good olive, breadcrumbs, anchovies, and a big hunk of best quality Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese for grating.

terrain: Is there a cardinal pasta cooking sin that home cooks often make? Tell us what we’re doing wrong (and how to fix it!).

Colu: There are two! Don’t throw away your pasta water (it’s crucial for emulsifying your sauce) and by all means NEVER rinse your pasta! The starch that has built up during the pasta’s cooking time is crucial for even, sauce-clinging coverage.

terrain: We love your idea of using citrus to brighten up pasta, as in your lemony spaghetti recipe. Do you have any other suggestions of unexpected ingredients that can transform a simple pasta dish into something even more flavorful and delicious?

Colu: I love using fresh herbs with wild abandon! In the book, you won’t be surprised to find many of my dishes are finished with freshly chopped Italian parsley. Others recipes include chives, tarragon, mint, and more! Finishing pastas, salads and braised meats with a showering of fresh herbs adds a layer of freshness and is a great way to cut richness. They’re also visually pleasing and liven up your plate.

terrain: What is your wine and pasta pairing philosophy? Would you say reds go with heavier pastas and white with lighter, more citrusy flavors or do you just drink what you want? Does rosé come into play (please tell us it does)?

Colu: Rosé always comes into play! We drink it year-round in my house. In general, wines that have higher acidity such as the Pinot Noir and Riesling varietals like the ones we’re drinking on Tuesday are very food friendly, meaning easy to pair with most dishes. For instance, a light and bright red would work really beautifully with a fish dish, but also one that’s meat-driven and rich. I’m a believer of drinking what you want, when you want. Have fun, try new things and figure out what you like, that’s really all that matters.

terrain: What can guests of the terrain Back Pocket Pasta dinner look forward to during the evening? Is there something you’re serving (or wine that Scribe Winery is pouring) that you’re particularly excited to share with the group?

Colu: First of all, I’m so excited to be joining you for the dinner, so thank you for having me. I’m really looking forward to meeting new friends and sharing pasta stories and answering any cooking questions that come up. Also, my dear friends own Scribe Winery and I’m so pleased that we’re able to share their wines with everyone at the dinner. It’s such a special place that I have a deep connection with and I’m happy to be able to tell a small piece of their story at the dinner.

Craving a big bowl of pasta yet? We don’t blame you! Come indulge with us when she visits us in Glen Mills for dinner with recipes from Back Pocket Pasta and wine from Scribe Winery on Tuesday, April 17th at 6:30pm. Tickets and more information here.

Images from Back Pocket Pasta by Colu Henry, photographs by Peden + Munk, @pedenmunk (Clarkson Potter Publishers, 2017).

Faux Real: A Staghorn Fern Mount

Wed, 14 Mar 2018

Staghorn ferns, the gorgeous and other-worldly botanical muse of plant enthusiasts and home designers everywhere, have long been a favorite in our houseplant repertoire. But for all the visual impact these epiphytes offer, keeping a healthy specimen requires just the right light, along with careful attention to temperature and moisture that can be difficult to achieve at home.

Enter the faux staghorn fern mount. Admittedly this option lacks the gardener’s sense of pride in her thriving plant – but every home has at least one corner where lack of light, a zealous heating vent, or an enthusiastic pup ensures that no living plant will survive for long. It’s in these places that we love the addition of a well-appointed faux specimen to round out an indoor garden.

Here, our stylists took the traditional (and easy!) method for mounting staghorn ferns and applied it to our faux option. The resulting wall art makes the perfect finishing detail for a gallery wall or the like.

What You’ll Need:
Faux staghorn fern
Weathered wood board (we recommend at least 12”W, 15”H)
Sheet moss
8 galvanized steel staples (found at your local hardware store)
Hot glue gun + glue sticks
Clear fishing line
2 screw eyes + steel picture hanging wire

Lay your board on a flat work surface and center your fern onto the board. The fern’s fabric plaque should lay relatively flat on the board, the pick underneath it oriented vertically upwards. Use your hot glue gun to secure the plaque to the board. Once this is dry, hammer your staples in a circle surrounding the plaque, leaving just enough space between the staple and the board to thread your fishing line through. Now, place your sheet moss in mounds covering the fabric plaque taking care to stay inside the circle of staples. Tie a length of fishing line to one of your staples and, working from top to bottom and then side to side, begin securing the moss down to the board. Once your moss is in place, connect the screw eyes and picture hanging wire to the back of the wooden board, hang, and enjoy!

Dinner Party Icebreakers with Gail Simmons

Thu, 22 Feb 2018

If you’re a fan of Bravo’s Top Chef, FOOD & WINE, or any of the myriad publications where her books and recipes have appeared, our guest Gail Simmons needs no introduction. A self-proclaimed “eater, writer, traveler, and cook” Gail fills her days between the set of Top Chef and her New York City home, where she is an active board member and supporter of City Harvest, Hot Bread Kitchen, Common Threads, and the Institute of Culinary Education.

Busy lady that she is, we are beyond thrilled that Gail is making a stop at Terrain in March to host an evening of drinks and bites from her newest cookbook, Bringing It Home. In anticipation of her visit, and for all our friends who won’t be able to join us, Gail stopped by to answer a few get-to-know-you questions sure to break the ice at any cocktail or dinner party.

terrain: Gail! Thanks so much for joining us. Let's cut right to the chase: given the choice of anyone in the world living or dead, which 3 people would you want as dinner party guests and why?

Gail: At this moment in time I think I would need to invite 4 people as follows: Oprah (because she’s the QUEEN of great food and soulful conversation), Michael Pollen (because he is a thought leader in the food and agriculture space and I have a million questions for him, from food labeling laws to the Farm Act), Jimmy Kimmel (because I really appreciate his point of view, taste in food, and sense of humor), and Marie Antoinette (because she knew how to throw a dinner party!).

terrain: If you could only have one food for the rest of your life (and it wouldn’t negatively affect your health in any way) what would it be?

Gail: Bittersweet, dark chocolate (72%)! It’s the perfect treat, creamy and rich, a little tannic, a little mysterious, and totally magical. It lifts my mood and always satisfies my cravings.

terrain: What is your favorite activity in your current job? How often do you get to do it?

Gail: I love that I get to travel as much as I do. Although it can be stressful and difficult to be away from my home and my family, I gain so much inspiration and insight every time I get on a plane to a new city and have a chance to explore. My job has taken me from Savannah to Singapore, Aspen to Alaska, and Mexico to the Middle East. Along the way I have gathered a million memories, eaten extraordinary meals, and built so many lasting relationships. I appreciate that as a mother, my daughter now comes along with me at times and I can see how our adventures shape her worldview, teach her tolerance, empathy, humility, and respect for the planet. Travel is what ultimately inspired me to write my cookbook Bringing It Home and what determines so much of what I cook, eat and share with the world. I probably travel for work about 8-12 weeks of the year, more or less.

terrain: What does your ideal night off of work look like?

Gail: There is nothing I want to do more at the end of a long week than be at home with family and friends. I love casual entertaining, cooking a meal together with friends and lingering at the dinner table or on our back patio in the candlelight over a great bottle of wine. That said, some of my favorite nights also include curling up on the couch with my husband, a bowl of popcorn, and movie too!

terrain: If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be and why?

Gail: I would love to have the ability to speak and understand a million languages! Communicating with people from all over the world in their own tongue is a beautiful thing to be able to do. I think learning language really helps challenge and expand our minds. I can speak French and Spanish decently but am always amazed when I meet people who can speak four or five languages fluently and switch their train of thought effortlessly from one to another. It’s a gift that makes the world a smaller place, builds bridges and promotes kindness and global awareness.

terrain: What is the most unusual thing you have ever eaten?

Gail: It’s a toss up between cod sperm, served to me in Tokyo as part of the best omakase sushi dinner of my life, and a bag of deep fried and salted larvae my former boss once brought back for me from Thailand (they tasted like crunchy popcorn!). Both were surprisingly delicious, but it was difficult not to dwell on what I was actually eating.

terrain: For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

Gail: This is way too broad a question, as I feel more and more grateful for what I do, how and where I live all the time. The obvious answer is my 4-year-old daughter and our new baby that is on the way (I’m due in May!). Being a mother is the greatest joy, as cliché as it sounds. I am also grateful that I found something to do for a living that gives me enormous satisfaction and has allowed me to build a close community of wonderful friends and colleagues in a city I adore (NYC/Brooklyn), and beyond. I feel challenged by my work in the food space and the places it takes me, the channels it crosses, doors it opens and the many ways that it touches people lives every day.

What did we tell you? Gail knows how to get a good conversation going. Come say hello in person when she visits us in Glen Mills for drinks and bites from Bringing it Home on Monday, March 12th at 6pm. Tickets and more information here.

3 Bandana Uses We Love

Wed, 31 Jan 2018

When these pretty, block-printed bandanas showed up from Nani Pani, we knew we needed an excuse to use them not just in our hair, knotted around the neck, or as tie-on to our everyday totes (though we're definitley using them there too!). Cue our stylists, who came up with 3 sweet ideas for making use of these soft cotton squares for special ocassions.

1. A Heartfelt Gift: Using origami folding inspiration, place your bandana on a flat surface oriented like a diamond. Fold the top corner down to the center, then fold the bottom corner up to the top edge of the bandana. Take the bottom left and right edges and fold in vertically to the center crease. Tuck the top and side corners down and voila, a sweet little something for someone you love.

2. It's A Wrap: A small token becomes an incredibley special gift when wrapped with this brightly printed bandana and tied with a spring of something fresh from the garden.

3. Bandana Bunting: Decorate a party or a porch with the cheerful colors of these cotton squares, folded in half to form a triangle, tied end-to-end, and strung in a sunny spot.

The Language of Flowers

Tue, 30 Jan 2018

On Valentine’s Day, the phrase “say it with flowers” takes on new meaning thanks to a Victorian tradition: the language of flowers. Though many cultures have assigned symbolic meanings to specific blooms through the centuries, this practice reached its peak during the Victorian Era. Also known as floriography, the language of flowers was form of hidden communication that assigned emotions to individual blooms, then combined them to tell a story through a bouquet. While Victorian social norms prevented most forms of outward flirtation, these gathered stems sent subtle and complex messages of affection. This year, we're taking a closer look at some of our favorite living gifts for a contemporary take on this charming tradition.

1. Ornithogalum: This charming perennial is also known as Star of Bethlehem thanks to its clusters of tiny, star-shaped blooms. Its dainty flowers are most commonly considered symbols of hope, with purity, innocence, and honesty as additional meanings.

2. Succulent: Thanks to their hardy nature, it should come as no surprise that succulents symbolize enduring and timeless love. A heart-shaped garden of our favorite pastel varieties emphasizes this message with its long-lasting beauty.

3. White Hydrangea: The sentiments conveyed by hydrangea blooms vary by shade. White hydrangeas are used to symbolize grace and abundance; like Ornithogalum, they can also represent purity.

4. Purple Hydrangea: For hydrangea blossoms with an alternate meaning, choose a saturated purple shade. This rich hue is a symbol of deep understanding.

5. Lily of the Valley: A favorite flower thanks to its sweet scent and delicate, bell-shaped blossoms, Lily of the Valley has a variety of symbolic interpretations. It can be used to represent humility as well as luck in love.

6. Lady's Slipper Orchid: Elegant and singularly beautiful, orchids traditionally symbolize love and luxury. The second meaning is especially well-suited for our take on this tropical favorite, which arrives in a luxe copper pot.

Valentine's Day Terrariums

Wed, 24 Jan 2018

Longer-lasting than a traditional bouquet, terrariums are one of our favorite gifts to surprise your sweetheart. As Valentine's Day approaches, Styer's is fully stocked with a variety of seasonal gardens under glass; we recently caught up with Kaitlin D. from Design by Terrain to learn more about each look. She says, "This season, we're showcasing the spirit of Valentine's Day into our terrariums with a variety of natural elements. Some incorporate subtle heart designs made with accents like rocks or driftwood, while others feature red and pink color stories developed with moss and plants. Our goal is to allow the natural beauty of the terrarium to shine, while still offering a sweet nod to Valentine's Day."

(above) This extra large terrarium is filled with tiny evergreens for a nod to bonsai style. Kaitlin says, "We planted this terrarium with two bonsai junipers and a variety of selaginella. The vibrant, textural selaginella is mixed with cushion moss, stones, and clump moss to form a hilly landscape that showcases the tiny trees. A wood-burned heart on a piece of driftwood adds a whimsical Valentine's Day touch."

"This glass bowl is planted with a heart fern, preserved pink moss, cushion and clump moss, and stone," says Kaitlin. "The unique shape of the heart fern directly references the holiday, which is emphasized by a pop of pink from the moss below."

"This open-topped terrarium is planted with a variety of succulents, lichen-covered driftwood, clump moss, dove gray sand and stone," Kaitlin tells us. "The succulents are the immediate focus of the arrangement, but a closer look reveals a heart made from tiny jade pebbles in the sand below."

Kaitlin says, "A bright pink Bromeliad crypanthus is the centerpiece of our final terrarium, surrounded by a massed collection of tiny succulents below. The naturally vibrant color of the Bromeliad provides a focal point for the planting; it also merges nicely with the surrounding components thanks to scattered tufts of dark pink preserved moss in a base of rocks and sand."

Find our Valentine's Day terrariums and more gifts from Design by Terrain in stores throughout the month of February.

Printed Heart Shortbread Cookies

Tue, 23 Jan 2018

Just in time for Valentine's Day, a collection of cleverly-designed rolling pins has arrived in our kitchen for baking sweet, handmade gifts. Handmade in Poland, each beech wood rolling pin is laser engraved for a sharp, precise relief that will create perfectly patterned cookies. Printed with hearts and flowers, these charming confections make the ideal Valentine's dessert. Read on to find the recipes for classic shortbread and chocolate cookies, plus tips for achieving a crisp, clear pattern every time.

Shortbread Cookies
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter
1.5 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 egg (room temperature)
2 teaspoons vanilla or almond extract
1 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Cookies
3 cups flour
1 cup dutch processed cocoa
1.5 cups butter
2 eggs (room temperature)
2 teaspoons vanilla or almond extract
1 teaspoon salt

Cream together the butter and sugar, then add the eggs and vanilla or almond extract. Mix well. Sift together dry ingredients, then add slowly into wet mixture until well-incorporated. (Important: If using a different cookie recipe, choose one without leavener or acid for best results.)

Roll out the dough with a normal pin until it reaches your desired thickness, then roll again with the embossed pin. It may be easier to press directly on the body of the pin, rather than using the handles. Roll slowly with lots of pressure to get a clean embossed pattern, dusting with flour as needed. Keep a toothpick handy to clean out any excess dough in the rolling pin. Once the pattern is complete, cut out the cookies and arrange them on a baking sheet.

Preheat oven to 390°F. When oven is fully heated, place the cookie sheet on the rack below the middle rack, as the embossed pattern will melt if too near the top of the oven. Bake for 7-8 minutes, until the tops of the cookies appear dry rather than shiny. As soon as the cookies come out, use a stick pin to pop any air bubbles and press the bubbles flat.

Biodome Indoor Gardens

Tue, 23 Jan 2018

Designed in Australia, Botanica indoor gardens are our new favorite way to get growing during the winter months. Each one is carefully crafted to showcase a miniature collection of living greenery, from lush moss to tropical foliage. We recently caught up with Sarah Burrows of Modern Sprout, the purveyors of Botanica products here in the United States, to learn more about these remarkable gardens under glass. Sarah says, "Botanica terrariums are designed by Lesley Williams and Simon Zappia, a husband and wife team with a background in design and a love for nature. The biodomes encourage the cultivation of plant life for observation and relaxation, building engagement with nature even for those who have busy schedules and lots of commitments. Inspired by the vivariums and Wardian cases of the nineteenth century, our latest collection delivers a tribute to nature's most delicate botanical offerings. The biodomes have a minimalist aesthetic, compact size, and easy care regime to support the appreciation of nature indoors and enhance everyday life."

Above at left, the rainforest kit is Botanica's original closed terrarium design. Sarah says, "The rainforest is designed especially for moisture-loving plants like moss and bryophytes that require minimal soil. The glass top is hand-blown with a unique teardrop profile, which directs condensation back onto the foliage to mimic a natural water cycle. As condensation forms, the teardrop will 'rain' onto the foliage inside; all you need to do is watch the plants thrive. Some days the rainforest will be a misty oasis, other days it will be sparkling with moisture."

The mossarium, above at right, is our smallest offering from Botanica. Sarah says, "This vessel highlights the intriguing, delicate, and miniature world of moss. The dome maintains a controlled climate so you can grow a tiny moss garden year-round. Like the rainforest kit, the mossarium creates a closed system that 'rains' to hydrate the moss as it grows."

The largest offering from Botanica, the biodome is designed to support a wider variety of plants, from tropicals to succulents. Sarah says, "The biodome is hand-blown with a top opening to enable watering and airflow, so it can be used to grow both temperate and tropical plants. To mimic the structure of a forest in miniature, we recommend choosing four plants to make up the canopy, understory, shrub layer, and forest floor of your planting. Some of our favorites include: Venus fly trap, sundew, pitcher plant, African violet, baby's tears, ferns, begonia, miniature bromeliads, and club mosses. Even succulents will flourish with minimal watering."

A Valentine's Day Breakfast Board

Tue, 23 Jan 2018

This Valentine's Day, a brand-new arrival in our kitchen is setting the scene for a sweet breakfast for two. Our Teak Heart Serving Board is just the right size for a pair of freshly-baked blueberry scones, served warm with butter and homemade fig spread. We recently stopped in at Styer's Garden Cafe to get the recipe from Chef Ryan Bloome—and sample a scone or two ourselves!

Blueberry Scones
280g all purpose flour
37g sugar
9g baking powder
1g kosher salt
153g butter, cubed and chilled
140g milk (plus a small amount for egg wash)
2 eggs (1 for egg wash)
2g vanilla extract
75g dried blueberries
Raw sugar (for dusting)

In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients except butter. Incorporate cubed butter into dry ingredients by pinching with your fingers until a shaggy dough is formed, working quickly so the butter isn't warmed by your hands. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and knead until the dough just comes together (do not overwork). Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Roll the dough out to about 1.5-2" thick and cut out scones as desired. Make an egg wash of equal parts egg and milk and coat scones. Dust with raw sugar. Bake at 375°F for 15-18 minutes, turning halfway.

Fig Spread
100g dried figs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
Juice of half a lemon

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pot and cook on low until figs are soft. Puree with a stick blender, or simply mash with a fork for a more rustic spread.

A Beet & Apple Quinoa Bowl with the Garden Cafe

Mon, 22 Jan 2018

As we welcome 2018, we're heading into the kitchen with a collection of recipes intended to refresh, renew, and restore. For the final edition of our clean eating series, we stopped by the Garden Cafe at Styer's to share a healthy dish with Chef Ryan Bloome. He shared the recipe for a colorful grain bowl made with quinoa, shaved root vegetables, and crisp apples. Simple to prepare, this vibrant dish is the perfect pick for a hearty lunch or quick dinner; it can also be altered to fit the seasons with countless combinations of shaved vegetables. Read on for the recipe.

Beet & Apple Quinoa Bowl

1 cup quinoa

In a small sauce pot boil the quinoa in 2 cups of salted water. Once the quinoa spirals and absorbs most of the water, cool in a shallow tray in the refrigerator. We used a mix of red, black, and gold quinoa, but you can choose any type you like.

Leaves from 12 sprigs parsley
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons apple cider
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 clove garlic
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients except olive oil and salt in a blender and blend on low. Gradually increase speed until the parsley is well blended. Blend in one cup olive oil and season with salt.

1 small red beet, peeled
1 small golden beet, peeled
1 small sweet potato, peeled
1 Fuji apple

Shave vegetables and apple into small pieces using a mandoline. If not using immediately, they can be submerged in cold water and stored for up to one hour, then drained before use.

Handful of arugula
Sesame seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Marcona almonds

In a large bowl, combine quinoa, vegetables, arugula, and dressing. Top with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds.

#terraindigs | @ohgroucho

Fri, 19 Jan 2018

3 Unusual Indoor Plantings

Mon, 15 Jan 2018

With wintry weather outside our windows, we're turning our attention to indoor gardens for a January refresh. We recently stopped in at Styer's to see how our plant experts are brightening their homes with houseplants; they offered up three nontraditional options for an abundance of indoor greenery. Below, we're taking a closer look at each planting with Kaitlin D. of Design by Terrain.

Above, a Natal Mahogany (Trichilia emetica) pairs with a feathery Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri') in a woven wicker basket planter. For those who love the look of Ficus, Mahogany plants offer another option for glossy, statement-making foliage. Kaitlin says, "Dense and fast growing, they make the perfect choice for individuals seeking a houseplant with a full, tall silhouette. The quirky underplanting of Asparagus Fern introduces a finer texture and cascading shape, balancing the upright structure and large leaves of the Mahogany."

Usually grown as mounted specimens, Staghorn Ferns (Platycerium) can also be planted in containers. Kaitlin says, "Here, a trio of ferns is combined in a contemporary wooden leg planter for a larger "monoplanting," offering the look of a single, larger plant. A topping of tumbled gray stone finishes the look."

Our final look begins with an unconventional pairing of two popular houseplants: Little Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) underplanted with multiples of Split Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa). Kaitlin says, "The Fiddle Leaf Fig provides height above, while the Philodendrons offer intrigue below. A simple, tapered pot and topping of Spanish moss complete the planting."

A Simple Lunch in Weck with Jar Salads

Mon, 15 Jan 2018

As we welcome 2018, we're heading into the kitchen with a collection of recipes intended to refresh, renew, and restore. For the third edition of our clean eating series, we're turning to one of the most vibrant cookbooks on our shelf: Jar Salads. The first book from Australian food writer Alexander Hart, Jar Salads features 52 creative and flavorful salad recipes--one for every week of the year. If you've made any resolutions regarding healthy eating this January, these beautifully-layered salads are sure to brighten your lunch hour. Best of all, they're intended to fit perfectly in a 1-liter jar for easy preparation, travel, storage, and serving. We paired our favorite salad--a citrusy combination of roasted cauliflower and snap peas--with our favorite Weck jar for a workday lunch packed with color and flavor. Read on for the recipe.

Lemony Roasted Cauliflower & Sugar-Snap Pea Salad
Makes one 1-liter jar

Lemon vinaigrette
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ teaspoon superfine sugar
½ teaspoon dijon mustard
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Mix together.

Sugar-Snap Peas
3½ oz sugar-snap peas
Blanch in boiling water for 1 minute, drop in ice water. Drain.

Roasted Cauliflower
3½ oz cauliflower, cut into small florets
Mix in a bowl with:
¼ teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Once coated, tip onto a baking tray and roast in 400°F oven for 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally, or until cooked. Allow to cool.

Other Ingredients
1 oz toasted almonds, roughly chopped
1 celery stalk, sliced
1¾ oz red cabbage, finely shredded
Handful of torn mint, to fill

Layer salad from base:
Lemon vinaigrette
Toasted almonds
Sugar-snap peas
Celery
Red cabbage
Roasted cauliflower
Mint

Winter Skin Rituals: Brightening with OSEA

Fri, 12 Jan 2018

The winter months can be challenging when it comes to skincare, whether you're combating cold, dry air or the lingering effects of holiday indulgences. For a much-needed refresh to our beauty routine, we asked some of our favorite skincare experts to share winter skin rituals for a variety of seasonal challenges. This week, founder Jenefer Palmer of OSEA, the Malibu-based makers of vegan skincare formulated with Patagonian algae, a "skin superfood" packed with revitalizing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Below, she shares a restorative ritual that's perfect for achieving a healthy glow. Jenefer says, "When temperatures drop (and they do–even in Malibu!) it’s time to switch to an ultra-hydrating routine that will brighten dull winter skin. Here is my favorite weekend at-home spa ritual after a chilly January swim in the Pacific Ocean."

What You'll Need
Ocean Cleansing Milk
White Algae Mask
Holy Basil Tea
Vitamin Sea Serum
Atmosphere Protection Cream
Undaria Algae Oil
Dry brush

1. Soothe and cleanse with Ocean Cleansing Milk. Switching to a hydrating cleanser is so important in the winter! I use soothing Ocean Cleansing Milk to gently remove impurities while hydrating skin with water lily, rose and cassie flower essences.

2. Brighten with the White Algae Mask. Apply the White Algae Mask to your face to naturally brighten dull winter skin and deliver long-lasting mineral hydration. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water. While I’m waiting for the mask to work its magic I like to meditate or drink a cup of Holy Basil tea. This adaptogenic herb is the perfect potion to de-stress and keep you warm and toasty. For a real treat, add some homemade almond milk and a few drops of coconut nectar.

3. Nourish with the Vitamin Sea Serum. Serums are everything because they can penetrate deeper, delivering active nutrients to your skin. Formulated with 7 seaweed extracts, turmeric and Hyaluronic Acid, our Vitamin Sea Serum deeply hydrates, plumps and gives winter skin the most gorgeous glow.

4. Moisturize with Atmosphere Protection Cream. In the winter, I’m obsessed with Atmosphere Protection Cream to keep my skin hydrated and soft. This lightweight organic seaweed and botanical moisturizer is loaded with skin-softening shea butter, avocado, and jojoba oils.

5. Dry brush for an energy boost. Dry brushing increases energy levels by improving circulation, and eliminates toxins and other wastes from the body. I like to dry brush for a few minutes pre-bath or shower, in long gentle strokes towards the heart.

6. Massage with Undaria Algae Oil. Treat yourself to a full body Abyhanga self-massage with mineral-rich Undaria Algae Oil. I like to gently heat the glass bottle in warm water before beginning. Massage your scalp with oil and continue down to the face, outer parts of the ears, neck, arms, hands, fingers, chest, tummy, back and legs. Finish with the bottoms of the feet. Wait a few minutes before getting dressed to allow oil to absorb or rinse in the shower. Your skin will be ultra-soft and positively glowing.

#terraindigs | @withloveandembers

Fri, 12 Jan 2018

Winter Skin Rituals: Hydrate & Rejuvenate with Kindred

Wed, 10 Jan 2018

The winter months can be challenging when it comes to skincare, whether you're combating cold, dry air or the lingering effects of holiday indulgences. For a much-needed refresh to our beauty routine, we asked some of our favorite skincare experts to share winter skin rituals for a variety of seasonal challenges. This week, founder Frances Thrasher of Kindred Skincare Company, makers of 100% organic, oil-based products to cleanse, nourish, and calm fragile skin. Below, she shares a relaxing ritual that's perfect for a quiet winter evening. Frances says, "The goal of this routine is to destress, rejuvenate, and unwind your body and mind while hydrating the skin. It also works to address fine lines and aid in cell turnover for healthy, refreshed skin."

What You'll Need
Kindred Oil Cleanse
Kindred Polish Cleanse
Kindred Body Oil
Kindred Clay Mask (available at terrain this spring)
Kindred Nightly Nourish
Soft socks & pajamas
Soft washcloth
Woodsy candle
Fresh flowers or plants

1. Prepare your space. Bring in a few favorite flowers or plants (mine is African violet), draw a warm bath with Epsom salts, and light your favorite candle (I especially like a woodsy scent in the wintertime).

2. Apply your Oil Cleanse. Start with a dry face and makeup on, as the cleanse will easily remove it. Apply the Oil Cleanse with clean, dry hands, using enough that the oil slips easily on the hands and face. Starting at the bottom of your neck and using circular motions, massage the oil over your neck and face for about two minutes. This will help move fluid out of your tissues and into your lymph nodes where bacteria can be destroyed.

3. Apply your Polish Cleanse. Normally, you would rinse off the oil cleanse at this point, but for this routine you can use your fingers to apply an almond-sized amount of Polish Cleanse all over the face and neck. This step will remove dead skin in order to prevent clogged pores and bacteria build up, and help your moisturizers work more effectively. When you're finished, rinse the face with a warm washcloth and pat dry.

4. Apply your Clay Mask. Then, let yourself soak in the bath for at least 15 minutes. During this time, while the Clay Mask is doing its work of plumping fine lines and evening skin tone, I try to let go of whatever wasn't good from the day and focus on what was. It's a time to be kind to yourself--I literally count my blessings.

5. Remove the Clay Mask with a warm washcloth. Pat your face and body dry.

6. Apply your Nightly Nourish and Body Oil. Start with the Nightly Nourish on your face and neck, followed by the Body Oil from your toes up to your neck--and even into your hair. Massaging the oils into your skin will lock in moisture for the night and protect against dry winter air. Once the oils are applied, I like to step into my favorite fleecy pajamas and socks, and get cozy for the night.

6 Indoor Gardens to Explore This Winter

Mon, 08 Jan 2018

1. Morris Arboretum Fernery (Philadelphia, PA): The Dorrance H. Hamilton Fernery at Morris Arboretum was built in 1899, at the height of a Victorian fern craze known as 'pteridomania.' Garden enthusiast John T. Morris ordered a collection of over 500 plants to fill the fernery, an elegant creation of glass and steel with a graceful, curved roof. To create an optimal environment for the humidity-loving ferns, Morris turned to the latest technology in steam heating, glass cutting, and architecture--which makes the fernery a perfect escape from chilly winter days. Though just 53 feet long, the building holds hundreds of ferns to explore among stony pathways, gentle fountains, and hidden grottos.

2. New York Botanical Garden (The Bronx, NY): Founded in 1891, the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden is home to over 50 gardens and plant collections. The centerpiece of the garden is the Enid N. Haupt Conservatory, a Victorian glasshouse filled with gorgeous tropical plants, towering palms, and rugged cacti. A delicate, white iron frame and abundant glass panes give the space airy appeal, while a mild climate for the tropical specimens makes it the perfect retreat from winter weather.

3. Hortus Botanicus (Amsterdam, Netherlands): One of the world's oldest botanical gardens, the Hortus Botanicus was founded in 1638 as an herb garden for doctors and apothecaries. Since then, its collection has grown to include more than 6,000 plants, from native specimens to exotic tropicals gathered centuries ago by the Dutch traders of the East India Company. During the winter months, visitors can explore the grand Palm House, airy Orangery, and hexagonal pavilion dating back to the seventeenth century.

4. Phipps Conservatory (Pittsburgh, PA): Founded in 1893 by steel magnate Henry Phipps, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a green oasis and landmark for the people of Pittsburgh. A fourteen-room Victorian greenhouse serves as the centerpiece of Phipps; winter visitors can explore its collections of palm trees, ferns, orchids, tropical fruit and spice plants, and more. The conservatory is also home to a collection of works by glass artist Dale Chihuly, custom-made to compliment the living plants.

5. Eden Project (Cornwall, United Kingdom): Built on the site of a former clay pit in the Cornish countryside, the Eden Project is centered around two gigantic biomes, housed inside geodesic domes made from inflated, plastic cells supported by steel frames. Each eye-catching dome holds a unique environment; one contains a rainforest of tropical plants, while the other mimics a Mediterranean climate. Though outdoor gardens surround the domes during the summer months, each massive structure offers ample room for winter visitors to explore.

6. Kew Gardens (London, United Kingdom): One of the largest and most diverse botanical gardens in the world, Kew was founded in southwest London in 1840. Plant lovers will find a wealth of options to explore in winter, from the eighteenth-century Orangery to the contemporary Alpine House. Most remarkable however, are the elegantly arched Palm House and sprawling Temperate House. The largest surviving Victorian glass structure in the world, the Temperate House will reopen in 2018 after five years of careful restoration.

Photo credits: 1&2. terrain; 3. Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam; 4. Phipps Conservatory; 5. Eden Project; 6. Kew

A Simple Winter Soup with Oh She Glows Every Day

Fri, 05 Jan 2018

As we welcome 2018, we're heading into the kitchen with a collection of recipes intended to refresh, renew, and restore. For the second edition of our clean eating series, we're featuring a warm and healthy winter soup from Angela Liddon of Oh She Glows. Her new book, Oh She Glows Every Day, features quick and satisfying plant-based recipes that are just right for revamping your midwinter menu. Read on for our conversation with Angela, along with her recipe for Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup

terrain: What inspired you to write Oh She Glows Every Day?

Angela: My fast-paced lifestyle as a business owner and mom of two was a huge inspiration for writing Oh She Glows Every Day. I rely on so many speedy recipes to keep us all healthy through the week, and am always looking for ways to simplify my family’s favourite meals. While my recipes continue to feature nutritious, whole food ingredients, with Oh She Glows Every Day the focus really shifts toward providing even more allergy-friendly recipes, as well as a nice mix of every day and more elaborate dishes for special occasions.

terrain: What are some of your favorite ingredients for winter cooking?

Angela: I love working with seasonal produce when possible, and winter veggies are especially great for creating a sturdy foundation for hearty meals, since they tend to be heavier and starchier than spring and summer varieties. A few favourites I like to have on hand are: potatoes and sweet potatoes; pomegranates; lemons and other citrus; and squash of all varieties (there are so many funky-shaped squashes to choose from, but I tend to grab either delicata or butternut when I see them in the store).

terrain: Can you tell us a bit about the Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup?

Angela: Absolutely! This recipe is a favourite in our house, and I’ve had so many readers write in saying they’ve loved it for their families as well. Both carrots and sweet potatoes are excellent sources of vitamin A (hint: the dead giveaway here is that this vitamin often shows up in orange-hued veggies and fruits!), and nut butter lends the soup a rich, creamy texture and drool-worthy nutty flavour— plus some additional protein to boot. I find it’s best to adjust the amount of ginger used if kids are having a share (its spicy kick can sometimes be a bit much for little ones), but when it’s just Eric and I indulging, I love the subtle layer of flavour it adds. Topped with some roasted tamari almonds and garnished with a squeeze of lime, just talking about this soup has me craving a warm bowl.

Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup
Makes 8 cups

1 tablespoon (15 mL) virgin coconut oil
2 cups (500 mL) diced sweet onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon (15 mL) minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons (30 mL) red curry paste
4 cups (1 L) low-sodium vegetable broth, plus more if needed
1/4 cup (60 mL) raw almond butter
3 cups (750 mL) diced peeled carrots (1/2-inch/1 cm dice)
3 cups (750 mL) diced peeled sweet potatoes (1/2-inch/1 cm dice)
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon (1 mL) cayenne pepper (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper

Topping Suggestions: minced fresh cilantro, Roasted Tamari Almonds (recipe in Oh She Glows Every Day), fresh lime juice

1. In a large pot, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.

2. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, until the onion is translucent.

3. Stir in the curry paste.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together some of the broth with the almond butter until smooth. Add the mixture to the pot, along with the remaining broth, carrots, sweet potatoes, salt, and cayenne (if using). Stir until combined.

5. Bring the soup to a low boil over medium-high heat and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.

6. Ladle the soup carefully into a blender. You will likely have to do this in a couple of batches, depending on the size of your blender. With the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape, blend on low and slowly increase the speed until the soup is completely smooth. (Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender and blend the soup directly in the pot.)

7. Return the soup to the pot and season with salt and black pepper. If desired, you can thin the soup out with a bit more broth if it’s too thick for your preference. Reheat if necessary.

8. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with minced cilantro, almonds, and a squeeze of lime juice, if desired. This soup will keep in the fridge for up to a week, and freezes well for 1 to 2 months.

#terraindigs | @bellemayo

Fri, 05 Jan 2018

Winter Skin Rituals: Cleansing Charcoal with Morihata

Thu, 04 Jan 2018

Magali says, "Green tea, camellia oil, adzuki beans--ancient Japanese beauty routines have their fair share of unexpected natural ingredients. And yet no routine is complete without Binchotan charcoal, a fine Japanese activated charcoal with natural purifying properties. A secret essential for generations of Japanese households, Binchotan charcoal has been used for centuries to purify everything from tap water to damp basements. Morihata's Binchotan charcoal is made from activated Ubame oak, which contains millions of little cavities that naturally absorb and neutralize impurities. In beauty and wellness goods, the charcoal acts like a magnet, naturally attracting impurities from pores and deep-cleansing the skin from the inside out.

"Our Binchotan line follows a straightforward skincare regimen with four essential phases: exfoliation, cleansing, buffing, and moisturizing. It’s a simple, concise routine for mid-week days when your skin needs refreshing but all you can think about is getting into bed as soon as possible. Best of all, charcoal is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, so this routine won’t keep you up with abrasive tingling or heady scents."

What You'll Need
Hinoki Essential Oil
Binchotan Charcoal Body Towel
Binchotan Charcoal Facial Soap
Japanese Face Towel
Binchotan Charcoal Facial Puff
Herbivore Phoenix Facial Oil
Hojicha Tea

Create the right environment for your ritual. In Japanese onsen, or bath houses, it’s customary to take in the woodsy scent of hinoki, a treasured Japanese cypress. Hinoki is actually the official scent at our Rikumo store because it’s very soothing for the mind. We love to diffuse a few drops of hinoki essential oil when beginning this routine--its bracing forest scent will relax the body and relieve stress while you cleanse and exfoliate.

1. Exfoliate using the Binchotan Charcoal Body Towel. Since some scrubs can be too abrasive for sensitive skin, this gentle scrubbing towel tackles the first layer of grime and dead skin cells. It works best if you wet the towel, and gently rub it over dry skin in a circular motion. The towel is infused with Binchotan charcoal, but you won’t find any embedded charcoal bits. Instead, we introduce charcoal as a key material directly into the fabric, transforming it into a super absorbent, quick-drying performance fabric. Charcoal’s absorbent properties also prevent the towel from developing mildew or odors, so you can use it in the shower or around the house as you like.

2. Cleanse with Binchotan Charcoal Facial Soap. Milled with charcoal to absorb dirt and grime directly from your pores, this cleansing bar is great for keeping breakouts at bay. It works long-term to reduce the effects of acne, so you start seeing a real difference in your skin with repeated use. I like to use it every night after exfoliating--it’s hypoallergenic and quicker than a face mask. It also smells really good!

Interlude: Pat dry with a Japanese Face Towel. After cleansing, pat (don’t rub!) your face with the softest towel you can find. You can irritate the skin when you drag a towel over your face, so patting is essential, especially if you want to prevent wrinkles. Japanese towels are known as the most absorbent towels in the world, so they dry your face in seconds with just a few pats. It’s important to invest in a towel that treats your skin gently, and this one feels like a cloud. Don’t use the same towel you use to dry your hair, as you don’t want to risk fragrances from your shampoo.

3. Buff with the Binchotan Charcoal Facial Puff. While exfoliation gets rid of grime, buffing smooths your complexion to reveal clear, luminous skin. The facial puff is my personal favorite--it’s really fun to use and you can feel the difference straight away. The trick is to wet the puff thoroughly until it’s squishy, then rub it on dry skin in small, circular motions. Because it's an all-natural sponge, the material will wear out after 3 months, but you can prolong its lifespan by hanging it to dry in the sun away from humidity.

4. Moisturize with Herbivore Phoenix Facial Oil. The one thing charcoal isn’t very good at is moisturizing, since its job is to absorb moisture. For this final step in our routine, we like to use Hervibore’s Phoenix Facial Oil, which is all-natural and contains rosehip seed to treat blemishes. It also contains neroli oil to stimulate growth in skin cells while you sleep. We like to apply it with a little facial massage to relax the face before going to bed--the scent helps too!

Prepare for a good night's sleep. After so much scrubbing and massaging, the best thing you can do to ensure a good night’s sleep is to signal your body that it’s time for bed. Our trick is to brew a cup of hojicha, a delicious Japanese roasted green tea. Morihata Hojicha is 100% organic and has a calming taste similar to Earl Grey. Most importantly, it’s caffeine-free, so it won’t keep you up in the night.

A Healthy Winter Breakfast with The Beauty Chef

Tue, 02 Jan 2018

As we welcome 2018, we're heading into the kitchen with a collection of recipes intended to refresh, renew, and restore. We're kicking off our clean eating series with a dish from The Beauty Chef, one of our favorite sources of inspiration for vibrant, healthy cooking. From Australian wellness expert Carla Oates, The Beauty Chef approaches skincare from a unique perspective. Carla writes, "I believe that beauty is an inside-out process. Glowing skin is basically a reflection of healthy cells and the solution to a clearer, more radiant complexion and general wellbeing occurs when you balance your gut and feed your body nutrient-dense food."

With this philosophy in mind, The Beauty Chef features nourishing recipes that promote gut health, cellular health, and radiant skin. One of our favorites is a colorful dish to start the day: sticky black rice that's topped with fruit for a bright and beneficial breakfast. Carla says, "This lovely dish is made with black rice, the only rice that contains anti-inflammatory anthocyanins, and mango, which is rich in digestive enzymes." Read on for the recipe.

Sticky Black Rice with Mango, Strawberries & Coconut Cream
Serves 2

1/2 cup black glutinous rice, soaked in cold water overnight
1 1/2 cups water
2/3 cup coconut cream
Large pinch of Himalayan salt
1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 ripe mango, cut into cubes
6 strawberries, sliced

Drain and rinse the rice.

Place the rice and water in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil. Decrease the heat to the lowest possible temperature. Gently simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all of the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, cover and set aside for 10 minutes, to finish cooking.

Meanwhile, gently simmer the coconut cream and salt together for 2–3 minutes, until thickened slightly. Set aside.

Once the rice is cooked, add the maple syrup and stir to combine. Set aside to cool slightly.

Serve the sticky rice warm or at room temperature drizzled with the salted coconut cream and topped with fresh mango and strawberries.

#terraindigs | @sugarhousehomestead

Thu, 21 Dec 2017

#terraindigs | @rebekahmorganphotography

Thu, 21 Dec 2017

A New Year's Eve Cocktail with Haven's Kitchen

Mon, 18 Dec 2017

Here at terrain, we're longtime fans of Haven’s Kitchen, the Manhattan-based cooking school focused on teaching the pride and pleasure of cooking with seasonal ingredients. A few years ago, founder Alison Cayne opened Haven's Kitchen to educate people about the ways that food can affect our environment, society, and daily relationships. Her new cookbook offers the same approachable, scratch-made recipes, practical techniques, and community-focused spirit that can be found in classes at the school. Over the past few months, Alison has shared inspiration, menus, and recipes for some of her favorite seasonal meals here on the blog. In her final post for terrain, she's mixing up a festive pear sangria for a New Year's Eve toast.

terrain: How do you like to celebrate on New Year’s Eve?

Alison: My big party days peaked in high school. Now, I like to keep it pretty small and low key – more caviar for me! I insist on everyone wearing those New Year hats and tiaras though. Low key doesn’t mean boring!

terrain: What was your inspiration for the pear sangria?

Alison: I was missing the summer days of sangria and wanted to make a winter version. I also love dark and stormies, but wanted something a little less alcoholic. The sweet jamminess of pears combined with the bite of fresh ginger makes a fantastic pair…add rum and ginger beer and you have a perfect drink!

Pear Sangria
Serves 8-12

1 bottle dry white wine (Sylvaner, Dry Riesling, Gruner)
½ cup dark rum (like Gosling's)
½ cup apple juice
2 pears, sliced
1 lemon, peeled and juiced
1 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
5-6 springs thyme
Ice
12 oz. ginger beer

1. In a large punch bowl, mix wine, rum, apple juice, pears, lemon juice and peels, ginger, and thyme. Stir well.

2. Let the mixture sit for at least an hour, and up to a full day. The longer you let it sit, the more flavor it will have.

3. Just before serving, add ginger beer and ice.

6 Ways to Reuse Your Tree

Mon, 18 Dec 2017

As the Christmas season comes to a close, we're searching for creative ways to reuse our holiday tree. These festive firs are surprisingly versatile once your lights and ornaments are packed away, transformed into practical garden materials or tiny accent pieces for the home. Read on to find six of our favorite ways to reuse your tree this winter.�

1. Build a Bonfire: Rich in flammable resin, evergreen trees are the ideal fuel for a midwinter bonfire. This is especially true once their needles and limbs have been dried out by indoor display. Create a bonfire using your tree, along with any greens and garlands leftover from the holidays. Be sure to build your bonfire on a clear patch of ground outdoors -- evergreen trees can cause creosote buildup if used to fuel a fireplace or woodstove.�

2. Fill Sachets: If you've chosen a fragrant tree variety, like a Balsam or Fraser fir, strip off a few handfuls of needles and use them to fill homemade sachets. Stitch your own from small squares of linen, or simply drop the needles into a cotton drawstring bag.�

3. Donate Locally: Lots of community organizations accept tree donations after the holidays. Park services collect trees to use for mulching, while zoos accept them for animal enrichment.�

4. Make Place Card Holders: For a rustic touch on the winter table, use the trunk of the tree to make wooden place card holders. Strip away all the branches, then slice 2-3" segments of the trunk for each holder. Make a shallow, thin cut on one side of the slice to hold a card.�

5. Create a Compost Pile: A layer of evergreen branches makes the perfect base for a new compost pile; the branches encourage air flow at the bottom of the pile, and will break down over time. Simply cut them to fit the size of your compost bin, then create a layer that's 4-6" deep.�

6. Submerge for a Fish Habitat: If your property features a lake or pond, sink your tree into the water (some fish and game departments also accept tree donations for this purpose). The submerged tree creates a natural habitat for fish, and attracts algae for them to eat. Be sure to double check for any stray ornaments, hooks, or tinsel before placing your tree in the water.�

Image credits: 1. Liga Eglite; 2. terrain ; 3. Philip Bump; 4. terrain; 5. eileenmak; 6. U.S. Department of Agriculture�