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How about those crazy snow days? We are not used to this, and we loved it. I’ve been living with plants indoors for weeks now and they want to go back out. I saved the aloe vera! 

You’d think I’d have played with snow cream recipes, but I did not. I made garbage into dirt and grew mushrooms. 

What you say? I’ve been thinking about how to share two pieces of foodie news: Luma Electric Food Waste Composter and a North Spore mushroom growing kit. I can hardly find the words so I suggest you investigate their websites to get truly hooked. Both are way cool to experience, yet my description may “gross out” some readers. Growing and gardening is part of my foodie experience. Allow me to attempt: 

Luma – I’ve made several batches of “dirt” with this amazing electric food waste composter that was sent to me. There’s no tender way to say this. It transforms your slimy eggshells, tea bags, skillet gunk and plate scrapings into what looks like pencil shavings from the sharpener. You get a clean, nearly fragrant, batch of dry “dirt” that you can put right into your container garden pots and grow more… food! 

Sure it is a mess going in. Through the viewing lid (yes, that is what it’s called) you can watch it all go round and round and get ground and dried. It’s compelling viewing, folks. I love it. So I was eager to show a friend my bowl of recycled food matter. I left it on the kitchen counter. She came out to me and asked what it was. She had actually put her hand into it thinking it was some kind of foodstuff, but thought she had better ask, first. It looks that good. This gadget is very useful. Look into it at www.lumacomfort.com 

North Spore – This experiment changed each time I walked past the kitchen. I had to spray, look and touch. In a short time mushroom “pins” emerged from sawdust block I kept misted. Then they kind of exploded. This starter kit of blue oyster mushrooms needed no more cowbell. It is designed for beginners. When these babies got big they reminded me of smooth dolphin skin. I’m harvesting and going for another round. We sauteed the mushrooms in olive oil with oregano and sea salt. Simple and simply a source of pride that my husband and I grew them. Fun for kids of all ages. www.northspore.com 

Sweet Chaos ironically falls into my clutch during weather mishaps. I woke up after a hurricane to find empty bags on my living room floor. Obviously, we survived. This extremely rare and deep snow of 2025 was accompanied by the “delightfully disruptive” flavors of sweet and salty Cake Batter flavor with Cold Stone Creamery credited for the drizzle. Yes, sprinkles were at the bottom of the bowl of this non-GMO popcorn popped in coconut oil. This one was so good I mixed it with a batch of air popped corn so I could enjoy Sweet Chaos for twice as long. Black & White and Peanut Butter Cup varieties were no slouch and one of my gluten-free gang had her fill as well. www.sweetchaos.com is a chaos to embrace. 

Real Soft, Real Chewy, Really Delicious! – The Wiley Wallaby pitch to the left is true. Ever had hot cinnamon flavored licorice? Was it vegan fat free and also with no high fructose corn syrup? This famous line levels up  with watermelon and classic red strawberry flavors. If fruit twist is your thing, you’ll want to know this wallaby. www.wileywallaby.com 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie making her garbage work for her and her garden. darraghcastillo@icloud.com