Marj Watkins

Island Epicure – Making the Most of Apples
Recipes, September 2024

Island Epicure – Making the Most of Apples

By Marjorie Watkins How to live to be 100 years or better!1. Get plenty of exercise2. Also take a rest when you need it3. Choose healthier food.4. Boot sugar from your diet5. Choose your companions carefully.Words and Illustration by Marj after recently turning 100 This article first appeared in The Vashon Loop, probably in the…

Island Epicure – Honey is Healing
January 2024, Recipes

Island Epicure – Honey is Healing

By Marj Watkins My father cherished his half-dozen bee hives. The bees never stung him. He placed some hives in his friend’s orchard, where they helped the fruits to thrive by pollinating the flowers. Honey is one of the oldest sweeteners in the world. Many variations of honey are cherished around the world, both for…

Island Epicure – Steve’s Granola
October 2023, Recipes

Island Epicure – Steve’s Granola

By Marj Watkins, as told to Suzanna Leigh “Oh Mom, venison again?!” When I was growing up during the depression, eating all of my meals at home, breakfast was usually oatmeal mush with sugar and milk. We didn’t look forward to it, but when you are hungry, you eat whatever is presented. If we didn’t…

The Island Epicure – Clam Chowder
Recipes, September 2023

The Island Epicure – Clam Chowder

By Marjorie Watkins When I was a little girl, almost 6 years old, I heard the grown-ups talking about the stocks falling, and I imagined the cows tripping and falling down. On Gramma Brunson’s farm, they had seven cows. All those cows fell down? Oh, that is sad! I hope someone helped them get up….

Island Epicure
August 2023, Recipes

Island Epicure

By Marjorie Watkins When we lived in Crete, there were little white churches scattered over the hills. Their doors were always unlocked and you could go in any time to say your prayers, although you might not find chairs to sit in. The priests were always tall. Greeks are not noted for being tall, but…

Island Epicure – Salad Days
Recipes

Island Epicure – Salad Days

By Marj Watkins When I and my family first came to Vashon Island in 1969, we bought a house with a view, joined the yacht club, and my husband, just retired from the United States Air Force, returned to his first career as a schoolteacher. He was hired to teach sixth grade as soon as…

Kitchen Medicine
Health Matters

Kitchen Medicine

“Kitchen Medicine” is my family’s system of natural healing: the right food for every physical condition, plus home remedies, plus exercises to exercise aches, plus vitamin therapy. We believe that by immediately eating, doing, and taking the right, simple things as soon as we first notice minor symptoms, we can avert or prevent major illnesses….