Organic Granny

Margaret is a feminine given name, which means "pearl". It is of Latin origin, via Ancient Greek and ultimately from Old Iranian.  It has been an English name since the 11th century, and remained popular throughout the Middle Ages.  Princess Margaret Rose. 1965 photo from Wikipedia The younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II of England was named Margaret Rose after her birth in August 1930, and her naming is said to have spawned quite a few Margaret Roses throughout the British Commonwealth. Perhaps you or your mother was named for her?                        Here are some esteemed Canadian women named Margaret (or with similar spellings) who have made significant contributions as writers, artists, or scientists: Writers Margaret Atwood, photo from Wikipedia Margaret Atwood – One of Canada’s most celebrated authors, known for The Handmaid’s Tale and other works exploring feminism, dystopia, and Canadian identity....

Canada is home to countless women whose faith has moved mountains—whether through prison chaplaincy, Indigenous spiritual guidance, pastoral ministry, hospital care, or prophetic social justice work. This post celebrates some of those unforgettable figures: past and present, canonized and contemporary. ✨ Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1880) Mohawk–Algonquin Catholic Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Indigenous woman from North America canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Orphaned by smallpox and baptized at age 20, she lived a life of devotion and simplicity. She is now patron saint of ecology and Indigenous peoples. 🕯️ Lois Wilson (b. 1927) United Church Minister & First Female Moderator Lois Wilson broke historic ground as the first female Moderator of the United Church of Canada in 1980. A champion of ecumenical work and interfaith dialogue, she also served in the Senate of Canada. Her ministry reflects deep commitments to justice, peace, and inclusion. “I didn’t need to...

Tickling the keys for laughter! Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized nearly every aspect of modern life. From recommending the next binge-worthy show on Netflix to diagnosing diseases, AI has shown incredible potential. It's in our phones, our homes, and even our refrigerators (because apparently, we need a robot to tell us we’re out of milk). The benefits are undeniable—AI enhances efficiency, automates repetitive tasks, and even helps write articles (though, to be clear, a human wrote this one... or did they?). However, AI isn’t without its downsides. It occasionally produces bizarre chat responses, struggles with sarcasm, and has a notorious tendency to "hallucinate" facts (much like that one friend who embellishes their vacation stories). But enough about the serious side—let’s take a moment to appreciate the hilarious, ironic, and occasionally absurd world of AI. Some portions of this blog post were edited using AI assistance (ChatGPT) for clarity and read...

  Soda bread is the perfect accompaniment with any rustic casseroles or soups, particularly if they are Irish and on St. Paddy's day.  This recipe is especially yummy because it is made with spelt flour , an ancient grain flour that is kind of suited to cakes and muffins, in my opinion. Once in our local health store I was searching madly for spelt flour, and ran into another woman who was as well. We joined in a mutual rave. If you aren't baking with it yet, you will like it a lot when you do. Here are the ingredients for the soda bread 3 cups  spelt flour   (or 1 3/4 cup plain white flour, 1 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour) 1/2 cup  rolled oats 1 teaspoon  salt 1 teaspoon  baking soda  (NOT baking powder) 1 tablespoon  fennel seeds or currents  (optional) 1 1/4 cup  non-dairy milk  (I used almond milk--oat, rice, soy are all good neutral-tasting choices) 1 tablespoon  apple cider vinegar or lemon juice Discover vegan colca...

Oh Canada!   Image generated by Adobe Firefly. Like many of us Canadians, you likely feel a whole spectrum of negative emotions during this time of tariffs.  Is there anything positive we can do to make a potential difference, maybe "just" cheer us up? Well, yes, there is as a matter of fact: 😍Support Canadian Businesses – Prioritize buying Canadian-made products, especially in industries hit by tariffs (e.g., steel, aluminum, agriculture). Look for "Made in Canada" labels and support local farmers and manufacturers.  Amazon is even showcasing products and brands from Canada-- including Women-owned Small Businesses-- and a ton of brands.  Disclosure: Some, not all, links on this page are referral links, eg., Amazon Associate links, and if you purchase a product using that link, we receive a small fee. None of the fee will be charged against what you buy. Thank you for your support! 😍Expand Trade Partnerships – Encourage Canadian businesses to diversify their m...

Celebrate Pancake Tuesday with these delicious vegan pancake recipes! Whether you prefer sweet or savory, these easy, dairy-free options make the day. Image generated by Firefly Adobe. Pancake Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday, marks the day before Ash Wednesday , the beginning of Lent in the Christian tradition. Historically, it was a time for people to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter before the fasting period of Lent began. The name "Shrove" comes from the old English word "shrive," meaning to confess one's sins and seek absolution. Over time, the tradition evolved into a joyful celebration where families enjoy pancakes in various forms before the 40-day period of reflection and restraint. Even if you don't observe Lent, Pancake Tuesday is a wonderful excuse to enjoy delicious pancakes. Here are three simple vegan recipes to celebrate the day, along with some delightful toppings to complement them. Some portions of this blog post we...

Old Protest Musicians Singing Again... Generated by Firefly Adobe. When I was a young person, a boarder in a Catholic convent school, I thrilled to the "hootenanny" events staged by the nearby boys' high school. A young man named Jim Jutras would sit down at the piano in the large auditorium and lead us in a vigorous singalong of pieces made popular by the Limelighters (the Hammer Song ) and the Medical Mission Sisters ( Long Road to Freedom ). We also sang Dylan's Blowin' In the Wind and other like songs that gave us deep sentimental stirrings about the wickedness of War and racial inequality.  The "folk" protest music tradition has long been a powerful force for social change, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. Artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Phil Ochs turned music into a vehicle for activism, addressing issues like civil rights, war, and government corruption. Their songs weren’t just entertainment—they were rallying cries. Dylan’s Blowin’ in...