Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Honey: Nature’s Sweetener with Hidden Health Benefits

Honey isn’t just a sweet treat—it’s history, health, and sustainability in a jar. From bees transforming nectar into liquid gold to the rising trend of backyard hives, honey connects us to nature in the most delicious way. Ready to learn why it’s one of the world’s most remarkable foods?

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Turning Your Leftover Wine into DIY Vinegar or Garden Fertilizer

Got leftover wine? Don’t let it go to waste! Whether you turn it into tangy homemade vinegar for your kitchen or a nutrient boost for your garden, repurposing wine is easy, sustainable, and surprisingly fun. In this post, I’ll walk you through two simple ways to give your leftover wine a second life—because every drop deserves to shine!

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

How to Pair Wines with Fresh Herbs from Your Garden

Pairing wines with fresh herbs from your garden is a game-changer for your meals. Whether it’s Sauvignon Blanc with basil pesto or Syrah with rosemary-crusted lamb, the right combination can take flavors to the next level. In this post, I’ll share my favorite pairings, tips for growing popular culinary herbs, and a few personal stories about flavor experiments that worked (and a couple that didn’t). Get ready to sip, savor, and be inspired!

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

A Brief History of Onions

Onions are a culinary cornerstone, but have you ever thought about their fascinating journey from ancient Egypt to your kitchen counter? In this post, we explore the mass production of onions today, whether they’re as healthy as they once were, and why growing your own onions might just be the ultimate way to elevate your meals. Plus, learn how to turn store-bought onions into a thriving home garden—no green thumb required!

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

The Best Christmas Gifts for Your Sister-in-Law

Looking for the perfect gift to wow your sister-in-law this Christmas? From high-tech gadgets like the iDOO Hydroponic Garden to thoughtful picks like personalized puzzles and trendy skincare fridges, this list has something for everyone. These gifts are cool, unique, and guaranteed to make her feel appreciated—and maybe a little spoiled!

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

The Best Wines for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

The holidays deserve wines as special as the meals they accompany. For Christmas Eve’s Feast of the Seven Fishes, think crisp whites like Vermentino or adventurous picks like orange wine. On Christmas Day, with prime rib, roasted ham, and green beans, classic reds like Pinot Noir shine, while unique options like sparkling Lambrusco add a festive twist. Discover the perfect pairings to elevate your holiday feasts and impress your guests!

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Delightful Christmas Eve Desserts to Sweeten Your Holiday

Looking to make your Christmas Eve extra special this year? I’ve created a list of unique and delightful dessert recipes that blend tradition with a festive twist. From Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Bars to Cranberry Orange Tiramisu, these treats are sure to wow your guests and add a touch of magic to your holiday celebrations.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Top 10 Baking Hacks I Wish I Knew Sooner

Did you know that how you handle your dough can make or break your bake? Working dough builds gluten, giving structure to breads but risking toughness in delicate pastries. In this post, I share 10 unique baking hacks—like how to manage gluten, create flaky textures, and even bake bread with a perfect crust—so you can elevate your baking game with confidence.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Turning Night Terrors into Songs

Night terrors once held me captive, but I’ve found a way to transform their chaos into something meaningful: music. What began as poems scrawled in the dark has grown into songs that tell my story—raw, haunting, and ultimately empowering. In this post, I share the poems, the songs they inspired, and my journey of turning fear into art while learning to express myself through music. This is more than just songwriting; it’s a way to connect, heal, and give voice to the silenced.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Exploring the Boundless Opportunities in VR

Virtual Reality isn’t just for gamers—it’s a rapidly growing frontier bursting with opportunities in education, fitness, retail, and beyond. In this post, I dive into why I believe VR is the next big thing, inspired by insights from the My First Million podcast and my own aspirations to build a VR game. From the challenges of development to the industries it’s set to revolutionize, explore why now is the time to dream big in the virtual world.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Revisiting My Trauma Three Years Later

December 8th is more than just a date on the calendar for me—it’s a scar, a memory, a reminder of how life can shift in an instant. This year, as I approach the three-year mark since that day, I’ve decided to put my story into words. It’s not easy to revisit, but it feels necessary. What follows is a raw account of my trauma, my survival, and my healing. If you choose to read on, please do so with care.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Things that I Prioritized for my Wedding

Our wedding was all about meaningful details—an amazing photographer, family-style dining with no allergens, and a glowstick-filled dance floor that had everyone singing along. With just 60 guests and a $20,000 budget, we focused on what mattered most: love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

A New Era of Health and Agriculture

In a world dominated by industrial farming, Joel Salatin stands out as a voice for ethical, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture. Known as the "lunatic farmer," Salatin has revolutionized how we think about food production with his innovative methods at Polyface Farm. From rotational grazing to soil health, his practices are proof that farming can heal the planet while feeding communities.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

The Transformative Power of Daily Reading

For the past year, I’ve read for at least an hour every single day—128 days and 52 weeks in a row, to be exact. What started as a simple goal to unplug has become one of the most transformative habits of my life. Reading has eased my anxiety, sharpened my focus, and given my brain the kind of workout that feels more restorative than exhausting. Science agrees: reading reduces stress, improves memory, and even helps you sleep better. And honestly, I can’t imagine my days without it now.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

The Sweet Secret of Tokaji Wines

Crafted from handpicked Aszú berries kissed by noble rot, Tokaji is more than a wine—it’s a story. From the volcanic soils and ancient caves to the creation of Aszú paste and the iconic puttonyos scale, every drop is a testament to patience, tradition, and artistry. Take a sip, and taste the legacy of Hungary’s sweet masterpiece.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Wines to Pair with Thanksgiving Dinner 2024

Looking to elevate your Thanksgiving dinner this year? Skip the usual wine picks and explore unique pairings like crisp Sancerre, bold Nebbiolo, and even an adventurous orange wine. From turkey to truffle mashed potatoes, these niche wines will make your holiday feast unforgettable—and give Aunt Nancy something new to talk about.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Learning SEO for EnergyDrinkRatings.com

I knew I loved writing about energy drinks—but getting people to read it? That was another story. Thanks to Steph Smith's Internet Pipes and a little SEO magic from DaveLin, I learned how to grow my website and connect with readers. Here’s how it all started—and how EDR is thriving today.

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Hydroponic Tomatoes

When I look at tomatoes on grocery shelves, they look beautiful on the outside but rarely deliver on taste or nutrition. They’re products of a broken food system—picked green, gassed to turn red, and grown for durability, not flavor. After experiencing the difference of true, vine-ripened tomatoes, I decided to take control of my own food. I recently invested in a hydroponic system to grow heirloom tomatoes at home, and I’m excited to enjoy real tomatoes

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Michele Gargiulo Michele Gargiulo

Why I switched from American flour to Italian flour

"When I first started baking bread, I couldn’t get enough of that warm, homemade taste. But something felt off. Each time I bit into a freshly baked roll, my stomach would ache, and a wave of fatigue would hit. It wasn’t until my honeymoon in Italy, where I ate all the pizza and pasta without a hint of discomfort, that I realized the problem might be the flour itself. I discovered that most American flour is ‘enriched’—a term that masks a surprising array of additives and chemicals, each with potential side effects. Here’s what I found out about these ingredients and why I ultimately made the switch to Italian flour."

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