Zesty Fresh

Amira had always loved fresh, citrusy scents, so when she planted lemongrass in her kitchen, she expected it to simply smell nice. Soon, she realized it could do much more—it was a powerful natural cleaner.

She began by crushing a few stalks and steeping them in hot water to make a mild cleaning infusion. Once cooled, she used it to wipe down counters, tabletops, and windowsills. The natural antibacterial properties helped keep surfaces hygienic, while the citrusy aroma lifted the mood in her kitchen.

The Invigorating Helper

Leo loved a fresh, clean kitchen, and his small spearmint plant had quickly become one of his favorite tools for keeping it that way. Its bright, crisp scent seemed to energize the space, and he discovered it had practical cleaning uses too.

He began by crushing a few leaves and adding them to warm water, creating a natural cleaning infusion. Wiping down counters, cutting boards, and tabletops with the spearmint solution left surfaces fresh and lightly antibacterial. The scent also helped mask lingering cooking odors, making the kitchen smell clean and lively.

Gentle Freshness

Sophie always appreciated calm scents, so when she planted chamomile on her windowsill, she thought it would simply brighten the room. But soon, she discovered it could help with cleaning too.

After harvesting a few small flowers, she brewed a mild chamomile infusion. Once cooled, she used it to wipe down wooden shelves and tables. The natural antibacterial properties of chamomile helped keep surfaces clean, while the gentle floral aroma left the space feeling peaceful and inviting.

The Silent Protector

Marcus had a small kitchen garden, and among his herbs sat a bay leaf plant. It wasn’t flashy, but he soon realized it was a powerful ally in keeping his kitchen fresh and clean.

He started by drying a few leaves and placing them in jars of grains and rice. The natural oils in bay leaves helped prevent pests and kept stored foods smelling fresh. For surfaces, Marcus experimented with a simple infusion: boiling bay leaves in water and letting the liquid cool created a gentle, aromatic spray for wiping counters and tables. The subtle, herbal scent lingered, making the kitchen feel clean without the harshness of chemical cleaners.

The Soothing Cleaner

Ethan had always kept a small aloe vera plant on his kitchen windowsill. At first, it was purely decorative, but he soon discovered that it could help with more than minor burns—it had uses in cleaning too.

After cooking, he would slice a leaf and rub the gel gently on wooden cutting boards or glass surfaces to remove sticky residues. The natural enzymes in aloe helped break down grime, and its mild antibacterial properties made it a safe, gentle option for everyday cleaning. The gel left surfaces slightly polished and added a subtle, fresh scent to the kitchen.

Green Guardian

Maya loved how bamboo looked in her kitchen—a simple, elegant plant with tall, straight stalks. But she discovered bamboo wasn’t just decorative; it had practical uses for cleaning and maintaining a fresh home.

She started with bamboo leaves. A few leaves crushed and added to warm water created a mild cleaning solution for wiping down counters and tables. The natural antibacterial compounds in bamboo helped keep surfaces hygienic while leaving a subtle, green scent that felt calming and clean.

Citrus Breeze

Jordan had always loved the crisp scent of lemongrass, but he recently discovered it could do more than make tea—it could transform his cleaning routine.

He placed a small pot of lemongrass on the kitchen windowsill. After cooking, he would crush a few stalks and rub them on the counter edges or around the sink. The citrusy aroma instantly refreshed the space, and its natural antibacterial properties helped keep surfaces clean.

The Herbal Duo

Clara loved the smell of fresh herbs in her kitchen, but lately she had discovered something even more useful than cooking: a small pot of rosemary mint, a hybrid with both the crisp scent of mint and the earthy aroma of rosemary.

She had begun experimenting. A few leaves crushed and mixed with water created a gentle, aromatic spray for her counters and wooden tables. The combination of herbs acted as a natural disinfectant, keeping surfaces fresh without harsh chemicals. The scent was invigorating, almost like a spa in her own home.

Kitchen Guardian

Lila loved cooking, and her small windowsill garden was her pride and joy. Among the tiny pots, her basil plant stood out with its deep green leaves and fresh, peppery scent. But she soon discovered that basil was more than just a cooking companion—it was a subtle helper in keeping her kitchen clean.

After washing dishes, she would crush a few basil leaves and wipe counters or tabletops. The natural oils left behind a gentle antibacterial layer, helping prevent lingering germs from food prep. Sometimes she tucked a few leaves into jars of grains or flour to keep the air fresh and discourage tiny pests.

Citrus Sparkle

Jordan loved the smell of fresh oranges, but he had recently discovered that the peels were just as useful as the fruit itself—especially for cleaning. Every week, he saved the scraps from breakfast or snacks, collecting them in a small bowl by the sink.

The Tiny Defender

Dylan had always been meticulous about his bathroom, but despite regular cleaning, mildew sometimes found its way into corners. That’s when he discovered tea tree, a small but mighty plant with powerful natural properties.

He didn’t have a live plant on his windowsill—tea tree was best used as an essential oil—but even a few drops mixed with water or vinegar transformed his cleaning routine. Dylan made a spray solution and carefully wiped down tiles, sinks, and shower doors. The strong, clean scent was invigorating, almost like a natural disinfectant in action.

Smoke and Shine

Clara loved the ritual of cleaning her home on weekends. She found joy in the little things—the sound of a broom sweeping the floor, the shine of freshly wiped countertops. Lately, her secret helper had been a small pot of sage sitting on the kitchen windowsill.

The leaves smelled earthy and calming, and she discovered they had practical uses beyond their aroma. A few fresh leaves tied in a small bundle could be tucked into closets or drawers, naturally absorbing odors and keeping linens smelling fresh. Burning a single leaf gently in a ceramic dish released a faint, cleansing smoke, making her small apartment feel lighter and more purified.

Tiny Guardian

Amara had always loved herbs, but thyme held a special place on her kitchen windowsill. Its tiny leaves and delicate stems seemed unassuming, but she soon discovered that thyme was a powerful little helper in her cleaning routine.

She had read that thyme had natural antibacterial properties, so she experimented. Boiling a few sprigs in water and using the infusion to wipe down counters made her kitchen smell warm and earthy, and she felt confident that germs were being kept at bay. The scent was subtle, unlike chemical sprays, and it left her kitchen feeling alive.

The Steam Room

Hannah’s small apartment had one thing she loved above all else: the shower. But after a few weeks, even with daily cleaning, the bathroom sometimes smelled musty, and the corners of the tiles developed faint mildew spots. That’s when she discovered her new ally—eucalyptus.

Fresh Breeze

Noah loved the tiny mint plant that sat on his bathroom windowsill. It had started as a small sprig from a neighbor, but now it thrived in its pot, sending out tiny green shoots every week. The plant smelled sharp and refreshing, a crisp reminder of cool summer days.

The Kitchen Keeper

Sophie loved the quiet mornings when she could tidy the kitchen before the world fully woke. Her favorite part of the ritual wasn’t the sparkle of clean counters—it was her little rosemary plant on the windowsill. Its needle-like leaves smelled fresh and herbaceous, a reminder of meals past and flavors yet to come.

Sunshine in a Slice

Liam hummed quietly as he scrubbed the kitchen counter, the morning sunlight catching the streaks of water he’d just wiped away. His cleaning ritual had become almost meditative, but lately, he had a new companion: a small basket of fresh lemons on the counter.

Lavender’s Secret

Elena loved her evenings best—the quiet moments after a long day when she could tidy her home. Cleaning wasn’t just about dust or clutter to her; it was about restoring calm. And lately, she had a little helper: a pot of lavender perched on her kitchen counter.

At first, she had bought it because she liked the way the purple flowers brightened the room. But soon she discovered that lavender wasn’t just pretty—it was powerful.

The Green Window

Maya sat by the window, staring at the potted aloe vera resting on the sill. Its thick, pointed leaves stretched upward like it was reaching for freedom from the clay pot. She admired its stubbornness—the way it thrived with little care, just occasional sunlight and water.

To her, aloe vera was more than a plant. It was a reminder of resilience. She remembered the first time she had discovered its benefits. Her grandmother had broken off a fleshy leaf, slicing it open to reveal the cool, jelly-like substance inside.

Recipes I Never Shared (Second edition)

Prologue: The Last Recipe I Made for Them

I used to cook to be accepted.

Not just to fill empty plates, but to fill empty spaces between us—between me and them.

I learned early on that food was language in their family. It was the way love was measured and bartered.
A dash of salt meant you cared.
An extra helping meant you belonged.

So I seasoned meals to please their tastes, not mine.
I baked pies with the right crust, roasted vegetables until they were soft enough for their liking, and followed recipes handed down with unspoken rules.

I brought dishes to their gatherings, hoping for a nod of approval, a smile, or even a “not bad.”

But the nods never came. The smiles were rare. The “not bad” was the best I ever got.

I cooked for their approval, for their acceptance, for their love.
But I wasn’t tasting my own food anymore.