“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ― Mahatma Gandhi I have been negligent in posting lately. The truth is that I have been in a slump. The start to my summer was very strong with solid routines, blissful time spent outside gardening, and a flourish … More Plant-Based Comfort Food ~ Red Lentil Sloppy Joes
“We are asleep with compasses in our hands. ” ― W.S. Merwin A couple of years ago, when my niece Kristine was in high school, she gave a demonstration speech on how to can dill pickles. After her presentation, when she told me that there were students in her class that did not know that … More Embrace the Old-Fashioned with Two Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette Recipes: Basil & Mint
Alongside of tomatoes, watermelon has moved up to the front of the line in recent research studies on high-lycopene foods. Lycopene is a carotenoid phytonutrient that’s especially important for our cardiovascular health, and an increasing number of scientists now believe that lycopene is important for bone health as well. ~The George Mateljan Foundation Mid-July, the … More Watermelon & Cucumber Splash Green Smoothie (With or Without the Greens)
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life, and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” –Sophia Loren Yesterday morning, the sky threatened rain and I was determined to not let the … More Sunrise Green Smoothie with Mango & Pineapple (and Forty-Two Candles)
“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James I am so thankful for a relaxing Independence Day weekend. Mike and I basked in the glow of family, friends, laughter, and sunshine. We spent many hours on the water and were sad to … More Creamy Cucumber & Dill Dressing ~ Homemade & Plant-Based
“Once you get a spice in your home, you have it forever. Women never throw out spices. The Egyptians were buried with their spices. I know which one I’m taking with me when I go.” ~Erma Bombeck Before I joined Weight Watchers in October of 2006, boxed rice and pasta mixes were regularly tossed into my … More Perk Up Your Plate with Spicy Brown Rice and Snappy Salsa
Cilantro is an annual member of the carrot family that has been grown for thousands of years. It is popular in South American, Mexican, Asian, and Mediterranean dishes. The leaves are used as seasonings in salsas, guacamole, grain salads. The seed is called coriander. Unripened, it has a citrusy flavor and can be used like … More Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
Dill is an annual herb whose fragrant, delicate-tasting leaves, also known as dillweed, will enhance a variety of your favorite foods. Yet dill brings as much to the landscape as it does to the palate. Its finely textured blue-green foliage grows on upright stalks of fountainous stems. In late spring, you may want to cut … More Roasted Beet, Mango, and Blueberry Salad with Orange Dill Dressing ~ Plated or Layered in a Jar
“Gardening is akin to writing stories. No experience could have taught me more about grief or flowers, about achieving survival by going, your fingers in the ground, the limit of physical exhaustion.” ― Eurdora Welty Is there anything more delicious than a homegrown tomato fresh out of the garden? While purists say garden tomatoes should … More Orange Dill Vinaigrette Dressing
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” ― Hippocrates The weather report threatened rain today as I raced the storm clouds and blended my green smoothie. I rushed outside, a few props in hand, to snap photos. My neighbor pulled into his driveway. He offered up the obligatory, “I hope we get … More Cherry Limeade Green Smoothie ~ A Refreshing Sip of Summer
Produce with Amy 