Update: Congratulations Betsy! You’ve won the ‘Summer in a Box’! Please email me your mailing address. Betsy said: “Organic means to me is eating from our garden so we know how they have been grown.” I love that! I’m off to craft you a post on quick pickles!
Summer is here, in all of its hot, humid glory.
Our garden, despite a staggering amount of weeds, is producing nicely. Our wading pool (clothing optional if you’re under 36 inches tall) is in frequent use. And the thunderstorms! Amazing–there’s nothing like a midsummer Midwest thunderstorm. You can see and feel it coming from miles away. The low rumbling of thunder, the distant flash of lightning, and finally the wind picks up and the torrent starts. Enjoy it all–the kids will be back at school and the leaves falling before we know it.
Make your summer even more enjoyable with a fun giveaway from Stonyfield Farm. The folks at Stonyfield kindly sent me this lovely ‘Summer in a Box’ gift, and they’re going to send one to one of you, too.
Check out this swag! Full-size products: Tom’s of Maine toothpaste, long-lasting deodorant, soap, Badger Balm after sun balm, Dr. Hauschka Melissa Day Cream, two coupons for Stoneyfield Farm’s new frozen yogurt pops, and a coupon for a free bottle of Uncle Matt’s organic juice. Yum.
So far, I’ve enjoyed everything, especially the Melissa Day Cream. It’s light, but moisturizes well, and has a delicious lemon scent. The Badger Balm is rich and simple, and would sooth any itchy irritated spots (not just sunburn). I’ve used the Tom’s of Maine deodorant before — this one said ‘improved formula’, and I have found that to be true. Traditional deodorant irritates my skin, so I’m always on the lookout for a natural deodorant that can take the heat. Continue Reading »
It’s a hundred plus degrees here today. From what I hear, many of you across the country are experiencing the same. What better to beat the heat than an ice cold glass of pink lemonade?
No pink powder in this one–just lemons, sugar, water, and raspberries. Isn’t the color amazing? Continue Reading »
The Lunchbox
repeat: pita circles with peanut butter and honey
blackberries
1 sliced plum
small brownie
cheese cubes
milk
The Results: nothing left, not a crumb
Blueberry season and my birthday! Two reasons why I love summer. Our bushes are laden with berries, and I got a few new cookbooks to celebrate my thirty-somethingth year.
I’ll tell you more about the cookbooks as I work from them, but they are Milk and Cookies by Tina Casaceli, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer, and Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Every Day. I’m stoked. My first batch of ice cream was phenomenal, and I’ve made several dishes from Heidi’s cookbook that I’ve enjoyed too. I’ve yet to try out the cookie book (primarily because I’ve been without a stove for a week – yikes), but I’m anxious to do so, because the reviews were mixed on Amazon, and I’d like to see for myself.
Super Natural Every Day has lovely photographs, and many, many recipes I could see making regularly. There is a bit of everything: breakfast, dinner, lunch, snacks, and treats. My only complaint is that because it’s a paperback and it’s on the smaller side, it does not stay open on its own, or even with something heavy on one side. You really do need one of those cookbook holder things to keep the book open, or alternatively a patient small child to hold the book open for you.
Onto the muffin! Muffins are a near-perfect food. They are quick to mix up, you can add in lots of healthy stuff, and they can be served for any meal of the day, or dessert, without getting a second look. This muffin is made with whole wheat flour, millet, and blueberries. The millet provides a nice crunch in the cooked muffin, but overall it has a similar texture and mouthfeel to a corn muffin. Leave out the blueberries and this would go great with soup or chili in the fall. Continue Reading »
The Lunchbox
raw cauliflower florets
purple grapes
peanut butter and honey sandwiches on small circles I cut out of fluffy pita bread
homemade trail mix (kashi cereal, dried pineapple, dried cherries, chocolate covered sunflower seeds)
milk
Results: ate the grapes and the peanut butter sandwiches completely. Nibbled on the cauliflower. Ate the trail mix and a few more florets during the car ride home.
