Summer Produce

So I'm supposed to be blogging about the fish tacos that Meredith and I made at the beach last week. But today, I'm not inspired by fish tacos. I'm inspired by Texas peaches.

One thing I hate about Texas summers: unbearable heat that makes you sweat even at 8pm.

One of many things that I love about Texas summers: the produce.

There just isn't anything like it. I barely even eat fresh cucumber and tomato in the winter because it's all grainy and yucky and doesn't even compare to the glory that is a summer cucumber or tomato. Or a peach, for that matter.

Peaches are at their peak right now and I am currently dying of happiness. Here's a picture of what I just ate:

I don't know if you can tell, but the juices are literally dripping down my hand. Have any of you ever seen or read James and the Giant Peach? There is some pretty incredible word artistry during the description of peaches in that book that I am not even going to attempt to recreate. Just suffice it to say that a perfect, juicy, golden peach is heaven in your mouth.

(By the way, James and the Giant Peach is a great book and even if you're a grown up, you should read it. I can't wait until I have kids so I can re-read all these wonderful classics with them.)

Also, Meredith and I have been drinking a lot of these "Naked" smoothies recently. Sometimes when the produce is so good and I'm eating so much of it, I forget that my body also needs protein. I got a good little protein boost from this mango smoothie yesterday. The whole "Naked" line is delicious, "all natural", and soo goood for you. What more could you ask for?

Hangover Cure

So Anthony and I have these two friends that went on a date to a strawberry farm. Cutest. Date. Ever. Right? After they frolicked in the fields like the Von Trap children, we all went back to Boheme to partake in some more of the delicious sangria I mentioned before. Needless to say, I woke up this morning with a horrific headache. Whoops. (I only had two!)

The ONLY thing that sounded good was a smoothie, which Meredith showed me how to make over spring break. Luckily, our friends shared the wealth of their harvest and had given us a bundle of beautiful fresh strawberries. I always have plain, organic yogurt on hand so, with these ingredients, I was good to go. After I dragged myself off the couch and out of my pathetic heap of self-pity, I combined the strawberries and yogurt with some flax seed, honey, and ice cubes in a blender until smooth. It was just the thing.

I wish I had had some Clementine oranges or left over limes to add… that would have been so delicious. Also, Meredith uses frozen fruit so she doesn’t have to add ice. I wish I could give you exact measurements, like “1 cup of yogurt” or whatever, but that’s just not the way I cook. I eye-ball it. Use however much looks good to you :)

Now let’s talk about flax seed. It rocks. Meredith, I have to give you all the credit for this one, too. You introduced me to it. Flax seed has little to no taste, adds some crunch, and is packed full of stuff that is super good for you. It is full of fiber, calcium, vitamin E, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Apparently in the 8th century, King Charlemagne passed laws requiring his subjects to consume flax seed because he believed so strongly in its health benefits. It’s not that expensive and you can add to so many things for a little nutrition boost! (I put it in some homemade granola the other day). Oh, p.s., I got all my information from webmd.com… I don’t actually know all that stuff.

(Note: Betsy, if you are reading this, please don’t think I’m a bad big sister who is a negative influence on your adolescent development. Don’t drink alcohol until you’re legal, learn your limits, and be smart… which you are so I’m not worried.)