The National Day of Calendar tells me there are over 7,500 varieties of apples and over 7.5% of the world’s production comes from the USA. I have had the good fortune to live in two areas of the states that are known for apple growing; New York state and Washington state. There is nothing like driving past the orchards when the blossoms are out in the spring or when the trees are heavy with fruit. The smell is wonderful and the taste buds react instinctively. Continue reading “A Healthy Snack”
According to the National Day of Calendar, Food Day aims to help people “Eat Real,” which is defined by them as “cutting back on sugar drinks, overly salted packaged foods and fatty, factory-farmed meats in favor of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and sustainably raised protein.” Continue reading “Eat Real”
I really like waffles, but the fact I like most foods is no secret. Waffles are a very versatile food. You can have them for breakfast with lots of butter and maple syrup. You can decorate them like the one above and serve sections for dessert at a luncheon or you can have them with chicken fingers for dinner. I haven’t tried the latter one yet, somehow chicken doesn’t go with a waffle in my mind. Continue reading “Good Anytime”
How do you eat your watermelon? There has been quite a lot of discussion on the morning radio show I listen to about whether to eat watermelon with or without salt. Personally I prefer mine cold, no salt. I don’t understand why so many people like to cover the naturally good flavors of so many things by adding salt (like caramels). Continue reading “Cold, No Salt”
It’s National Strawberry Day. I’m a bit confused why this day falls in February, when strawberries ripen in the summer, but hey, it’s summer someplace. There are “tricks” to buying all sorts of fresh vegetables. The strawberry trick is, if it smells good, it will taste good. Try it next time you are at the grocery store or market.
Have you ever picked fresh strawberries? The plants are flush with the ground and one must squat to accomplish the task. When I was a child, it wasn’t so difficult. I wouldn’t even consider it now, as I carry a few extra pounds and have a bad back. We have some wonderful local strawberry farms where you can pick your own. We go when the berries are ripe to have an ice cream sundae, buy berries, and admire the people coming out of the fields with their filled flats and baskets. They always seem to be having a good time.
My grandchildren love strawberries as a snack. If I can find ripe ones, there is a bowl on the table to eat before the main family meal is ready. For my husband, at least one strawberry-rhubarb pie a summer is a requirement. Our only regret is the strawberry picking season doesn’t last long enough.
Have you gone shopping for trail mix lately? In the super market I use, Wegmans, there are multiple kinds in the nut section, there are different kinds in the bulk food section and there are yet others in the health food section. So, I leave the definition of trail mix to you. I have read the first one made was just peanuts and raisins.
I like to take a bag of trail mix when we go on a car trip. {It used to be motorcycle trip but the husband’s back gave out, and we have had too many close friends get hurt; I’m actually afraid to get on one now days.} The handy snack satisfies all sorts of cravings. You can pick out just the chocolate when you need a sweet fix, and you can pick out all the cashews at one time, before anyone else gets to the bag. The little pieces of dried fruit often give a more sour flavor burst if that is what you desire; and all jumbled together sends the taste buds into happy land, plus puts off the “I have to stop to eat!” demand for a while. It’s a great staple for in the room too, no refrigeration or heating necessary.
Trail mix was “invented” for just that, eating on the trail when hiking. I have been on some beautiful trails in my life. Number one would be on Mt. Rainier in Washington state. We parked in the Paradise parking lot and my friend pointed UP. “You see that bench up there?” “Yeah.” “That’s where we are eating lunch.” “Really?” I didn’t have the exercise gene back then either, but I made it. Trail mix was our dessert and the begging jay birds had some too.
Now I am back living in New York state, home territory. There is a park named Harriet Hollister Spencer State Park that has wonderful views from the trails. If you didn’t grow up around here, you’ll need a GPS to find it. We also have Letchworth and Stony Brook state parks, plus many others. I’m sure you have a great park near you. Grab a bag of trail mix and go check one out.
One word of caution; dried fruit and chocolate can last almost indefinitely, not so with some types of nuts. In an open bag in the cupboard they can go rancid. So buy yourself some fresh trail mix and enjoy the Labor Day Weekend (If you are in the U.S.) while eating it, even if you do so in front of the TV, on the golf course, or around a fire pit.
Sue Spitulnik 