Summer

We continue to enjoy the beautiful Okanagan summer. It has been hot! Salads have been the centre of most meals for weeks now, and with so many different ways to make a salad, we aren't bored yet. It seems true that the more you eat, the more you crave. During my parents visit, I ate a lot less salad, and enjoyed baking, coffees, and take out for their brief visit. When they left, I definitely craved those things for a few days! We've settled back into our regular pattern of eating for the most part, and I'm feeling great.

This past weekend we only had a few sour cherries to process. We froze several bags and dried a bunch. The dried, tart cherries are amazing! It seems very few people know what to do with sour cherries, so if you find someone offering them up, say yes! (and call me, if you don't want to process them yourself!) They make better pies, crisps and cobblers than sweet cherries do, and if you have access to a dehydrator, dry as many as you can.

Nutritionally, both sweet and tart cherries are full of antioxidants and vitamins and minerals. Tart cherries are a natural source of melatonin, the body's sleep hormone. Research finds that drinking tart cherry juice before bed helps you have a more restful sleep. They've also found tart cherry juice reduces post workout muscle inflammation, reduces uric acid and inflammation of gout, and possibly activates fat burning molecules.

Between training, beach suppers, work and family, summer is busy. But so worth it! I'll clean the house when fall comes! We have had about half our meals at the water's edge since the heat wave began. We pack healthy salads, fruit, tofu sandwiches or bean and nut balls. The kids eat more than at the table and we all feel refreshed when it's time to come home for bed. Happy Summer!