{CSA boxes 3, 4, 5)

We are still receiving our summer share of our CSA. On top of our veggie boxes we also get a dozen brown eggs each week. I love supporting our local farmers and the CSA.

Here is what have been in our boxes the past couple weeks.

#3 tomatoes, eggplant, corn, Swiss chard, onions

#4 green beans, okra, tomatoes, potatoes, bell pepper, onion

#5 lettuce. tomatoes, onion, carrots, zucchini, quash, corn and a watermelon that was so sweet.

Eat Fresh. Eat Local

xoxo,

Ronita

{peace}

(via)

I came across this quote and I find it so fitting. In life I try to be at a place of peace but sometimes situations and circumstances get in the way. I find it so necessary to get back in a place of PEACE. I usually whisper prayers to internally center myself. I also use cooking as a way to meditate and get away from it all. My mom always teases me and says, that she will come in my house and the boys will be running all over, Scott's watching TV and I am in a cool, dim kitchen chopping onions, pots boiling and I will be in my happy place.

One of the things I love so much about my husband is that he has a quiet peaceful personality. He is always able to talk me through some of the things that get me all stirred up and bring me back to a place of PEACE. I always jokingly refer to him as my own dose of NICOTINE. 

PEACE is so important to me whether at home or work and I am consistently seeking it. I know that life will happen around me, chaos and hardship...but I thrive to be at a place of internal PEACE.

How do you center yourself and get to a place of PEACE?

xoxo,

Ronita

{CSA Box #2}

This week we really received some great produce.

Cantaloupe, blackberries, onion, beets, green peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and of course farm fresh brown eggs.

We really love supporting our local farm and supporting the health of our bodies.

Wouldn't you know, I have every intention of making a jar of blackberry sauce but...Tre' loves blackberries...raw unsweetened...blackberries...

xoxo,

Ronita

{fresh food fetish}

I love FOOD and I love cooking. 

The summer makes it so easy to access and use fresh fruits and veggies in my daily recipes.

Here are some of our fresh food snapshots.

Our first CSA box of the summer season. Summer squash, green bell peppers, corn, cabbage (red and green), tomatoes, potatoes, onion.

A bowl of lemons and limes to make fresh squeezed lemon/limeade and some lemon/lime dessert bars (recipe to come).

Purple potatoes which I chopped and combined in a casserole dish with olive oil, fresh thyme, basil, sage, oregano, parsley, 2 cloves of minced garlic a pinch of salt and pepper. I baked on 350 degrees for about 25 minutes and they were so good. Even the boys enjoyed them!

What fresh produce to do enjoy during the summer? Are you looking forward to anything in the fall?

I am starting my fall seeds now and hope to plant  next week. 

xoxo,

Ronita

growing our own food

collards April 20th

collards May 3rd

Our community garden box is doing really well. We have had a combination of great sun and great rain.

Our collards have made great progress in just a few short weeks. We have spinach growing in the middle and broccoli further up. Our flowers and succulents are spreading pretty well and we see little sprouts with the onions, peas and carrots.

We will see about the strawberries- I hope to get at least a few!

It's amazing how much fun it is to plant a seed in the ground and watch it grow! talk about farm to table.

We are looking forward to making delicious spinach salads this summer.

Scott and I were talking last night about how efficient it would be if we could collect seeds and send them to places that lacked food. People could come together to try to grow food to sustain their family and their communities.

What a thought...

xoxo,

Ronita

Healthy Soulfood...Say What Say What?

          

               

     I LOVE these ladies.

Healthy soul food and a little history lesson.

Perfect way to start my Friday.

Maybe I will try one of their recipes this weekend.

HAPPY FRIDAY

xoxo,

Ronita

My Summertime Harvest:Tour My Garden

My garden is starting to grow and I'm so thrilled!
I can remember when I was little girl, my dad digging out a patch of land on the side of our house and growing a "victory garden." I guess he passed down the passion and now I have dug out a little patch of land behind our condo (I hope the HOA) doesn't get upset...hehe

Here is a brief tour of my garden.

Boy when I get my house, I want to make sure there is a ton of extra land, so that I can set up a true garden. There is such joy in growing seeds and watching them mature and produce delicious fruit to harvest!

If you are not into growing or unable to grow your own garden here is a list of what's in season by month (I have printed this off and placed it in my purse).Take a visit to your local farmer's market and pick up some fresh local fruit and veggies.

(via)

Summer is a perfect time to enjoy earth's bounty!

With the produce from my garden I plan on canning salsa and tomato sauce to enjoy during the colder months.

HAPPY HARVEST!

xoxo,

Ronita

working out is my new bestie!!!

I found this really great blog with wonderful workout plans, recipes and advice (motivation) for those who may not have a gym membership (cancelled mine because I wasn't going) and are just getting started or those who want to switch it up a bit...

I even love the design.

http://downtownn.tumblr.com/archive is my new bestie!

I must shed this weight! I have printed off all the plans and can't wait to get started. Each day you do different workouts and buildup little by little.

There are tons of great ideas and fun printables!

HAPPY and HEALTHY

HAPPY Tuesday!

xoxo,

Ronita

SUPER-food SPOTLIGHT: Cinnamon

(via)

I mentioned in a previous post, here,  how honey has so many natural healing qualities. I want to share with you another inexpensive, natural SUPER FOOD; CINNAMON. I picked up a bottle from Trader Joe’s ($1.99)  and keep it on my desk. I sprinkle it on/in everything, from my morning cereal to my afternoon cup of tea!!!

Look at all the health benefits!

 • Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.

• Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.

• In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.

• In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

• It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

• In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.

• When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

• One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

• Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.

• It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

(article via)

SPRINKLE UP!!!

xoxo,

Ronita

SUPER-food SPOTLIGHT: Honey Please!!!

I am not one to immediately take prescription/over the counter medicine when I am feeling sick. In fact, the first thing I usually do is call my mother to see what “old time” remedy she knows of and if she can’t think of anything I call my grandmother. Recently, I have been on a HONEY kick (it is great for coughs/colds-something my boys seem to keep) because it has so many great benefits!! Known to many as “liquid gold” not only does it taste delicious on warm toast, when added to warm olive oil it makes one decadent and super moisturizing deep conditioner for your hair.

 

HONEY has so many natural benefits…take a look at a few (source)!!!

• Taking organic raw honey is a healthy way to get an energy boost. Its carbohydrates supply us with energy and strength. It can boost your endurance and reduce muscle fatigue.

• Honey is a great aid in relieving morning sickness, reportedly even more effective than traditional soda crackers. It’s also good for sore throats including laryngitis and pharyngitis.

• Honey and cinnamon can help in many areas including relief from bladder infections, arthritis, upset stomach and bad breath. It’s even supposed to be able to slow down hair loss.

• Raw honey can be used as a medication for men with problems of impotence and women with problems related to infertility. Warm raw goat milk and raw honey is believed to increase sperm count considerably.

• A salve made of honey, for diabetic ulcers, has been proven effective when other topical antibiotics are not well tolerated. It can be applied to eczema, canker sores or bleeding gums.

• Honey and apple cider vinegar can be used for many ailments like stomach aches, constipation and even migraines.

• Honey and lemon goes to work in the body shifting the extra fat stores, thus making it usable energy for regular body functions. And, honey is cholesterol-free. It reportedly can even help to keep cholesterol levels in check

• Raw honey has a viscous texture due to its low water content. It also establishes a poor environment for bad bacteria to grow, and is a good natural preservative

Honey is antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, and antibacterial -- it never spoils!

(All photos via aol search)

So the next time you are feeling sick or just want to sweeten up your world add a bit of honey to your life! When you buy honey try to make sure it’s organic raw and (preferably locally farmed)-not from the little store brand bears (sad…I know they are so cute).

Honey PLEASE!!!

xoxo,

Ronita

*I will be doing other health/wellness-food spotlights. Be on the lookout and please share with your people (smile).