August, already?
With Summer’s end getting closer, we’re making sure to relish every last day of it. The beach and the pier at Santa Monica is one of our favorite destinations. A beautiful drive down Pacific Coast Highway and we’re there. It’s one of our favorite places to soak up Summer.
The warm weather is making me crave lots of fresh fruits and veggies, so we’ve been enjoying the local farmers markets as well. Namely this one, and this one as well are our top favorites.
It was so hot last weekend after we finished the farmers market, I waited beneath a shady tree with all our produce while Adam walked the mile and a half to where the car was parked and picked me up.
I realized two things:
1. I think we purchased 100 lbs of produce. Don’t worry, we never waste anything. Down to the last remaining carrot, this will all get eaten up in about one week.
2. I’m feeling major plastic-bag-guilt. Although we always save and reuse all the plastic bags we bring home, I’m going to start looking into buying some reusable canvas totes. I’d love to hear your favorite reusable totes for carrying bulky groceries. Maybe you can share in the comments section below?
I bought some english cucumbers and was dying to come up with something light and refreshing when I came across this Gazpacho Soup recipe from my friend Allyson…
image via manifest vegan
There are days I can’t fathom the idea of cooking over a hot stove, or heating up the oven -and the whole house (in a non-air conditioned home no less), so I decided to give this recipe a try this morning!
Soup for breakfast? Yep, I’m very spontaneous sometimes!
It’s so quick and simple to make! Recipe courtesy of Allyson at Manifest Vegan.
Cucumber Basil Avocado Gazpacho
- 1 perfectly ripe avocado
- 1 cucumber: skin left on, seeds removed
- 2 small handfuls fresh basil
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 scallions, green and whites both
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Juice of 1 lime
Refrigerate all the ingredients until they are quite cold. Place the chilled ingredients into a blender and purée until smooth, allowing a few specks of green to remain throughout. Return the soup to the refrigerator and chill again until it is ready to be served.
Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber circles and basil leaves.
==== Enjoy! ====
I’d love to know, what are you favorite cold dishes this Summer?
Till next time, click and keep up with us on our favorite sites….
I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI could not find bags I really liked
so I just collected fabric and found
"used" canvas bags to re-use. I washed
them and dried them and went about covering
the ad or the decor on the front of the
used canvas bag with my fabric and a sewing machine. I guess you could even use glue?
I love the fabric I picked and now I don't
have to look at a store's ad or an ugly bag
that didn't suit me. I like that my "used"
bags are so soft and will wash well. I even
use the bags that go with what I am wearing that shopping day, I know, crazy-but so much more fun!
Great idea using canvas, JolieAnne. And I love that it's washable. Nothing like a leaky squashed tomato to ruin your bag : (
DeleteI talked about re-usable bags in my blog few days ago. Here is a link:
ReplyDeletehttp://beforeandafterandstillinprogress.blogspot.com/search/label/re-usable%20bags
Love your blog
Bryn
Great post, Bryn. Who knew there were so many great options out there. I didn't...until now!
DeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI live in southern California too. We love walking on the beach , our favorite is Coronado. I always use my reusable bags which I collect from different stores. Home goods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, all have good ones which are really big and hold lots of veggies etc... and whenever I see a cute tote, I buy it. I always have them in the trunk of my car and use them faithfully ( it has to become a habit ) When I buy any kind of meat, chicken, fish, I ask for a paper bag so I don't have to worry about my reusables becoming contaminated with Salmonella , and I reuse the paper bag in the garden while deadheading roses and cleaning up. Have a great weekend.
Ciao,
Mary
Coronado is a favorite of ours, too. And for us it's only a couple hours away. I'm going to have to hit up the stores for some cute bags, and like you said, just leave 'em in the trunk. Fortunately we don't have any Salmonella worries, being that we are on a strict Vegan diet, but I love paper bag idea, as I always find hundreds of uses and purposes for the brown paper.
DeleteI have seen some beautiful canvas shopping bags at Home Goods and Joanne Fabrics. They have their logos on them, but the fabrics and designs are so pretty, you really don't notice. One year, I bought two HUGE canvas beach bags at Wal Mart. They hold everything - groceries, books, beach gear, flea market finds - one is red and white stripes and one is pink, yellow and white stripes. I love them and always take them with me to yard sales and large fleas. One of my favorite no cook meals for breakfast or lunch is cottage cheese with chunks of pineapple and sliced banana topped with chopped nuts (pecans usually). It's cool, refreshing and healthy!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Leena
Sounds good, Leena!
Deleteoxox
Jennifer
Hey girlfriend~ Love that you were able to get away and enjoy the beach and farmers market! That soup looks amazing Miss seeing you~
ReplyDeleteWanted to say the August COTM is probably my FAV EVER!!!
Talk soon, xoxokathee
Hey Kathee, miss seeing you too! Can't wait for next week : )
Deleteoxox
Jennifer
The cucumber soup sounds heavenly... i will so try that recipe. And, i'm sooo glad i'm not the only one who makes my guy pick me up sometimes, ahhh the luxury of having a good man. Ya'll look so cute and happy there at the beach, and i love your little cotton blouse!
ReplyDeleteCindy
Awe, thanks Cindy!
Deleteoxox
Jennifer
I just purchased a whole set of shopping bags from Amazon called My Eco shopping bag system. It is a set of 4 large bags which all fold neatly into an outer clutch, which is really the bottom of one of the bags. They are labeled for produce, grocery items, glass jars (which has pockets all around the inside to prevent the jars from hitting together), and cold items (this one is insulated). They are all made of recycled material and can be wiped clean inside and out. My husband was delighted that there would be no more bags floating all over the trunk of the car, since they are all contained in one small clutch.
ReplyDeleteBecause I always forget my bags when I go to Ikea and I buy tons there, I ended up with an excess of the huge Ikea bags. They aren't canvas but are washable and they are huge! I used them last time I went to Aldi's a couple weeks ago and fit my whole cart of items in one bag. Since I have the best intentions, they are stored in the back of the van, so I always have them. The bonus is they have the long straps and also short handles and hold so much, but fold down really small.
ReplyDeleteI also buy the cute reusable bags at Home Goods, they are great for the beach too because they can be hosed down.
Hi Jennifer! Am an avid cook with fresh ingredients and can't wait to try the cuc gazpacho! In farmers markets I bring the insultated strong Whole Foods bags, red on the outside and it helps as well to maintain freshness. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer! Can't wait to try your gazpacho! I also cook fresh and healthy and also gluten free. You might try the insulated bags at Whole Foods if they still have them. Great for carrying fresh produce.
ReplyDeletebettye198
http://galacticgal.blogspot.com
Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend www(dot)envirosax(dot)com. I have used three of these Envirosax for years. I can get tons of groceries in these babies. The best part is they fold up and go in my purse so I'm not forgetting them. They are mad of a parachute type material and are washable. The first one I ever I got I won as a give away. I have bought many since to use myself and give as gifts. They are the best. Even the ladies at the grocery store love them!
ReplyDelete