A little bit of this and a little bit of that...and summer is starting!

First of all, my Hungarian fold art A is finally done and framed.  I love they way is looks. 

I'm hoping I can start on B soon.  See my process here 

My garden is growing so well!  I am harvesting zucchini, pattypan squash, kale, Hungarian wax peppers, green beans and herbs.  Soon I should have tons of tomatoes, radish and carrots to add to the list.  I've also found a volunteer vine of some sort, I think it's a melon...we will see.

Pattypan

Zucchini

Hungarian Wax Pepper and you can also see the big vine next to it which I think will be some kind of melon...or pumpkin?

I also planted a new rose bed.  This is a neglected area that gets strong afternoon sun, not a lot of water and has poor soil.  Unfortunately it's become our cats toilet more than anything else!  In an attempt to reclaim the area I though thorny rose bushes would do the trick.

  I have mostly hybrid tea roses in my garden so I was excited to plant 3 David Austin roses. They are so much nicer than that stinky patch of dirt.  I amended well with compost and so far the roses (and I) are pretty happy.  The cat is sort of bewildered...

As summer approaches I am gearing up my healthy eating and exercising.  One of my favorite new smoothies is based on a recipe from Harley Pasternak.

1/2 apple, cored

1/2 banana

5 almonds or cashews

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup greek yogurt

Enough milk to fill my blender cup - about 1/2 cup.  Can be any milk or milk substitute.

Blend and enjoy.  It tastes just like apple pie to me. 

Sometimes I also add a handful of spinach.  Just enough to add some greens but not enough to change the flavor.  Usually I can't even taste the spinach.

I've been really into mason jars.  Overnight oatmeal in a mason jar has become my staple breakfast, I don't have a picture but here is my go to recipe:

1/3 cup oats (not quick oats)

1 T chia seeds

1 T maple syrup

1/3 cup greek yogurt

1/2 cup milk

Mix well and seal in a mason jar overnight.  In the morning I add some or all:

1/2 sliced banana

1 teaspoon raw cacao nibs

1 teaspoon chopped pecans

This is just my recipe but you can have fun creating your own.  There are hundreds of variations at your finger tips via Google.

I also chop salads up into large mason jars up to three days ahead and refrigerate.  I add protein like deli ham, hard boiled egg and the dressing when I am ready to eat.  I find it easier to make healthy choices for lunch when these are in the fridge ready to go.

 And last but not least, after months of neglecting my art, it's time to get the creative juices flowing because ICAD's and Summer of Color are starting! 

I loved the ICAD challenge last year.  See the roundup of what I did here.

And this year I am determined to keep up with Summer of Color, too.

Join me! 

Click below for more information:

Bursting with Figs

This time of year is fig time.  We have a baby tree that is not yet producing well but my dear friend has a tree positively bursting with figs.  We get bags and bags of figs from her. 

These figs are so ripe they have burst.

Watercolor on paper

Figs on my art desk...working quickly before the ants figure it out.

When the figs are overripe I like to use them in smoothies, fresh or frozen.  I put them in the blender, skin and all.  They add a nice creamy texture and a subtle flavor.  They are high in calcium and other minerals, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.  What's not to love?

Fig & Peach Green Smoothie:
1 large fig, cut up and skin on
1 medium peach, cut up and skin on
2 cups mixed baby spinach, collard greens and kale (or any green)
about 6 oz water
add crushed ice if you like your smoothies really cold as I do
when I make fig smoothies for the kids I add barely a hint of greens and much more fruit.

Another amazing way to eat figs and is our go to fig recipe every year on our annual
Girls Weekend in Palm Springs:



Slice figs in half and place face up on pretty serving tray.  Put crumbled blue cheese and roasted almonds on each fig.  Drizzle whole thing with honey.

How do you enjoy figs?  My dear friend and I would love some new ideas!

My Favorite (not green) Smoothie

Coffee Banana Smoothie

I have been experimenting with making myself the perfect green smoothie in an effort to get more veggie nutrients and honestly, to help keep off the pounds.  I try to replace some of my daily calories with a low calorie smoothie.  So far I have not found a really great green smoothie so while I experiment I have been going back to my old standby...the Coffee Banana.  It fills me up, gives me a little jolt of caffeine and is about 200 calories.

 In a blender combine these ingredients:

1/2 cup cold coffee (or use instant)

1/2 cup milk of choice - I used Unsweetened Chocolate flavor almond milk**

1 medium banana sliced - I often use frozen sliced bananas I keep in the freezer

1 Tablespoon each ground flax seed and chia seeds

a few ice cubes

**also yummy with vanilla flavor, or if you use plain milk and want some more flavor add a dash of vanilla extract or spoonful of chocolate milk powder or chocolate syrup.

Enjoy!

And if you have a great green smoothie recipe I'd love to try it.

Links: