We’ve all been through so many “firsts” this year, and the 4th of July will be another -- our first Independence Day during a pandemic. Long-lived traditions will be scrapped this year. You might not even have a chance to see live fireworks anywhere in your community. Parades and festivals are cancelled, and even if they're not, it feels dangerous to be in a crowd. The dilemma becomes: How to celebrate The Fourth of July during the times of Covid 19?

Aahhh...sweet, sweet, summertime. It’s the season when we try to do as many things outside as possible -- even cooking! And while I’ve been known to stand outside in freezing temps in the dead of an Ohio winter just to get a little char on something, grilling is much more pleasant during these warmer months. In addition to having agreeable weather, having the right tools for any job always makes for a more pleasurable experience as well. That’s why I’m sharing 3 of my favorite grilling gadgets that will make cooking on the grill so easy it’ll be your “go-to” method for preparing fresh, healthy meals this season:

 

Wednesday Blog:   🍓 It’s Strawberry Season!

For me, nothing says “summer is here!” quite like that first-of-the-season strawberry shortcake. Of course, I’ll buy strawberries at the grocery store throughout the year when they look and smell good. They’re nutritious and are one fruit most of my family will almost always say yes to. Nevertheless, I’m invariably disappointed in the texture and flavor of the off-season strawberries. The first local, in-season ones, bought at a farmer’s market or harvested fresh at a pick-your-own farm, nicely ripe and firm and juicy, make me so happy!

June 3 is National Egg Day, and of all the things for which there are national days, the egg might be the most deserving.  Not that long ago, eggs were something of a “no-no” for those trying to eat healthfully. Egg whites were fine, but the yolk had health experts worried about the high cholesterol content. Thankfully, after a revision of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) guidelines in 2000, the health benefits of eggs seem to outweigh the concerns. The AHA says healthy adults can enjoy an egg per day and easily remain within the daily cholesterol limit.

Since spreads and sauces are kind of “my thing,” I enjoy finding tasty botanicals that blend well with soft cheeses and sauce bases, but for flowers that are completely edible, it’s nice to use the whole blossom as a garnish you can also eat. I often sprinkle whole edible flowers on a charcuterie board or to top a cocktail, if the flavor and appearance fits the bill. Different blooms have very distinctive flavors. For instance, nasturtiums, really gorgeous flowers, have a slightly peppery taste, almost like watercress, working well in delicate salads and wraps, and while roses have a strong floral scent, their flavor is quite subtle and fruity. Roses lend themselves well to everything from soups and salads to teas, jams, and desserts.