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| In Neighbor's Yard |
“Hot July Brings Cooling Showers, Apricots &
Gillyflowers”*
I must admit that I’m a stress-eater. I started this pattern
during the frequent rocky times in my early adolescence, and continued it
through most of my life. The pattern resurged most recently during my downsizing
by management and my consequent departure from my day job, as I labored
over the choice between reliable income and taking care of myself. Scientists
have shown that eating carbohydrates stimulates serotonin production in the brain, which reduces
depression, normalizes sleep patterns, and generally makes one feel better.
I’ve never met a carb I didn’t like (either starch or sugar), and during the
recent past have relied heavily on them at the expense of eating more
healthful, fiber-filled foods (although oddly enough I also consumed a lot of
kale, which I also craved!) And yes, I did gain weight, and so did my husband.
He never spies a carb he doesn’t like, especially if his wife is eating it.
This month, we’ve agreed to plan menus with lighter, more veggie-oriented
foods. With our garden and CSA
both providing fruit and veggie bounty, this decision is “seasonally correct.”
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| "Ornamental Cherries" NOT |
Here in the greater Bay Area, apricot and plum harvests are
better than they’ve been in years. Prices are sure to be good, or maybe you
have your own trees to harvest. In past years one of our trees produced only
tiny, unpalatable fruits and we thought it was an ornamental cherry…but this
year it’s loaded with delicious yellow plums. If you don’t have trees, do check
your local Farmers’ Market. If I can find Satsuma plums, I’m going to make Bruce’s family
recipe for upside-down cake. Or perhaps my friend Kitty’s recipe for Plum
Kuchen. No point in eliminating carbs completely!
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| First of our Sungold Harvest |
We also have a backlog of spring onions and green garlic
from Live Earth Farm, our CSA. I’ll
be creating a new twist on Pasta a l’Olio
using the onions and garlic, plus basil bounty from LEF and dried
tomatoes that I made from the garden last year. A bumper crop of lettuce
from garden and CSA ensures plenty of salads. We’ll also be experimenting with
lighter proteins like fish, and with no-meat protein dishes like lemon hummus
and a black bean dish from my new Cuban cookbook. We also have some CSA
potatoes to use up, somehow. If you have menu ideas or recipe suggestions for
July, please post a comment! Enjoy your month.
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| Blooming in San Fran Botanical Garden Now |
July Veggies and Fruits: For Recipes, click links
Favorite and New July Recipes
Parmesan Encrusted Broiled Sole
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| Also In Neighbor's Garden |
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