Summertime is upon us and we can feel the heat intensify. Why suffer through hot outdoor temperatures when all you need is something cold, healthy and sweet? And, I have just the perfect refresher. Summer fruits are ripe and in season now and let’s cool off together.
There are a number of fruits that are in season. My advice would be to pounce on the sweetest of the sweet fruits now because they will not last long. Perhaps another month or two. Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries and Blueberries, Oh My! Nectarines, Peaches and Plums, Yum Yum! Watermelon, Tomatoes (Yes, tomato is a fruit.) and Bananas-All I need is a pool and a cabana. Okay. I tried hard to rhyme that one and cabana was the only word that worked.
I see myself on the beach or at the poolside soon, having a smoothie with any of these seasonal fruits. I love putting blackberries in my morning oatmeal, smoothie or granola. The berries are at its sweetest now and it is like sugar without all of the refined calories. I tend to alternate the fresh berries each day. Fruit has a shelf life and can be frozen if needed. In my house, fruit goes fast. Really fast.
I love having some refreshing watermelon chunks throughout the day. It prevents me from grabbing a cookie or sweet treat that I truly do not need. When I feel I need some potassium, I grab a banana. Talk about sweet! The natural sugar is a bonus. Sometimes, I dip the banana in dark chocolate and freeze the chunks. There are so many ways to eat a banana.
Earlier, I mentioned tomatoes as a fruit. I learned that as a child and I was shocked. It makes sense because tomatoes have seeds. Tomatoes are at its sweetest too and I love slicing them and pairing them with a delicious sandwich or burger. I like to put two tomatoes in my blender with one half cup of water and make tomato soup. It has a thick consistency. I heat it on the stovetop for a few minutes, while adding a dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Absolutely delicious!
Another fruit, I thought as a child was a vegetable, is the cucumber. Yes, cucumbers have seeds and my palate has needs. I had to get that last rhyme in for consistency. I love eating an entire cucumber in one sitting. It is such a refreshing fruit. I often save two chilled cucumber slices to use on my eyes a few times each week. Who knew cucumbers could be used to relieve puffy eyes and lighten dark spots on your skin? The old saying, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat” rings true with these many fruits. The added benefits for our inward and outward selves put us all in the winning lane.
Speaking of lanes, why are cucumbers and tomatoes in the vegetable aisle in the grocery stores? Could someone please kindly explain that one? No wonder we think vegetable, not fruit, right? And, while you and I are pondering that question, let’s grab a Summer Fruit in Season Treat to Eat. Enjoy!