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Summer time in the Midwest

I live in Cleveland.  And summer, my favorite season lasts only a few short months.  All I can do is think about how I am going to fit in all the warm weather things I love to do in such a short period of time; walking, farmers markets and of course my first love, swimming.

I moved back to my beloved Ohio nearly 15 years ago after a long stint in South Florida. I think I moved back just to be near the fresh tasty riches that come from the fertile fields of my homeland.  Buying produce right out the hands of the farmers that grew the treasures is not only good for the economy but for your waistline as well.

My grandmother instilled upon me at an early age, “Honey if it doesn’t smell like what it should taste like, then don’t buy it.”

The first farmers market opened this month and I was all to eager to take a walk at lunchtime to see what was available early in the season.

Tables full of strawberries were the first things I spotted as I approached the handful of stalls. The smell of the farm-fresh berries was intoxicating. I bought two quarts and happily passed by the booths with yummy baked goods knowing that I had something better to eat in my sack.

I went back to the office and washed them off and polished off a quart at my desk. A coworker stopped by and commented that they couldn’t believe I ate the whole quart but the irony was that person was holding a bag of chips from the vending machine. I pointed out that the chip bag had more calories than the quart of pure nutrition that I just devoured. I am not sure that person really got the message.  Oh well, their loss.

Summer time is here and those lush fragrant sweet berries were just the beginning of what is to come. 

I can hardly wait for peach season.

5 Tips to Take Advantage of Fruits in Season: 

• Take the time to visit your local farmer’s market and meet the people that grow the sweet treasures of summer. 
• Buy extras and freeze them.  Frozen blueberries, strawberries and yes, peaches, taste great in smoothies. 
• Eat fresh berries after dinner to satisfy your sweet tooth and avoid high-calorie, high-fat desserts. 
• Try grilling peaches to use as a side dish instead of noodles or potatoes.
• And don’t forget to load up on the fresh basil and make pesto.  You can make a couple batches and freeze the extras to bring summer to mind during the winter months.    
  

Well, I’m off to go hit the pool and do some laps. The TV is off for the summer  and it is truly the season of perpetual motion for me.

Enjoy!

Lisa Griffis lost 185 pounds through diet, exercise and sheer determination.  To find out more about Lisa, visit her blog at www.lisagriffis.com.  She is a regular ShareWIK.com contributor.  

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