spring awakening

Every Spring, I am inspired by all the fresh produce to create beautiful salads.  I have embraced eating as much fresh, live, raw ingredients and benefits are endless.  My skin is clearer, smoother, softer.  My mental clarity feels more alive and in focus.  It all has to do with simple acts of radical self care.

Simply combine three or four ingredients to compose a salad and create your own light salad dressings using lemon, apple cider vinegar and olive oil.  Taste the fresh melange and admire the colors.  Peel Cucumbers, clean and shell fresh peas, wash and slice radishes, add fresh lettuce and herbs, and prepare a platter of Spring.

Are you inspired by all the freshness of Springtime?  Does Spring awaken your creative spirit?

get fresh

 A few weeks ago, I made fresh fruit kabobs for my daughter to bring to a friends home to share.  They were a huge hit and the Mom told me that I inspired her to make some and even sent me a photo.

 I attended an event in the city a few weeks ago and they had the freshest crudites in fun containers.

Summertime always makes me want to add freshness to my menu and to my table.  Ever since 3rd grade, I have loved ric-rac and how it adds a zest.  What sort of "get fresh" ideas are on your weekend menu.  Hope I have inspired you to create a fun raw bar or add a bit of a fresh face to your table.

market research

Friday is my day of the week for a bit of "market research."

Something tells me that a bunch of these are needed for the office.

Care to join me in a little research?

Nothing like stepping away from the desk on a friday.

Firstly, I seem to be drawn to an array of such gorgeous colors.

I think my customers like the taste of a little color too.

Red, Orange, Yellow's give me a "pep" talk and tell me, "buy me."

Fresh roasted peppers really taste best.

Then the smell of freshly baked breads stand at my attention.

My clients love fresh bread. Who am I kidding, I love it too.

My research tells me that they love "bruschetta" - "salsa" - and "gazpacho" too.

Hope you have a chance to conduct your own market research and bring home some samples to share with your little or big markateers.

What sorts of market research do you do?

Sunday shelf - august company

xxoo august company xxoo

I find myself in rather fine august company. The red juicy ripe heirloom tomatos beckon to be savoured and sliced for a tomato salad.

Tomatos sliced on a plate are a venerable summer time staple around here.

Do you eat a tomato like a fruit or a vegetable?

A sweet ear of corn on the cob is another fine specimen of august company.

What is keeping you company during this month of August?

Fresh tomato's and corn are such a treat.

paintings by Leslie Culpepper, found here on etsy