Take a dip

Sprouted Summer Salad
1/4 cup white-wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt
1 small hot chili pepper, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 pineapple, peeled, cored and sliced
1/4 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup sprouted quinoa
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar and oil.  Season with salt.  Add the chili and the onion and toss. Let stand for 10-15 minutes.
Arrange pineapple on a pretty platter.  Top with the cashews, sprouted quinoa, and mint.  Drizzle with the dressing and serve.  This looks fancy and tastes delicious.  Enjoy!

Water is the ultimate healer: It soothes, supports, and provides resistance where you need it most.  Take a dip.
                                                                        -Terri Trespicio

If you step into water, you instantly weigh less.  Exercising in water is much easier on your joints.  Swimming is an excellent cardiovascular work-out.  When you are in liquid notice the sensation of being submerged.  Recognize each inch of your body being touched by the water.  Listen to the quiet calm under the water.  Taste and smell the salt, chlorine, or fresh water.  Float in the waves as your body keeps you buoyant. Body surf in the waves or swim as fast as you can go!  You will feel an instant physical and mental boost. 

If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
                                                                                 -John 7:38

Symbols of Summer

Zucchini Pasta
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped raw walnuts
2 TBSP fresh basil, plus leaves for garnish
2 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Sea salt
1 zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise, slices cut into 1/4 inch pieces

In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, walnuts, basil, and oil.  Season with salt.  Let stand 20 minutes.  Toss with the zucchini and garnish with basil.
We ate this dish last night and were overwhelmed by the simplistic flavors.  We added extra vegetables that were available from the garden, like beets (cooked), and cucumber.  It took all of 5 minutes to prepare, and was loved by all!


The daisy follows soft the sun
The daisy follows soft the sun,
And when his golden walk is done,
Sits shyly at his feet.
He, waking, finds the flower near.
"Wherefore, marauder, art thou here?"
"Because, sir, love is sweet!"

We are the flower, Thou the sun!
Forgive us, if as days decline,
We nearer steal to Thee, -
Enamoured of parting west,
The peace, the flight, the amethyst,
Night's possibility!

                                  - Emily Dickinson


Don't let the prospect of scraped knees or bug bites keep you inside.  They're symbols of a summer well lived.
                                 - Terri Trespicio

Curried Cauliflower Soup
1 head of cauliflower, in florets
1 small white onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2-4 TBSP curry powder
4 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste

In a 2 quart pot, cook the onions in a TBSP of oil until translucent.  Add the cauliflower, carrot, celery, and curry powder and cook for 2 more minutes.  Add the vegetable broth and boil until all the vegetables are soft.  Place the mixture in a food processor and pulse until chunky.  Return to the pot and add salt and pepper to taste.  This soup can be served warm or cold.  We ate it on a warm summer day with a dollop of sour cream and chives.  The aroma in the house was amazing!

I have been taking some time to compile new recipes.  I mostly use fresh ingredients, limit my flour and sugar use, and try to cut out dairy and meats, or use them sparingly.  Many of you have asked me what the best diet is for maintaining weight and increasing energy.  I have read research and tested what is best for me and my family.   I feel that this is the best way to eat.  Add this way of eating to daily exercise and spiritual growth and you are on your way to feeling better.

"Jesus invites us, in this life, in this broken, beautiful world, to experience the life of heaven now. "
                                                                                                - Rob Bell

Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him- for this is his lot. 
                                                                                                 - Ecclesiastes 5:18