Summer just started and * gasp * it’s already scheduled … I have too many vacation hours and must use “it or lose it” (not happening). Not a terrible problem to have I know so, for that reason, I’m booking off soon to enjoy a summer that looks like this:
“It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine … it’s summertime!” ― Kenny Chesney
Summer is on its way and that means summer produce is, too — and that makes me happy!
1) Still fighting a cough & congestion so I whipped up something I love this weekend — my “Hey Now Salsa” oh it is so stinkin’ good! Sent a container home with oldest son yesterday & kept one for me. Crunchy, fresh, zippy and delicious, it’s better every time I make it! And it’s going with me to top off my grilled chicken salad at lunch!
photo from healt-fitness.au (This has never lasted long enough for me to capture it on camera)
2) Bought myself a “Nutribullet” this weekend, too. Why? I frequent the farmers market but often find I can’t eat everything before it spoils. And spending all that money just to throw out wilted produce goes against my grain! I’d seen the infomercial so I did the research and found it locally at “Bed, Bath and Beyond.” With the the 20% coupon I found from last December I paid around $80 ~ ~ Did you know their coupons never expire? Yes they have expiration dates but the clerks just ignore them – sweet!
image from nutribullet.com
Yesterday I made my first smoothie which consisted of spinach, 1 pear, a handful of blueberries and raspberries, water & some chia seeds. Youngest kid liked the taste but couldn’t get past the green-ness of it. I loved it and a concoction like that will be my breakfast today. An extra 10lbs of winter pudge snuck onto my 5′ 3″ frame and I’m hopeful that these extra nutrients will help me not only shed the fluff + boost my immunity. This latest bout marks the 3rd time in 5 mos I’ve gotten sick with the same thing = time to pay attention, I think. I’ll share my thoughts and progress as I go 🙂
That’s my 2 for Tuesday — so, tell me, what gadget have you purchased recently? And, more importantly, did it work as promised?
Care to play along? On Tuesdays, pick a topic and lean into it with at least 2 points!
So .. there’s this salsa I make and it is so delicious, so stinkin’ good that my mouth waters just writing about it.
It’s that good. I promise.
photo from health-fitness.au
Perfect for end of summer tomato abundance. But .. do-able in winter, too. Bonus!
It’s time for my Hey Now! Salsa
Why the name? Because it’s got just the right combo of sass and frass and tangy good-ness that’ll make your mouth pucker up and sing: HEY NOW!
Wanna make some? Here’s what I do… First, I strongly suggest you put on some Barry White, Al Green or whomever gets your groove on. Shake your tail feathers and just have fun with it.
MJ’s Hey Now! Salsa (the Salsa .. with a ‘tude)
1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 can corn, rinsed & drained
2 cups of pico de gallo from your local grocery store deli OR make your own by chopping up ~ 8 Roma tomatoes, 1 red onion and adding the juice of 1 lime + salt & pepper.
1 avocado, peeled, seeded and cubed. *
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped (I like to use orange or yellow for the color contrast)
½ of 1 red onion, chopped ( if you made your own Pico you can skip this step)
Fresh cilantro, chopped (I use a lot ’cause I like the stuff … your call)
Seasoning – a few shakes of garlic & onion powders, a bit of Mrs. Dash regular and some salt & pepper – how much? A few shakes of each.
Juice from 3 to 4 fresh limes (depends on how lime-y you like it) and
3/4 of a bottle of Italian Dressing
Toss all ingredients, liberally pour in the Italian dressing & squeeze in the lime juice, stirring well. Try to keep all ingredients covered in the “juice” as this is what keeps this fresh.
*If you desire a sweeter salsa, substitute chopped mango for the avocado. Mucho delicious!
**You can add hot peppers (seeded jalapeno or serrano peppers) if you wish but I don’t – this is crunchy and tangy and everyone can enjoy it.
Serve with tortilla chips. Be sure you sample some now and shake, shake, shake .. shake your booty…. Sorry, got carried away by KC & the Sunshine Band. hee hee.
This salsa is OUT-STANDING over a fresh green salad with grilled chicken … mmmm. My personal favorite!
I think my Hey Now! Salsa could last about 4 days in the fridge but, honestly, I’ve never had it last more than … 2.
Go ahead … make some. Show it off this weekend or find a closet and hoard it to yourself. Either way … I hope you enjoy it as much as we I do.