What a difference 12 days can make!

- Lauren

Summer Lovin'

ah, summer. How I Love thee....

Here are a few of my favourites for this summer:

TOMS wedge sandals. Need I any any more?!

A Denim Dress. Oh how I want a denim dress... something like this one here 

Have you heard about Me to We?  They sell socially conscious and environmentally friendly clothing. Their Artisans line is super cute:

                                                                           (http://www.metowe.com/shop/products/artisans/)

Clinique has an awesome new tinted moisturizer they are selling this year. It's been great for me so far, its very lightweight and you don't have to worry about sweating off your makeup in the heat. It also doesn't cake on, it hardly looks like you are wearing anything... which is just perfect for hot sunny days.

Have you tried Beau's beer yet? Its a family run, Ontario Craft beer which has one a ton of awards. A nice cold beer is a perfect addition to any Sunny afternoon. They have just started to sell it at most LCBO's. Pick one up, you will not be disappointed.

Have you checked out Joe Fresh's summer collection? Their dresses are very cute, and at a great price. It's still a little weird to buy a dress, underwear and eggs all in one place... but the price sure is right!

What are some of your favourites for summer?

-Leah

Community Supported Agriculture

I am so lucky enough to live in an awesome community where I can receive so much of my food from LOCAL farmers. When buying local food, not only does the produce, meat, cheese etc... taste a thousand times better than anything I would find in a grocery store, it is often picked the morning you buy it AND you support local farmers!! 

This is the first year my sister Lauren and I  have participated in a Community Supported Agriculture program. Lauren and I decided to get a full share amount of food (enough for a family of 4) and split the food between the two of us. It worked out to be approx $20 each for the week of produce which is delivered right to my door.

A bit of background on a CSA:


(Taken from Stevanus Family Farm's website:)

"Community Supported Agriculture farms develop a partnership between the farmer and those who consume their food. Our customers purchase a share in the harvest and are treated to the fresh, all natural, locally grown vegetables which are delivered to your door each week. [The farm] receive[s] the start up capital necessary to purchase seeds, supplies and soil amendments."

Today was our first week receiving our box of produce and we were not disappointed

Check out our loot:

Along with the veggies, we received a newsletter with recipes, and a description of the food and how to cook it (a few of the vegetables I have never cooked with, and I'm pretty excited to try them out!)

Have any of you cooked with white radishes, pak choi or garlic scapes before? Have you tried a CSA?

- Leah

Spinach Pesto

I planted spinach in my garden for the first time this year, I have done various lettuce types before but I was ready for something different. But what to do with all the spinach? Pesto! 


I googled some recipes and made my own based on them all kinda mixed together.


I filled a bowl with fresh picked spinach leaves and about 6 sprigs of fresh parsley, and a handful of fresh garden garlic.



Added 1/3 cup of pine nuts and about the same of parmesan cheese.


Pureeing everything in my magic bullet, adding some olive oil (around 2/3 cup), it took a few batches and a larger food processor would be easier but not necessary.


and voila! vibrant green puree goodness.

Since this was way too much for one meal - and I don't like eating the same thing too many meals in a row, so i spooned it into an ice cube tray and put it in the freezer.

Now I have a container in the freezer with spinach pesto portions ready to go.  

I made this about a week ago and then a few nights ago didn't know what to eat, I boiled some gnocchi, when it was in the strainer, I melted the pesto cube with some olive oil and when

it was done, mixed it back in with the gnocchi. 

Topped with more cheese and nuts and delish!

I am planning on doing something similar with nasturtium leaves and basil, also whatever nuts I have in the cupboard (almonds, walnuts, I imagine anything will work) and if you don't have the cheese on hand you can just add it when you make the final meal.

Any other suggestions for varieties?

- Lauren