Peach Jam

I've been really busy gathering veggies, herbs and fruits lately, so I'm going on a blog break. Taking a blog break will give me more time to  preserve the foods I pick up at farm stands, or get from my own yard.

I'm wishing everyone a great rest of the summer.

Be back in October!

Since peaches are so juicy, sweet and delicious right now, I've posted a healthy "peach jam" recipe.

 Ingredients;

1 1/3 cups of finely chopped and peeled peaches

1/3 cup of white grape juice

3 tsp bottled lemon juice

1 1/2 tbsp Ball "real fruit" low sugar or no sugar pectin

Up to 1/2 cups of honey (optional)

Sanitize jam jars as stated on the "Ball" mason jar package.

Always use clean brand new lids when preserving fruits and vegetables.

Combine peaches, juice, and lemon juice in an 8 qt. sauce pan.

Gradually stir in the "Real fruit" pectin.

Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.

Add honey if using. Return to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam.

Ladle jam into hot jars one at a time, leaving 1/4 inch space from the rim. Place lids on jars. Apply bands and adjust to fingertip tight.

Place filled jars in a canner making sure jars are covered in 1 to 2 inches of water. Place lid on canner. Bring water to a gentle, steady boil.

Process jars for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and remove the lid of the canner. Let the jars stand for 5 minutes.

Remove jars and let cool for 24 hours.

Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lids should not flex up and down when pressed in the center. If so, refrigerate jam and use within a week.

Store jam at room temperature and enjoy this healthy preserve all winter long:)

Baked Tomatoes, Squash, and Potatoes

This is a great recipe I got out of my "Whole Living" magazine.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 tomatoes, sliced thin

1 medium yellow squash, sliced 1/4 inch thick

1 medium potato, sliced 1/4 inch thick

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbs fresh thyme leaves

2 tbs Parmesan cheese(optional)

Heat oven to 375.

Heat oil over medium and cook onions until tender and lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes.

Arrange onions at the bottom of the baking dish.

Overlap potatoes, tomatoes, and squash on top of onion.

Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with thyme leaves and Parmesan cheese.

Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden, 30 more minutes.

Apple Facts

Apples are a natural food, not loaded with artificial sugars and fats like many man made sports snacks.

Apple Facts

Apples contain the trace mineral boron, which helps strengthen bones and protect against osteoporosis.

Apple Facts

Apples contain pectin, a reliable source of fiber that causes the stomach to slowly empty. Pectin keeps you from getting hungry and distracted during your workout.

Apple Facts

Apples are an excellent source or soluble and insoluble fiber.

Apple Facts

Apples help maintain blood sugar levels, boost your stamina and enhance performance.

HOT CHILI PEPPER SAUCE

Here's a great hot sauce recipe hubby found online. He modified it a bit to meet our taste.

Since I have tons of chili peppers in the garden right now, I'm making this tasty hot sauce and preserving it.

Ingredients;

5 cloves of garlic, chopped

10 chili peppers, halved and seeded

1 onion, chopped

1 tbs chopped cilantro

1 tbs chopped oregano

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 cups of water

1/4 tsp cumin

Sea salt to taste

Saute garlic, onions, and peppers with a bit of vegetable oil in a sauce pan for 7 minutes.

Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and let simmer on low for 1 hour.

When sauce finished, pour into blender and puree well. Transfer back to the pan and simmer until slightly thickened.

Store hot sauce in the refrigerator, or preserve sauce in mason jars.

Apple Facts

Apples are a good source of carbohydrates, your main fuel while you exercise.

Apples help you build muscle and lose fat.

Apple Facts

Eating 2 fresh apples a day can improve cholesterol levels in as little as 6 months.

Apples

Apples deliver an array of advantages for people who want to have an active lifestyle. Many of these benefits are directly related to exercise and working out.

For example;

Apples are nutrient rich with less than half the calories of a chocolate bar.They'll fill you up without filling you out!

Photo by me

There's always something new to study, or explore in nature.

Honeydew was originally cultivated in southern France and Algeria centuries ago.

Honeydew is a part of the gourd family, which is divided into fruits and veggies.

One wedge of honeydew provides penty of vitamin C and is 64 calories.

Honeydew salad:

12 wedges of honeydew

6 cups arugula

6 fresh figs, trimmed and sliced in half

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

3 tbsp toasted and chopped walnuts

Vinaigrette:

3 tbs white balsamic vinegar

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 tbs honey

1 tsp dijon mustard

1tbs fresh mints, chopped

A pinch of sea salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Arrange arugula on plate

Top each serving with honeydew, fig halves, onion and garnish with walnuts.

Whisk vinaigrette ingredients to combine.

Drizzle dressing over salad.