Summer may be gone for now, but certain bits of it last on:  memories, vacation photos……new sun spots. 

Several visitors have written to me asking for help reducing the appearance of sun spots and freckles.  Though nothing short of completely avoiding the sun will totally keep spots at bay, being liberal with the sunscreen and choosing a few targeted products will definitely help.

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My advice on how to deal with this transition? Throw a potluck party celebrating the abundance of summer while you still can. Call it post-gardening season therapy. There’s nothing more cathartic than feasting with friends, savoring and reminiscing about the bounty of this year’s harvest –- while undoubtedly starting to plot for next year’s growing season.

Here’s a mini-cornucopia of ideas to get you started. For more detail, check out my piece in Hobby Farm Home magazine: The Community Table: Celebrate your local bounty with a potluck meal of regional fare.

1. Focus on Fresh Bounty

Tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, salad and spinach greens.

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This is going to be the last week for this challenge. Next week, I’ll do a wrap up and pick a favorite!

While staring at the frozen foods, I realized that despite reviewing vegan ice creams for weeks and weeks, I’d somehow managed to not pick a soy-based brand the entire time! Let’s be honest here: part of that was intentional. I’m not a fan of that soy aftertaste, especially in desserts. Still, in the name of science, it felt like the right thing to do, so I grabbed a pint of Soy Delicious green tea ice cream. This is a soy-based brand made by Turtle Mountain: the same folks who produce the Purely Decadent coconut-based ice creams. It’s gluten free and the label touts that it’s “fruit sweetened.” Here’s how it stacked up:

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Not long after working for Eco-Tique, an eco-friendly fashion boutique in St. Paul, Minnesota, I began rummaging the internet for fantastic eco-friendly designers that struck my fancy. About a day or so into my search I came across She-Bible; my heart stopped. I had found my organic soul-mate. All of us ladies at Eco-Tique went a bit gaga for She-Bible and immediately began selling the spring garments at the store.

Since finding She-Bible I’ve had my eye on quite a few items, pining over them each day with or without drool running down my chin, a couple of them being The Faithfull Pantsuit and The Bandit Scarf. I’m pleased to announce, for my birthday, I purchased both these items and am overflowing with bliss. Everything I’ve bought from She-Bible (six items- I like to keep track of my She-Bible closet count) has exceeded my expectations, always modern, artistic, unique and inspiring. 

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Necklush is quite possibly a gift from God made by the hands of two men, Stephano Diaz and Troy Mattison Hicks. The Necklush (patent pending) was created in Brooklyn, NY and was first sold on the streets of NYC. Now available on Etsy, Supermarket, online retailers, and the duo’s very own site it’s sure to win over any accessory addict, like myself.

Necklush can be worn by males or females all year round making it an essential eco-friendly accessory. Each scarf (print included) is handmade to order, use only non-toxic inks and many colors are available in organic cotton!

• Natural with any print
• Dusty Blue with any print
• Creamy White
• Black with Silver
• Brown with White
• Banana

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I’m getting older. I realize this because the arrival of summer just doesn’t matter as much as it did before. Beyond serving as an indicator for when I can stop wearing sweaters and when I need to start giving up my weekends in favor of weddings, summer brings little in the way of day-to-day change.

That’s not the case for the younger kids in my life—little cousins, nieces, nephews. To them, summer is the light at the end of the tunnel. There are no weddings (or at least, nothing they need to plan for). There’s only opportunity.

I am fascinated by what “opportunity” means to this generation. When I was young, I had two non-religious opportunities to get involved. I could volunteer at our local hospital, or I could volunteer with our local congressman. I ended up doing both—and feeling fulfilled by neither.

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OK, confession: We had a strange temperature drop over the weekend, but I remained dedicated to my quest. This is in the name of science, after all!

I got adventurous this week and picked up a pint of organic, gluten free Banana Fudge ice cream from Good Karma. Like the Purely Decadent last week, this one is not soy-based, but it isn’t soy free, either.

On Monday night the Lady Rogue Business Network, local underground supperclub Rogue Apron’s business-oriented spin-off, hosted a Bring Your Own Pint Ice Cream Social. What better opportunity to try out a new ice cream and see what other folks thought?

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July ushers in the epitome of summer garden abundance here in Wisconsin. So I was disappointed to see my local supermarket in town selling a teeny “fresh” box of basil from California, a quarter of an ounce for $2.49. With these high ingredient prices, it’s no wonder making your own pesto hasn’t evolved to higher home culinary status.

But ignore that price tag. With a little planning, you can make the amazing homemade, local pesto that will keep you savoring summer all winter long. Here are a few frugal tips to get you started:

1. Grow Your Own Basil

There’s a reason why fresh basil comes with such a high price tag: the herb is incredibly hard to keep fresh. From the moment it is cut, the leaves start to wilt, making transport very difficult. One of the most economical ways to get your feet wet in gardening is to grow basil (or any fresh herb you use frequently), which can readily be grown in a container or pot.

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In the spirit of eating less soy, I went for a pint this week with a coconut milk base. This one does have some soy ingredients, so if you’ve got an allergy you’ll want to beware. Some of their flavors are completely soy free, but the Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl contains soybean oil and soy lecithin. Enough with the allergy information already! Let’s get to this week’s frozen vegan treat!

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Every mid-July, I hit a culinary rut. An odd confession, I realize, given that right now fresh garden fare is edging on peak abundance and gifts me with a daily cornucopia of seasonal produce for ingredients. But as the zucchini harvest piles up on the kitchen counter this time of year, I feel a bit overwhelmed and uninspired. I crave a fresh cooking groove.

However, I’ve learned that just like any artist needs to at times rekindle a creative muse, we foodies too need a dose of cooking inspiration, especially during this time when we have a bounty of fresh fare to savor.

Here are three tips I’ve discovered for shaking up a peak summer cooking rut, followed by a summer breakfast classic we serve at our Wisconsin B&B, Inn Serendipity: Zucchini Feta Pancakes, that will cure any summer cooking rut that ails you:

1. Flip Savory and Sweet

Twist the expected menu and serve a familiar item category a new way. For example, most folks expect pancake to be bread-like and sweet, swimming in a pool of syrup.

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During the hot days of summer, I want them to stay hydrated and I also want them to get good nutrition.  We are drinking lots of flavor infused water and gobbling up all kinds of frozen creations.

We like commercial molds because they contain all the necessary pieces and use a smaller space in the freezer.  However, ice cube trays & cups work well also.  For reusable “sticks” opt for plastic spoons or other easy to clean item.  We go through about 24 a day so I just toss things into the blender until its full, leftovers can be a nighttime snack!

Make a bunch every night, this is a good post dinner/before bed activity.   The kids love to choose the ingredients and help mix everything up.  There are a few simple ways to go about this…

Frozen Pops

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This week, I tried out Ice Supreme. This is not just a dairy free ice cream treat; it’s almost completely raw and contains no soy at all. That’s handy, since it’s really easy when you’re cutting out dairy to go a little heavy on the soy. Moderation is key, right? What better place to start than with ice cream!

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This Mociun bikini has got to be one of the most stylish organic suits out this season. It is designed with an adjustable halter neck, cute low-cut bikini bottoms, and is fully lined in neon orange on the flip side. 

Caitlin Mociun, is the founder and head designer of this label. She is a graduate of the RISD textile department and actively utilizes natural materials like hemp, organic cotton, and soy blends for her fashion collections.

Devidoll explains: “Though created with literature and art in mind each Mociun piece speaks to classic fashion as if it were created only for this purpose. This is intelligent, honest and striking fashion at its best.”

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Just as I have little understanding of boredom, I also never find myself needing an activity while experiencing nature beyond hiking and observing; however, children are a different breed. They sometimes need help focusing their energy.  Author Jennifer Ward provides 52 outdoor activities.  From “Playground for Poets” to “Five Fine Forts”, the summer boredom crisis is solved (and these activities are limited to warm summer months).  Furthermore, these games and projects are designed for children ages 8-12.  Here’s an example:

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Yurts appear logical for my tropical climate where elements of nature aren’t so severe. Well, surprise, but no worry. Just know that maintaining yurt warmth can be an easier task than keeping cool.

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Summer is upon us. The plants are in full bloom, and the sun feels great on your skin. The longer days give you more energy. There are barbecues, beaches and pool parties with your name written all over them! Since you will be spending all that time soaking up the sun, there a few facts you may be happy to know about sunlight and the healing powers of Vitamin D. Vitamin D has gone on for years as the single most underrated nutrient and only recently did it begin to get it’s moment in the spotlight. Research is showing that Vitamin D is known to help prevent osteoporosis, depression, prostrate and breast cancer and even affects diabetes and obesity. If that is not enough to get you to throw your bikini on, maybe these facts from  “The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D-an exclusive interview with Dr. Michael Holick”, by Mike Adams will help persuade you.

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A blend of Madagascar vanilla, freesia petal, patchouli and heliotrope, the frangrance is made of pure essential oils.  This delicious, slightly-spicy scent mellows when it soaks into the skin.  Leaves you with a lovely, warm, natural fragrance that lasts all day.

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This adorable bikini sports:

-an adjustable triangle top that ties at the neck and back.

-bikini bottoms that sit low on the hips with a charming ruffle accent.

-a black with orchid strap and ruffle. 

The best aspect of these Kelly B swimsuits is that the fabric is 90% Organic Cotton blended with 10% Spandex. 

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work of art that attracts thousands of pedestrians, families, bicyclists and nature lovers, every year on the summer solstice the beautifully designed structure also functions as an accurate sundial.

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Timothy Martin, founder of the Izo Cleanze an all-natural juice cleanse, walked me through a 5-day juice cleanse or “fast” and offered some coaching along the way, which is documented here in our Moveable Juice Feast conversation.  Another option is Charisma Cuisine whose Victoria Wieszkowiak offers a 3-day juice fast which includes daily doses of fresh coconut juice, full of electrolytes.  Anyone who loves organic fruits and vegetables needs to stay up on two bills floating through Congress right now: H.R. 875 and especially H.R. 759.  Read up on them HERE.

For Springtime Regeneration and Renewal, nothing tops Raw Juice!

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