Heat Wave Coming - Keep Your Cool

In our area, we've been enjoying wonderful weather, but that is about to change with the 4th of July weekend. Temperatures during the day could hit 100 degrees for the next few days. Anything over 90 degrees is too hot in my frame of reference! For those of us who get exercise outdoors, we will need to be intentional about walking or bike riding early in the day or after dark, though that has other complications, such as personal safety.

For those of us going to the local pool for water exercise, perfect! The motivation to get in the water to cool off will be strong during this coming week.

Let's use the weather as our excuse to exercise early in the day, or head to the pool. Stay hydrated with ice water and a splash of lemon and/or mint.

Remember, salads and fruit are cool foods to serve during summer heat. I may freeze watermelon chunks for an icy treat. [See recipe below]

Keep up the step-by-step work, everyone. And again, our commitment benefits the women in Afghanistan in the Through the Garden Gate project with MEDA. Women are learning to read, feeding their families better, providing income, and enjoying new community support within their cultural limits with our help. That is exciting!

http://youtu.be/vFgOPFW1RWM

Here is a recipe to bring some frosty freshness to the days ahead:

Watermelon-Lime Frost
adapted from Gourmet
1 large watermelon
4 limes
lime salt (recipe below)

1. Cut the watermelon into cubes. 
2. Puree the watermelon and lime juice in a blender or food processor. 
3. Place in freezer until solid.
4. Rub lime juice around the rims of the serving glasses or bowls. 
5. Press the rims into the lime salt.
6. Fill with scoops the frozen watermelon mixture. 
7. Garnish with a lime slice

Lime Salt
1/4 c salt
1 tsp dried lime zest

• Combine by grinding together with a mortar and pestle or spin together in a food processor.