Feeling Fruity {Joy in the Simple Pleasures}
Hey there everyone! I hope anyone reading this today is hanging in there. Things are still pretty crazy all over the world, despite many regions trying to get back a small sense of normalcy in these Covid-19 times. Even with my own home state opening back up to a large extent with certain measures in place, I have still been feeling the effects of some of the uncertainty in my mood and energy. This past week was a busy one with work, so by the end of the week I was feeling quite drained of energy.
Luckily, I had just the thing to restore some of my energy–fruit! Lots and lots of fruit. Of course fruit is nature’s best quick dose of fuel when eating it, but taking time to be mindful of my food and focus on its beauty helps boosts my spirits as well as my body. Anyone who knows me can attest to my joy for picking fresh berries or consuming juicy dates. I tend to lean towards the sweet side for my treats, and what better way to satisfy my sweet tooth than with nature’s candy.
Right now strawberries are in full swing here in Georgia. Normally we would have been to the farm to pick our own buckets full of the red gems a few times by now, but we haven’t been able to make it work yet this season. My work schedule is a bit busier than seasons past (not complaining for the paycheck), and with all of the kids being out of school sooooo many people have had the same idea, picking out the few fields open in just hours some days. I’m still hoping we can make it out for one trip before the season ends, but if not strawberries then blackberries, blueberries and peaches are on the horizon now. Since I still wanted to fill up the freezer with locally grown goodies, the boyfriend and I did manage to make it up to one of the farms to buy a few flats of strawberries one morning last week. That gave me a good start to filling up my freezer!
The farm that we went to also had their first seasonal blueberries and some apples in the market, so I put together this fiber-filled bowl of goodness with my local fruit for a snack one day this week. I almost ate the fruit as is, but decided to further boost my mood with a “fancy” drizzle. Ok, it’s really not that fancy, but it tasted decadent. A tablespoon of plain peanut butter with a tablespoon of maple balsamic vinegar and a little water to thin it out. I adore peanut butter on any fruit, but the hit of acid and sweet maple flavor really brought my favorite spread up a notch. I took my time savoring each bite and how each fruit tasted different with the sauce and when eaten together. I have the same bad habit as many people in that I tend to wolf down my meals, so I continue to try to squash that habit in favor of taking the time to really enjoy what I’ve put on the plate in front of me. If you have the same tendency, try to take the time during your next meal to be present and slow down for each bite. It can not only help you enjoy your meal more, but it gives your body a chance to actually signal when it has had enough. When eating too quickly it can be so easy to overeat because the receptors to signal fullness take time to relay the signal back to your brain.
The berry season seems so fleeting, so I have learned to try to enjoy it to its fullest while I can get my hands on the freshest specimens. They do freeze well enough to add to smoothies, jams, sauces and other preparations, though for eating like this fresh is absolutely the best!
To further increase my foodie joy this week, a shipment of Medjool dates from Oasis Date Gardens also arrived on my doorstep. I know my pals @lizelle, @lenasveganliving, @birdsinparadise and @fionasfavorites remember my big haul from last year. Well that haul is dwindling, so when I saw that they had a sale on Medjools I jumped at the chance to order a box! I had been enjoying trying the other varieties so much that it has actually been quite a while since I have had Medjool dates.
I think the caramel-like Barhi might still be my top pick, but these original favorites of mine are a close second. So plump and juicy, they are perfect for eating as is or tossing into so many different recipes to add natural sweetness. Of course they are full of other nutrients like magnesium and potassium, as well as fiber to keep you full and, ahem, regular. Though fruit has natural sugars, when packaged in the whole fruit they tend not to cause those same crashes and mood swings that consuming processed sugar can. With how busy I’ve been lately, having all these delicious fruits in my kitchen has helped keep my energy going through long days so I’m not cranky with my clients.
How about you? Do you feel energized when filling your bowl with fresh fruity goodness? Which are your favorites to boost your mind and your body? Make sure to share yours to #fruitsandveggiesmonday if you get the chance!
