Well, friends, it’s been a long time since I posted. I’m very sorry about that, but I’ve been busy — more on that later. 

Today I had my first BLT of the season, and it was magnificently delicious. Squeezed between two slices of toasted Sara Lee 100% wheat bread were two thick slices of all-natural, uncured bacon; homegrown tomatoes, organic green leaf lettuce and organic mayo. 

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I stopped at Open Harvest, my local organic grocery co-op, to find that produce prices were down sharply. I got a package of natural bacon ($5.99), 1/2 gallon Prairieland Dairy milk ($2.39) and a basket of fresh organic produce (garlic, cilantro, jalapenos, bananas, green onions, white onion, head of lettuce) for $12. Normally, I can’t get out of there, or any other grocery store, with that much produce for that cheap.

The next few weeks are the best time to enjoy fruits and vegetables in season, and locally grown, at an affordable price. The benefits of buying fresh, local produce are incredible. I go by the rule, “fresh is best,” “frozen is better,” and canned is “better than nothing.” Freshly picked produce is full of vitamins and nutrients that sustain our bodies for the long haul. The longer produce sits and waits to be eaten, the more nutrients it loses. Produce also loses vitamins when frozen, but not as much as when canned. Canning (in my research anyways) usually requires boiling the fruit or veggies, which essentially boils out the nutrients.

I expect to harvest about 100-200 tomatoes from my garden this year (thank God, because the last two years I didn’t get any), and I plan on eating at least one tomato daily. What to do with all these tomatoes? I will try to perfect my salsa-making skills, along with daily BLT sandwiches. 

Cheers!

I love garden-fresh tomatoes so much I will eat them like an apple — plain and simple! It’s a good thing, too, because they’re full of nutrients.

My blog today is in memory of my great-grandpa who died last week at 93. The last time I saw him, I helped him order tomato soup for dinner in the hospital. His garden was always full of tomatoes, as was my grandparents and parents. There was, and still is, nothing like a good old-fashioned BLT sandwich as tomatoes start turning ripe.

Tomatoes are one of the world’s “superfoods,” although they’re surprisingly unpopular. I’ve heard it’s the seedy watery inside that people dislike. Whatever the case, people should really reverse their opinions!

When you eat a tomato, you’re basically eating the best multi-vitamin possible. One ripe tomato contains 57 percent of your required vitamin C intake; 23 percent of vitamin A (beta-carotene); 17 percent of vitamin K; 12 percent of potassium; 10 percent of fiber, as well as other nutrients including chromium, folate (folic acid), copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, tryptophan, protein and vitamins B3, B2, B5, B1 and B6.

And, if that isn’t enough, they also are a rich source of lycopene, which is a potent antioxidant that protects cells from the type of damage that causes cancer and heart disease. According to WH Foods, the risk of colon cancer especially drops in people who consume foods such as tomatoes, which are rich in beta-carotene and lycopene antioxidants.

Now, it’s important to note that my great-grandpa did die of cancer, but he was 93, not 43. I truly believe all those tomatoes (and other garden fresh foods) he ate over the years protected him for a long time. He had a strong heart and a strong mind!

When selecting tomatoes, remember fresh is best and so is organic. Organic ketchup and other tomato-based products are far richer in antioxidants because the chemicals used to grow non-organic produce break down and destroy many of the nutrients. Tomatoes are best from July to September. Stock up during those months and learn to can so you’ll have fresh tomatoes for chili or spaghetti sauce in the fall.

So I’ll admit I’ve relapsed the last two weeks. Between vacation one, vacation two and running around with my head chopped off, I haven’t had time to grocery shop or pay much attention to my diet (yeah, yeah, excuses, excuses).

I went several months only eating fast food twice and I hate to admit now I have eaten McDonald’s twice and Amigos once in the last two weeks alone. I also made a third visit to McDonald’s just for a darn Oreo McFlurry! And, at the very moment I’m typing this, I’m eating string cheese and Doritos! What has become of me? Why are these orange hydrogenated fake chips so good!?!?

With a long holiday weekend approaching, and its accompanying barbecues and beers, it may be another week yet before I can fully return to all-natural eating. But, it WILL happen.

It’s no secret that sticking to a diet, no matter what diet it is, is a major challenge. How do you stick to it when you travel? What happens when you crave an Amigos soft taco like never before? What if your attending a meal cooked or purchased by someone else? What if you're broke? What if you're hungover? 

There are all kinds of scenarios that can throw you off track. I’m still amazed I made it a month eating only all natural and organic food. I was disciplined with the help of this blog and my determination to reach a goal. But now I have to ensure my resolve to eat better continues without the help of a definitive end or accomplishment.

Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement in keeping my blog going. I’ve been contacted by Cooking Light magazine to help with their “tried and tested” blog series, which may include product giveaways and obviously more promotion for me! I’m also waiting to hear back from Food BlogRoll on approval to join their publisher program. Fingers crossed!

Please check back Tuesdays and Thursdays for blog updates every week!