The School Year is Almost Over....Are YOU Ready?

In my house, the kids can't wait for summer vacation to start. That doesn't necessarily mean my kids don't have "school" to do during the summer. We home school, math and reading are always part of the schedule. Granted, we don't stick to the same schedule that we have during the school year, but some schooling does still exist even during the summer. The break from the tight schedule we keep during the school year is a welcomed break for all of us about now.

We love summer. The sunshine, the fresh fruits and veggies, the hot grill, the wonderful fresh farmer's markets, mountains of fresh produce and so much more! Yes, I know, I was a bit heavy on the mentioning of food in that list, but food is what I do. I love the food of every season, but summer has to be my favorite.

Just take a walk through a fresh produce market or farmer's market and you will see what I mean. Berries, melons, fresh zucchini, cabbage, peaches, onions, green beans and so much more. The possibilities are endless and the dishes that go along with those choices could fill your summer days with amazing food!

So, what do you do with your summer days? I know here, we spend a lot of time in the garden and also around the grill in the evening. Yes, I know, more food. What else would we do? After all, we live on a farm and summer is the time when all of our hard work starts to come alive and grow and give back to us in a bounty of fresh foods! Yummy!

Many people these days are exploring the fun of gardening. Discovering the thrill of having a hand in growing food for their own table. Even if it's just a pot on the balcony of your apartment with a tomato plant in it, you don't get fresher than that!

On this journey of trying to find safe foods in a gluten-filled world, I think we often overlook the fact that there are endless choices that we could be making that have nothing to do with gluten at all. Not that we don't all crave that slice of pizza, or piece of bread or yummy donut from time to time, but the choices that are out there that we don't have to worry about are often overlooked.

I know I've mentioned farmer's markets and buying fresh, local ingredients whenever you can, but I don't think that it can be overstated. All across the country, fresh foods are available everywhere from your local supermarket to the corner produce stand. Go explore, find out how amazing fresh can be. A few fresh ingredients can turn a boring midweek meal into a celebration of the season.

Try making a fresh salad to go along with that pork chop. Make a marinade for those chicken thighs that will bring a fresh twist to your usual chicken dinner. Adding fresh herbs to a marinade can bring your meat to a whole new level of amazing! Add fresh herbs to your salad dressing, a bit of fresh mint to your bowl full of cubed melon, or a fresh yogurt marinade for that pork loin or whole body chicken.

Needless to say, the possibilities for fresh flavor are endless! Not just for dinner, but for breakfast, lunch and any snack time you find the need for. Worrying about unwanted gluten will be the furthest thing from your mind. Just eating fresh fruits and veggies along with your meat will bring a whole new meaning to the meal. Life is too short, and so is the season for fresh summer foods, to worry about the gluten we can't have. Don't you think?

Have a great season, and grow something for yourself...even if it's just a tomato plant. You won't be sorry!