July, Your Healthy Summer Healing Path!

It's summer again where everything is green, growing and smelling great! I have found out that one doesn't need a whole lot of sunlight to enjoy the beginnings of a "garden!"

I have the priviledge of having a large balcony that faces north and with that brings the afternoon sun which I thought would be useless to grow anything. I did a little reseach and found that there are many vegetables and fruits that do grow with limited amounts of sunlight.

Although I missed a few years, I finally decided to create a project with the end resulting in some "fruits for my labor" :) This began in May. I bought this contraption called the Topsy-Turvy and a couple of tomato plants only 4 inches high. To my surprise, these have now grown quite substancially with a few buds sprouting as well! In a few weeks time, I should be able to enjoy fresh tomatoes. Who knew? Click here to see a picture. Perhaps you too can try your hand a something this easy!

For those of you that love herbs & spices, you might want to consider incorporating these into your diet (if you don't already):

* Garlic: Prized for at least 5,000 years, garlic has long been known to reduce blood cholesterol levels. It is also a stimulant for the immune system and an antibiotic.

* Fennel seed: Offers relief from gas, milk GI cramping and just feeling stuffed.

* Cinnamon: Great for the common cold, stomach aches, arthritis and rheumatism.

* Ginger: Used as a tea it helps reduce nausea, motion sickness and certain digestive problems.

I'd like to share My all time favorite Summertime Recipe with you - Tzatziki Sauce!

Tzatziki Sauce:

* 2 cups of strained full-fat yogurt (I use Astro Balkan Style)

* 1 medium cucumber (I recommend using English cucumbers; less seeds)

* 2-4 cloves of garlic, mashed to a paste

* 2 tablespoons olive oil

* pinch of salt & pepper

* a little vinegar ( I use a capful)

* fresh dill, finely chopped

* A few ripe Greek Olives (for garnish)

1. Using cheesecloth, drain the yogurt in a container overnight (make sure to cover with lid). (I tie the cheesecloth to the container with an elastic. Then I place the yogurt inside to drain)

2. Grate the cucumber and drain it using cheesecloth in a container overnight. (use same method mentioned above.)

3. The following day, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and serve with your favorite vegetables or with souvlaki!

I would love to hear back from you! Let me know how you and yours liked the recipe!

Until next time, have a wonderful healthy summer!

Love & Light,

Gisèle