Abigail's Healthy Snack

When the summer sun is high temperatures can make it impossible stay indoors, why not make a nutritious snack and take the kids outside. One of my favorite go to snack in the summer is a nice nutritious skewer of fruit. It’s also a way to get the kids to eat fruits.

Abby

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2014/06/healthy-summer-snacks-with-taste-of-nature-backyard-play-craft-realtastesgood.html

Fruit is made fun and convenient with these colorful grab-and-go fruit kabobs. A variety of fruit is encouraged in the daily diet for maximum health benefits. These threaded layers of fruit not only create a beautiful presentation but pack multiple vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients, and antioxidants onto one easy to eat wooden skewer.

Some of the fruit we love:
Strawberries:

• excellent source of vitamin C
• rich in vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acid
• contains vitamin A, vitamin E and many antioxidants
• contains a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iron and iodine

Mango:

• rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds
• excellent source of Vitamin-A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin
• rich source of potassium
• good source of vitamin B-6, vitamin C and vitamin E

Papaya:

• contains a good amount of soluble dietary fiber
• has one of the highest vitamin C content for fruit
• excellent source of vitamin A and flavonoids like beta carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthins
• rich in folic acid, vitamin B-6, riboflavin, and vitamin B-1
• contains a good amount of potassium

Kiwi:

• rich source of soluble dietary fiber
• excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C
• very good levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K and anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and xanthin
• kiwi seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
• rich source of potassium
• contains good amounts of minerals like manganese, iron and magnesium

Bananas:

• replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly
• contains a good amount of soluble dietary fiber
• contains health promoting flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants
• very good source of vitamin B-6
• moderate source of vitamin C
• contains adequate levels of copper, magnesium, and manganese
• very rich source of potassium

Finding Wilder

     The dry fog rolled in on the first day of Spring and on the first day of summer it was still covering the city.  Two weeks ago the fog began to redden and dim the sunlight. On the rarest of occasions sunspots were visible to the naked eye. Nothing seemed to effect the fog.  

Farmers at the higher elevations the climate changed. It was cooler and the local formers were unable to grow crops. On June 3^rd all the crops were killed by frost and snow began to fall on June 12^th.  Ester Morganfield wrote on her blog that the weather was backward. Bennett Hollingsworth wrote on his blog that "The Lord is coming back.”   Bennett Holyfield reported on his blog that the temperature in upstate Wyoming had been below freezing every day since June 1^st.  By the 4^th of July is was so cold that everything has stopped growing.

The entire US was in a deep freeze. Crops were failing and severe frost was in Miami.  Food prices were high and supermarkets were having a hard time getting food. Lakes and rivers were frozen. Temperatures did not rise above freezing during the entire month of July and August. Summer highs of 95F would drop to near-freezing within hours.  

The winter was a hardship even for those accustomed to cold weather. The New York Times reported that “scientist continued to diligently working a solution.”  The sun remain obscured and overcast with clouds; while the air was damp, and chilly all summer long. NASA sent up several satellites up in the atmosphere to try and dissipate the clouds. Nothing worked.

By September the small farms were able to produce crops but the prices were still high. The government began to ration the dwindling food supply. Travel bans were implemented in major cities to keep ensure that only citizens of the state were able to buy food. The effects were widespread and lasted beyond the summer. Europe, Asia and Africa experienced the same pattern of weather. The skies were overcast and Summer eventually became winter never to return to summer.

The Year with A Summer had return and this time winter seemed to never end. Scientist nicknamed the phenomenon Overcast.

Abigail Loves Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad - Easy chicken salad recipe filled with tender chicken, dried cranberries, walnuts, apples, celery, dill and parsley.

I found the most delectable salad recipe at kitchenista ( http://www.kitchenistadiaries.com)/ in  my quest to discover the most delicious chicken salad on the planet.

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 c. chopped cooked chicken

1/2 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

1/4 c. mayo

1/4 c. full fat strained Greek yogurt

1/4 c. finely diced shallot 

2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon

1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1/2 tsp celery seed

2 tsp whole grain dijon mustard

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

Kosher salt, to taste

Cracked black pepper, to taste

Fresh whole grain bread

Arugula, baby kale or mixed greens

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Equipment Needed: N/A

If you've cooked the chicken yourself, just make sure it's cooled completely before making your chicken salad. This is one of those sandwiches that's great to make when you have leftovers in the fridge! It's super economical to cook your own whole chicken, and for a small family you can usually get several meals out of it. I used 1 large breast and 1 thigh, skin removed.

http://www.kitchenistadiaries.com/2014/11/cranberry-walnut-chicken-salad-sandwich.html

Abigail Picnic Basket

 

 

When I was a kid I dreamed of owning a really nice picnic basket. Over the course of my adulthood I have owned at least three very nice picnic basket. This summer will be no exception. I have ordered the most delightful picnic basket from Amazon. My picnic basket is a must have! Eight ceramic plates, matching napkins, wine glasses, stainless steel flatware, salt and pepper shakers cheese-knife, corkscrew, tartan blanket and coffee mugs. This is the ultimate picnic basket.

Abby

Picnic at Ascot Dorset English-Style Willow Picnic Basket with Service for 4, Coffee Set and Blanket - London Plaid

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ESIES4

Abigail Love Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad

One of my favorite things to eat as a summer is fruit. I love fruit and when summer arrives and my local market puts out the fresh fruit on Tuesday I am the first inline to purchase some. One of my favorite things to make is Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad. Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad is a simple easy delicious treat that is easy to make for breakfast lunch or and afternoon or  morning snack.

Abby

A fresh and healthy Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad, perfect for Summer gatherings. Vegan and Gluten Free.

Ingredients

Vegan, Gluten free, Paleo

Produce

• 1/2 pint Blackberries
• 1 pint Blueberries
• 1 pint Cherries, pitted and halved
• 1 pint Raspberries
• 1 pint Strawberries
• 4 cups Watermelon

Abigail's Summer 2016 Summer Blog

Welcome to the Abby. Today at we kick off our Summer 2016 Schedule.

This summer, like last summer, I will feature foods, drinks, travel, romance, fashion and all the fun that make us love summer. I will also try and improve my terrible writing skills with a summer story called Finding Wilder, every Tuesday.

Abby

                                                             Summer 2016 Schedule

Monday- Travel

Tuesday-Finding Wilder

Wednesday-Summer Food & Fun

Thursday- Summer Fashion

Friday-Summer Tranquility & Romance

Saturday-Sunday Closed For Summer Fun

Cinnamon French Toast Fingers with Greek Yogurt and Blueberry Sauce

Save Print

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

15 mins

Sweet and crunchy, these cinnamon French toast fingers make a delicious Sunday breakfast.

Author: Nicky @ Kitchensanctuary.com

Recipe type: Breakfast

Serves: 2-3 servings

Ingredients

• 6 thick slices of brioche bread
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tbsps milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Blueberry Sauce:
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp water
• To Serve:
• Greek Yogurt

Instructions

1. Place the blueberry sauce ingredients in a small pan and put to one side.
2. Cut the crusts off each slice of bread, and cut each piece of bread into three fingers.
3. Whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla extract in a wide, shallow bowl.
4. Place the sugar and cinnamon on a plate and mix together.
5. Place the pan for the blueberries on a medium heat and bring to a bubble, then stir and turn down the heat to low. Cook for 2-4 minutes until the blueberries release some of their colour and the sugar is completely dissolved. Don't overcook or the blueberries will lose their shape. Turn off the heat and put to one side.
6. Heat the butter in a large frying pan (skillet) on a medium heat until just bubbling. Briefly dip the bread fingers in the egg mixture so that all sides are covered.
7. Place the fingers straight in the hot pan. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the fingers from the pan and place them straight in the cinnamon sugar. Turn them over to fully coat.
8. Stack the cinnamon fingers on two or three plates, then top each plate with 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt and the blueberry sauce.
9. Serve immediately.

http://www.foolproofliving.com/strawberry-spinach-arugula-salad-lighter-poppy-seed-dressing/