Phew! Is it HOT!

Hello Everyone,

As I sit down to write, I am dripping with sweat and I'm not even coming from the farm. I just took my laundry off the line!

I know I don't need to tell any of you how hot it is, but I had an interesting realization this week about the heat that I would like to share: I'd rather be outside all day than back and forth and in and out. Think about it, once you're sweaty, you're sweaty. There's not a whole lot of change going on there (okay, except the degree to which sweat drips from your hair, eyebrows, beard, etc.) And of course, it's comfortable inside if we're lucky enough to live in air conditioning (thank you air compressors and state change!). It's the temperature change that feels icky--our bodies need time to adjust to their new environments. So emerging from a cool house into the heavy humidity can feel oppressive for a few minutes. And once back in freon driven AC, we're cool, but sticky, as sweat slowly dries from our skin. Perhaps it's just me (or the heat talking), but it's those few minutes when my ambient temp changes that I'm the most uncomfortable. And for some reason I find this fascinating.

According to my sources, last week was a high temp record breaker! Thursday, Friday AND Saturday all surpassed their previous highs  (95, 99, and 95, respectively.) With heat index factored in we were up to 103, 109!, and 106. Yikes. Keep drinking that water!

Thankfully, like us, our walk-in cooler has been chuggin' right along keeping our water and our veggies nice and cool (okay...we sneak in there once in awhile, too).

As is custom, it did not rain last week because I was "on". Given that Ashely is on this week, expect rain (I need to learn her secret rain dance!). As Paige shared last week, rain has advantages and disadvantages. We want enough rain for the plants, but not too much to keep us from doing the work that needs to be done. When it's this hot and humid, however, I think we, and our plants, all appreciate a nice little shower. (I'll have to let you know how that factors in to my body temp/comfort theory.)

Rain or no rain, we all need water. I lost track, but I believe I drank more than a gallon a day on those hot, hot days! We irrigated our veggies in the fields and are carefully watering our seedlings that you will see in your shares come fall!

Thankfully, Mother Nature knew what she was doing and provided us with delicious summer foods that pack a punch--and a high water content! Cucumber and tomato salads, crispy watermelons, succulent musk melons--these have been staples in my diet these past couple of weeks, all providing additional hydration and light, refreshing meals that don't weigh me down. What perfect summer foods!

I've been particularly impressed with cucumbers lately and just learned about all these wondrous benefits they provide (thanks to Chuck Miller for this interesting info!):

1. Cucumbers contain lots of the vitamins you need every day: Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Grab a cuke instead of a Gatorade. Cucumbers contain sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes that replenish essential nutrients lost during exercise, keeping everything in equilibrium and avoiding dehydration. (Works on hangovers, too!)

3. Rub a cucumber slice along a mirror to eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Cucumbers contain phytochemicals that are said to tighten and firm skim. Try rubbing a slice or two on any trouble spots and see if it helps!

5. Rub a freshly cut cucumber over shoes for a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

6. Take a cucumber slice and rub it along a problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

7. At home spa treatment: Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a pot of boiling water. The chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress.

8. Breath freshener: Press a slice of cucumber to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath.

10. Erasable pen: Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Apparently cucumber can also be used as a cleaning agent and take tarnish off! I haven't tried all of these, so no promises they all work, but I wouldn't be surprised, as this summer sleeper is pretty darn versatile!

Of course, another HUGE benefit of cukes are pickles. Another summer favorite! If you haven't made your own pickles yet, here is a quick and easy recipe to get your feet wet.

PICKLES

Ingredients:

1 lb. medium cucumbers

3 gloves garlic

1/2 tsp. black peppercorns

1/2 tsp. whole mustard seed

1 tsp. fresh dill weed

1 whole dried bay leaf

2/3 cup brown sugar

6 1/2 TBSP. white distilled vinegar

6 1/2 TBSP. white-wine vinegar

3/4 cup water

Method:

1. Cut the cucumbers into spears or slices and place into 2 qt. jar or container with lid.

2. Add garlic, peppercorns, mustard seed, dill weed and bay leaf.

3. In separate container, stir together brown sugar, vinegars and water.

4. Pour liquid mixture over cukes, cover, and shake well to combine.

5. Chill and serve! (For fullest flavor, chill 24 hours before serving.) 

Will keep up to 3 months in the fridge.