Do You Have a Favorite Summer Fruit and Do You Like Popsicles?

Don't you love it when you're listening to the weather forecast and they announce when the first day of a season will begin? I do. 

Even though spring is my favorite season, I get excited when they announce that summer will begin. Summertime means summer fruit!

Summer fruit just brings out everyone’s inner foodie, doesn’t it? One person is Team juicy‑watermelon‑drip‑down‑your‑arm, another is Team perfectly‑ripe‑peach, and someone else is fiercely loyal to their icy popsicle stash. Whether you’re Team creamy popsicles or Team icy popsicles, Team fruit‑chunks‑inside or Team silky‑smooth blends, there’s something fun about picking a side and celebrating the flavors that make summer feel like summer. 

I love summer fruit. My favorite is nectarines. I also love popsicles and found some recipes for you to enjoy your summer fruit as a popsicle.

Cold and sweet. It’s the perfect treat for a hot summer’s day or night! Don’t you think so? **

I rounded up some fun summer‑fruit inspiration from around the web — recipes, tips, and a few sweet treats that made me smile.  These video creators and tweeters have some of the most refreshing ideas for making the most of summer fruit.

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I love a simple fruit popsicle! What are your favorite summer sweet treats? #summertime #sweettreats pic.twitter.com/O0f67psHPz

— Playing W. Fire (@Playingwfirepc) July 7, 2019

Summer Fruit Popsicle Recipe Blog from The Fruit Company ~ #summerfruit #recipes #popsicles #cool and #sweet #treats
~ https://t.co/JiIMWFQWDH pic.twitter.com/buMryooB12

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) July 14, 2019

Foodie Friday : Experience the Joy of Salsa

There was once a time when the recipe for fresh salsa was simply diced tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, lime juice, red pepper or a jalapeno pepper, salt to taste (cilantro, optional). I love salsa! It's a fun way to eat your fruits and veggies.

Image credit

Salsa isn’t just a condiment—it’s a celebration in a bowl.

Several years back, I moved into a new neighborhood and was at the local grocery store. Walked down an aisle, and on the shelves were bottles of every kind of salsa imaginable.  What I thought was only a simple mix of tomatoes, onions, peppers, and lime turned out to be a vibrant universe of flavors that reflect the creativity of home cooks and chefs everywhere.  It was one of those "What else don't I know about planet earth?" moments.  

Walking down a grocery store aisle felt like taking a mini world tour:

• mango salsa that tastes like sunshine, 
• roasted pineapple salsa with a smoky twist, or 
• bold tomatillo blends that wake up any dish. 

Each jar tells a story about how food travels, transforms, and inspires. Oh, the wonder of it all! Had no idea salsa came in that many flavors.  That’s the joy of salsa—it invites experimentation. One spoonful can turn grilled chicken into a summer feast or make a humble bowl of beans feel gourmet. Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, or something in between, salsa proves that the simplest foods often bring the biggest smiles.

This week's Foodie Friday focus is on salsa!

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La Salsa Speciale del Chef

Gave me all kinds of foodie ideas. Sharing some recipes. 

Why keep all these delicious delights to myself?

• 7 Delicious Salsa Recipes
• Black-Eyed Pea Salsa Recipe: How to Make It
• Cilantro Lime Grille Chicken with Strawberry Salsa (pic below)

Originally published at Persona Paper on Jul 3, 2015.

Sharing a bit of salsa heaven!  

Recipes found around the web.

Wild Beet Salad Company makes Wild Beet Salsa

Recipe: Roasted Pineapple Salsa (thekitchn .com)

#Recipe: Roasted Pineapple Salsa — Recipes from #TheKitchn https://t.co/uIFEtndKUY pic.twitter.com/0bJCHDwhDv

— Zesty Recipes (@zesty_recipes) May 2, 2016

Blackened Tomatillo Poblano Salsa With Habanero

17 Savory Salsa Recipes

https://www.tumblr.com/myfoodieluv/792541904634068992/sweet-sugar-blossoms-17-savory-salsa-recipes

Mango Pomegranate & Tender Coconut Salsa

Apple Salsa – Spicy, Fresh, Perfect for Fall

More of My Best Of Chicken Recipes

When I published the first list of My Best of Chicken Recipes, it was well-received.  But such a list is never really complete. Here are a few more recipes. Hope you like them!

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5 Facts About Chicken:

1. Chicken is the most common poultry in the world.
2. PerTV chef Lidia Bastianich, chicken is the most Googled food term.
3. Chicken is shown Babylonian carvings that date back to 600 B.C.
4. Africans love chicken so much, suppliers have a hard time keeping up with the demand.
5. Alektorophobiais the fear of chickens. ( Who would be afraid of a chicken? (O.o)}

Find more interesting facts at The Fact Site.

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#1 Jamie Oliver’s Thai Chicken Laksa

They say that while the king and his noblemen feasted on large portions of meat, the peasants were content to take the leftover meat scraps to make hearty soups or stews to feed themselves and their families.  It has also been said that the servants actually enjoyed better health and lived longer because they consumed less meat, ate more vegetables, and the broth was good for their innards. {Heard that on a televised documentary. I don't get Time magazine anymore.}

I fancy most soups, but particularly chicken soup.  Plus, Jamie Oliver believes in healthy eating.  This sounds marvelous!!  Take this to a soup party, and there won't be any leftovers to take back home. 

#2 Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken

This recipe has three key ingredients: sesame oil, Chinese rice wine, and soy sauce. The word “cups” means these ingredients should be in equal ratio, not a literal measurement.  You will enjoy learning this interesting food history.

#3 Hot Chicken is a Favorite in Nashville

Hot chicken is an extremely popular, fun food, and it has an interesting history.  One legend says it was invented in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Great Depression. 

#4 Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup is one of my favorite soups.  Instant Pot seems to have become a favorite small kitchen appliance that many of my friends are using for cooking.  An easy recipe for my favorite soup using an Instant Pot?  I should pass this on to my friends to prepare, and hope they invite me over to enjoy it.  LOL.

Foodie Nuggets: Awful Things Americans Do With Pumpkins (Humor and Recipe-sharing)

I used to watch a cooking show called “Two Fat Ladies.” They were British. One day, they made dishes using pumpkin. One of them remarked, something to the effect: “The pumpkin is wonderful. But Americans do all sorts of horrible things with it like … make pumpkin pie.”

I'm an American. I got a chuckle out of the comment. Not only do we make pies with pumpkin, but we also make bread!

Marvelous recipes from an awesome food blog called The Cookie Rookie.

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread with Apple Cider Sauce

Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread Recipe

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread with Apple Cider Sauce https://t.co/cHiKAVR42J via @cookierookiebec @EverydaySpices

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) September 14, 2021

Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread Recipe https://t.co/l2ckKAhr3R via @cookierookiebec @EverydaySpices

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) September 14, 2021

Cooking with "Two Fat Ladies" https://t.co/4sr8xdDhCt via @amazon #homeaandkitchen #cookbooks #cookingshows #Britishchefs #Cooking pic.twitter.com/U7XN8fBOfG

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) September 14, 2021

Foodie Friday : Winter Salad Binging

There's #FoodieFriday, #FollowFriday, #FriendlyFollow … whatever! It's the weekend!  Just pick a food and drink topic to share and run with it! 

Connie Guttersen, author, dietitian, nutritionist, a lady on Twitter (@ConnieGuttersen) inspired me to pick salad for my topic.  She shared a Tweet (below) about all the different kinds of lettuce that are “worthy”.  Appreciated the info, but from there it was a leap into “winter salads”. Why? Because during the cold months, salad is not always on my menu. Bowls and bowls of warm and hearty soups. Yes!  But salad? Not so much.  That has to change.

Lettuce is lettuce, right? Not so fast! Some lettuces (like iceberg) have 0 nutrients, while others are worthy to be included in your salad. pic.twitter.com/2zAdfzUpLq

— Connie Guttersen (@ConnieGuttersen) October 3, 2016

Raw Vegan Blood Orange Winter Salad Recipe (frivolousgirl.com)

Oldie but a goodie: Raw Vegan Blood Orange Winter Salad Recipe https://t.co/oSeh5UzxCZ
#bblogger #greenbeauty

— Isabel Ⓥ (@frivolousgirl_) October 26, 2016

Click for More Winter Salad Recipes

Foodie Nuggets: Herbs and Spices: 3 Spices for a Long Life

Mao Shing Ni (Dr. Mao), is a board-certified anti-aging expert who asserts that there are 3 spices that promote longevity. That’s right. They can help you live longer. Ginger, evergreen, and garlic.

Try These Secrets Of Eating for Longevity from Dr. Mao Shing Ni | Epicurious.com

(Archived article copy)

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Source: Virily.com

Foodie Nuggets: Herbs and Spices: 6 Spices For Indian Cuisine

If you love Indian cuisine and want to learn how to cook Indian food then to get started you should have these 6 spices in your kitchen cabinet:

1. turmeric, 
2. saffron, 
3. ginger, 
4. cumin, 
5. coriander (seed or powder), and 
6. cardamon. 

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Beyond Turmeric: 5 Indian Spices You Need in Your Pantry Now @OneGreenPlanet ~ https://t.co/7ZvQIB61k0 ~ #Indiancuisine is so delicious because of the use of many #herbsandspices. In addition to turmeric, there are five other spices you will need to cook authentic #Indianfood. pic.twitter.com/28hAHs8IWZ

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 26, 2019

Source: Virily.com

Foodie Nuggets: Herbs and Spices: 5 Exotic Spices

Asafetida, dried avocado leaves, epazote, grains of paradise, and juniper berries are 5 wonderful cooking ingredients. Which country should we thank for introducing these 5 exotic spices to the global community of food lovers?

• "Asafoetida was familiar in the early Mediterranean, having come by land across Iran." (Source)

• Dried avocado leaves are a secret Mexican ingredient.  (Source)

• "The epazote herb is commonly used in the cuisines and traditional medicines of central and southern Mexico and Guatemala." (Source)

• "Grains of paradise are native to Africa's West coast, namely the countries Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo and Nigeria." (Source)

• "The juniper is an evergreen tree native to Europe, Asia, and the northern parts of North America and it is especially abundant in central Texas and Eastern Oregon." It has an interesting history and folklore. (Source)

5 Exotic Spices: asafetida, dried avocado leaves, epazote, grains of paradise, and juniper berries. Do you know the country which introduced these marvelous cooking ingredients to the world? ~ https://t.co/Z4MjtPzEhF pic.twitter.com/H1O2Kgyh9O

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) January 26, 2019

Source: Virily.com

Mushroom: Real Food of Fantasy and Fairy Tales

When one says the word “mushroom” it might provoke various thoughts. Psychedelic dreams.  Fantasy and fairy tales.  Tiny homes for whimsical creatures.  A meat substitute for vegans and vegetarians.

For me, it provokes a memory of a romantic dinner date.  My first experience tasting a mushroom was when my late husband (my fiancé at the time) prepared dinner for me.  Steak with mushroom gravy. 

Before meeting my husband, I avoided mushrooms for two reasons.

~Number 1:  My mother never used them in any of her recipes.  Mom didn’t cook them. (???)  Maybe they don’t taste good.  (O.o)

~Number 2:  The way people describe mushrooms.  Fungus.  Toadstool.  They don’t make the mushroom sound appetizing or visually appealing.

However, many cooks and chefs use the mushroom as the main ingredient in their recipes.  Foodies are happy to share photos of amazing dishes where mushrooms are the star of the show.  

As for being visually appealing, mushrooms are quite beautiful. 

Artists often use them to illustrate fantasies. 

Nature photographers go insane! They capture incredible pics just roaming through the woods or the fields.

My first time eating mushrooms was over 40 years.  But from that day forward, I didn’t need convincing to make mushrooms a part of my diet.  However, in case you do, perhaps this health article by Popular Science will persuade you.  “4 reasons you should eat more mushrooms”.


It's good to know these reasons why, but the most important thing everybody needs to know about mushrooms is that some of them are NOT edible.  No doubt you will find these information links useful.

10 of the World's Deadliest Mushrooms - WorldAtlas.com

14 Types of Mushrooms and their Uses – Epicurious

glitter-graphics.com

Did You Know There is Such a Thing as a BLUE MUSHROOM?

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL MUSHROOM MONTH!

Content first appeared at Virily.com

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Cool Foodies and Food Lovers Celebrating Their “Firsts” on Twitter

Happy Friday! (It's FoodieFriday!)  Always searching for like-minded food lovers and found people celebrating their “firsts”. First food blog post. The first food article was accepted at a major site. Etc. Here are their tweets. Interesting variation. French food; Health / Energy Food tips; Asian food; Vegan recipes; and Food Photography. 

(NOTE:  Shared posts were dated 2016. UPDATED LINKS 2024.)

Wish them continued success!

My first post was published on The Huffington Post :)
— Karen Wojciechowski (@RealEnergyFood)

if y'all like asian food then you should go check out my blog! my first post is up ayyyy
— varanica (@vkhy) October 7, 2016

Started a new blog on a whim about food, obviously. Checkout my first post on how to make #vegan #glutenfree cookies https://t.co/jfb7KefyHN

— Delia (@delialoveless) September 15, 2016

First Food Experiences : My Sadya Meal (Travels in India)

My first post on #Experiences, celebrating #Onam Sadya today..#Travel #Food #India https://t.co/Ebfps0jSZv pic.twitter.com/REkYKI3Fbd

— Nisha (@finenish) September 14, 2016

5 Tips For Capturing Dark And Moody Food Photography

I quietly started providing food photography tips. First attempt to help people learn through food... first post! https://t.co/B2TQW7cUrp

— rouk (@beyondtheeats) September 14, 2016

Related articles:

• What the World's Healthiest Diets Have in Common(huffingtonpost.com)
• What to Cook: Dessert for Dinner and Other Recipes(nytimes.com)

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Salt is Beautiful

Salt is so commonplace that we tend to take it for granted. It is much more than just a food seasoning. People have very interesting ways in which they use it. Despite the fact that many say it’s bad for your health, it’s not really all that bad.

This seasoning is invaluable to our daily lives and it has amazing health benefits. It also has a spiritual application. Jesus likened His disciples to “the salt of the earth”.

No doubt in my mind. Salt is beautiful.

#1 Salt in History

The history and future of salt: from food and health, to culture, to geopolitics 📻 http://t.co/ZEPH0KxMv6 pic.twitter.com/U5SYKQHjLX

— BBC World Service (@bbcworldservice) August 18, 2015

#2 Salt in Peaceful Protest

The 24-day Salt March in 1930 was a milestone in Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent method of protest that finally won #India’s independence from British rule in 1947.https://t.co/TLvooCtw6k

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) March 20, 2020

#3 Salt in Health

● Health: Salt is not the Enemy - Express Yourself! - Medium
Learn about the Benefits of #Celtic #SeaSalt and #HimalayanSalt https://t.co/h99Jfz5PBx #foodhistory #healthandwellness #healthbenefits #foodanddrink #cooking pic.twitter.com/tiif2NE3Lr

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 13, 2019

#4 Too Much Salt is Not Good

No sodium, no problem! With these three seasonings, learn how you can lower your daily salt intake and still make tasty meals: https://t.co/epQmQvfs6O

— Consumer Reports (@ConsumerReports) September 3, 2018

#5 Salt Sampler

The Spice Lab ~ #Gourmet Salt Sampler Collection No. 1 – Grilling Gifts for Men & Women - 11 Pyrex Tubes - All Natural #Kosher Salts #GiftSet - Salt Samples from Around the World - Premium #Cooking #Gift https://t.co/miV0sxqnTT via @amazon #wishlist @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/uiwGGcEEC8

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) February 23, 2024

#6 Salt Shakers

Premium Salt and Pepper Grinder Set of 3 - Salt and Pepper Shakers Mill, Stainless Steel Adjustable Coarseness Great #GiftSet - (7.5 inches tall - Set of 3) by Gold Armour (link: https://t.co/FS11SepZ28) #saltshakers #kitchenanddining #cooking pic.twitter.com/exnP3XEevM

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 13, 2019

Click to continue viewing “More Salt LUV” 

#7 Jada Chicken Salt is Becoming Popular
#8 Salt in Therapy
#9 Salt Lamps Make Great Gifts

#10 Vegan Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream

Are the Foods You Love to Eat on a List?

FOOD! This topic has so much variety that one of my friends suggested the best 2 words to describe it is “food diversity”. Diversity is right. People love sharing recipes. Nutritionists and medical practitioners share information about health benefits, health tips, and healthy eating. Others like to go on a sort of “food safari” and talk about all the bizarre foods they discovered.

#1 Top 10 List of Superfoods

10 Everyday Superfoods - https://t.co/Adn9FPN6Kd ~ These 10 #superfoods top the list of the best healthy foods to eat every day. ~ https://t.co/rLgAzkwcEk via @EatingWell ~ #healthyeating #dietandnutrition #Top10Lists pic.twitter.com/esnt1qHmI9

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

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EatingWell publishes a free newsletter and you can receive articles with weight loss tips and healthy recipes. They published a top 10 list of superfoods you can and should eat every day The great thing about this list is there is a superfood (or super drink) that can please everybody in my house. My daughters love tea. My husband loves oranges. And I love sweet potato!

• Nourishing Superfood Bowls: 75 Healthy and Delicious Gluten-Free Meals to Fuel Your Day

#2 Medical Advice About Superfoods

What are #superfoods and why should you eat them? by Megan Ware RDN LD
(Last updated Mon 7 Jan 2019) ~ Excellent article published Medical News Today discusses #Healthbenefits AND #HealthTips for taking #supplements #HealthyEating #diet and #nutrition ~ https://t.co/xvMQFMajYt pic.twitter.com/HbVtJUg2Xc

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

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For contrast and comparison, another listing of superfoods was published via Medical News Today and it shares insightful information about the health benefits and about taking supplements.

• Superfood Kitchen: Cooking with Nature's Most Amazing Foods (Julie Morris's Superfoods)

#3 WARNING: Delicacies Can Be Dangerous!

Top 15 Most Dangerous Foods in the World (Read this before eating) - https://t.co/kdauKXAaiZ ~ "Some of the most dangerous foods on the planet are delicacies in some countries. Prepare them wrong and you can die! Try these foods at your own risk!" #exotic #foodanddrink pic.twitter.com/veqADGZj6e

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

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Many people are blessed to travel the world and get introduced to new foods they have never tasted or even heard of. Here is some advice you should never ignore. In some countries, certain foods may be considered “delicacies” but … “Prepare them wrong and you can die!” Some foods don't even require preparation because they are eaten raw. My first time seeing this fruit was when I visited The Bahamas to meet my husband's parents. I tasted it. It was delicious. So it was a shock to see that star fruit was on this list of "dangerous foods". Who knew?

• Superfoods Cookbook: Book One: 75+ Recipes of Quick & Easy Cooking, Low Fat Cooking, Gluten Free Cooking, Wheat Free Cooking, Low Cholesterol Cooking, ... - weight loss plan for women) (Volume 29)

#4 100 Healthiest Foods ~ Is Your Favorite Food on the List?

100 Healthiest Foods on the Planet | Eat This, Not That! ~ https://t.co/tLSBCmpK78 ~ #HealthyFood #healthyeating #eathealthy #fruitsandveggies @EatThisNotThat pic.twitter.com/MO9wWXQdRx

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

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It's great to review a Top 10 List of healthy foods to eat. But a list of the Top 100 healthy foods gives you more to choose from. That's 10 times YUM! YUM! Pomegranates, one of my favorite fruits is on this list. Spirulina is also on the list. To my surprise, certain meats, like bison, are also on the list.

• Diabetes Superfoods Cookbook and Meal Planner: Power-Packed Recipes and Meal Plans Designed to Help You Lose Weight and Control Your Blood Glucose   

Original source:  Virily.com