Shit I’m Diggin’
Summer Edition
Easy recipes, herbal infusions, wellness products, books, and whatever other shit I’m diggin’…
Le Prunier Plumscreen® Broad Spectrum SPF 31 UVA/UVB/HEV PA+++
Why I love it:
I have the most sensitive skin, I am allergic to most all sunscreens, even the natural ones. Plumscreen® is the only sunscreen I have found that doesn’t give me a rash or clog my pores. Also its Non-Nano Zinc Oxide formula, which means zero white residue and helps protect coral reefs. It’s hypoallergenic, and pediatrician-approved, gentle enough for all skin types!
Jimmy Nardello Peppers
Jimmy Nardello Peppers, or Sweet Italian Frying Pepper, are perfect for just that: frying up in a pan. They’re considered one of the very best frying peppers as its fruity raw flavor becomes perfectly creamy and soft when fried. Their sweet and light flavor makes them perfect for cooking fresh or even eating raw, but they can also be dried as they are commonly prepared in southern Italy.
Heat up a cast iron pan nice and hot and blister the peppers until soft. Season with salt and a drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
Peppers are great added to pastas, salads, bean or lentil dishes, frittatas, or served alongside your favorite protein.
They’re also great eaten raw and dipped in hummus!
Look out for this special late summer pepper at your local farmer’s market.
An application for the Jimmy Nardello peppers; a recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables by Chef Joshua McFadden.
Summer Book Rec
Still Life a book by Sarah Winman
A beautiful story of the magic and power of art, Italy, and chosen family; also the importance of actively seeking beauty. The story moves a little slow in the beginning, but trust me, just keep going and you will be so thankful you did. This story had me laughing out loud, weeping, and clutching the book to my chest in enchantment.
Rescue Remedy
Bach Flower Essence Remedies
This flower remedy was a life saver when I was traveling, perfect for those stressful or anxious moments. For me, RR feels like a gentle embrace that allows me to regulate my nervous system faster to make thoughtful decisions from a grounded place.
Summer is also the season of high energy and fire, which for many can cause anxiety, burn out, physical exhaustion, and/or overwhelm. RR is a safe and effective ally to combat the season’s frequencies to help you stress less, stay calm and in control for life’s tough moments.
Developed by a Dr. Bach more than 80 years ago, RR was formulated to:
Rock Rose: Courage and presence of mind
Clematis: Focus when ungrounded
Impatiens: Patience with problems and people
Cherry Plum: Balanced mind when losing control
Star of Bethlehem: Softens impact of shock
Banana Freezer Bites
The easiest, decadent, and HEALTHY hot weather treat. Ive been making batches of these. My family and I can’t get enough. Give them a try and let me know what you think.
Chop ripe bananas into 1-2” coins.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and arrange banana coins on pan.
Top each coin with a dollop of your favorite nut or seed butter (almond butter, peanut butter, tahini, etc).
Freeze until frozen solid (about 2 hours).
Once frozen, melt your favorite chocolate along with a dollop of coconut oil to thin out chocolate (this makes it easier to dip).
Dip each frozen banana coin into the chocolate mixture. Optional to finish with a sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
Freeze for at least 30min and enjoy!
Cooling Mint Cacao Nib Smoothie
This refreshing smoothie is packed with nutrients and provides a good serving of greens to start your day. It’s also the perfect remedy for afternoon sugar & caffeine cravings. 3-4 pm is when our adrenals take a hit we tend to reach for stimulants to power through our workday.
The cacao nibs satisfy chocolate cravings without the sugar while boosting mood, cognition, and energy. The mint flavor lingers, brightening and cooling the mind.
Frozen cauliflower provides a lower glycemic option than a banana, preventing a blood sugar spike. It also makes your smoothie super creamy & thick, and I promise you can’t taste it!
Give this smoothie a try, your body & mind will thank you!
RECIPE
1 cup frozen cauliflower
¼ frozen banana
2-3 big handfuls of baby spinach or kale
1 small handful of mint leaves
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1-2 drops organic peppermint essential oil
1 scoop plant-based protein powder - I like Truvani
6-8 oz water/nut milk of choice
1 Tbsp organic cacao nibs
1 tsp spirulina or chlorophyll (optional)
Place all ingredients EXCEPT cacao nibs in a blender and process at high speed until thick, creamy and smooth. Add the nibs and spin the blender a few times to disperse them throughout the mint smoothie. If your smoothie isn’t pepperminty enough for you, you can add 1-3 drops.
Summer Hibiscus Cooler 🌺
This herbal elixir will help you stay cool even on the hottest days! Hibiscus is one of my favorite herbs for summer because, like mint, its flavor is easily infused into cold water—heating up a teapot is unnecessary!
Hibiscus is energetically cooling with a tangy-sweet flavor, and delicious with a kick of fresh lime. This preparation is a traditional drink in Jamaica 🇯🇲. Lime is also cooling and refreshing, full of vitamin C, and alkaline-forming.
Hibiscus is the perfect drink for this heatwave! Try this infusion 👇
Cold infusion - add 1 T loose hibiscus or 1 Traditional Medicinals teabag to 8oz room temp or cold water, add some sprigs of fresh mint before popping the mixture into the fridge overnight.
I recommend using a quart mason jar with the same ratio - 4T or 4 teabags. You’ll want enough to sip this all day!
Once ready to drink, add juice from 2 fresh limes, a splash of coconut water, over ice, and if you’re feeling fancy, top with edible flowers and fresh mint sprigs.
Stay cool out there 😎✌️🌺
“Mysteries, Yes”
from Evidence: Poems, by Mary Oliver
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds
will never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
