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Hello, hello!
I just looked at the calendar and am in complete disbelief that August is nearly over. Like, who exactly is in charge of how quickly time moves over here, and where do I file a complaint? I know the calendar still says there’s nearly a month left of summer, but it sure does feel like it’s slipping away from me.
August has been a month of weekend road trips, cook-outs, sleepovers with my 3-year-old niece, spontaneous mid-day beach trips, peach picking, kayaking, and staying up late reading Harry Potter (I swear I’m not a teenager, despite the fact that all of these August activities would be appropriate for one…however, I was asked THREE TIMES this month whether I’m over 18 or not. Spoiler alert: I’ve been over 18 for more than a decade).
So, before summer passes us by, let’s chat about the things that have gotten me excited this August.
FRESHLY GROUND COFFEE BEANS. Okay, I know this isn’t news to most of you, but, like, I’m usually lazy and just buy my coffee already ground. UNTIL NOW.
Now, I either grind it myself in those previously intimidating coffee grinders in the grocery store (you literally just open a bag of coffee beans, pour them into the machine, and push a button. It’s not scary, I promise!) or use my little hand-held grinder for ground-daily beans. It feels a little luxurious, a little pretentious, a little extra hipster, and a lot delicious. Don’t fight it. Freshly ground coffee beans for life!
BROWNIES. I have made it my mission to create the perfect (for my tastebuds: read, dark, rich, fudgy) brownie recipe. I have several on the blog already, but they all use some sort of alternative ingredient like almond butter, hazelnut butter, black beans, or avocados. Several of them have peanut butter swirls on top, which I am 100% in love with, but sometimes I just want a classic brownie, albeit with some updated, high quality, healthier ingredients.
Right now I’m toying with an olive oil brownie but am not opposed to a grass-fed butter version, either. All of this is to say: I’m eating a lot of brownies this month, since ‘creating brownies’ entails making and eating lots of imperfect batches before I reach the final ones. If you have any opinions/requests on the specifics of this perfect brownie I’m trying to create, feel free to drop me a note in the comments!
WATERMELON JUICE. Like these margaritas, but leave out the jalapeños and tequila. I just scoop half a watermelon into my blender with an ice cream scoop, blend with the juice of a lime or two, then quickly strain through a fine mesh strainer for the most ice cold, sweet, refreshing juice ever. I’ve been drinking it before breakfast and loving it!
FREEZING SUMMER PRODUCE FOR THE WINTER. We own a small chest freezer where the majority of the fruit we pick all summer long ends up, destined to become smoothies, oatmeal, and desserts all winter long. I’ve shared methods for freezing zucchini and corn before, but my general method for anything I’m freezing is to cut it into the size I want to use it in later in the year (if needed-obviously things like blueberries don’t need that….), then freeze in a single layer on a sheet pan before transferring to freezer bags.
Currently we have a ton of pesto and fresh basil, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, lots of kale, green beans (which got blanched for a minute or two before freezing), and maple-cinnamon roasted peaches (which are one of the only fruits I don’t enjoy the texture of when frozen fresh- I prefer them cooked first, then defrosted and used later on) in our chest freezer, with the plan for lots of roasted tomatoes, grilled eggplant, and corn to make it’s way into our freezer before summer ends . Have questions about freezing anything? Leave a comment below…If you’re looking to freeze it, chances are I’ve experimented with it before!
COCONUT BUTTER. This isn’t the first time I’ve shared my love for this drippy goodness, but this month it seems like I’ve been drizzling coconut butter on everything (including this baked oatmeal). I buy this 2-pack of coconut butter on amazon, which is actually the cheapest price I’ve found for it, anywhere.
THIS FLOPPY HAT. I grabbed it randomly at Target earlier this month in hopes that it would keep the sun off my scalp/face/chest during all my beach + outdoor adventures, and it’s been a game changer. I’m not a big hat person in general, but I’m totally loving this one.
That’s all for today! I hope you’re all enjoying this last weekend of August; see you next month for my September Things!
Don’t forget to make yourself one last s’more, head to the beach, go for a sunset walk, and do all your favorite summer things one more time before the seasons change!
Psssst: this blog post contains affiliate links. translation: I earn a commission if you make purchases through the links below. I only recommend products I actually use and love; thanks for supporting Baked Greens!