When it gets hot out, I like to have good things ready and waiting for me in the kitchen. Fresh fruits, cold fresh veggies, some dips (like hummus or salsa), and a variety of summer salads. Making things in bulk is key for me–the hot days make me less inclined to turn on my oven or stove. Chopping extra carrot sticks or making extra salad, it really is a life saver when you sweat just thinking about the afternoon sun. We don’t have air conditioning which in the temperate Portland climate is fine for 50 out of the 52 weeks of the year. But it’s those scorcher weeks that make me want to do nothing but sit in the shade and sip icy cool mint water (ah, to dream!).

Last night I made another great summer salad and knew I had to share it with you. This salad was RE-FRESH-ING–and freshness, in it’s many forms, is something we all search for especially when we’re feeling overheated. The spicy coolness of the fresh basil mixed with the sweet crunch of fresh corn from the cob was a combination I hadn’t tried before, and it was delicious. I’m originally from the Washington DC area and summers there are, well, ridiculous. Many of my family and friends still there haven’t actually enjoyed the summer because it is TOO hot; they stay indoors where their air conditioners make it bearable from the 107 degrees F and 98% humidity–and I don’t blame them, that’s hot. Over the course of the past ten years, they’ve reached record highs in temperature–and it keeps getting hotter! As a kid, I remember the city would code the days: code orange, red, and purple, and they would highly advise to keep children and the elderly inside on those days. But my friends and I still road our bikes to the pool because staying inside was just not an option! (I wonder if they’ve created a code black day for today’s standards, because that was over 15 years ago.) However, the intensity of the weather there certainly has brought me pause. Summer, I believe, is a time to be enjoyed. But with people being trapped in their air conditioning because it keeps getting hotter each year, I wonder how the next generation will fare with “enjoying” the summer months. Not the shade, nor icy cool mint drinks brings people respite from that kind of oppressive heat when just 20 years ago, it did. Keeping cool and fresh in the summer means different things for us all depending on where we live–and I think every little thing you can do to take care of yourself during these hot days can do wonders for both your body and overall mood. After all, isn’t life about the little things?

Quinoa Basil and Fresh Corn Salad, recipe adapted from Vegetarian Times 1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa, rinsed well 1 tsp. salt 2 cups fresh (about 4 ears) or frozen corn 1 cup tightly packed basil leaves, finely chopped 1/2 cup diced sun dried tomatoes (soaked in hot water for 15 minutes prior to slicing) 1/2 cup diced red onion 2 Tbs. olive oil 3 to 5 Tbs. fresh lemon juice (1 to 2 lemons)

In medium saucepan, combine quinoa, salt and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 12 minutes. Add corn, cover and cook until quinoa is tender but still a little crunchy, about 3 minutes. Drain quinoa mixture and transfer to large serving bowl. Toss well with fork, fluffing quinoa. Set aside to cool slightly. Add basil, peppers and onion. Stir in oil and enough lemon juice to give salad a distinct lemony edge. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve. Serves about 6, enjoy!

On another note, I was featured on a fantastic blog called Copycat Mashup. The premise is where two artists are taken and “mashed up” to create a totally new project, inspired by the original artists work. Who knew I could be mashed up with sculptor and mobile artist Alexander Calder? Check it out–I hope they enter a pie next year in Pietopia!

I also wanted to introduce you to my friend and very talented photographer Abbey Hepner. All of her photos are pure magic and simply stunning. She did a small photo shoot for me last month and they turned out better than I had even imagined! Check out the rest of her work on her website and her blog.