Summer is in full swing, and we all know what that means..........................tomato season! What, you were expecting a list of things like outdoor concerts, beach visits, vacations, and cool/refreshing beverages? I suppose those are okay too, but there’s just something special about a fresh tomato. What people don’t realize is that the majority of the tomatoes they eat (especially during the winter time) have traveled for a while, and naturally they must be refrigerated as they make the trek to your supermarket. The problem with this is that tomatoes are temperamental  travelers. Their optimal flavor and texture are forever lost in this chilly environment. Think about it...they thrive in warmer temperatures for a reason, right?

Obtaining local tomatoes from a farmer’s market or CSA box (which is where I got these from) will lead to the discovery that while the grocery store offers a somewhat decent tomato, there is a far more amazing world of tomato-ey possibilities out there. Excited yet? You should be.

Ah yes, Tom Yum...anything with the word “yum” in the name has to be good, right? This unique soup that originated in Thailand has become popular in Singapore, Malaysia, and many other countries as well. With good reason, as its distinct spicy and sour qualities and heavy usage of aromatics such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal (in the ginger root family) offer an intoxicating fragrance and a punch of flavor that all starts with a simple broth or stock.

It is well established that the beginning of summer is grilling season. Fortunately for all of us, it is also cherry season. Today I’m going to bring these two seasonal dynamos together for your enjoyment. The delightful yet elusive Rainier cherries are not always the easiest to find (my local Costco has them right now, but that usually only lasts a couple weeks), but bing cherries are everywhere right now. So what’s the best way to eat cherries? How do you remove that pit without chipping a tooth or owning a cherry pitter? Do you always have to eat your cherries with something involving sugar, chocolate, or something sweet? Let’s discuss (after you take a look at these glorious Rainier cherries!)...

Hey, everyone!

When I’m thinking of something tasty and healthy and easy, guacamole is often one of the first things that comes to mind. My version is lower in sodium than just about any you'll find in a store (and no preservatives) and, due to the secret ingredient (orange juice), it's packed with flavor! It's great with carrot sticks, multigrain chips, and tacos. There are many times when I’ll cook up a lean protein like chicken breast or shrimp and just eat it with those. It’s also great in wraps, on sandwiches (sammiches), and as a condiment twist for burgers.

Guacamole is fully customizable to you personal preferences. Don’t like cilantro because you think it tastes like soap? Have a date with someone special and are worried excessive amounts of garlic/onion will mess with your mojo? You like your lips to tingle from extreme spice? Don’t particularly like avocados but you know they’re healthy and you want to incorporate them into your diet? No problem!

Hello, everyone, and welcome to what is hopefully the first of many blog posts on this site!

It seemed only fitting that the first post should be dedicated to introducing myself and to giving you a general idea of what you should expect from the Fiscally Fit Foodie blog. Other posts will contain more visually appealing content (LOTS of pictures and videos), but that is downplayed in this first post that outlines the essence of what I'm trying to achieve with this website. Without further ado, I present to you the Fiscally Fit Foodie blog!