Author

Heather Walsh

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If there was a silver lining to quarantine and social distancing, it was a schedule reset. Gone were the four-birthday-party-two-sports-practice-three-game weekends. Gone were the whirlwind flights for two hour business meetings. Gone were the early morning coffee work huddles, lunchtime sweat sessions at the gym, and constant errand list that orchestrated our everyday lives. What emerged for many of us was a rediscovery of nature and the outdoors, especially of the amazing natural gems in our communities. We explored trails we didn’t know existed. Took our yoga classes outside to grassy spaces. Opted for daily walks around the neighborhood or local park. In a sense, green spaces kept us grounded as the world tilted. As we emerge into whatever 2022 holds for us, one thing is for certain: we all need to keep nature as part of our wellness plan. Luckily, Irvine Nature Center realizes how important this is and…

As the song goes, you say ‘tomato’ and I say… tomato jam! While traveling with our kids this summer, my youngest started getting more adventurous with her restaurant entrees. She quickly grew tired of the kids menu chicken tenders and fries… this six-year-old wanted veggie platters with hummus, heirloom tomatoes, BLTs, corn chowder, and fritters. One evening we got to our destination really late and ended up in a hotel bar at 9:30 PM. The menu wasn’t exactly kid-friendly, so she decided on shrimp cocktail. Instead of horseradish-laden cocktail sauce, the shrimp came with a slightly sweet tomato jam. She was hooked. In addition to being a delightful surprise for shrimp cocktail, tomato jam is delicious on sandwiches, AMAZING on BLTs, delicious on top of cheese and crackers, and the perfect condiment for your summer picnic. It also helps use up that bumper crop of August plum tomatoes! We made…

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