It's A Growin'

One would think an indoor garden would have been checked off of my to-do list much earlier in life.  The truth is, I've tried.  In Dallas, I managed to destroy three basil plants on three separate occasions.  And more recently, succulents.  Succulents?!  I killed unkillable plants!  It's a miracle that Clarke is still amongst us...

In a search to fill the blank wall in my kitchen, I found an Ikea inspiration ad from which I decided to steal almost every decor detail.  Two problems...  my negative green thumb abilities and zero natural light in my kitchen.  After more research, I found that I could overcome the natural light issue using traditional CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs as "grow lights".  And after more consideration, I decided I would overcome my planting inabilities with dedication.

The newest living additions to my home are basil, cilantro, and thyme.  If these puppies have a positive life status through the end of August, I'll add rosemary, dill, and chives to the collection.  I'll also consider replacing the target desk lamp with a more aesthetically pleasing stainless CFL hood.

This is a true Fashion Meets Function moment in the KV household!

Yum Yum - Can I Get a Scoop?

Mangoes and avocados frequent being the center of health hype attention.  And deservingly so, both can be considered vitamin powerhouses, cancer preventers, skin improvers, digestion enhancers, and the list goes on.  And just when you think the list is coming to a close, it probably goes on some more.

Many suggest consuming these tropical treats daily.  If you're looking for a realistic way to do just that, check out the recipe below.  Mix the following ingredients and refrigerate in a sealed dish.  Eat a scoopful as a snack or jazz up salads and sandwiches that may be lacking anything "super".

2 Avocados, cubed
1 Mango, cubed
1-2 Tbsps cilantro, chopped
1 Lime, juiced
Salt to taste