Fresh Strawberry & Almond Butter Toast

Don’t you just love summer strawberries? Nothing else like them!

Long time no see! I’ve been on “summer break” for almost a month now & things have yet to slow down. Busy, busy bee. So many updates, so much to share, & so little time. The biggest focus in my world these days is my yoga teacher training. It’s been mind blasting, heart expanding, & so much more. A few weekends ago, I spent the summer solstice with my fellow trainees with a full day on Coronado Island. Morning practice outdoors by the bay, followed by an afternoon workshop on mantra & meditation. Our day closed with a silent walking meditation to the beach, & once there we were asked to sit in silence & stillness to further integrate all that we had learned that day. As we emerged from silent reflection & made our way back across the island to our cars, a small group of us popped into a gelato shop for a sweet & cool treat. Non-dairy strawberry was my pick. The salty ocean breeze, the gentle warmth of the evening sun,  & the cool & creamy gelato melting on my tongue was sweet summer perfection!

It reminded me of an old favorite recipe…my fresh strawberry sorbet…yum! I am so sad I gave away my ice cream maker when I moved.

After that strawberry gelato, I’ve been crazy for these sweet summer berries. I’ll slice & add to my water with cucumber rounds & a few sprigs of fresh mint, add them to smoothies with spinach & fresh squeezed OJ, I even tossing them with kale & a sweet tahini dressing (recipe idea to follow soon!). But no need to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes it’s the simplest pleasures that really make the heart sing. Like strawberries & almond butter on toast. Move over avocado toast!

 

Avocado toast has had plenty of days in the sun. So much so that there was an Instagram Avo-Toast outrage. I’ll admit that I love it too, especially when combined with an herbed vegenaise, & topped with roasted tomatoes & lemon pepper. YUM! But some mornings, or afternoon snacks, call for something a bit sweeter, but just as satisfying. Why in all of my 38 years I never thought of this myself is beyond me. It’s a total no brainer! We put strawberry jam on toast, so why not fresh strawberries? So much better on so many levels. Yet, it took me browsing through Giada’s Feel Good Food, to get the memo. And hallelujah!

High fiber toasted bread, raw almond butter, sliced strawberries. Giada adds a drizzle of raw honey, which makes it even more divine. If honey is your thing, try it. If not, it’s just as wonderful without. So simple. So amazing.

You’re welcome.

I am certain that there are a million & one variations of this, so get creative. Fresh mint, hemp seeds, cinnamon, etc. If you come up with a mind-blasting, flavor sensation please share!

What are your favorite simple summer pleasures? I’d love to know!