the unexamined life

 "the unexamined life is not worth living"  socrates

sounds terribly serious for a short post on the first day of summer..

i for one am delirious with joy today for it is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, weather and light to really live by!  mother nature is beckoning us to rejoice in her beauty and rising mercury. our gardens are brimming with ripening fruits and vegetables and we are wearing comfortable summer clothes! whatever you are or aren't doing, get outdoors, take off your shoes and/or your summer clothes, gaze up at the warm sun, breathe deeply and be happy to be alive.

'tis but a brief examination of the surface of things.. a DUH kind of approach to what might make some of us brim with excitement but that supposes that all else is in good order. what difference does it make what the weather is doing if we are stressed out or infirm, worrying about the war(s), the oil spill, the economy?

i propose that a wee dose of "self"ishness once in awhile is

mandatory.. especially today.. so whatever it is that you really want to do, start planning it today.. take time for pleasure, what a tonic! life is short! summer is even shorter but today is long!

the embedded reading material is the first of eight, this one is called lifestyle.. what is yours? it just might be worth examining! (click on image to enlarge)

springing into summer, dash out to your nearest asian market or well stocked health food store and pick up some spring roll skins and gift wrap your favorite greens and veges in an exquisitely, transparent and edible light meal or appetizer. here is my version:

follow package directions for the skins.. don't let them get too wet or they will be difficult to handle.        

and depending on how many you want to make, increase your ingredients to accommodate the amount.

SPRING ROLLS 

                                                           

arugula

napa cabbage                                                            

shredded carrot                                                             

peeled cucumber in strips                                                              

red bell pepper strips                                                           

avocado slices                                                               

sprouts                                                            

                                                           

assemble ingredients in the center of spring roll. fold in sides and roll up being careful not to break through the delicate rice membrane as you roll. it will self seal. they should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter.

DIPPING SAUCE                         

1/4 cup maple syrup                                                           

2 t dijon style mustard

2 t rice vinegar                                                          

2 T olive oil

1 T  sesame oil                                                             

1 T minced ginger                                                            

juice from 1/2 juice orange                                                            

1/4 cup fresh lime juice                                                             

1 T braggs amino acids or nama shoyu                                                           

                                                                                                                               

combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisk and serve.