Saturday, July 01, 2006

Have a Firey, Fruit-Filled Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July/Independence Day to everyone here in the US! We plan to take it easy, do some swimming, lounge about at the pool, and walk down the street in the evening for a good (free) view of the fireworks display.

I also plan to make this Fruit Flag for a healthy, patriotic treat. Made with just blackberries, bananas, and strawberries, it fits into my plans to make this holiday as relaxed and laid-back as possible. If I feel especially motivated I might whip up a nut buttery dipping sauce to dip the flaggy fruit in before we devour our stars-and-stripes forever...

29 comments:

Ma May said...

Yum, looks delicious as well as fun. Hope all the Shmoo contingent has a wonderful 4th!

Josie said...

I just discovered your site and I think it's fabulous! Your son is so lucky to have you as a mom. I wish my mom had made sure I ate this healthy when I was growing up (Schmoo eats more fruits and vegetables in his lunch than I sometimes consume all day!). If I'd learned such good eating habits as a child, I might have avoided some of the health problems I'm facing now. I'm not a vegetarian, but I'm trying to significantly cut down on the animal products I eat (who knows, maybe someday I'll go all the way!) in order to lose weight and address some health issues. But lunch is one of those meals that always leaves me baffled, even though I'm not a bad cook! As a result, I end up resorting to unhealthy garbage in the cafeteria where I work. I've already ordered my laptop lunch box and I'm going to use the ideas I see on your site. Thanks so much for these great ideas!

Beth Miriam said...

I just got a laptop lunch box for DH, I pack his lunch everyday. It's wonderful, I think I'm going to buy my nephew one for a "going back to school present". I can now throw all those containers away that never seem to have matching tops!

sharbel said...

I just a got a newsletter from Dr. Fuhrman, he does something similar.

Jennifershmoo said...

His is an actual cake that you bake, then decorate with coconut and berries. I didn't want to work that hard. :-)

Ma May said...

Yay for "not working that hard," Jennifer. It's a holiday after all.
:-)

Mary said...

That is so cute! I think I'll make this for me and my boyfriend. I think he'd like it. Thanks for the post!

WannabeMe said...

That cake looks yummy. I might make a mini version for my family tomorrow - thanks for the idea!

Jane M said...

Somehow you manage to make even the simple things look so special. What a great idea for a hot day...not to filling and just sweet enough to please! I hope the shmoo clan has a great 4th!!!!

Nicki Baker said...

Awww what cute fruit!

naialily said...

That fruit flag's a great idea...healthy and easy, what's better than that!? Maybe put a little canister with toothpicks for easy eating! Love your blog...I've got three little vegan kiddos of my own! :)

Eat Peace Please said...

This is super cool!

KleoPatra said...

Love the flag!!

Hope you have a safe and fun 4th... Jen, Shmoo & EVERYONE else...

Maryjamie said...

I'm going to make this today for a vegan potluck, yay!

Shelly said...

Happy fourth! I love the fruit idea. Alas, I did not plan for that...but I'm making red white and blue potato salad. :)

Hi Shmoo!

DDawnC said...

Happy (Belated) Independance Day, All!

Shananigans said...

What a great idea! So much healthier without the sheet cake with gobs of frosting. Hope your 4th was wonderful and memorable.

Heather J. Chin said...

this looks delicious! i love how there's no icing and cake underneath it. =) as "shananigans" wrote, it's so much healthier this way.
... i wonder how it'd be dipped into cheesey fondue sauce...

NOELLE ALOUD said...

The availablity of so many beautiful fresh berries is one of my favorite things about summer. This looks so fun and delicious!

A (very belated) happy Independence Day to the shmoo household!

rebekah (penny) said...

That is super cute! I love blackberries, bananas, AND strawberries are one of my favorite fruit. LOVE IT!

urban vegan said...

how cute. maybe I'll do the french flag for bastille day.

Bougie said...

I just discovered your site as well. What a savior, I'm a preggie and looking for ways to be & eat more healthier now and afterwards. I'm seriously thinking of going the veggie route. The food on your blog looks so delicious! I'll be making stops regularly to keep me motivated to eat wiser!

Kristin said...

wow, I have looked at your blog. If my momcooked like you do, or even just shopped for food like you do. I would be super happy

reversibleraincoat said...

Wow, that looks delicious. I love blackberries and strawberries.
And I love your blog. I'm trying to pack my lunch to work so I'll eat healthy, and your blog has so many delicious looking ideas! I figured that it couldn't *just* be good photographic lighting. Thanks!

Lauren said...

I was a vegitarian when I was a teenager and I got a really bad case of mono (Not due to the vegitarianism lol) well I was extremely animic and the Dr.'s told me I had to start eating meat again. I have for almost 8 years now and I decided to give it up once again. I looked into becoming a vegan but decided to do this one step at a time. I was wondering about tofu...I have never had it before...is it good? What is the difference between silken, firm and extra firm? Does anybody have good easy recipes? Thanks all!

Anonymous said...

I didn't eat much fruit on the fourth but that flag looks tasty and I can imagine it so yummy with a nut sauce.

We were visiting our friends in LA, and the wife is Australia of Sri Lankan background so she made us this amazing four-part dinner with a "meat" curry, potatoes, coconut sambal, and rice.

Tere said...

Hi Lauren!
Tofu is great, although I did not like it at first...you just need to experiment until you find a way of preparing it that you like. It has very little flavour, and so it goes with so many recipes, and is very flexible. Firm tofu is what I use, and I believe silken tofu is used more in baking recipes or to give added texture and creaminess to a dish. Firm tofu has a "chickeny" texture. There are millions of recipes on line, and tons of books devoted to tofu alone. Try googling tofu, or try the Vegan With a Vengeance site to start http://www.theppk.com/recipes/
Also, even if you decide tofu isn't for you, don't give up on taking meat out of your diet. There are so many other things to eat you probably won't even need a meat alternative once you learn a few new recipes. I only buy tofu once every few weeks, and don't buy any meat analogues like veggie burgers and so on.
Good luck :)
Tere

Eabha the Kiwi said...

AAAHHHHHGGGGGHHHH!!!!!

I linked you to the children section of my blog...how could you...please no...

Why would a progressive individual like yourself depict the american flag; a symbol of fear and terror and violence, anti-democracy and unilateralism.

Here is a good site to check out on the subject of patriotism:

http://www.infoshop.org/nightwatch.html

And here is a quote by Albert Einstien:

"Nationalism is an infantile sickness. It is the measles of the human race."


I know this blog isn't about this sort of political content but my goodness! This is a children friendly, family oriented site!

C'mon now. We're vegan, let's renounce all forms of violence, including nationalism and patriotism!

Thank You,

John D

Eabha the Kiwi said...

By the way, I think your meals look delicious and healthy and you continue to inspire me and others. Please don't let us down!

John D