Water

Summer: Hot, humid, lots and lots of activity... need water!

I used to NEVER think twice about drinking water from my tap. Now, it would never cross my mind to drink water straight from my tap. My brain immediately thinks filter first please, then drink the water.

Years and years ago, I thought Kent, Ohio had the best water straight from the tap and I wasn't alone. I know, shocking! Does anyone drink water straight from the tap anymore? Kent city water was refreshing and odor free. Not the case now. Now, it has an odor, chemical taste and is not real refreshing straight from the tap in my opinion.

Kent is a small town, and used to be known for great tasting water. No kidding! In 1996, David Letterman and Jay Leno praised Kent, Ohio for having such tasty water based on the Berkeley Springs national water tasting competition. If I am not mistaken, one of them came into town and did their own little study and maybe even enjoyed a glass or two of Kent's cool, refreshing tap beverage.

In 2004, Kent won the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Bronze Award for municipal water and the Silver in 2006. Did you notice, bronze to silver! I'm not certain but I think the bronze in 2004 was a step down from 1996, I'm just saying. I do not know what happened over the last few years, but the city water tastes like gutter water and not a single award in sight. Kent should have bottled and sold the tap water back in 1996.

Well anyway, I was thirsty the other day, real thirsty. Digging and laying brick in hot, humid weather - well, you get the idea. Here's a few ways to jazz up water.

My favorite vegetable to add to water is cucumber, and I'm out, so no picture. I don't think you need me to paint you a picture here do you? Try it, you'll really like it, maybe even straight from the tap, but my tap water always filters through my Brita filter first.

Orange, Frozen grapes, Fiji apple, Watermelon, Lemon

After my third glass of water I have more fruit than water, and then I call it lunch.

A tall glass of cold water
I was out of cucumber, but try it...it's fab! and the reason why I'm out!

Hummus

Hummus: SO easy, SO delicious!

The great thing about hummus is you can add or subtract various seasonings, and ingredients, but be mindful of the quantity of lemon juice you use. In my opinion it is easy to use too much lemon juice. SO use a little initially, and then add until you determine the correct amount to suit your taste. Don't be afraid to mix and match other ingredients or make a plain hummus and serve with various toppings.

Hummus
1 16 oz can of garbanzo beans (chick peas)
Liquid from can of garbanzo beans
3 T fresh lemon juice
1 clove crushed garlic
Dash of sea salt (optional)
1 T olive oil (optional)
1 -2 t fresh parsley (to taste)
Chives, chopped
Red chile pepper

Drain garbanzo beans, and set aside liquid from can. Combine ingredients in food processor or blender, add 1/3 cup of liquid from garbanzo beans and blend until all ingredients are combined and hummus is smooth in appearance. More or less garbanzo bean liquid may be added to obtain the right consistency.

To serve, place hummus in a bowl and top with crushed red chile pepper and parsley or make a well and top with 1-2 t olive oil.

Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Enough for lunch today and tomorrow!

I enjoyed my homemade hummus with fresh pineapple and oven toasted flour tortillas cut into triangles, and topped with Hungarian sweet paprika.

Oven Toasted Flour Tortilla Chips
2 small flour tortillas
Sprinkle your favorite seasoning or cheese over flour tortillas
Cut each flour tortilla into 6-8 wedges using a pizza cutter
Place on a cookie sheet and bake until slightly brown and crispy at 250F.

Lunch is served!