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Its June! The world's best looking athletes by far have congregated in South Africa and are sweating in the sun while chasing after a small checkered ball. All this gawking at the television has me wanting one thing...strawberries...and watermelon!

There's nothing like the start of summer. The pools are open (at least on the weekends), although the water is ridiculously cold and you can buy a cut up watermelon on the street. As well the New York City farmers markets are all a twitter with my favorite start of summer fruit...the strawberry.

When I grew up on Long Island, I remember the third week of June hosted a strawberry festival in my town. Strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, rides, attractions, music, merriment, people really celebrated the arrival of the strawberry. Today, I just wake up early on a Thursday or Sunday morning and head over to the market 10 blocks from my apartment and plop down my $4 ($3 later in the day if there are any left!) for a pint of the most amazing strawberries I have ever tasted...and sometimes, when I am really lucky, they sell some at Fairway.

These strawberries are amazing. Sweet, succulent and no methyl iodide here.  I'm still kvelling from the asparagus, whose season is almost over. This past weekend I got my first taste of summer zucchini and eggplant...on the grill, with lamb. Oh my god, to die for. Summer is upon us...all the best to Algeria...oh yeah and the United States/Britain who both have to play Algeria. Hope they are eating some strawberries too!
 
 

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the mets are winning and there's rhubarb, spinach, asparagus and fresh eggs at the markets, enough to live on. The spring harvest has just begun. I'm waiting for the rest of the dark leafy greens, those first strawberries and blueberries from New York State. There's nothing like them on earth. Small, sweet, delicious in pie, cobbler or just on the plate with some fresh goat's milk yogurt from the farm table next door.

If you can't tell, I'm a bit in love with food. My first love however is how my body feels after consuming farm fresh food from New York State. I've lived in New York my whole life with an exception of two years in New Jersey (right near the farms - I would pick my produce weekly) and Boston (not so near the farms - but I had the haymarket...it was a sad two years). Of course I am also in love with people and helping them as well as just understanding their unique stories.

This week, I am enjoying lentil soup which I made with fresh dill.  I just poached some eggs from the farmer's market. They were delicious. I am looking forward to waking up early and grabbing some asparagus on Wednesday morning as well as whatever fruit abounds. Its still just apples and pears. I'm fantasizing about the berries and peaches, alas I might have to wait a few more months.

I'm looking forward to my first group class, which is starting next Tuesday! more information about it here: http://8weekstoanewbody.eventbrite.com.