Monthly Favorites August Edition
Finishing Summer Strong
Hey Flourish Wellness Community,
I hope you all are enjoying a fun-filled summer that brings you joy and relaxation. As August rolls in, we find ourselves in the heart of summer, yet also gearing up for the start of the school year. It’s a time of transition, balancing the lingering warmth of summer with the excitement of new beginnings.
In this spirit of transition, I’m thrilled to share some of my personal favorites from this month to inspire and connect with you. This is a chance for us to exchange ideas and explore new interests together.
Now, without further ado, here are a few of my favorite things from this month:
What I’m Cooking: Peach Crisp Recipe
This delightful peach crisp from Cookie and Kate has been a hit in my kitchen this summer. It’s the perfect dessert to enjoy the season’s fresh peaches. At first when I saw there was yogurt in the crisp topping I was a skeptic, but after making this recipe several times I can assure you that it works well and no one will even guess you added yogurt.
Here’s how you can make it according to their recipe:
Ingredients
Peach Filling
2 ¼ pounds ripe peaches, peeled and thinly sliced (about 5 to 6 peaches)
⅓ cup honey
2 tablespoons arrowroot starch or cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Crisp topping
1 cup old-fashioned oats (certified gluten free if necessary)
½ cup almond meal or almond flour, lightly packed
⅓ cup sliced almonds
⅓ cup packed coconut sugar or brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
4 tablespoons butter, melted
3 to 4 tablespoons plain yogurt (regular or Greek)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
To prepare the filling: In a 9 by 9-inch baking dish, mix together the sliced peaches, honey, arrowroot starch, vanilla and cinnamon.
To prepare the topping: In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the oats, almond meal, sliced almonds, coconut sugar, ginger and salt. Mix in the melted butter and yogurt. Stir until the mixture is moistened throughout, adding up to 1 more tablespoon of yogurt if it seems dry.
Dollop spoonfuls of the oat mixture over the filling and use your fingers to break up the mixture until it is evenly distributed (no need to pack it down). Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling around the edges and the top is lightly golden.
Let the crisp rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or plain yogurt.
What I’m Reading: A Picnic in Provence
I’m currently enjoying A Picnic in Provence by Elizabeth Bard which was a book recommendation from a dear friend. This charming memoir takes you on a culinary journey through the picturesque landscapes of Provence. Bard beautifully blends stories of food, family, and French culture, making it a delightful read for anyone who loves travel and gastronomy.
I knew I had to read this one. When I was in my mid-twenties I briefly worked in public relations supporting the healthcare outreach for some of their food clients. They planned an amazing event for some of their clients in Provence, France and I was lucky enough to be selected to travel as part of the team. It was a whirlwind long-weekend of working, events, fantastic food and beautiful countryside. I hope to be able to travel back someday and take my girls to relive and reminisce about that trip with them.
How I’m Moving: Early Morning Dog Walks with a Friend
To stay active and enjoy the cooler part of the day, I’ve been taking early morning walks with a friend. We are lucky that we live close to the Chesapeake Bay and are actually able to see the sunrise over the water in the early morning hours. It is really such a wonderful way to start the day, getting fresh air, enjoying good company, and my puppy gets some much needed exercise. We have been known to walk in all kinds of weather and sometimes the not-so-great weather days ironically end up being the most fun.
What I’m Listening To: “Hold On (Mixed)” by Kygo and Emmit Fenn
Lately, I’ve been listening to Kygo’s Summer playlist. “Hold On (Mixed)” by Kygo and Emmit Fenn has to be one of my favorite tracks on the playlist. The song has simple lyrics but focuses on the power of perseverance and resilience, something we all need to remember not only in life but when we are starting any sort of lifestyle journey to improve health. Progress is almost always slow but daily habit modifications can create long-lasting change.
I hope these favorites bring you as much joy and inspiration as they have brought me. I’d love to hear about your favorites too! Feel free to comment and share what you’ve been cooking, reading, moving to, and listening to this summer.
Stay well and keep flourishing!
Warmly,
Alison Massey MS, RD, CDCES
Flourish Wellness