Just Peachy

Just peachy. You've heard someone use that expression to describe their mood. It's certainly intended and received as positive. Are they feeling as sweet and juicy as their choice of words? Maybe not. And depending who the person is, a sexual harassment suit may be headed your way if you try to find out for yourself.

One thing's for sure. Peaches are sweet and juicy this time of year.

Go to a local fruit stand or farmer's market, where you know you're getting the local goodness. Pick up one those slightly fuzzy little lovelies. Put it up to your nose. Yeah, that's good stuff. I suggest you pay before you bite into it, though. The farmer's got to get their due, and besides once you take that first bite, it's all over.

Literally. It's not physically possible to contain all that sweet nectar.  It's all over your hand, running down your arm, and dripping onto your shoes. (Ladies, it's still summertime, so your shoes may be spared, if you're still wearing something strappy. Now you've got something sugary to match your candy-coated pedicure.) This is the reason for the warning. Pay first, since that hand won't make it back into your pocket or purse to hand over the cash.

Buying locally will ensure you get the freshest of the fresh. The lesser the travel required, the fresher the fruit. It's something I just realized recently, and explains the many times I would buy peaches at the supermarket that looked wonderful but were never sweet. Ask around, you may be lucky enough to have a place nearby where you can pick your own.

Now a food post at askdrmanny.com would not be complete without some nutritional information. Peaches are rich in Vitamin A, and also a good source of Vitamin C and potassium. Not too shabby. Oh, and the Chinese believed the peach brought luck, abundance, and protection. So you've got that going for you.

Seriously though, buy some peaches while they're in season, keep them at home and at work. It'll stop you from reaching for that chocolate bar.

Choose peaches, right now there ain't nothin' sweeter.