Goodness from the Holy Land

We spent one lazy day in an orange orchard, picking and eating all of the oranges we wanted.  There were oranges all around our feet, literally rotting because there were so many and no one was taking them.  Too bad I can't fill a suitcase with these sweet, sticky beauties straight from the tree. {sigh}

Speaking of filling suitcases, that is exactly what we are doing right now.  Many of you have been asking when we return to Ukraine, and the answer is "in 4 days!"  As much as we love it here, Ukraine is our home and we soooo look forward to returning.  Our imminent return soon is also why my posts have picked up in frequency lately.  With all of my good intentions to post more often during our 3 months here, I quickly fell back into my comfort zone... my 1.4 posts a week.  What can I say?  I guess I am just a creature of habit.  {And really, who wants to spend their entire lives sitting behind a computer?} 

But, I also had so, so very much to share with you.  I will do a few more posts about Israel, but when we return to Ukraine we will be busier than ever, and this blog will soon return to its original title of "With Love from Ukraine."  If you joined this blog to read the "Tour Israel series," I do hope that you'll stick around to learn all about what we do in Ukraine.  It is an exciting journey we are on, and there is never a moment to yawn around here!

So, for this post I wanted to share one of the things we have been enjoying most of all while being here - the delicious goodness from the soil of the Holy Land.  I'm pretty sure that fruit is sweeter and veggies are tastier because of this blessed land.  Oh, it could just be my imagination, but let me relish in the thought anyway!

This fruit/vegetable market you are seeing is just around the corner from our apartment.  And, we visit it quite often.  In fact, my children even go there by themselves to choose some colorful goodness for me some days.  We are pretty much on a first-name basis with the workers too!  What can I say?  When avocados, fresh cilantro, juicy strawberries, perfectly ripe bananas, luscious-looking bell peppers, etc., etc., etc... are just a few steps away, it is magnetizing!

And can I confess that we have eaten enough guacamole to turn our skin forever green?  Well, maybe not quite, but we are decidedly leaving Israel filled with vitamins that don't come in a bottle!

Secret tip:  A popular sandwich here in Israel consists of sliced boiled eggs, sliced avocados, and sliced tomatoes.  That's it!  No meat, but plenty of protein with the eggs.  We make it with mayonnaise, sometimes add a slice of cheese, and sprinkle some salt on.  A delicious summer sandwich that is light, tasty, and healthy too!  {Now, go try making one... You won't regret it!}