Cool as a cucumber. All you trivia buffs….do you know the origin of this phrase?
Bloomsbury International says the expression means extremely calm, relaxed and in control of your emotions. This phrase may have originated from the fact that even in hot weather, the inside of cucumbers are approximately 20 degrees cooler than the outside air.Therefore, a person who stays cool, calm and relaxed in a difficult situation can be compared to a cucumber staying cool inside, even in hot weather!
Cucumbers are made up of almost 95% water so they keep you super well hydrated, among many other healthy benefits.
Nature sure provides.
And, it’s picnic time! Yay!
We had our first summer picnic with family and friends this past weekend.
I love eating outdoors. Fresh air, good food, fun friends, and laughing until the moon and stars appear are all essential ingredients for summer fun.
I whipped up a cucumber salad for my contribution to the potluck. Cucumbers just appeared at our farmer’s market.
My blend was chopped cucumbers, chopped sweet onions, dried cranberries, finely chopped fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Voila! It was perfectly refreshing summer fare. When blueberries are in season I will switch out the cranberries. 
So don’t get yourself in a pickle! Consume what nature abundantly provides to remain cool, calm and collected. No hot heads allowed.
Happy picnicking to you!
Please share your favorite picnic fare with us for inspiration!
Sign up for my blog here. I would love to share my musings with you and also send you a cookbook with great recipes from health coach friends!
I had no idea that cucumbers were that well insulated. Fun!
Good way to put it, Barbara!
Wow! That 20 degree difference is totally amazing! Never heard that before! Great food for summer!
Yes, it was new information for me too! Makes sense…it is such a cooling vegetable.
Love your salad, Judy! Cucumbers work so well with the other summertime veggies and add great crunch! I’ve been subbing in avocado oil for the added omega acids.
Yes! I have been using avocado oil for a lot of dishes too. Thanks for the feedback, James!
Love cucumbers. My go to salad is a Greek salad with cukes, tomatoes, red onion, peppers of all colors, feta cheese, fresh herbs, and maybe a handful of sunflower seeds. So satisfying, perfect lunch. I try to avoid the dried fruits in salads as they have extra sugar.
Love Greek style salads, Lisa. Blueberries are also a good substitute for dried fruits. And honestly, no need to add any fruit! I like adding walnuts too. Fun!