Susan Russo, Fit Fare - It’s August, which means three things: It’s hot. You don’t feel like cooking. And farmers’ markets are in full swing, offering everything from juicy melons to crunchy corn. That’s why it’s the perfect time to make some salsas. They’re fast to prepare, refreshing to eat, and endlessly versatile. Though the queen of all salsas, pico de gallo (tomatoes, white onions, lime, and cilantro), remains an old-time favorite with a basket of warm tortilla chips, why not try something new?

Faith Kramer, Sugar Savvy & Blog Appetit - It was hot, muggy and steamy on the streets of New York during my recent visit. How did I keep my cool and enjoy a treat without suffering a chocolate meltdown? Why, I just indulged in a refreshing chocolate Italian ice. Italian ices are well known on the East Coast, especially in the Mid-Atlantic states.  They are smoother than granitas, softer than sorbets and just generally different.  They are also incredibly refreshing.

Jessica Su, Su Good Eats - Chocolate is my undoing year round, but ice cream is my undoing during the summer. I love nudging it with my tongue and letting it gracefully melt away. But every so often, a little voice nags me: “You shouldn’t eat so much ice cream because it’s bad…

…for the environment.” I bet you thought I was going to say it was bad for you. True, but did you know that one cup of milk yields 116 pounds of cow manure? Not only is manure trash, but its stinky gases contribute to global warming. It also takes 14 trillion gallons of irrigation water and 22 billion pounds of fertilizer to produce feed for U.S. livestock each year. The amount of energy it takes to produce that fertilizer could provide power to 1 million Americans a year.