Enjoying the taste of summer is easy–local produce is available, even in Montana. Because I lived a long time without insurance, and given the constant instability of the insurance market, I make an effort (not always successfully–Cheetos are my downfall) to eat organically and make my meals from scratch. To keep impact of the environment as low, I try to think about where the food comes from that I purchase. I also make a lot of my meals from scratch.

While I wait for the tomatoes in my garden to actually ripen (if I’m lucky it will be before frost hits), I had purchased a pretty red one from my local market that came from Kalispell–a four hour drive. As a Jersey girl, I don’t think there’s anything better than a Jersey tomato, but they’re a bit scarce here in Montana.

I had some rye bread from our local bakery, Le Petite Outre. And some brie from another local company, Lifeline Farms, located in the Bitterroot Valley just south of us. Within a few moments I had toasted rye, with brie, topped with fresh tomato as an open faced sandwich. Add a little salt and pepper, a sprinking of oregano and you have the perfect summer lunch!

Try it! And with it, enjoy a perfect summer read–one of my California Romance Series novels.