PEACHES:

"Peach, common name for a deciduous orchard tree of the [rose] family and for the fruit of this tree.  The tree, which botanists believe is native to China, is cultivated throughout warm temperate and subtropical regions of the world.  In the peach fruit, the stone is covered with a fleshy substance that is juicy, melting, and of fine flavor when matured and mellowed.  The peach tree is of moderate height, more or less spreading according to variety, and, when left to itself, deep-rooted.  The popular division of fruit varieties into clingstones and freestones - referring to the relative tendency of the flesh to cling to the stone - is by no means accurate.  These two classes merge in different varieties, and even the same variety may be freestone or clingstone in different seasons.  The nearly 300 varieties of peaches grown in America have been classified into five races, each with outstanding characteristics, ripening season, and uses.

"The peach is not a long-lived tree, seldom living 30 years, and the life of commercial orchard is usually 7 to 9 years.  The principal peach-growing states are California, South Carolina, and New Jersey.  Peaches are shipped from Texas for the early market, and they are grown commercially in many other states.  The canning of peaches is an important industry. In the mid-1980s more than 445,000 metric tons were canned each year in the United States.  During the same period, about 1.2million metric tons were harvested annually in the United States.  World production totaled about 5.5 million metric tons annually; the United States and Italy were the leading producers.

"Scientific classification: The peach belongs to the family Rosaceae. It is classified as Prunus persica."

"Peach," Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 96 Encyclopedia. (c) 1993-1995 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. (c) Funk &Wagnalls Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Wikipedia information on "peach" at the address below has a photo of
          
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peach

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The two following peach recipes are from cooks.com.

PEACH SOMBRERO SALAD          Serves 4

8 canned cling peach halves
Salad greens
1 pt. cottage cheese
Pimiento
Green sweet pepper
Mayonnaise or French dressing

Drain peaches, and arrange 2 halves cut side up on each garnished salad plate. Heap cottage cheese in cone shape between peach halves for crown of "sombrero." Circle base of cheese cone with bands cut from pimiento and green pepper. Serve with mayonnaise or French dressing.

(C) 2006 - The FOURnet Information Network (TM) - All Rights Reserved
http://www.cooks.com


EASY PEACH SORBET

1 pkg. (4 serving size) peach flavored gelatin [vegan from natural food store]
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 1/2 c. boiling water
3 ripe peaches (2 c. fruit)

Dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water. Add ice cubes to gelatin mixture, stirring until ice is melted.

Peel peaches; cut them up. Place fruit in food processor/blender; add 1 cup gelatin mixture and puree until smooth. Add remaining gelatin mixture and process again for a few seconds. Pour fruit mixture into a 13"x9" pan. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and place in freezer 2 to 3 hours. Spoon sorbet mixture into chilled blender or food processor and blend at high speed until smooth and fluffy. Pour into a 9"x5" loaf pan; cover and freeze until firm, 8 hours or overnight. Makes 5 1/2 cups; 10 servings. Variations: Strawberries and strawberry flavored gelatin, bananas and lemon flavored gelatin, plums and peach flavored gelatin.

(C) 2006 - The FOURnet Information Network (TM) - All Rights Reserved
http://www.cooks.com

  TEA:

In the "Better Health" section of the May 3, 2006 edition of  the Atlanta Journal-Constitution [ ajc.com ] there was a piece about different teas.  There is a new tea [to me] that people are trying called Yerba Mate'.  The feature, by Virginia Anderson, describes Yerba Mate' this way:

"Not derived from the tea plant, but from an herb that was believed for years to contain no caffeine.  Scientists recently discovered, however, that mate' does have caffeine. 
Health claim:  Energizes body, boosts immunity, tones nervous system,
eliminates insomnia, aids weight loss, is a gentle diuretic and more."

Another tea listed that I hadn't heard of but have since tried is Rooibos. Rooibos tea is a "Natural source of antioxidants with high level of flavonoids.  Caffeine-free. 
Health claim:  Helps soothe upset stomach and diminishes hay fever symptoms. reduces insomnia, irritability, headaches, nervous tension and hypertension"

I've tried Celestial Seasonings "Moroccan Pomegranate Red Rooibos Tea".  I drink is cold and plain.  It has a berry-like flavor.                     

www.celestialseasnings.com

Rooibos is the first ingredient on the list but there are other flavors.

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Yerba Mate' [Ilex paragariensis]:

"Encyclopedia of Herbs" by Deni Brown [Covent Garden Books] pg. 241

"Ilex paraguariensis is more widey drunk in South America than either tea or coffee; it contains 0.2-2 percent caffeine, and 0.3-0.5 percent theobromine."

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"Evergreen tree with elliptic-ovate leaves to 12cm (5 in.) long, that have scalloped margins.  Small, green-white flowers appear in the axils of younger branches, followed by clusters of small , deep red berries.  Native to Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina."

Rooibos [Aspalatbus linearis]:

"Practical Herb Garden" by Jessica Houdret [Hermes House] pg. 116

"History and traditions:  A traditional tea plant of native South Africans of the Cape.  It was adopted by European travellers and colonists in the late 18th century.  It has gained popularity in the 20th century for its soothing, medicinal properties and because it makes a pleasant tasting tea with a similar flavour to ordinary Asian tea.

"Parts used:  Leaves and shoots - sun-dried and fermented to make tea."

"Encyclopedia of Herbs" by Deni Brown [Covent Garden Books] pg. 28

There is a photo of rooibos plants [looks like a bush or shrub] with this caption: 
"Rooibos Tea - Plantations of Aspalathus linearis, the source of rooibos tea, growing in the arid Cedarberg Mountains, in the west of Cape Province.  The rooibos tea industry expanded greatly during WWII, because of shortages of oriental tea, and following research in the 1980s into its beneficial properties."

FAJITA RECIPE:  This recipe is easy and delicious.  It was on the back of the package of veggie burgers.

MUSHROOM LOVER'S FAJITAS

4 Morningstar Farms (R) Mushroom Lover's Burgers
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 green or red bell pepper, sliced
1 small onion, slivered
1/2 teaspoon fajita seasoning
2 teaspoons lime juice
 8 flour tortillas, warmed
Shredded lettuce, salsa and/or fat-free sour cream

Cut burger into 3/8-inch wide strips.  In large nonstick frypan heat oil.  Cook pepper and onion in oil until tender. Reduce heat to low.  Add strips. Sprinkle with fajita seasoning.  Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until strips are hot.  Drizzle lime juice over hot mixture.  Spoon into tortillas.  Top with lettuce, salsa and sour cream.  Roll up.

This recipe is from:       
                                              www.morningstarfarms.com