The Smell I Can't Resist and the Taste I Always Enjoy
From childhood memories to adult home scent tip and a refreshing juice for spring.
I went to Costco to buy frozen chicken tenders. It was supposed to be a quick in-and-out trip, but of course, as one does, I wandered into other sections. And that's when the smell hit me.
I love this smell so much that when I lived in Brazil a few years ago, I would buy this fruit just to fill the house with its tropical, tangy scent. I’d eat it 3+ days later, keeping the fragrance going for the longest stretch possible.
Today’s post was inspired by aroma, childhood memories, and flavors. The recipe brings with zero pretension to be the healthiest thing, just something refreshing and yummy.
Guava
My beloved goiaba! (in Portuguese).
Guava is abundant in Brazil because it grows in tropical and subtropical climates. It’s native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America. However, today, India is the largest producer, accounting for about 44% of global production.
In the U.S., Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico are the primary commercial guava producers.
Guavas come in various types, each with unique characteristics. Apple guava (psidium guajava) is the most common variety, with green or yellow skin and white or pink flesh.
I bought white flash guava too many times, thinking I was getting the pink ones, my favorite. That’s ok because the taste and smell are pretty much the same, but the visual appeal makes a difference for me.
One annoying (but totally forgiven) thing about guava is the seed. It’s ok to chew or swallow them; in fact, they have healthy nutrition of their own, but you don’t want to deal with them when drinking a juice, so straining is needed.
Also, if you discard them when eating the fruit, you’re missing out on the sweeter and creamier part of the fruit, so choices need to be made. Spitting out the seeds might also be part of how we eat guavas.
Still, totally worth it.
Guava health benefits:
It offers small amounts of vitamin A, folate, potassium, and magnesium, but it shines when it comes to:
Vitamin C: a single guava provides more than double the recommended daily intake, supporting immune health.
Dietary fiber: aids digestion and promotes regular bowel movements.
Vitamin C is one of those nutrients that works quietly but powerfully behind the scenes. It gives our immune system a boost by helping white blood cells do their job (fighting off infections and helping our bodies heal faster). It also supports our skin by encouraging collagen production, which keeps things firm, elastic and helps wounds close up quicker.
But that’s not all. Vitamin C helps our bodies absorb iron from plant-based foods; it’s good for our brain and heart health. It keeps our bones, cartilage, gums, and teeth strong.
Fiber is one of those everyday heroes in our diet. It keeps digestion on track by adding bulk to our stool, helping things move along smoothly and preventing constipation.
It also helps slow down how quickly sugar enters our bloodstream, which means more stable energy and better blood sugar control.
Fiber also shows up for our heart. It can help lower cholesterol and support healthy blood pressure, both of which reduce our risk of heart disease.
Hooray for guava being rich in those two key nutrients! 🤩
But just like with everything in life, don’t overindulge in it. 😉
I couldn’t find any research on this, but I’m sure guava perfume also impacts our health. For sure, it impacts my mood!
A simple juice. And yes, this one calls for a strainer, so you will miss out on some of the fiber, but not all of it. The juice still comes out creamy, fresh, fruity, and oh-so-good!
Guava Juice with Mint and Lime
Ingredients:
1 ripe guava, cut into chunks
Juice of 1/2 small lime
4 fresh mint leaves, torn
1 cup coconut water
Ice (as desired)
Instructions:
Cut the guava into small chunks
Squeeze the juice from 1/2 of a lime.
Tear the mint leaves to release their flavor.
Add guava, lime juice, mint, and coconut water to a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Strain the juice to remove the guava seeds.
Pour over ice, sip, and enjoy!
Tip: For extra chill vibes, freeze the coconut water into cubes ahead of time!
Do something just for the fun of it!
Life is full of lists. Work to-do lists. Grocery lists. School calendars. Bills to pay, meals to plan, floors to sweep. Most of our days are made up of tasks that need to be done right, on time, and without forgetting anything important. Even in our free time, we tend to default to what’s useful, productive, or necessary.
But when was the last time you did something just for fun? Something that didn’t need to be good, perfect, or useful in any way?
This week, I invite you to do something simply because it brings you joy. It can be small, messy, silly, or even completely random. Whatever it is, don’t think about the outcome or if it’s “worth” your time. Just do it for the fun of it.
No pressure. No results needed. Just joy.
Don’t overthink it either; sometimes, watching an unexpected show on TV is just the thing.
That’s all for today! Let me know your thoughts on this edition by replying to this email or leaving a comment in the Substack app.
Until next time,
