Can you tell my summerhas a back-to-the-basics theme thus far? While I've done my fair share of cooking at home, my meals have all been marked by a thorough sense of simplicity. Smoothies and cereal for breakfast, avocado-hummus sandwiches and kale salads for lunch, and whatever is on the family menu for dinner.

And iced coffee. Oh my lanta, yes the iced coffee.

Honestly, I'd been mulling over posting for the past few days, but I found myself tickled with an odd realization. I haven't really been in the mood to post all my daily food. Sure, doing a day-in-the-life post from time to time is fun, but I've been faced with dwindling motivation to post a scrupulous description of what I eat daily. (Heck, ya'll know what that looks like! It means a whole lot of salad and sweet potatoes.)

But actually.

This realization has led me to avoid blogging to some degree here. I miss it, but I honestly don't miss taking a picture of every, single thing I eat. In addition to being somewhat boring, it's made me come to see just how much people will use what is posted on blogs as a standard for comparison. As much as I personally believe in healthy living, I hate the idea that people may have looked at my blog and thought of me as a food snob or someone who is "holier than thou" because of the way I eat. This couldn't be farther from the truth.

So where does this leave me?

LATAH SKATERS.

(...just kidding.)

With less than a week until I leave for Google and just about three months until I leave for France, I have plenty to share. My own crazy recipes to post for the enjoyment of family, friends, and the world. A shizz ton of andom musings to share. And a few choice pictures.

Food is a huge part of my life, so that won't be going away anytime soon. We'll just be shifting gears a bit. Going back-to-the-basics and kickin' it like it's 1987. Googling it and seeing just where that search takes me. Getting French and funky.

You know--the usual.

Okay, enough blabbering. Let's salad.

I'll be first to say that I'm not a huge fan of salad dressing. I like the taste of vegetables, and shamelessly masking their natural flavor with some mayo-based concoction often seems like heresy to me. That being said, if the dressing compliments the salad rather than overtaking it, I can be skeptically convinced. It doesn't happen super frequently, but every now and then, I find a fave or too.

Enter the world's best easy basic vinaigrette. Tangy like the tango I'm currently having with bright yellow nail polish. Complimentary like a dash of iced coffee + milk. And basic, like the relationship I'm currently having with wearing bathing suits like it's my uniform. (Isn't it?)

This vinaigrette rocks my world, and I'd be willing to bet it'll rock yours too. I've used this dressing or a variation of it on countless lunches and dinners for the past week.

It can be used on just about any salad or as a marinade. And most importantly, it can be made, eaten, and stored...all while shamelessly sandy in a bikini.

In other words, basically essential.

The Best Basic Easy Vinaigrette

This isn't just salad dressing. It's a kitchen staple on steroids. There's no wonky ingredients or instructions. It's versatile and flexible, yet wonderfully complex. And all ya need is a jar! Does it get any better? Only if bathing suits are involved...

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried itlian seasoning - may also use fres (basil, oregano, rosemary - any combo will do)
1 tsp Dijon msutard
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tbsp water

Place all dressing ingredients in a medium-sized jar. SHAKE!!! Shake like you mean it. And do a little booty shakin' while you're at it. Use on salads, fish, pasta salad, etc.

I love the white wine vinegar here, but I understand that not everyone has it. You can use fresh lemon juice (great!), red wine vinegar, or another light vinegar, but use white wine if you get a chance! Balsamic may be subbed as well, but it will change the dressing accordingly. Also feel free to use fresh herbs if you're feeling funky fresh. :)