This might sound crazy to a lot of you. But a fresh tomato sandwich with tomatoes from the garden is awesomely delicious. Many people know what I am talking about here. But, not everybody. So, I am doing a post to help you non-tomato-sandwich people out there

A tomato sandwich is really simple. It’s a slice of bread with mayo, slices of “garden” tomato to fit on it, and some salt and pepper. Divine!! My mom came from a farm in Idaho and I grew up with tomato sandwiches made with tomatoes from her backyard garden. So, I know what I’m talking about.

Since then, I’ve learned a few things. My neighbor up the street has one of the only farms in Ivins, where I live. And, she loves tomato sandwiches too! But, she and her husband also put a slice of red onion down first, and they love that with it. So I tried that. And, now I’m in love with tomato/red onion sandwiches.

My daughter was in heaven the other day, when I bought some sourdough bread and avocado. She put some mashed avocado instead of mayo, then sliced garden tomatoes and some salt. She practically ate a half loaf or more of the sourdough bread making tomato sandwiches and raving about her delight.

It’s also great with some whole grain toast. If you use whole grain and toast your bread, you have less chance of becoming gluten sensitive. I like to slice my tomatoes about 1/2″ and the red onions about 1/4″, then use my favorite mayo, which can be one of those kinds with the olive oil or a tasty version of grapeseed oil Vegenaise from the health food store. Add some salt and pepper and…Delicious!!!

Best Tomato Sandwiches

Handed down through the centuries by farmers and compiled by Janet Hailstone

Garden tomatoes that are red and ripe and best picked fresh have a special, out-of -this-world taste that you won’t get from a store tomato ever.

• 1 slice of your choice bread or toast (sourdough, rye, or whole-grain is really good)
• your choice of mayo or 1/4 mashed avocado
• 1/4″ slice red onion, optional
• 1/2″ slices of a genuine, fresh, garden tomato
• salt and pepper to taste

Now, here is a nice little thought. Did you know that tomatoes have more protein per serving than a human actually needs. There is a Dr. Rose who did some massive studies on humans and actual protein needs, which you can check out on this link. The traditional American studies have been on rats and rats do need more protein than humans. They do grow faster on animal protein, but then they develop cancer in their livers from milk proteins (more info on this link).

A tomato sandwich helps you have a healthy heart and fights cancer while a beef sandwich promotes heart attacks, strokes, kidney stones, and cancer.

So, according to his studies, if you ate tomatoes all day, you would be getting too much protein. However, tomatoes don’t have energy-giving starch or fat so you’d probably lose weight or be sick of eating so many. No worries – most plant foods have sufficient protein in actuality. You don’t have to live off of tomatoes or the animals if you don’t want to.

I found that information in a book called Diet for a New America. Other foods that have more than the necessary amount of protein for humans were grains, beans, potatoes, and many vegetables like tomatoes, broccoli, yams, and asparagus, to name a few. Check out those links.

Here is what the Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Seeds for Healthful Living has to say about tomatoes.

The tomato is a natural antiseptic and protects against infection. Ample consumption of tomatoes is reported to improve the skin and purify the blood. It is also said to help cases of gout, rheumatism, tuberculosis, high blood pressure and sinus trouble. It has been indicated for cases of congestion of the liver as well as for dissolving of gallstones. It is also reported to relieve gas in the stomach, as well as colds and obesity. In addition, it is reported to help in the removal of pimples from the skin, and when applied externally as a poultice or when eaten is reported to relieve cases of ringworm. The nicotinic acid in tomatoes helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood, while the Vitamin K in tomatoes helps to prevent hemorrhages.

You have got to try a tomato sandwich this summer. It is the best thing ever. But, you can’t go buying a store tomato. It has to be a fresh, ripe tomato from a garden. I hope you have a friend with a garden, your own garden, or a farmer’s market close by. You have never tasted anything so good.