the desert – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Some things about the desert that I really like:

The saguaro — The majestic **saguaro** – you’ll find this type cactus only in southern Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico.

Cactus Cards by artist — Cactus Cards by local artist

The prickly pear which is really the fruit of the nopales cactus (cacti with beaver tail-like paddles) known to few, are actually quite edible. The juice is delicious – a cross between bubblegum and watermelon.

Prickly pear juice is often used to make jam or candy, but works wonders in cocktails and used in vinaigrettes for salads. Be warned though with the ones fresh off the cactus. Unlike those found in markets where the tiny hair-like thorns have been cleaned, these are quite sharp to handle. The chipmunk knows how.

Many Mexican markets, farmers markets, and some natural food supermarkets carry prickly pears, but you can find these plants growing in California, the Southwest, Mexico, and the Mediterranean.