'Shake' it up Baby!

If you like starting your day with fruit (like I do), a great way to do this is to drink your breakfast...all you need is a blender, some frozen bananas, creativity, and you're good to go!

When your bananas get brown after several days of being out, peel and freeze, so you always have some on hand...also keep a few strawberries, pieces of pineapple, mango and papaya in the freezer to make your shakes extra delicious.

Some tips and tricks...

• Add water to get the shake going in the blender, no need for milk.
• The fruit is sweet enough, no need for honey or sugar.
• A handful of spinach thrown in is a great way to get more iron & extra vitamins in... it makes your shake green but isn't everything going green these days?
• Mint tastes delicious in a shake.
• A drop of vanilla adds 'yum' to it.
• A spoonful of tahini (sesame paste) gives a special flavor.
• Fresh squeezed orange juice is a good base.
• A few walnuts add a great taste plus Omega 3 to your shake.
• Some crushed flax seeds also add Omega 3 and is good for your heart.
• Coconut adds a special flavor (unsweetened, organic is best).
• Adding one tsp of Carob powder makes a real treat.
• Any kind of berries - strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries - add great flavor.

The cup or glass you drink from makes a difference- should be strong and elegant, with a straw!

On a hot day blend crushed ice with watermelon pieces (seedless) - it is a very tasty and refreshing Summer drink that you can make in less than 30 seconds.

Blended salads are a great way to eat healthy when you're on the go...no need for chopping a lot and you get even better nutrition by drinking it rather than chewing...throw in a pepper, tomato, cucumber, sliced avocado some parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, seasonings and blend baby blend!...experiment with other veggies, add lettuce or spinach for extra green...tastes delicious and very refreshing, kind of like drinking salsa or gazpacho.

Enjoy & Bon Appetit!

Tomato-Basil Salad

Here's a recent favorite dish of mine, Tomato-Basil salad. It's a very simple recipe, but there's just something about the combination of flavors that's absolutely divine!

Ingredients:

Vine-ripe tomatoes - chopped

Fresh basil leaves - chopped

Extra-virgin olive oil

Ume plum vinegar or balsamic vinegar

Measurements are up to you, depending on how many you are serving and your personal taste. Make it ahead and marinate for several hours.

This salad is perfect on it's own, in a pita with hummus, or mixed with quinoa, pasta or rice.

Hope you try it.

Wishing you blessings and excellent health!

Loving Salad & 'Dressing for Success'

Salad is my very favorite food in the whole world. There, I've said it. I have always loved creating and eating salad...I could eat salad for lunch and dinner every day and never tire of it.

It's the first item I make when preparing a meal for my family and guests, and my mainstay for picnics and 'potlucks'.
For me, a 'basic' salad includes romaine lettuce, spinach, shredded carrots, diced tomatoes, peppers, & cucumbers.

I really love tabouli salad, and lately I've been making it 'bulghar free' by just mixing diced tomatoes, peppers, & cucumbers with finely chopped parsley, mint, lettuce & spinach (use the 'S' blade on your food processor to chop all the greens quickly and effortlessly) and then mix with olive oil and lemon/lime juice, a little sea salt & pepper, (garlic & onions optional). It is SO delicious and you can eat as much as you want!

Making a salad can bring out the 'artist' in anyone - you can be creative, spontaneous, experiment with color & texture, and 'throw' in whatever strikes you, and slice, dice, chop, shred, mince...

I find it relaxing, almost meditative, and really enjoy the process...listening to good music is a plus, and finding 'helpers' make things go quicker...I especially love working with my girls - Annette & Bettina - they are a great help all around, and have become experts in dicing...we have fun and a lot of love goes into everything we make.

There are so many options for 'adorning' a salad...alfalfa and bean sprouts are refreshing, sprouted lentils are delicious and crunchy, as are fresh corn kernels, fresh peas and chopped nuts...go 'crazy' by adding shredded coconut, chopped apples, jicima, tiny pieces of fresh pineapple, green or black olives, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, chick peas, avocado, tofu, raisins, (soak your raisins in water for 10 minutes to be plump)...the list goes on and on.

Any lightly steamed vegetable goes well in a salad, like broccoli & cauliflower florets, string beans, beets, zucchini...

'Dressing' a salad is most important...I usually use a blender and start with extra virgin olive oil and lemon or lime juice...most of the time I don't follow a particular recipe.

You can create your very own 'house dressings' by stocking up on and combining the ingredients listed below...have fun experimenting!

Extra virgin olive oil
Juice from a lemon/lime
Bragg liquid aminos http://www.bragg.com/ or soy sauce
Parsley
Mint
Dill
Oregano
Basil
Agave or honey
Fresh garlic
Black pepper
Sea salt
Onion powder
Cayenne powder
Curry powder
Ginger powder or fresh
Dijon mustard
Tahini (sesame paste)

• Homemade dressings last for at least 3 days and are so much healthier, tastier and cheaper than store-bought, and they don't include MSG and other ingredients we should stay away from.
  
• Soaked raw cashews or silky tofu mixed in with any of these ingredients gives it thickness and a ranch-like taste, especially with onion or onion powder.
• Check on line for recipes for dressings with your favorite ingredients, there are 1000's!
  

You may not want to take the time to make a salad and dressing, all that chopping, cleaning the food processor, blender, etc..you're busy, tired, wanna grab something quick...but if you create good habits by filling your fridge with an abundance of greens, veggies and herbs, and get organized by preparing certain things beforehand - you will feel so good, save a lot of money, and reap the health rewards big time.

Bon Appetit!