Sandra's Sun-Dried Tomato Salad

Looking for a tasty, healthy delicious salad with a bit of kick...Here is the perfect one. This is a "Sandra" special...Keep in mind that you can leave out the peppers if spicy is not for you. You will still enjoy all the different flavors and textures in this salad...Happy healthy eating! (I hardly ever measure when I cook, so these are estimations...This will serve 1-2 people)




Sandra's Sun-Dried Tomato Salad
1/2 cup of finely chopped Spinach
1/2 cup of finely chopped Romaine Lettuce
1/4 to 1/2 chopped Avocado
1/4 cup of frozen peas (thawed)
1/4 cup of frozen corn (thawed)
1-2 chopped mushrooms
1 peeled and chopped Kiwi
1/4 cup of Sun-dried Tomatoes
Chopped Jalapeno (according to taste)
Handful of slivered Almonds or nuts of your choice
Handful of Raisins
A squeeze of Lime
Garlic Powder, (or chopped Garlic Clove), Black Pepper
A little low-fat Sesame Ginger Dressing (or other of your choice)
1-2 Tablespoon of Mango Salsa (Or regular mild or hot salsa)

I like to layer all the ingredients on my plate (toss everything in a bowl if you are making salad for several people)...Next squeeze on a little Lime (Lime is pretty tart so only a little), then sprinkle on Garlic and Black Pepper, and Sesame Ginger dressing...Finally add Mango Salsa on top...This makes a beautiful and tasty salad...Enjoy

Tips...Substitute different veggies like Bell Beppers, Zucchini etc...Use Pineapple or Oranges instead of Kiwis...try different seasonings...Add Black Beans or Kidney Beans.

Love and Blessings
Sandra

Healthy Recipe - Black Bean and Kiwi Salad

Hi all...Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!...Hope yours are going great!...

I am still doing my Holiday Healthy Eating Challenge. Although I am enjoying some holiday foods in moderation, I am making sure to exercise and eat plenty of fruits and veggies...The one thing I am not eating is sweets and desserts (except for an occasional vegan dessert) with no butter, white sugar, or eggs...And I love to make fruit sorbet or dessert smoothies in my Vitamix. I am learning that there are some great desserts that taste good and will not be destructive to my health. I'll share some later...Sugar can be very addictive and habit forming for some people. It took me years to realize that was the case for me. It sounds ridiculous, but when I start eating sugar it seems as if the more I eat, the more I crave. I would love to be able to eat some pie, cake and cookies but that doesn't work for me at this time. Maybe never. Anyway here is a salad that I love to make. You can add or remove different veggies according to your own personal taste...

Here is something to keep in mind...I use kale and spinach in this recipe. I like to chop them both really fine and thin. It makes the Kale taste better and it is easier for your body to absorb the nutrients from them. So unless you like your veggies chunky, I would recommend chopping them pretty fine. It may take a while for you to get accustom to the taste of Kale...It can be a bit strong at first...But keep trying it (a little at a time) because it is very good for you...

Black Bean and Kiwi Salad

Black Bean and Kiwi Salad
2-3 Cups of finely chopped Spinach
3-4 Leaves of finely chopped Kale - remove stems
1/2 cup or more of frozen corn (thawed)
1/2 cup or more of frozen green peas (thawed)
1 Avocado chopped
1-2 Kiwis peeled and chopped
Chopped red onion (according to preference)
1 can of Black Beans (low sodium, rinsed and drained)
Black Pepper and Garlic Powder to season
Juice from 1 Lime
Squeeze or 2 of Lemon

Add all ingredients together in bowl and stir...Best when allowed to chill and set for 30 minutes to an hour, but can be eaten immediately. Also you may want to add a litte of your favorite salad dressings to the mix.

Optional: chopped mango, raisans or dried cranberries, tomatoes, jalapenos, red or green peppers, romaine lettuce, dash of cayenne, salt or paprika,  

Keep working on your health even during "The Most Wonderful Time of The Year"...
Sandra

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Thanks for Visiting!! 

Grass and soil??

Here's to your health! Drink up!

HaHa...It's amazing the funny things people say when they see or hear about a "Green Smoothie." This weekend I had some good friends of mine over for dinner. We got to talking about healthy eating...I mentioned to them how I have a Green Smoothie almost everyday and how much better I feel plus I have dropped a few pounds. (You know that I am so glad about that and thanking Jesus)! You should have seen the looks on their faces because they just knew that Green Smoothies must taste horrible and aweful. So I set out to prove them wrong! I decided after dinner that I would make them one of my best smoothies...They were having Ice Cream and I would have smoothie for dessert and give them a taste.

It was hilarious...My friends later told me that they were not looking forward to it but were gonna try it 'for me.' They were sure that it would taste like "grass and soil" and they planned on saving their Ice Cream to use as a 'chaser' to wash the horrible taste of my smoothie out of their mouth!! How funny is that! Needless to say once I convinced them to taste it, they LOVED it and would never have imagined that spinach and kale could taste so good.
 


This grass and soil taste really good!!!

And you won't believe it either until you try it...So that's my challenge to you: Try a good green health smoothie...It's great for your health, complexion, energy, well being, etc...What other reason do you need to try it?:) Go for it!! You will need a good blender to mix it up well...

I made a believer out of her!

 So here is my personal recipe for my Breakfast Smoothie (although you can drink any time of day)
1 cup of Carrot Juice
Splash of Pomegrante Juice
2 Handfuls of Spinach
1-2 leaves of Kale (Collards are also good)
1/2 or more frozen Banana
Handful of frozen Strawberries (or any kind of frozen berries, pineapple, mango, etc...mix it up)
1 apple or orange

Optional...Flaxseed, nuts, water, few pieces of frozen brocolli or cucumber...experiment)

You will totally love this smoothie and the energy that it gives you...

Health in a glass! I love it!

Enjoy as you drink your way to better health!
Sandra

Leave a comment and let me know if you try it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving with good food and loved ones! It was great at our house...We had family and good friends over to share food, games, and even a good nap!

When I am cooking my Thanksgiving Dinner I always love to put on Christmas music or watch a Hallmark Christmas movie...Okay yes I admitt it...I am a total sapp...I love feel good movies with a good ending...And I love the spirit of love and joy that is so tangible during the Holidays...My husband David prepared a Cajun Fried Turkey...Umm umm good is all I can say! That was my Thanksgiving splurge...



As I have said before, I am from the south (where we fry and put gravy on everything) and come from a family that loves to cook and enjoy food. I still love good food but I am learning that it has to be healthy AND good...Not just good! Years ago I would cook all kinds of rich, creamy, high calorie, high carb foods for my Thanksgiving meal; but now my meal is still great but with less high fat and high carb foods and more simple veggies and fruits. It took a change in my thinking but it's happening. Here is my Thanksgiving menu:

Fried Turkey
Seasoned Green Beans
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Kiwi and Spinach Salad
Asian Noodle Salad
Stuffing
Fruit Salad
Sweet Potato Pie


Anyway it's all about being thankful to God and recognizing the blessings all around us...No matter where you are or what your circumstances are, keep enjoying your holidays!!

Sandra


 Tell me, how did you celebrate your Thanksgiving and what's your favorite Thanksgiving recipe or memory...I would love to know! Leave a comment below...

Thanks for visiting!

Holiday Healthy Eating Challenge

You know how you always find yourself on the other side of Christmas, after New Years with a few pounds more than when you started. You know what I am talking about, "Holiday weight gain." Well at least that is what happens on my end! I hate it...And sometimes those pounds are pretty stubborn at taking a hike. In fact some of them have been my constant companion for a few years, which is not good. Well this year I decided to do something more then just wish that I wouldn't gain weigh or lose my mind and overeat everything in site! Come on! I will feel so much better if you tell me that you have done the same thing...Anyway this year I decided to be proactive.



My Breakfast Green Smoothie

Last year I discovered an amazing book called "Eat To Live" written by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I love this book because it is not some crazy fad diet but great information on food, and it's effect on the body, good and bad, and how to use food to heal your body and bring it to it's proper weight. As I said I love this book and have learned so much from it and have implemented many of his suggestions in my life.

So, getting back to the holiday weight gain thing, every year Dr. Fuhrman initiates what's called the "Holiday Healthy Eating Challenge." Instead of over-indulging on too much sugary, fat-laden, unhealthy foods I do the opposite and focus on eating as much healthy, nutrient rich fruits and veggies as possible. (Now you see why it is called a "challenge" in the middle of the holiday season!) But honestly it is not a big challenge for me. (I can't believe that I just said that! Miracles do happen). The reason being that for the past few months my eating syle has changed. I started eating and making more nutrient dense foods and recipes earlier in the year and my appetite is totally changing. I haven't eaten sugary desserts for awhile and I am not...More about that in another post. The challenge goes from November 19 - Jan 8. I am really excited about it...My breakfast is usually a green smoothie with a combination of fruits, spinach and kale etc mixed in my vitamix...My lunch is usually some sort of bean salad with a combination of any salad fixings and beans on top...My dinner is usually a huge green salad with fruit or a delicious veggie soup or veggie casserole...

My Black Bean Salad

So stick with me as I continue this challenge and feel free to join me if it works for you...

Disclaimer: I am not in anyway in the medical field. I am just sharing what I find that works for me...Check with your doctor before starting any sort of eating or exercise program.

Leave me a comment below...

Happy Eating!
Sandra

My Kiwi Salad and Salsa