Pear Super Salad with Raspberry Dressing
yields: 1 serving
E: We resurrected this salad recipe from a few months ago. This was before I stopped eating dairy products and meat. I would still make this salad, but I would add some walnuts, and maybe some stonefruit like nectarines and maybe some apples, and a tiny bit of thinly sliced red onions. That’s the beauty about salads, you can add whatever you like.
E: My sweet parents visited a few weeks ago. My mom made this side salad which also has jicama and cucumber in it. You’ll see from the picture of my mother that we had the jicama,cucumber next to the salad bowl. We didn’t mix it in because my husband doesn’t like jicama or cucumber. Weirdo. But let me tell you, the jicama was crunchy and sweet. The tomatoes, cilantro and avocado were perfect for the tacos we were eating too. Enjoy.
Ceviche de Mahi Mahi
E: I love having ceviche on hot summer days. All you need are some healthy crackers, and some hot sauce like tapatio and you are good to go. Yum! Aside from the wonderful taste of ceviche, I like making it because it is a meal I can make ahead of time and can be made without dirtying up the stove or pans. It’s a one-pot meal so to speak. The only caveat is that the fish cooks by way of acidity from the lemon so it needs time for the cells to be denatured. The smaller you cut the fish, the quicker it will cook. However, I’m a big fan of ahi-tuna and sushi so I don’t mind the big chunks of fish, and don’t mind if they are slightly undercooked.
E: I highly recommend this smoothie. The burst of tropical fruit early in the morning really wakes you up and encourages you to start your day. Plus, it’s fully loaded with fiber, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. You will not be disappointed.
Research has shown that mango has antioxidant compounds which have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers. Pineapple is good because it has a lot of fiber. A diet high in fiber helps reduce risk of constipation, heart disease, and possibly cancer. Plus the fiber keeps you full and can help you lose weight. Bananas have high potassium content and they are an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function.
Pico De Gallo (Salsa Fresca)
E:Pico de Gallo is diced veggies small enough to resemble “rooster food.” You can add “Pico” to almost anything and can make it part of a healthy snack by eating it with some crackers and avocado. It’s great for huevos rancheros. Growing up, on most Sundays after church we would stop by the Mexican market to buy “carnitas.” As soon as we got home, mom was in charge of prepping the meat and making a salsa verde or roja, and us girls would start cutting the veggies to make Pico de Gallo. Biting into a juicy taco with hints of cilantro and serrano and a warm tortilla will always bring me back to those Sunday brunches with my family.
Chinese Chicken Salad
yields: 4 generous servings
E: Kudos to me for running on the treadmill today and eating this healthy salad for dinner. I’m trying to be healthier about by physical activity and my eating. Today I even woke up early to make myself a green juice smoothie, and do a 15-minute workout from Women’s Health Magazine. My sister Maggie and I are constantly sending each other our meals throughout the day, and pictures of ourselves at the gym to motivate each other. The same goes for my sister Sandra. Today, naturally, I sent them a picture of this salad. Ha ha. What do you do to ensure you reach your health goals? Perhaps make this salad for dinner tonight? You can’t go wrong.
Avocado on Toast with Chickpea-Tomato-Basil Salad
1 serving
E: I went on a long walk yesterday morning. When I got back from my walk I was pretty tired and hungry. I didn’t feel like eating eggs. My immediate go to breakfast is a healthy slice of whole-grain bread with a thin layer of avocado sprinkled with maldon salt and red pepper flakes for some spice. I decided to top it with some leftover salad I had from Friday night. I ate it with some super sweet black-berries and a homemade vanilla chai latte. When I sat down to eat, Sam was still sleeping so I had a few minutes to myself for reflection. I hope you have a great meal too.
Skinny Banana Nut Breakfast Muffins
E: It’s sunday evening. I’m catching up on my shows. We had my husband’s family over to watch the first game of second round of playoffs. Warriors won. I made these yesterday morning. This recipe is my idea of a healthier banana nut bread. Mostly, I try to stay away from granulated sugar and white flour. If you want to make it healthier you can substitute the butter with vegetable oil. I also made alf with nuts, and half without. When Sam tried them, he couldn’t even tell I used healthier substitutes. Success!
These whole grain muffins are a great for those busy mornings when you don’t have time to make a huge breakfast. It’s easy because it takes one bowl and one muffin tin. There is nearly no clean-up. You can set them in the oven and for about half an hour do other chores around the house. Once they are ready you can enjoy with a warm cup of chai-latte or coffee.
Clean Crepes with Fruit
serving size: 2 crepes
yields: 2 servings
calories per serving: 338
nutritional info: protein 13 grams; fat 10 grams; fiber 8 grams; carbs 51; sugar 9 grams
E: There is no way to fool my body when it comes to sugar and dairy consumption. Any type of food that is high on the glycemic index wreaks havoc on my skin. This means that I usually avoid dairy, sugar, and grains like white rice and white flour. This is why I substituted the sugar with maple, the white flour with wheat flour, and the cow’s milk with soy-free unsweetened almond-coconut milk. Top these with your favorite fruit. I highly suggest making these for your guests. Add some cinnamon sticks as decor for your presentation. As we say in spanish, “Buen provecho.”
