October 8, 2024

Arugula Salad with Feta, Pine Nuts, and Berries

The feta cheese in the salad provides protein and calcium. Hint: if you can buy the feta in bulk from a Greek, Persian, or other Middle Eastern deli, do it! Packaged feta will do, but feta from the deli case tastes better. Pine nuts are a good source of B vitamins, folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and manganese. You can buy pine nuts pre-toasted. Leafy green arugula and extra virgin olive oil provide anti-inflammatory properties as do the berries. The salty feta and the sweet berries play beautifully together! Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup Greek feta cheese, cubed ½ cup extra […]
August 12, 2024

This Berry Salad Is Colorful AND Refreshing

Aztec Berry Salad With Chia Dressing The Aztecs recorded using chia seeds as far back as 1540. This colorful and refreshing salad is perfect for summer afternoons and evenings. Serve this salad as a starter, side dish, or light summer meal. Benefits: Chia seeds provide energy in the form of healthy fats (including anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids) and plant-based protein. Fresh, seasonal berries provide a concentrated source of beneficial antioxidants such as vitamin C and anthocyanins, which improve capillary function in the brain, eyes, and skin. SERVES 4 Ingredients For the salad 2 cups (packed) roughly chopped baby spinach 1 […]
July 2, 2024

Southwestern Flavors Enhance This Black Bean Salad

Black Bean Salad Black beans and pasilla chiles give this salad a Southwestern flavor, and red rice makes it fun and different. A lime vinaigrette brings it all together. You can use regular wild rice and store-bought corn. Black beans and wild rice both have protein for building muscles, bones, and blood, and fiber for gut health. Red rice also contains anthocyanins, antioxidants that protect the heart. The red pepper adds lots of the antioxidants vitamin A and C, which contribute to healthy, youthful-looking skin. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained ½ cup cooked red rice […]
May 7, 2024

 Make a Beet and Potato Salad with a Twist

Beet and Potato Salad This recipe is my take on the Russian version of potato salad. The wonderful deep-purple color of beets signifies the presence of helpful betalains, which are phytonutrients that support your body’s detoxification systems. Beets are also a great source of folate and fiber. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin-C. Serve 6 Ingredients 6 medium red beets, skin on 8 quartered small white potatoes 1⁄4 lb. diced carrots 1⁄4 lb. diced string beans 1 cup white wine vinegar 1⁄4 cup sugar 2 tsp. kosher salt 1⁄4 tsp. white pepper 1 seeded, peeled, and […]
April 23, 2024

Wild Rice and Quinoa Salad Makes a Tasty, Filling Dish

This hearty, filling salad has a nice mix of textures thanks to the chewy grains, crunchy raw vegetables, and soft-cooked vegetables. The vinaigrette and dried golden berries add a sweet-sour tang. You can chill this salad for an hour or two to let the flavors blend, but I typically serve it right away. BENEFITS: Whole grains like brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa provide detoxifying fiber, which keeps you feeling full to help you lose weight. Quinoa and wild rice are good sources of Omega-3s, which keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Golden berries and red bell peppers contain […]
February 20, 2024

Energy-Boosting Beet Salad Is All Go-Power

Nordic Beet Salad Today, beets are having their moment. Scandinavians, however, have been eating them for centuries. They also love their sea buckthorn berries, which aren’t as well known, made into pies or juice. You can find sea buckthorn juice online, or purchase sea buckthorn powder and mix it with water to create a juice, or simply substitute orange juice. If you have time, make the dressing and roast the beets the day before. Then toss the beets in the dressing and marinate them overnight. Benefits Beets and particularly beetroot-juice products may improve athletic performance and treat chronic disease. Beets […]
February 13, 2024

Apple Barley Salad Delivers Fiber & Detoxing

Apple Barley Salad Barley is a great source of detoxifying fiber, B vitamins, and selenium. I pair it with apples in this bright, crunchy salad. For the corn kernels, I prefer fresh-roasted corn, but you can use thawed frozen corn kernels, too.  The apples can be any variety or color that you like, or even a combination. All apples contain quercetin, a compound that helps support the immune system, thereby “keeping the doctor away.” Raisins provide antioxidants and resveratrol, the same heart-healthy compound found in red wine. My Honey-Lime Dressing increases the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunity-boosting components of this recipe. […]
October 10, 2023

Falling for Roasted Veggie Panzanella Salad

A twist on the traditional panzanella salad using fall vegetables and homemade whole-grain croutons. This is the perfect salad for adding to your fall harvest table! The sweet potatoes have immune-boosting carotenoids. The Brussels sprouts have disease-preventing sulfur compounds. Ingredients For the roasted vegetables: 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes 8 Brussels sprouts, halved, ends trimmed and outer leaves removed 4-6 smashed garlic cloves 2 Tbs. olive oil Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste For the croutons: Small loaf of whole grain bread, cut into 1 inch cubes 2 Tbs. olive oil 5 Tbs. […]
September 13, 2023

Okinawan Sweet & Spicy Soba Rainbow Salad

This recipe is also from Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World. It features Japanese soba noodles, which are made from buckwheat flour and contain 8 grams of protein per serving. The vegetables add lots of vitamins and minerals and make this salad filling and satisfying. For a main course, toss in some cooked, shredded chicken breast or cooked shrimp. Benefits Buckwheat is full of vitamin E, which supports healthy brain function, as do its omega-3 fatty acids and tryptophan. Bok choy offers indoles, a sulfur compound that neutralizes carcinogens, and nitrate, which can help reduce blood pressure. Shiitake mushrooms contain detoxifying selenium […]