sweet summer fruit and basil salad

It’s one of the last weeks here on the cape to get sweet strawberries at the farmers’ market…get them while they last!

I got these beauties from Lucas, owner of Halcyon Farm in Brewster, MA.

sweet summer fruit and basil salad

This salad combines summertime fruits with baby kale, fresh basil, quinoa and goat cheese for a delicious and refreshing meal

…perfect for after a day at the beach!

Sweet Summer Fruit and Basil Salad 

1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled

1 cup watermelon, cubed

1 cup strawberries, sliced

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly shredded

goat cheese, crumbled

2-3 large handfuls of baby kale

Dressing

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

juice from 2 lemons

1 tablespoon shallot, finely chopped

1-2 tablespoons honey (depending on taste)

salt and pepper

sweet summer fruit and basil salad

-Combine quinoa, watermelon, strawberries, almonds and basil in a large bowl.

-Whisk together salad dressing ingredients, tasting and adding honey, salt and pepper as needed.

-Drizzle salad dressing over watermelon/strawberry mixture, tossing to coat.

-Place baby kale on a serving plate, top with watermelon/strawberry mixture and top with crumbled goat cheese.

-Enjoy!

sweet summer fruit and basil salad

Get out there and support your local farmers’ markets!!!  

Food that travels the least amount of distance from farm to fork is the healthiest to eat!

www.beginwithinnutrition.com

summertime salad with curry tahini dressing

Summer is in the air!!!

This bright, light and tasty salad contains colorful fruits, veggies and spices that will keep you energized on hot summer days!

The dressing is made with curry powder, which is a blend of spices most commonly used in Indian cuisine.  surprisingly, spices lend more than just flavor to foods.  Many contain compounds know to enhance health.  One of the spices that constitutes curry powder is turmeric.  One of the medicinal compounds in turmeric is curcumin.  It is an anti-inflammatory which eases pains, aches and diseases.  However, new research shows that it has the ability to improve insulin sensitivity reducing spikes in blood sugar levels.

Curry has a distinct flavor…some love it, others hate it.  I for one love it!

Try it out today!

Curry-Powder-1

Summertime Salad

(makes 2 salads)

2 large handfuls of greens

6 large strawberries, sliced

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup carrots, shredded

1 avocado, sliced

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup raisins

Curry Tahini Dressing

1/3 cup tahini

juice from 1 lemon

1/4-1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons curry powder

2 tablespoons maple syrup

salt and pepper to taste

~blend until frothy and drizzle over salad~

summertime salad with curry tahini dressing

www.beginwithinnutrition.com

coco-mango smoothie

After rummaging through the refrigerator this morning looking for a healthy breakfast this is what we came up with!

Ingredients:

1-2 cups coconut water

1 banana

1/2 cup almonds

1-2 cups baby spinach

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1 cup frozen mango

~blend and enjoy~

Not only do mangos taste great but they are loaded with cancer fighting antioxidants and vitamins.  Mangos have an abundance of enzymes which help with digestive health and fiber which helps with lowering cholesterol.  They also are packed with vitamin A and vitamin C which will keep your immune system running strong!  The almonds and coconut provide protein and healthy fats to keep you energized throughout the day!  This smoothie is so good you’ll forget it’s healthy!

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And the kids will love it too!