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Simple Arugula Summer Salad

8/26/2013

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Simple, refreshing & oh so healthy!  You can throw this salad together in no time flat with just a bag or box of organic arugula, the juice of 1/2 a grapefruit, shredded Parmesan cheese and a little olive oil . I adapted it from a raw kale salad I make pretty often & the results with the arugula were equally as good, if not better. In fact, my biggest recipe fan & critic (my boyfriend) was the one who requested I try substituting arugula for the kale.  Good suggestion Manny! Hope you enjoy it too ;)

How to make it:

~1 bag or box of organic Arugula ( usually 5 - 8 oz box/bag)
~Juice of 1/2 of a ruby red grapefruit
~1/4 cup of olive oil
~1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan
~2 TBSP of finely chopped shallots (optional, I've made it with and without and they are both good)


1. Get a large mixing bowl and toss the Arugula into the bowl.
2. Whisk together the grapefruit juice & olive oil in a small bowl. (If using shallots whisk those in too)
3. Pour grapefruit juice & olive oil mixture over arugula.
4. Toss gently with tongs.
5. Add Parmesan cheese & toss again.


You can chill it in the fridge for a bit before serving or serve immediately, your choice.

Easy as that! Serve it up with a slice of grapefruit as garnish & enjoy!

 
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Arugula ~ AKA~ Eruca Sativa & Rocket Salad ~is a leafy green that is in the same family as Kale, Cabbage & mustard greens.  It has a wonderful peppery spiciness to it and it hailed for its cleansing/detoxifying/cooling effects. It's bitterness is balanced by the sweet/sour taste of the grapefruit juice in this recipe. It is loaded with antioxidants, Vitamins A, C & K, phytochemicals & minerals, including folate. A great addition to your summer menu as it has hydrating & cooling properties.
Grapefruit ~ AKA~ Citrus paradisi~ loaded with Vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system.  So fitting its scientific name represents paradise, as that's where the fruit originated, in the Caribbean. This jewel of a fruit is also packed with Vitamin A, beta-carotene & Lycopene. The Lycopene is what is responsible for the pink color of the flesh of the fruit.  Lycopene also gives the body a natural protection against UV rays from the sun as well as helps protect men from prostate cancer.
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references: 
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/arugula.html
http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/21/why-you-should-be-eating-more-arugula/
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/grapefruit.html
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'Honeydew Heaven' An icy refresher for those blistering end of August days!

8/22/2013

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So here we are, it's August already.  Boy has this summer just flown on by.  With a move cross-country and settling into a new home it feels as if the season has just *poof* disappeared! But boy are we still feeling the heat.  Dog days of summer are here!

Since it's our first summer in Florida we were a little nervous about how hot it would really get. We got heckled by so many about how crazy we were to make a move to Florida in the dead of summer, but so far we are doing surprisingly well handling the heat & humidity.  The summer here in Florida reminds me of my childhood summers in CT, except in CT the heat wave eventually broke and we had some days of 70-80 degree temps.  I can now equate a Florida summer to one long CT heatwave ;)  But that's ok, It's just nature's way of slowing things down, taking a breather and giving us an opportunity to indulge in the sweetness that summer has to offer. And oh the sweetness that is to be offered: melons, nectarines, peaches, plums, berries and so much more are all so abundant at Farmers markets and groceries this time of year. So grab some and gobble them up in whatever ways your hearts desire. 

Moving from San Diego this heat is quite a change from the cool nights and refreshing ocean breezes we were once used to during the summer months.  But I love the warm nights sitting on our screened in porch (because yes the bugs are a new pleasantry as well). I love the thunderstorms that rattle the house, the lightening that creates its own amazingly unique spectacle in the sky & the driving rain that comes down in sheets and then stops as quickly as it starts.  

Nonetheless, I am embracing the heat and finding ways to keep & stay cool.  One of the ways I have been doing that is by making a variety of icy fruit refreshers.  I just kind of willy nilly chuck stuff in the blender, hit liquefy and see what deliciously divine concoction emerges.  


Ice cold beverages do wonders to bring our body temps down and keep them there for a bit. That and a dip in the pool sure does help, although that too has reached a temp of 93 degrees. And I must say I appreciate air conditioning more now then ever before in my life! You can also creat your own personal AC by practicing a yogic breathing technique called 'Shitali Pranayama'. 


Laura Plumb, my mentor/teacher and Ayurvedic genius, posted a watermelon drink on her blog, Food: A Love Story, which you should also check out.  That post inspired me to try making some of my own variations of a refreshing summer drink to beat the heat. 


So what are you waiting for? Summer's almost over...better go grab some fruit and ice and get to blending up some refreshing combinations of your own.  Don't be too worried about how many cups of fruit or ice or water, just have fun creating something surprisingly delicious with fruits you love. Really, you can't screw this up. Enjoy!


'Honeydew Heaven Refresher' 

2 Cups of  honeydew melon or cantaloupe (cut into about 1 inch pieces)
1 Cup of Coconut Water
1 1/2 Cups of Ice
a few sprigs of mints

Toss all the ingredients into a blender and blend well until all fruit and ice chunks have been incorporated.  Pour into a glass & garnish with a few more sprigs of mint. Delicious & so refreshing!

You can also do variations of this with other fruits as well.  I substituted strawberries for the melon and it to was an amazingly refreshing, tasty treat. 

Makes about 4 servings.  Hope you enjoy as much as I did!


Did you know? 

MINT~ Mint is amazing! It has so many health benefits. It facilitates digestion, but can also soothe indigestion and inflammation in the stomach as well as helping stem nausea.  A whiff of mint can also cure a headache and help alleviate congestion in the nose, chest or lungs and is helpful for respiratory infections. Want to learn more about the benefits of mint? Check out this link all about the amazing health benefits of Mint!
MELON~ Packed full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help to prevent cancer, keep eyes young and healthy, boosts your immune system with a whopping dose of Vitamin -C, the beta-carotene and Vitamin A in melons helps to keep skin healthy and strong by increasing the rate of cell re-growth and repair. you can get more info on the healthy benefits of eating melon here.



2 Comments
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    Jamie Rollins

    Lover of animals, nature, food & people.  A bit of a hippie dippy at heart who enjoys cooking, traveling, volleyball, yoga & painting. I'm also a Deep Yoga instructor and an RN who is passionate about health, nutrition & empowering others to take charge of their wellness.  I love a good adventure and so far this life has not disappointed.  I want to use this blog to share recipes of mine and of others, quotes, health news and anything else that peaks my interest. Enjoy! Namaste friends~

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