Christmas Salad Slaw

                          























I wanted to share this festive salad that we ate on Christmas day last year. It as healthy as it is beautiful. 

Of course it will serve your gluten free, diary free, and vegan guests.


It contains bunches of rich dark green kale mixed with chopped red radicchio, strands of grated snow white cabbage, candied dried cranberries, and a variety of seeds and nuts.  This colorful combination is then tossed in a sweet creamy citrus dressing.

 Vegan, Gluten Free, and exotic,   this special salad is welcome at any celebration, but the rich red and green presentation makes it perfect for Christmas.

We had a vegetarian brunch on Christmas day and my cousin Elaine brought this salad slaw. Elaine is a fabulous cook and  always makes wonderful salad and vegetable recipes, so of course I asked for the recipe.

Salad:
1 large bunch of curly kale, washed,  ribs removed,  and chopped. 
1/2 cup chopped escarole
1 cup of grated white cabbage
1 cup red raddichio, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup of walnuts

Dressing.

1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 teaspoon of mayo ( just  a drop) can use vegan mayo
poppy seeds , salt and pepper to taste
mix well toss on salad...



                      

May be shared on some of My blog carnival list Plus 

including  . Souper Sunday .  Free Homemaker 

Allergy Free Wednesday and Wildcrafting Wednesday 

Saturday Shares : Gluten Free A-Z Blog

DIY Link Party Party Mindie Style; ; Strut Your Stuff Saturday; Show Stopper Saturday   Saturday Night Fever  Say G'day  Simple Saturday  Pinterest blog carnival ( called to be a mom) Savoring Saturdays Super Saturday @ What's Cooking with Ruthie Weekend Recipe link Party ( gator mommy reviews) 

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Food is my passion. I am gluten intolerant, busy. and strive for a healthy balanced lifestyle. It has taken me many years to develop and discover easy healthy recipes that meet gluten free, vegetarian and real food standards. On my blog I share my journey, my struggles, my discoveries, and my new recipes. I hope you find ideas, resources, and recipes that will be helpful to you. Come Back soon.

Author: Judee Algazi

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Ignite Your Metabolism

One Saturday, I attended a " Girls Day Out" annual extravaganza run by a business networking organization. There were over 60 vendors for women's services. These vendors facilitated specialty workshops throughout the day. I had my pulse read by an acupuncturist, my hairstyle analyzed , received all kinds of promotional freebies, and learned a lot.

I attended a workshop called " Ignite Your Metabolism" which was geared to help woman  understand how to eat healthier and keep their metabolism ignited to better help lose weight!

5 Interesting Points I learned From The Workshop:

1. Flour and sugar fall into a chemical category called "Isolates" . The processing of all flour and sugar products make their parts "isolated" and broken down into a powder- like substance that our bodies become hypersensitive to because they are addictive. That may explain why we keep craving more.Know what else is an isolate? - powdery and white Cocaine...

2.  Artificial Sweeteners are known as excitotoxins and can be very stimulating to our nervous systems. They make us crave, yes crave carbohydrates. So, they can actually make you hungrier and gain weight. In addition, they affect your brain cells in a negative way. Are you still drinking diet soda? How is your weight?

3. Coconut oil is a healthy oil that helps rid your body of toxins and provides healthy fat that is needed by our thyroid, hormones, and our brain. Coconut oil can actually help fuel your body to lose weight!

4.  Margarine is the closest thing to plastic in it's chemical make up.It is really not good for you even in small amounts. It affects our brains negatively! ( Please don't give it to kids) 
It's better to eat real butter which actually has health benefits and is a real food.

5. Preservatives and other chemicals in processed foods can make you gain weight.
Why? Our bodies perceive preservatives and chemicals as foreign substances. The body does not recognize them as food. Therefore, our body doesn't know what to do with them. To protect our organs from the invaders, our bodies store preservatives and chemicals in our fat. So, the more processed, toxic food you eat, the more the body wants to store it.
Why? because the body wants to protect the other organs from the intruders.  Who wants more stored fat??

I was inspired by the workshop and choose one baby step to further " Ignite My Metabolism".

I'm adding coconut oil to my diet...
                Do you use coconut oil? Does it help your metabolism?

 Here is an article by Dr. Oz that promotes the benefits of coconut oil 

May be shared on the following blog carnivals: blog carnivals

Quote of the day

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Secret to Great Salad Dressing

There is a secret to making great salad dressing. ! I will share with you how to make one.
My homemade salad dressings were always good, but now because I learned a little secret,  my dressings are great! ..

How I used to make my good but not great dressing:  I would squeeze fresh lime juice over my salad, add some cold pressed olive oil, a little salt pepper, pressed garlic and toss the salad. As I said,  it was good; I'm not complaining.

However, the other day ,I ate a salad at a gathering that was made with the same exact ingredients that I just mentioned , but this time the dressing knocked my socks off; it tasted so much better than my  dressing. It was strange because the ingredients were the same. Baffled, I asked the host why her dressing tasted so fabulous!

The host, who was a caterer, explained that a salad dressing must be whisked and allowed to sit at room temperature for a while to allow the flavors to mingle and transform. Who knew.. ??

From now on all of my dressing will be whisked and allowed to sit to mingle and transform.. Now I too will be able to  make not just a good, but great salad dressing

Simple but Delicious Basic Salad Dressing
1/4 -1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1 fresh garlic clove, pressed
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
a few shakes of Trader Joe's " 21 Salute" ( salt free herbal mixture) or use any dried herbs you like ( oregano, basil, etc.)

In a mixing bowl, add all ingredients and whisk together until blended.  Allow to sit and mingle at room temperature for at least 1/2 hour for best flavor.. Pour onto your salad and toss..

of course, a great salad dressing deserves a great salad!!

What kind of salad dressing do you make? How do you prepare it ? Please leave a comment.

                                        
Two of My Other Salad Dressings

Fresh Cranberry Salad Dressing


Cucumber Dill Salad Dressing


May be shared on some of the following blog carnivals: Blog Carnivals

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Garlicky Broccoli Rabe

Do you like broccoli rabe, also known as rapini? Many of my  friends have been eating this rich green vegetable since they were little, but I have to admit, I never had it until I was an adult. Truthfully,  I now love it! It is slightly bitter, but it is in the broccoli family, having tasty flowerettes of tender broccoli buds, leaves, and stems. It is very good for you and sautéed in garlic, it is delicious!

Look for this gluten free vegetable in the produce isle of your local supermarket and enjoy! Greens are full of antioxidants, iron, and chlorophyll for cleansing;  broccoli rabe is an excellent source of nutrients.

 It makes a wonderful side dish for any meal and is low in fat and calories.

It's fast and easy taking just 5 minutes prep; 5 minutes sautéing

Ingredients

1 bunch of broccoli Rabe, washed and chopped
3 cloves of garlic, pressed
Olive oil spray

Directions

Spray a skillet with olive oil spray. When hot, add garlic and chopped broccoli rab. Stir and cook covered until soft . Eat immediately




Eat everything except the coarse stem ends, but eat the stems

Don't you love the rich green color? yum!!

May be shared on some of the following blog carnivals: Blog Carnivals