Teaching You How to Use Lifestyle as Medicine
This salad is packed with cancer-protective brassica vegetables (also known as cruciferous vegetables). Brassica veggies, when eaten alongside grilled animal proteins, help provide some protection to cells against cancer-causing Heterocyclic Amines (HCA) (HCAs should still be minimized or avoided when possible). HCAs form when meats and animal proteins are heated at high temps that result in browning and charring (the “desired” crispiness of grilling).
Fruit and herbs together are some kind of heaven. Think of tomatoes and basil, the classic combination for a caprese salad. When in season, the sweet, herbal basil brings forth the slightly acidic taste of the tomato, so that the flavors of both components together are better than their individual parts. Basil pairs brilliantly with other sweet, lightly acidic fruits like blueberries, strawberries, plums, and peaches. You could easily swap out the strawberries in this recipe for any of them, or better yet, a mix.
We know spring is near when markets start stocking bundles of young, tender asparagus. Thin stalks cook faster, and are sweeter, milder, and don’t require peeling or trimming like thick stalks do. A simple rinse under cold water is all the prep they need. Some thin stalks will have woodier, tougher bottom ends that can be snapped off just like you’d do with thicker stalks, if preferred.
This recipe was recommended to me by CARE member, Alana. Thank you, Alana. You were right, it is delicious!
Below, I increased the amount of chickpeas, arugula, and sundried tomatoes from the original recipe. I also used the chickpea penne pasta to increase protein content keeping the dish a vegetarian meal. But the credit all goes to SkinnyTaste.com!
You know how alcohol is an acquired taste? There is usually something a little bitter (like tannins) or pungent in these beverages that we come to anticipate. When finding alcohol alternatives, I like to experiment with combinations of flavors that I might not exactly love at first sight – but I acquire a taste for it. This makes it more satisfying to me than just replacing my wine with a glass of juice. I still want that distinct taste that makes me sip it, slow down, and relax. Here is one combination that I enjoy. And in the spirit of CARE, the herbs are also therapeutic to the digestive system. This beverage supports your native strains of bacteria rather than stress them (as alcohol does).
One morning while at a coffee shop, when I ordered one of those paper cups of muesli to which the barista just added water to, I realized my Flax Almond Fiber Mix could be used in the same way – with lower cost and even more nutrition! The fiber and balance of these bowls make them incredibly satiating and effective at keeping blood sugar regulated (equals feeling full and comfortable in-between meals!). They work great for fast breakfasts, on-the-go lunches, or dry staples for camping or keeping at your desk at work. I hope you find them as convenient as I have!
I love turning ingredient labels into recipes so played with this one – adding edamame for more protein and came up with the following adaptation of this salad. The smell is absolutely intoxicating as you make this salad. I haven’t tried the store’s version of it to see how close I am to the original in taste, but I think that’s OK.
This is another take on the popular CARE Orange and Grape Chicken Salad. With this version, I want to show you how easy it is to create a completely new taste with just a few substitutions. In this case, I change out oranges to take advantage of now in-season blueberries. I also switch to a low-fat mayo allowing me to add extra nutrition and crunch with the addition of walnuts.
Cancer-causing Heterocyclic Amines (HCA) form when meats and animal products (not fruits or vegetables) are heated at high temps that result in browning and charring (the “desired” crispiness of grilling).
