Monthly Archives: March 2012

Sparkling Water + Mint + Lime

Every now and then I enjoy a cocktail. Or two. OK, three. So needless to say the last few months of going non-alcoholic has been a bit of a challenge. No, I am not pregnant. Nor did I find Jesus. JC and I go way back and he doesn’t care that I love wine. I decided to give it up for now though as part of my own healing journey (I hate the way that sounds, but that’s just what it is… quite a journey). Now, where was I… oh yes, cocktails. I do miss them. Sitting at a bar sipping club soda on the rocks gets old pretty fast. But being Sober Sally has also made me realize a few things. Like that omigod-i-need-a-drink feeling can sometimes be satisfied with just a little creative mixology. My go-to is Pellegrino with some sort of twist – citrus, herbs, juice. Watch out Michael Martensen! Who says you need spirits and bitters to make a cool drink? Of course there are still those days when a glass of wine just sounds divine. What can I say, we all have our vices…

Sparkling Water + Mint + Lime

Ingredients:

sparkling water
mint leaves
1/2 a lime, juiced
ice cubes

Directions:

Squeeze juice from half a lime into an empty cocktail glass. Add mint leaves and muddle. Fill glass with sparkling water and add ice. Stir.

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Spring Cleaning: The Seven Must-Dos of Any Detox

Ah, spring. Something about the season just makes you want to clear out the junk and start fresh, doesn’t it? Spring is traditionally a time of renewal, rejuvenation and rebirth. So it’s no coincidence this is the time of year we go into hyper-cleaning mode and want to get rid of all the dust and stuff that we’ve accumulated over the past year. And I’m not just talking about your closet…

Just like dirt and clutter accumulate around the house, mucus, toxins and fat accumulate in the body. And every so often it’s necessary to do a little tidying up to keep the body clean and functioning properly. If not, the junk builds up and can lead to all sorts of health problems from allergies to serious disease.

Your body has everything it needs to properly cleanse itself from the inside out. It’s just matter of allowing it to do its thing. There are hundreds of different approaches out there to detoxing and cleansing. Which technique is the best? The one you’ll stick with. No matter which road you take though, there are a few “must-dos” that are essential for any good cleanse. Get the info in my guest post on Glass Heel today. Hop on over for my seven detox essentials.

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No-Mayo Chicken Salad

I’ve never been much a fan of mayo (I was always more of a ketchup girl when it came to condiments), but boy do I love me some chicken salad just as much as the next girl. Who says chicken salad has to be made with mayo? This no-mayo chicken salad uses creamy avocado and tangy lemon juice to bring all the ingredients together.  Creamy, meaty, crunchy… it’s got all my requirements for a tasty chicken salad. And to top it off it’s full of healthy fats…

As a Matter of Fat
I’m not really one for labels and generally try to avoid labeling a food as “good” or “bad.” [That is unless we’re talking about anything that ends in “tos,” which is not food to begin with so the point would be moot.] Anyway, there was a time when people actually thought margarine fell into the “good” category. Knowing what we know now about processed “trans” fats, that’s crazy, right? Point being: Things change. We’re all learning as we go here in this ever evolving science of nutrition. So until we have all of the answers (which will probably never happen) I say the best expert to trust out there is none other than nature.

And nature sure out did herself with the avocado. A sort of freak of nature, the avocado is actually a fruit. And it’s the only fruit that is also a fat.

Fats are like the oil to the machine that is our body. Their oils lubricate our cells, inside and out. That’s why we say foods like avocados, olive oil and nuts are great for your skin. Their oils help to hydrate the skin from the inside out making it look supple and glowing. Fat is also critical to nutrient absorption. Without it most of the vitamins and minerals in our foods would go straight through us. In particular, avocados help our digestive tract more efficiently absorb nutrients. They’re a source of carotenoids, which help prevent free radical damage, and are considered to be an anti-inflammatory food (two more points for skin care). Avocados are also a good source of folate and have been linked with women’s health and fertility. How about this for a sign from nature: You know what else takes exactly nine months to develop? An avocado.

Add sliced avocado to your salad, mash it into a dip or mix it up with the other ingredients here for a totally different take on a classic that’s just as delicious and uber-healthy.

No-Mayo Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 avocado
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1/2 apple
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1/2 lemon
  • salt and pepper

Directions:

Poach chicken breasts in a skillet with about 1/2 inch simmering water, about 4 min per side. When chicken is cooked through, remove from pan and shred. Smash avocado in a medium sized bowl, add chicken and mix. Add apple, walnuts and raisins. Squeeze half a lemon and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve on top of mixed greens.

You can even eat this while spring cleaning! Check out my Spring Clean Your Body program to reboot your body and get ready for spring.

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butternut squash + kale + white beans + quinoa

Things I will miss about winter:

1. My UGG boots
2. Using the excuse “It’s too cold” to do nothing but curl up and watch Bravo
3. Meals like this….

I’m coming to terms with the fact that this will likely be my last bite of butternut squash for awhile, which makes me a little sad. Is it weird to miss vegetables? Wait, don’t answer that… My husband on the other hand does not share my nostalgia for these peculiar-shaped roots. As the “chopper” of the household, he’d be happy if he never came head to head with one of these guys on the chopping block again. They sure are little boogers to get into, but man, it’s so worth it. That buttery flavor and heartiness make them the perfect healthy comfort food. Plus with their dye-your-skin-orange flesh they’re chock full of antioxidants to keep your immune system in tip-top shape, just when you need it the most.

Literally, all I did here is saute sliced red onion in a skillet. Add the squash. Then broth. Then kale. Then beans. Serve over quinoa and voila! You’ve got yourself a dinner that might make you miss b-squash too. It’s crazy healthy, and even crazier that it’s so delicious. I almost can’t believe it myself. Here’s the full recipe….

Butternut Squash with Kale and White Beans over Quinoa

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small butternut squash. peeled and cut into cubes
  • 1 bunch kale, torn into small pieces
  • 1/2 red onion, cut into thin crescents
  • 3/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 can cannellini beans (or 2 cups cooked beans)

For the dressing (whisk all ingredients together to combine):

  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • salt and pepper

Directions:

Rinse and drain quinoa well. Bring 2 cups of salted water to a boil and add quinoa. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes until all of the water is absorbed.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and saute until translucent, about five minutes. Add squash and stir to coat with oil. Cook 7-10 minutes. When the edges of the squash begin to sear and stick to the pan, stir in the vegetable broth. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes. When the squash is soft, add kale and stir to combine. When the greens have reduced, add white beans and stir to combine.

Serve over quinoa; drizzle with lemon dressing.

And enjoy that last taste of winter.

As sad as I am to pack up my UGGs and say goodbye to b-squash, I’m just as excited to move on to spring. To help you get your body ready for the season, I’m offering a Spring Clean Your Body program. Now is the time we can all use a little spring cleaning — inside and out. Sessions can be done individually or with friends. For more information, click here.

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