Tag: healthy memorial day recipes

Minty Watermelon Mojito Salad

On May 26, 2014

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, My Story, Paleo, Recipes, Vegan

Mojitos are my favorite cocktail. The combo of tart lime and smooth mint is so cooling and refreshing and perfect for summer!

Mmm, fresh mint, limes, and seedless cucumber

I remember my first mojito experience.

I had just come home from a semester abroad in Granada, Spain and was really into everything about the Hispanic culture from the food to the music and dancing. I loved their energy, vitality and enthusiasm for life!

When my friend Allyson invited me to go with her and some friends to The Latin Palace in Fells Point shortly after returning from my trip, I was all in. I had a blast as I was led through all sorts of Latin dances for hours!

When it was time to take a break from dancing, I was introduced to what would become my favorite mixed drink – mojitos.

WOW!

It’s been almost 10 years, and I still don’t think I’ve had a mojito that was as perfectly prepared as my first.

As I was looking for recipes to prepare today for a Memorial Day cookout, I stumbled across this one for a minty watermelon mojito salad.

How could I resist??

Watermelon + mint + lime + cucumber = the ultimate warm weather refresher.

It’s DELICIOUS and was really simple to prepare, too. This will be a hit at any cookout, picnic or party, and I guarantee kids will love it, too!

Minty Watermelon Mojito Salad

Ridiculously refreshing minty mojito watermelon salad

Ridiculously refreshing minty watermelon mojito salad

Ingredients

3 cups seedless watermelon, cubed (here’s how to pick a perfect watermelon)
1.5 cups seedless cucumber, cubed
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, sliced thin (“chiffonade” if we’re being fancy about it)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
Zest from two limes (here’s the zester I use)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of black pepper

Click here for the full recipe from one of my new favorite blogs – Stupid Easy Paleo!

Thank you to all of the men and women who selflessly serve our country, especially our friend, Joe, who recently left for a multi-year tour in Germany!

Refreshing Quinoa, Apple & Almond Potluck Salad

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On May 20, 2014

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Products I Use, Recipes, Tips & Tricks

In the springtime, our bodies naturally want to start detoxing to “clean out” all of the gunk that we’ve stored up over the winter (which was pretty brutal this year!).

Wastes and toxins build up in our bodies from stress, processed and refined foods, sugar, fried foods, chemical additives, and pesticides. That is just one of the reasons we often feel tired and sluggish, hold on to extra weight (toxic tissue is a fat storage hog!), and don’t radiate health in the way we look.

Fortunately, this salad contains a bunch of ingredients that naturally promote the elimination of wastes and toxins. Check out all of the detoxifying ingredients!

Scallions (also a GBOMBS food!)
Celery
Lemon Juice
Parsley

This is a great dish to bring to a potluck or cookout. You can even make it the night before and store it in the fridge to let all of the flavors come together!

I went to one of my best friend’s birthday parties a few weeks ago (yay for turning 30!) and brought this salad with me. I doubled the recipe for the party, and it made enough for a group of 50 people. It was a HIT!

Refreshing Quinoa Salad with Apples & Almonds

Bring this to your next potluck or make it for your family!

Bring this to your next potluck or cookout or make it for your family!

Ingredients*

1 cup quinoa, rinsed (here’s how to cook perfect quinoa)
2 cups water
2 tablespoons honey (I used raw honey)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup peeled, diced tart apple, such as Granny Smith
1 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 cup golden raisins (you can use regular raisins if you can’t find golden ones :))
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup of thinly sliced green onions/scallions*
1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds, toasted
Coarse salt and pepper

*I added about 1/4 cup of thinly sliced green onions/scallions to the original salad recipe, since they are in season and add another dimension of flavor. They are also detoxifying and an anti-cancer GBOMBS food!

Click here for the full recipe!