Tag Archives: fruit

Blueberry Snap Pea Salad & Blueberries for Dessert

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blueberry chicken salad on mixed greens

You can’t beat a big salad for a beautiful, easy-breezy summer meal — and one topped with blueberries and sugar snap peas adds just the right sprinkling of sweetness along with a saturation of whole body wholesomeness.  My Mixed Greens Salad with Chicken, Blueberries & Snap Peas was inspired by the recipe for Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad in the August 214 edition of Cooking Light magazine. Of course, I had to do my own spin based on the fresh ingredients in my fridge!

So, what’s so special about these salad toppings? Well, grilled chicken breast offers a great source of lean protein, I always try to get about 25 – 30 grams of protein per meal. Blueberries are loaded with a wide rand of antioxidants that help me stay healthy on the inside and out and, as with most berries, are relatively low on the glycemic scale compared to many fruits. If I’m not careful, I can eat the whole pint – I guess there are worse things that could happen. Now, sugar snap peas are a childhood favorite, my mom used to grown them in the garden. So crisp, refreshing and surprising low in calories (only 26 calories per cup!),  sugar snap pea are a great source of fiber, vitamin C and vitamin A.

salad with chicken breast, blueberry, red oinion

Mixed Greens Salad with Chicken, Blueberries & Snap Peas Recipe

  • 6 ounces baby spring lettuce mix
  • 1/2 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas, halved lengthwise
  • 1/4 cup torn fresh basil
  • 12 ounces shredded skinless, boneless poached or grilled chicken breast
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries
  • ½ cup favorite balsamic vinaigrette or Litehouse Food’s Huckleberry Vinaigrette

 To prepare, divide lettuce evenly among four plates. Top each plate with equal portion of onion, snap peas, basil, chicken breast and blueberries. Drizzle with salad dressing. Serves 4.

violet beauregarde Now, if you’re wondering what to eat for a dessert that won’t leave you feeling like Violet Beauregarde from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, check out my delicious recipe for Blueberry Frozen Yothefitfork blueberry frozen yogurt 700!

 

 

For even more inspiration on how to make a healthy sweet treat from a batch of these popular summer berries (second choice only to strawberries), check out Cooking Light’s collection of Blueberry Desserts – you’ll find everything from blueberry cobbler to blueberry popsicles.

blueberry desserts

My Famous Salad Recipe & More Favorites (Like Pandas)

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Hey, I’m just back from my vacation to Washington, DC and have lots of interesting, historical, and presidentially-inspired food discoveries to share. However, I want to recreate and “health-ify” some of the recipes at home first, so today I will leave you with one of my favorite moments in the Smithsonian – getting to see Julia Child’s kitchen! Whoot, whoot!

julia child kitchen 700

Because I’ve been eating out for the last week and not making new healthy recipes at home, today I’m sharing a recipe that’s been a real superstar for me – Tropical Fusion Salad with Spicy Tortilla Ribbons.  It’s been featured on the COVER of Taste of Home magazine and in a number of their cookbooks. This summer, they have the recipe running in the June/July issue of their sister publication (and one of my favorite reads), Simple & Delicious.

black bean, avocado and papaya salad

Below is the glamor “cover” shot! You can check out my previous post to get the full recipe – this almost no-cook recipe is perfect for these hot dog days of summer when it’s just plain miserable to turn on the oven. It’s also super nutritious too – black beans, avocado, papaya and more! While my recipe instructs baking the tortillas in the oven to crisp them into strips, you can easily crunch-ify them in the microwave or just crumble up some chips as a no-sweat alternative.

2010 MAy taste of home cover

 

 

baby panda

I just can’t resist sharing this photo — the kids and I were so lucky to get to see the panda baby toddle about. He was so cute and endearingly uncoordinated to watch climb over fallen tree trunks or roll down the grassy hill!

Talk to me, leave your thoughts in the comments below.

  • What no-cook recipes do you like to make for dinner?
  • What is your favorite thing to do in Washington, DC?
  • Have you ever seen a baby panda bear?

Best Watermelon Tips – Day 7 #LivingOnTheWedge

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#LivingOnTheWedge Watermelon Tips

Did you know the average person eats 16 pounds of watermelon per year?  That’s pretty close to the weight of a typical medium watermelon – but I’m not typical nor am I average when it comes to most things and I could eat another person’s annual allotment in two days – now that’s #LivingOnTheWedge!  My friends and family will agree that I often like to take moderation in moderation — sometimes over-the-top is under rated!  There’s that time I tried to set a Guinness World Record in 6th grade for “Sitting on the Wall.” I held the hideous, quad-burning position for 1 hour and 37 minutes before the school nurse made me stop. Or, when I decided to run an out-of-town, 50 mile ultra-marathon race on a whim literally, on the morning of the event with no training or preparation other than serendipitously having packed my running shoes   . . . . or, that time I won a beer drinking competition on my honeymoon.  I don’t really even like beer.

But I do love watermelon! Here are some tips you should know about picking out, storing and serving watermelon:

good watermelon picking tips

Storing watermelon:  The general rule of thumb is to keep your melons chilled between 32 and 55 degrees. Watermelons won’t ripen any further once they’ve been picked from the vine. However, a watermelon will stay fresh for around a week at room temperature. Freezing doesn’t work well for watermelon, except in the case where you want to use it in a smoothie or frozen treat recipe.

Cutting watermelon: As with any fruit or vegetable, you should wash the exterior before slicing into the flesh. You don’t want your knife to cross-contaminate the inside with any germs that were lurking on the outside.  There are many ways to cut up and serve a watermelon – if you have the patience, you can even use a melon baller for a nice presentation. However, I like to cut my watermelon in half and cross-hatch it into spears for the quickest, most convenient way to serve.

watermelon cutting tip

If you have a watermelon tip to share, please post it in the comments. Or, better yet, join the group at my #LivingOnTheWedge Pinterest board.

watermelon prize pack

If you haven’t already, enter my giveaway for a great Watermelon Prize Pack.

This is the last post in my #LivingOnTheWedge week but please go back and visit all the other the other watermelon love I’ve been sharing since July 1st, the start of National Watermelon Month.

 

 

The National Watermelon Promotion Board is providing me with compensation to share my love of watermelon. However, the opinions and content (unless otherwise noted) shared are my own and NWPB did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

Watermelon Smoothies – Day 6 #LivingOnTheWedge

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#LivingOnTheWedge watermelon

Come over to my house in the morning and you’ll hear the low hum of my blender – it seems to be in constant use!  My husband makes a smoothie to drink during his commute to work and I whip one up to cool down and rehydrate after a run. And, the kids love them for breakfast or as a healthy snack anytime of the day – especially when watermelon is an ingredient.  Everyone loves my recipe for this Watermelon Chia Seed Smoothie. It’s very good for you and very versatile – use the milk product of your choice and put in (or omit) protein powder based on your dietary needs.

watermelon chia frozen smoothie

Directions: Pour 6 ounces of milk (cow, soy, coconut or almond) into blender pitcher. Add 2 cups watermelon chunks and process until smooth. If desired, add one scoop (about 1/3 cup) vanilla protein powder and another 2 tablespoons of milk; process again until smooth.  Add 1 teaspoon chia sees and pulse a few times to mix through. Serves 1.

super green detox smoothie watermelonI place a priority on “eating clean” as much as I can. That being said, I’m no saint – a burger with fries or pizza with the works are two of my favorite ways to splurge. After all, as Julia Child once said, “All things in moderation including moderation”! When I need to hit the “reset” button, this Super Green Detox Smoothie from Watermelon.org helps me get back to my healthy eating plan. It’s packed with watermelon, kale, avocado, hot chile paste and other nutritious ingredients that will get your engine humming once again.    

 

watermelon coconut strawberry smoothieThis yummy Watermelon Malibu Surf Smoothie is blended with strawberries, watermelon, coconut cream and a little something extra — rum! Sure to be a popular drink at your next outdoor party. If you prefer a non-alcoholic drink or are looking for a kid-friendly version, just swap the rum for extra watermelon juice.

 

 

 

Someone special reads my blog and gave me a watermelon for my birthday!

Someone special reads my blog and gave me a watermelon for my birthday!

I’m getting toward the end of my #LivingOnTheWedge week, and I am not anywhere near running out of things to share about watermelon.  I’ve talked a lot about how the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in watermelon can help improve your workouts and keep you hydrated during running and other outdoor, but I shouldn’t fail to mention the basics in nutrition this healthy sweet treat offers everyone.

  • Vitamin A found in watermelon promotes healthy eyes and supports your immune system by bolstering the infection-fighting ability of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
  • Vitamin B6 found in watermelon assists in the production of antibodies that your immune system uses to fight disease. Vitamin B6 also helps keep your nervous systems in tip-top shape, aids in the restoration of red blood cells, and synthesizes protein.
  • Vitamin C found in watermelon helps keep your body “younger” by warding off cellular damage and medical conditions that can be created by free radicals. Vitamin C also helps promote a healthy immune system ready to combat invading infections and viruses.
  • Potassium found in watermelon helps keep your electrolytes in balance and helps keep you from getting dehydrated.
  • Low in calories, watermelon fills you up and satisfies cravings for “sweet” – this can help in weight management.  A 2 cup serving of watermelon chunks has only 80 calories and no fat.

watermelon giveawayAlso, check out all the other posts on watermelon I’m featuring all week and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a great Watermelon Prize Pack! I also have a group pinterest board to share all the #LivingOnTheWedge love — you are invited to join!

The National Watermelon Promotion Boardnofollow is providing me with compensation to share my love of watermelon. However, the opinions and content (unless otherwise noted) shared are my own and NWPB did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

Watermelon & Chocolate Recipes – Day 5 #LivingOnTheWedge

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Living on the wedge watermelon chocolate

Watermelon and chocolate are two of my favorite sweet things to eat in this world. Summery sweetness meets indulgent richness – the unusual but oh-so perfect pairing was inevitable and why I didn’t think of it sooner is beyond me! So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to my Whirled Watermelon Chocolate Pie – one bite and I’m sure you will also become best friends forever with this duo of deliciousness. What a lip smacking way to end a summery meal, perhaps even after a grill-up of my recipe for Grilled Watermelon Shrimp Kebabs with Sweet Spicy Glaze

frozen watermelon chocolate pie dessert

Whirled Watermelon Chocolate Pie Recipe

For Watermelon Filling:

  • 5 cups seedless watermelon cubes
  • ½ teaspoon liquid stevia
  • 2 packets unflavored gelatin
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon liquid stevia

For Chocolate Filling:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream (divided)
  • 2 pre-made chocolate pie shells (8 – 9 inch diameter)

Directions:

  1. Add seeded watermelon to blender; use wooden spoon to mash it up and get juices releasing. Puree watermelon until as smooth as possible.
  2. Measure out 2 ¾ cups of watermelon puree; any remaining can be used for another purpose. Stir ½ teaspoon liquid stevia into watermelon puree.
  3. Pour ¼ cup of the juice in a large bowl and sprinkle with gelatin powder; let dissolve for 2 minutes.
  4. Add ½ cup of watermelon puree that has been heated in microwave for about 45 seconds (near boiling); whisk into bowl with gelatin.
  5. Mix in lime juice and the remaining 2 cups watermelon juice into the bowl; place in refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes.
  6. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites in a medium size bowl until stiff peaks form; set aside; clean and dry beaters.
  7. Beat the heavy cream in mixer until it holds soft peaks; add liquid stevia and beat for a few more seconds; refrigerate.
  8. When the watermelon mixture starts to firm up, add about one-quarter of the whipped cream and beat with electric mixer until smooth.
  9. Gently fold in beaten egg whites and remaining whipped cream with a large rubber spatula, breaking up any globs of whites or whipped cream.
  10. Transfer watermelon mixture to another bowl and return to refrigerator. Thoroughly wash and dry mixer bowl and whisk attachment to make chocolate filling.
  11. In microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and ½ cup of heavy cream by heating and stirring in 15 second intervals until smooth. Let cool for 10 minutes or until near room temperature.
  12. Add chocolate mixture and remaining 1 cup of heavy cream to mixing bowl and beat for approximately 2 minutes, until smooth.
  13. Ready the 2 chocolate pie shells. Spoon in ¼ of watermelon mixture into bottom of each. Next, spoon in “blobs” of the chocolate mixture. Repeat the watermelon and chocolate layers until pie is filled (should just be about 1 more set of layers).
  14. Use the tip of knife to create a swirled pattern. Loosely cover pies and freeze for at least 2 hours, or overnight. To serve, let partially thaw for 10 minutes and slice each pie into 8 pieces. Makes 2 pies (serves 16)!

slice of watermelon chocolate pie

By the way, please notice that this recipe makes TWO pies – if, for some unheard of reason, you are opposed to making TWO pies, just cut the amount of each ingredient in half. I also found that any leftover fillings make really good Frozen Watermelon Chocolate Pops – just pour into a frozen treat mold or paper cups.

watermelon chocolate pops

Watermelon.org also has great dessert recipes that feature watermelon and chocolate. Check out these two family favorites:

watermelon chocolate fondueWatermelon and Spicy Mayan Dark Chocolate Fondue –  I’m just looking out for your health, people! While it might look decadent, this hot fondue is rich with polyphenols found in cocoa powder – and dark chocolate is also great source for iron and magnesium. Plus, you’ll add extra potassium, lycopene and vitamins A and C to your diet with each dunk of watermelon!

 

 

 

watermelon smores dessert Watermelon S’mores — need I say more?

 

 

 

 

 

 

watermelon pinterest boardIf you have a watermelon recipe to share, please post it in the comments. Or, better yet, join #LivingOnTheWedge Pinterest board.

win wantermelon prizesAlso, check out my other posts on watermelon featured all week and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a great Watermelon Prize Pack.

 

 

The National Watermelon Promotion Board is providing me with compensation to share my love of watermelon. However, the opinions and content (unless otherwise noted) shared are my own and NWPB did not tell me what to say or how to say it.