From the category archives:

Healthy Living

The last time that we saw Jessica’s Virginia Garden was back in may, when it was full of cute little seedlings, but nothing edible just yet.  Well take a look at it now!  It is well on it’s way to full slow food goodness.

jessgardengrow3

There’s nothing better than fresh, locally grown food, and how much more satisfying it is when you’ve grown the food yourself.  I don’t know about you guys, but all the unhealthy things done to our food these days just doesn’t work for me and has made me really conscious of what I’m putting into my body.  Shout out to all the local farmers, organic food chefs, and foodies out there lol

What about you guys…anyone have a blossoming garden or fun food (or farmers market) story to share?  There are some really great fruits and veggies in season right now  :)

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Tonight I’m making dinner for the fam :)  There’s nothing I like better on a hot and humid day, like today, than a light refreshing meal.  I love a big salad and seafood in the summer, so tonight we’re having a Mediterranean Style Chopped Salad and Lemon Salmon :) mmm mmm

Chopped Salad

Mediterranean Style Chopped Salad

Lemon Salmon

Lemon Salmon

The Lemon Salmon is a very simple recipe that I make all the time because it is so fast and easy and very healthy. The Chopped Salad is actually a recipe that I found on the Examiner.

Have a great weekend!!!

Mediterranean Style Chopped Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

Salad

  • 4-5 leaves of romaine lettuce, chiffonade (roll the leaves up like a cigar and slice thinly
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 English cucumber, diced (you can use a regular cucumber, but just peel it first)
  • 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered (add as many as you please)
  • Feta cheese, crumbled (I used motzerella instead)
  • Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped slightly
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped fine
  • added 2/3 pint of mushrooms because we love mushrooms

Lemon Vinaigrette

  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Toss together the salad ingredients. Set aside.
  2. Make the vinaigrette by whisking together the lemons, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil (depends on how tangy you want it). Whisk thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Serve immediately.

NOTE: If you are taking this salad to a picnic, just be sure not to dress it with the vinaigrette until you are ready to serve it. To help keep salad mix crisp in the refrigerator, place a paper towel on top. The paper towel helps absorb any moisture that might get on the lettuce leaves.

Lemon Salmon

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lb piece of fresh salmon
  • One lemon, sliced and then cut into halves
  • 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper, Garlic Powder
  • Lemon and Pepper Seafood Seasoning (optional)

Instructions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
  2. Wash the salmon and place it in a shallow, oven safe dish.
  3. Brush the Olive Oil onto the Salmon. lemons, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive Season the salmon to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder. oil (depends on how tangy you want it). 
  4. Cover the salmon with the lemon slices and place the salmon with the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until it is cooked well enough for your taste 

Enjoy!!!

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When we think of someone having a stroke, a child is the furthest thing from our minds.  Pediatric strokes affect every 1 in 2300 to 4000 infants and children, however doctors know very little about what causes them.  Check out my sister and nephew on CBS news Atlanta, helping to bring awareness to this issue.  To help support this cause for these brave little ones, please go here.  Thanks !!!!

cbsnews

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The slow food movement originated in Italy, and celebrates local farmers, gathering friends around a table, telling stories, investing time to make a fresh handmade meal, and taking some “gratitude” time. Etsy is currently featuring selections that “create a meaningful food experience from garden to table”. Check them out! Who doesn’t enjoy a nice home cooked meal? I know I do! So I am all for the slow food movement. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, I love the idea of slowing down and savoring the moment. One of my favorite things about summer is the farmers market that opens up right down the street from my house. They have the best fruits and vegetables around, and with my new diet restrictions (for health reasons), fresh food is that much more important to me.

Here are some of my favorites…
Click to read the full post…

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