MEDITERRANEAN KALE SALAD!

I can't believe that I eat kale everyday and have yet to post a recipe!  I need to get it together!  So this is a simple kale salad.   This was basic, delicious, & easy, so use it like it is or make it your own by putting your own spin on it!


Ingredients:  (2 people,  1/2 the ingredients for just you!)

8 kale leaves (I removed the thick bottom part of stem, but left the rest)
1 TBSP of fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
2 TBSP pine nuts OR chopped cashews
1/4 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives OR kalamata olives (or both)
dash pepper


First, stack 2 kale leaves on top of each, top part facing you, and fold in half lengthwise and roll tightly.  Slice into thin strips, like this...

Repeat until all sliced.  Chop them up a few times so they aren't too long.  Place in a bowl.

Add the lemon juice, oil, and sea salt to the kale.  Massage with your hands, working the dressing into the greens.

Add the rest of your ingredients & serve!

ENJOY!

*Notes:  Be sure your kale is dry after washing it or else the oil won't stick to it.  You can dry it with a clean hand towel or paper towels.

*If you have a grocery store that has a fresh olive bar, use that!  If not, try to buy your olives from a glass jar.  I used black olives, but I personally favor kalamata olives.  They are the purple ones and have more of a salty flavor and come in a glass jar.  But choose your favorite!

*If you make a batch of this, it will keep in the fridge for 3 days.  Bring to room temperature before serving.

*Again, feel free to add other veggies to this if you'd like.  This was a very simple salad.  I enjoyed tasting the kale and it just felt so fresh eating it!  :)

COLLARD WRAP!

This meal is one of my favorites I eat for lunch.  It's very filling and you can't help but feel healthy after eating it.  My ingredients switch up all the time so you can really make this your own and a little different each time.  Here's what you'll need....


Ingredients:

Collard leaves (1 per person)
Your favorite mustard
Sliced avocado
&
Your favorite veggies, cut up
(tomato, sliced carrots, cucumber, asparagus, mushrooms, red pepper, onion....etc)
 Dash of sea salt & garlic powder, to taste


Here's a pic of what I used one time.  I pretty much grab random veggies out of the fridge.

Now I squeeze a line of mustard down the center and stuff my veggies in, using the bottom side of the collard.

I added my dash of sea salt & garlic powder.  (I use a lot of garlic powder).  Now roll that 'burrito' up nice and tight....

There you have it!  Looks fancy, huh?  Now to get that 'bow' to help hold your wrap together, simply cut along the edge of a collard green leaf so you have a thick strip.  

Now simply twist it so it's nice and strong, like you're twisting your hair, and wrap it around your wrap.  Wrap your wrap!  :)

EAT & ENJOY! 

*P.s... the avocado acts like the 'mayonnaise'... it holds the veggies together.  You may also use hummus!  Switch it up!

 

AVOCADO MANGO SALAD!

This salad is delicious.  The ingredients are going to throw you off a little because you might not think they go together.... but they do!  When all mixed up, this dish was so good!  My husband declared THIS his favorite dish.  :)


Ingredients:

2 mangoes, diced
2 avocados, diced
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
2 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP balsamic vinegar
1 TBSP fresh lime juice
sea salt & pepper

1.  TOSS ingredients gently or gently mix with you hand.  Ummm... serve and eat it!  That's it.  I tried to make this more difficult but I couldn't.  

ENJOY!!!!!

 

*Notes:  Make sure your mangoes and avocados are ripe!  Soft to the touch- but not rotten soft.... 

*If you are unsure how to dice a mango or avocado, read my "How do you cut that?" blog for pics and easy directions!

HOMEMADE MILK!!

I decided to make my own milk for one very good reason.  I found the carcinogen, Carrageenan in almond milk.  Although you think you are drinking pure almond milk, 'all natural', well you're not.  It's processed.  The only way to put All Natural Almond Milk in your body, and your children's body, is to make it!  Don't worry.  It's pretty easy!

Now the ratio is 1 cup Almonds to 5 cups water.  I used brazil nuts in this picture.  Brazil nuts have a stronger flavor.  I recommend doing Almonds for your first time!  You can switch it up and do Cashews too!

Ok, so you'll need a blender and a FINE mesh strainer.  I was so excited to make my milk, I wasn't quite prepared so I improvised and used a fine coffee strainer from the coffee machine.  Don't make fun!  ;)

1. Soak your nuts for 8 hours.  This will release the enzyme inhibitors in your nuts.  I just put mine in a jar with lots of water, and placed it in the fridge over night.

(Some of mine floated.  I found them to be just fine!)

2. After letting them soak, drain and rinse.

3. Place nuts in your blender, along with 5 cups of water....

4. Now blend for 30 seconds or so.

5. Strain!  I strained it over a big bowl.  Use a spoon and gently move the milk around. 

You will end up with pieces of nuts.  Discard (or eat it I suppose) and rinse your strainer.  Repeat steps until all your milk is strained!

Serve & ENJOY!!!!

*You will love it and appreciate the fact that you just made your own milk!  Put it in a sealed container/jar in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

*If you want your milk a little thicker and more almond-y, try 3 or 4 cups of water to 1 cup almonds.  You can always taste it and adjust.
  
*If you are doing cashews, no need to strain!  They will just blend up!  Do a 3:1 ratio.  3 cups water to 1 cup cashews, then adjust if necessary!

*If you want to sweeten it, throw in a couple of dates (pits removed) and maybe some Pure Vanilla extract, about 1/2 tsp, blend it, taste it, and adjust!  To make strawberry milk, take a glass of milk, put it in your blender, add 2 strawberries, blend!

*I didn't add any sweetener to mine.  I just wanted pure almond milk for once!  Nothing processed, nothing added... It just felt so good drinking it!  My husband loved it and I gave it to my 2 year old and 11 month old.  They drank it no problem!  

NOW THAT'S MILK THAT DOES A BODY GOOD!!!

MANGO PUDDING!

If you love mangoes, you'll love this recipe!  It is so creamy and delicious.  I only needed 2 ingredients to make it!  Here's what you need...


1 1/2 cups chopped mango (1 large mango)
1/2 cup dried mango, soaked for 20 mins, drain
*favorite fruit for garnish!


Here's the ingredients:

Now put your dried mangoes (drained) and your fresh mango in a blender.  Blend for about 30 secs or until creamy.  So that's it!

 ENJOY!!

*Notes:  Make sure your mango is ripe!  It will be a little soft to the touch.

*If you are unsure how to cut a mango, please visit my "How do you cut that?!" blog for step by step instructions and pictures!

*You can use thawed frozen mango as well.

*Also, I have trouble finding dried mango without sugar.  I noticed after soaking them for 20 mins, I rinsed them under cool water before putting them in my blender, the sugar was washed away!  You will be surprised at how naturally sweet this Mango Pudding is!  

*This recipe made 2 small servings.  You can put it in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days.  Why you would have any leftovers is beyond me!  :)