choose health

Here is a quick reminder chart on choosing the right,

in terms of healthy eating.

Broccoli Cauliflower Cranberry Salad, Kale & Red Cabbage Salad with Apples & Dried Cherries

image and recipe here

We've been having variations of this salad lately. 

I've added cauliflower for some of the broccoli. 

I chop both of them. 

I've usually used a pre-made dressing like Ranch. 

Give it a try, and make your own changes.

Broccoli Cauliflower Cranberry Salad

salad:
5 c. broccoli florets, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 c. chopped red onion
1 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 c. cooked and crumbled bacon pieces
1 c. sunflower kernels
3/4 c. dried cranberries

dressing:
1 c. salad dressing or mayonnaise
1/4 c. sugar
2 T. red wine vinegar
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper

Combine all salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Combine dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined using a fork or wire whisk. Add dressing to salad and mix well. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

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image and website here

I've not tried this salad yet, but looking forward to it.

Kale and Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Dried Cherries

1 bunch kale, tough stems and center ribs removed

1 avocado, peeled and chopped
2 T. lemon juice
1 T. white balsamic vinegar
1 c. thinly sliced red cabbage
1 large apple, cored and chopped
2 T. chopped unsweetened, unsulfured dried cherries, blueberries or currants (see note)
1/2 medium red onion, minced
2 T. chives, chopped

Roll up each kale leaf and slice thinly. Add to bowl along with avocado, lemon juice and vinegar. Using your hands, massage the avocado, lemon juice and vinegar into the kale leaves until the kale starts to soften and wilt and each leaf is coated, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Mix in red cabbage, apple, dried cherries, onion and chives. Serves 4.

Note: If your have problems finding unsweetened, unsulfured cherries or blueberries, they can be ordered on-line from a number of sources.

Almond Joy Brownie Bites + 2 months of green smoothie recipes

recipe from here

I saw these online and then made them for our ward Christmas Party. The blogger who put these together said she wanted to know what "would happen if Almond Joys and brownies got married and had a baby." Sounds yummy to me! 

Almond Joy Brownie Bites

Brownie batter (homemade, from a boxed mix, whatever is your favorite. I used Ghirardelli)
4 c. sweetened shredded coconut
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
About 4 dozen almonds
Chocolate candy melts or almond bark (I used chocolate chips)


Preheat your oven according to brownie recipe directions and generously spray two mini muffin pans with nonstick spray. Fill cups about 1/2 full with brownie batter and bake according to directions.

When brownies are done, place pans on a cooling rack and remove brownies once cooled completely.

In a medium bowl, combine coconut and sweetened condensed milk. With clean hands, roll coconut mixture into balls and press onto tops of brownie bites. Press an almond into the top of each. Place brownies in the freezer to harden for about 15 minutes.

Melt almond bark or candy melts according to directions. Remove brownies from freezer and dip the tops in the chocolate. Place dipped brownies on a wax paper lined baking sheet and refrigerate until chocolate is set.

Yield: Approximately 40 brownie bites


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Happy 2015!

If you are looking to eat more healthy in the new year—after eating Almond Joy Brownie Bites, of course—here are collections of greens smoothies to help with those good habits.

Raw Food Family Green Smoothie 30 day challenge—videos here
They use whole foods, not supplement powders, etc.

Here are a few of the first days. I've not watched all the videos to collect the rest. If you leave a comment, I'd be happy to send you the rest after I gather them.

Day 1
½ bunch green kale
½ bunch basil
½ banana
½ pear
5 strawberries
1 pint water

Day 2
½ bunch dandelion greens
½ apple
½ banana
½ cup blueberries
4 apricots
1 pint water

Day 3
¼ medium watermelon
½ -1 bunch basil

Day 4
¼ medium watermelon
½ bunch dandelion greens
½ banana
½ cup blueberries

Day 5 (savory smoothie)
½ bunch watercress
¼ bunch green kale
2 medium tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
½ small avocado
½ lemon
1 pint water

Day 6
½ bunch Swiss chard
½ - 1 cup green grapes
½ small avocado
½ apple
½ lemon
1 pint water

Day 7
½ bunch dinosaur kale
½ - 1 cup green grapes
½ banana
½ tangelo
5 strawberries
1 pint water

Green Smoothie Girl  30 day challenge—Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5 with recipes/shopping lists. She had some creative combos of heathy things, but also promotes buying her protein powders, etc. I've included these, and the Raw Food Family videos above to show the variety of choices for healthy smoothies. What a quick and easy fast food full of nutrition!




by Dee, wife of Barbara's son Scott