Explore the World of Salads - From Classic to Creative.

Explore the world of salads!
From classic to creative,
Salads fit every occasion.

Salads are a great way to add Nutrition and Color to your day. Choose the right ingredients and keep them handy to create a healthy meal.

Salads can easily become unhealthy if you are not careful with the toppings. Be mindful about what you add and the portions. Measure more caloric items, such as cheese, nuts, and salad dressing.

Your options are endless. Load your plate up with colorful vegetables. Raw vegetables are great and add a pleasant crunch. To add variety, choose some cooked vegetables, such as grilled, roasted, or steamed.

   

List of Ingredients to Create Endless Salad Possibilities

Start with Leafy Greens (1 1/2 – 2 cups)

·        Arugula

·        Beet Greens

·        Bok choy

·        Boston lettuce

·        Collard Greens

·        Endive

·        Escarole

·        Green leaf lettuce

·        Red leaf lettuce

·        Iceberg lettuce

·        Kale

·        Microgreens

·        Mixed greens

·        Napa cabbage

·        Radicchio

·        Romaine lettuce

·        Spinach

·        Swiss Chard

·        Turnip Greens

·        Watercress

Add Vegetables (Fresh, Canned or Cooked)

Vegetables (2 tablespoons)

·        Avocado

·        Asparagus, chopped

·        Artichoke hearts

·        Bean sprouts

·        Beets

·        Bell Pepper

·        Broccoli florets

·        Carrots, shredded

·        Celery, chopped

·        Corn

·        Cucumber slices

·        Green beans

·        Mushroom slices

·        Onion

·        Peas, boiled

·        1 Roasted Red Pepper, julienned

·        Radishes, slices

·        Squash, sliced or diced

·        Tomato slices

Add Meat, Meat Alternatives and/or Dairy for a Main Dish Salad

·        1 boiled Egg, sliced

·        2-3 oz Chicken: Grilled, Blackened, Curry

·        2-3 oz Turkey: Grilled, Blackened, Curry

·        2-3 oz Salmon: Grilled, Blackened, Curry

·        2-3 oz Shrimp: Grilled, Blackened, Curry

·        2 tablespoons crumbled Blue cheese

·        ¼ cup Cottage cheese

·        2 teaspoons crumbled Feta cheese

·        1 oz fresh Mozzarella cheese, sliced

·        2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

·        2-3 oz Sardines in water

·        2-3 oz Tuna, canned in water

·        ½ cup Tofu

·        2-3 oz Tempeh

Add Beans and/or Grains

Beans (1 tablespoon)

·        Black beans

·        Cannellini beans

·        Chickpeas

·        Kidney beans

·        Lentils

·        Pinto Beans

Grains (1/4 cup)

·        Couscous

·        Barley

·        Bulgur

·        Farro

·        Quinoa

·        Wild rice

Nuts and Seeds (1 tablespoon)

·        Almonds, raw

·        Cashews, raw

·        Pecans, raw

·        Walnuts

·        Poppy seeds

·        Pumpkin seeds

·        Sesame seeds

·        Sunflower seeds

Fruits (optional)

·        1/2 Apple, sliced

·        1/3 cup Blueberries

·        Cranberries, 1 Tablespoon

·        2-3 Dates or Figs

·        10 Grapes

·        6 Mandarin wedges

·        1/2 Pear, sliced

·        1/3 cup Pineapple, slices or diced

·        2 Tablespoons Raisins or Dried Cranberries·       

         2-3 Strawberries, sliced

Other (optional)

·        1 Anchovy

·        5 Olives, Black, Green, or Kalamata

·        2 Tablespoons Whole Grain Croutons

The Finale and Salad Dressing

·        Dash of fresh Oregano, Parsley or Coriander

·        Choose from a variety of Spices and Herbs

·        2 Tablespoons Homemade Salad Dressing:
       Use Olive Oil, Vinegar, Citrus Juice, Salsa,
       Low-fat Yogurt and/or Mustard

A salad can be delicious, healthy, and inexpensive.

Resources
1. Fat-free vinaigrette Recipes are easy to prepare and can be used as a marinade, salad dressing, or sauce.

2. The Types of Salad Everyone Needs to Know About, Allrecipes. 
3. How to Mason Jar Salads, The Country Chic Cottage

From Tree to Table: Celebrating Arbor Day with Garden Fresh Delights

A Tour through Our Garden

From Tree to Table:
Celebrating Arbor Day with Garden Fresh Delights

"Arbor Day is a time to celebrate the wonders of nature
and to plan for an even greener future by
planting and caring for trees."

Our Mango Trees

Last year, our mango tree produced over 80 fruits.
This year looks like another high yield.

Our Banana Plant(s)

I asked for a Banana Plant for my birthday (July 5, 2020).
It stood about 2 feet high. In less than 10 months, the
banana plant grew to a height exceeding 10 feet.
In November 2021, the Banana Plant produced an
amazing first harvest. In addition, that
one Banana Plant is now 4 Banana Plants.
Banana plants appear to multiply as fast as rabbits.

John Denver - Plant a Tree

While growing up in East Meadow, New York, we had a huge apple tree in our yard. I would climb up the tree and sit on the branches for hours, eating the apples while watching the world below.

When Jake and I moved into our home in 1998, we planted a mango tree. We watched it grow and flourish. Then, in 2005, Hurricane Wilma hit and damaged the tree. We tried to nurse the tree back to health for years, but the infection had spread into the roots.

Finally, on April 25, 2012, we removed the old tree and replanted a new Valencia pride mango tree. Today, the tree stands tall, even after surviving Hurricane Irma.

In April 2018, we decided to plant another Mango Tree. This time, we planted it near the road so that if people walked or drove by, they could grab a mango.

Planting a fruit tree is good for the environment and economics and marks special moments.

Visit the Arbor Day Foundation. Resources, membership, free trees, and a lot more.

Our Nation's Forests are National Treasures

Every Spoonful Tells a Story: Dive into the World of Cereal

Every Spoonful Tells a Story

Looking for ways to sweeten your cereal?

Try nature's sweetness - Fruit

.

  

Dragon Fruit – From Farm to Table

What is Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit, also known as Pitahaya, refers to the fruit of the genus Hylocereus cactus. The dragon fruit is cultivated in Southeast Asia, Florida, the Caribbean, Australia, and throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Dragon fruit comes in four varieties:
* Pink-skinned with white flesh and tiny black seeds
* Pink-skinned with red flesh and tiny black seeds
* Pink-skinned with purple/pink flesh and tiny black seeds
* Yellow-skinned with white flesh and tiny black seeds

The red and purple colors of Hylocereus fruits are due to betacyanins, a family of pigments that includes betanin, the same substance that gives beets, Swiss chard, and amaranth their red color.

The Dragon fruit's texture is similar to kiwifruit because of its black, crunchy seeds. Dragon fruit is used to flavor and color juices and alcoholic beverages. The flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea.

Nutrient Profile

Dragon fruit is loaded with fiber, making it a good choice for weight management (fiber helps you feel full) and supporting digestion by promoting a healthy gut. One of the few fruits that contain iron, dragon fruit can help to raise iron levels, and when combined with vitamin C, it increases the absorption rate of iron. 

The fruit contains several antioxidants (betalains, hydroxycinnamates, and flavonoids). The seed oil contains fatty acids, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid.

How to Select, Prepare and Serve Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit is usually eaten raw, whether served cut up, blended, or frozen. You can choose to grill it on skewers along with other fruits.

1. Select a ripe fruit with bright red, evenly colored skin that gives slightly when squeezed.
2. Place the dragon fruit on a cutting board or another clean surface.
3. Use a sharp knife and cut down the middle. The fruit it then separated into two sections.
4. Removing the flesh. The skin is not edible. Run a spoon around the circumference of each section to separate the flesh from the skin. Using a spoon, lift the flesh out of the skin and place it on the cutting board.
5. Reserve the skin for serving (optional)
6. Check the flesh for any residual pink skin. If there is any skin, cut it off.
7. The dragon fruit is ready to be sliced, diced, or eaten right out of the fruit.

Storage

Ripe dragon fruit can sit on the counter for a few days. To store longer place the fruit in a sealed plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator.

Don't cut the dragon fruit until ready to eat it. Once cut, it needs to be refrigerated in a tightly sealed container. It can stay fresh for a day, possibly a little longer, depending on how ripe it is. Once the flesh begins to turn brown and get mushy, it's time to throw it out.

For the Home Growers
The Green Thumb Planet has prepared an easy-to-follow description on How to Grow Dragon Fruit Indoors

The dragon fruit flowers bloom only at night and for a few hours. The plants can flower between three and six times in a year, depending on growing conditions. About 30 to 50 days after flowering, the dragon fruit will sit on the cactus and can sometimes have 5 to 6 cycles of harvests per year. Hylocereus has adapted to a dry tropical climate with moderate rainfall.

Dragon Fruit Recipes

Dragon Fruit Salad

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup Fresh pineapple, cubed

1 cup Fresh orange cubed

½ cup Fresh mang,o cubed

½ cup Blueberries

½ cup Dragon Fruit cubed (use 2 dragon fruits and reserve skin for serving)

½ cup Kiwi sliced

½ cup Raspberry vinaigrette dressing

1 Tbsp Lime juice

1 Star Fruit sliced, for garnish

Directions
1. When preparing the dragon fruit, reserve the skin for serving.

2. Cut up pineapple, orange, mango, dragon fruit, and kiwi. Place in a bowl. Add blueberries.

3. Add raspberry vinaigrette dressings.

4. Mix gently, adding fresh lime juice.
5. Place the fruit mixture in the dragon fruit skin.

6. Adding slices of star fruit as a garnish.

Exotic Skewer

 Cut up your favorite fruits and place them on a skewer. Eat fresh or grill.

Directions

1. Cut the fruit into desired shapes.

2. Thread the fruit through the skewers, alternating the fruit.
3.  Grilling: Double skewer so the fruit does not fall off. Place on a lightly oiled grill to prevent sticking and cook for 2 minutes, or refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Serve hot or cold.

References.
1. What Is Dragon Fruit? Spruce Eats

2. What Is Dragon Fruit And Does It Have Health Benefits? by Franziska Spritzler, RDN, CDE, Healthline 

3. Pitaya, Wikipedia 

4. How to Grow Dragon Fruit Indoors,  The Green Thumb Planet 

The Edible Christmas Tree

A fun and healthy project for the family to enjoy.

Supplies
Styrofoam Cones, assorted sizes (available at a craft shop).
Toothpicks (Young children should be assisted by an adult)
An assortment of Fruits and Vegetables, such as Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Grapes, Watermelon, mushrooms, Arugula, Broccoli, Kiwi, Mango, Carrots, Tomatoes, Figs, Blueberries, Strawberries, Peppers, Squash, Carambola, and pomegranate seeds
Protein: Cottage Cheese or Goat Cheese for snow

1. Wash your hands.
2. Wash the fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Wash your hands again.

4. Cut fruits and vegetables into a variety of shapes. Make sure the pieces are large enough to fit onto a toothpick.

5. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Use the largest fruits and vegetables first.
6. Be creative

7. Top your Christmas tree with Carambola (Starfruit).
8. Sprinkle Goat Cheese over the tree.
9. Serve with low-fat vanilla yogurt.

The Kiwi: Emerald Elegance

The Kiwi: Emerald Elegance

The Kiwifruit

History of the Kiwifruit.

Originally discovered in the Chang Kiang Valley of China, kiwifruit was considered a delicacy by the great Khans who enjoyed the emerald green color and wonderful flavor. By the mid-1800s, the fruit had found its way into other countries and was nicknamed the Chinese gooseberry. New Zealand growers started to export this exotic fruit to specialized markets around the world.

Then in 1962, a California produce dealer began importing New Zealand gooseberries. The dealer renamed the product "kiwifruit" because of its resemblance to the fuzzy brown kiwi — New Zealand's funny-looking national bird. By the late 1960s, California began producing its own kiwifruit in the Delano and Gridley areas.

How to Eat A Kiwi

There's no "right" or "wrong" way to eat California Kiwifruit. But since most people find that slicing and scooping is a good way to get the most from their kiwifruit, we coined the word "slooping" to describe it! Here's how to sloop your kiwi:

Using a sharp knife, slice the kiwifruit lengthwise to create two identical halves. Then use a spoon to scoop the sweet, delicious meat of the kiwifruit from each half. Looking for maximum fiber and nutrition? Don't throw that skin away! It's loaded with nutrients and fiber, so rinse it off and bite right in! 

The kiwifruit is a rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin K, and Fiber. It is low in calories, low in sodium, has no cholesterol, and only a small amount of fat. 


One Large Kiwifruit weighs about 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and provides the following nutrition.

Kiwi Mint Lemonade

Makes 4 servings 

If you don't have mint, try fresh lemon balm. The lemonade is also delicious without the herbs. 

Ingredients

1 cup (250 mL) water

 ½ (125 mL) cup granulated sugar

 ½ (125 mL) cup packed fresh mint leaves

 3 California kiwifruit

 3 lemons

 Sparkling water

Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, heat water with sugar over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint leaves. Let stand 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, peel kiwifruit and cut into chunks. Puree in a food processor. Place puree in a pitcher. Strain cooled syrup into a pitcher, pressing on mint, then discard leaves. Refrigerate until cold. Squeeze juice from 2 lemons. Stir into kiwifruit mixture. Taste, squeeze in juice from remaining lemon for a tarter lemonade.

3. Pour into glasses. Top with sparkling water. Serve garnished with a slice of kiwifruit. Makes about 2¼ cups (550 mL) without sparkling water, enough for 4 drinks.

References.
1. Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Kiwifruit, Fruits and Veggies Kiwifruit