Don't Throw Those Radish Greens

Sunday I came home from the farmer's market with a beautiful bunch of radishes. As I was cleaning them I thought about the greens and how I typically would just throw them away, but why? I did a Google search and found several recipes and uses for radish greens! I used them in place of spinach in a green smoothie with fresh fruit. You can use them in salads, sandwiches or any other recipe that calls for greens. Not only are radish greens edible, the leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant – a significant source of calcium, iron, magnesium, folate, vitamin A, C, K and other nutrients. Conventionally-grown leafy greens tend to be susceptible to containing high amounts of pesticide residue, so it is highly recommend to use organic radishes when you plan to eat the greens. They have a short frig life so use them within a day or two. Give them a try this summer!

My Herb Garden

Me planting.

For all the years we lived in our home on 74th Street, I could never have a vegetable or herb garden because we lived on a wooded lot full of shade. We focused mainly on our woodland perennial gardens. Well, we are now renting a condo (with a tiny deck) but lots of sun, so I can have a tiny herb garden! Because of the tiny deck, (you can tell, my husband is practically on top of me taking this picture) I had to postpone the Earthbox idea for now.

My herb garden!

For the first day of our Memorial Week-end, we went shopping for the perfect pot and the cutest plants ever! I love the taste of fresh herbs; basil, cilantro, oregano and let's not forget the mint for our Mojito's. Stay posted as I share pictures and recipes that I experiment with over the summer!

Awesome Rice Dish

My guy and I just finished a dinner of baked salmon and an awesome brown rice dish. We love brown rice any way, but tonight we caramelized some diced onion, steamed some broccoli, cooked some brown rice and added raisins, walnut oil and a little salt and pepper. Nummy! Walnut oil is becoming my new favorite condiment. It adds such a warm, nutty flavor.

Coleslaw Test

Coleslaw is a summer picnic staple and goes hand in hand with baked beans and a good hamburger or hotdog. I have always liked the old standby creamy variety, but with my new wellness initiative, I was willing to try a different recipe I found in this months Runner's World. My test market was going to be at our fundraiser cook-out for Relay for Life. But wait, my husband says, you have to appeal to the masses and the healthy recipe was not going to do that for him. So I compromised – I am nothing if not flexible! I made a bowl of the standby creamy and a bowl of healthy. At the end of the evening, which variety to you suppose was almost gone? Not the one that was supposed to appeal to the masses. Here is the extremely simple recipe for you to test out with your masses!

Asian-style Coleslaw
Skip the mayonnaise, which ups the fat. Toss cabbage (which packs cancer-fighting compounds) with carrots, scallions, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, which aids in absorbing nutrients. In a hurry? Buy a bag of coleslaw mix which includes the cabbage and carrot already shredded.

Honey Crisp Energy Bar

Just have to share our favorite snack recipe! I made it again after a couple of weeks, it is seriously missed in our house when I don't. Goodbye to those super market granola bars – Hello nummy, healthy, energy bars!

Honey Crisp Energy Bar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup honey
5 oz (1/2 of a 10 oz-bag) marshmallows
2 cups uncooked oatmeal
2 cups toasted rice cereal, such as Rice Crispies

Optional: 1 cup chopped almonds or other nuts, 1 cup dried fruit of your choice (raisons, craisins, chopped apricots, dried blueberries, dried cherries, etc.) 1/4 cup milled flax seeds

Our favorite is 1/4 cup dried tart cherries, 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup crushed pecans or walnuts and 1/4 cup milled flax seed for great Omega-3's.

• In large saucepan, combine the oil, honey and marshmallows and heat over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the marshmallows are melted.
• Mix in the oats and toasted rice cereal and other optional ingredients, as desired. Mix well.
• Pour into a greased 8"x8" pan. Using greased hands or spatula, spread the mixture evenly into the pan.
• When the mixture has cooled, cut into 9 bars

Enjoy!

Work Out Buddy

I don't know about you, but it helps me to stay on track with my work outs when I have a friend that is meeting me for a run or yoga class. Not that I don't manage to get my butt out of bed and work out on my own, but we women like to solve the worlds problems during our work outs! This past Saturday my BFF Jayne and I did just that – a little therapy and a glorious run! Mornings like this can't help but feed your soul.

So feed YOUR soul, recruit a work out buddy!

The Earth Box

Something my husband and I always enjoy when spring arrives is hitting the farmer's market for fresh produce. This year especially – with the price of gas – our produce bill is going up each month. So I was really excited when I was introduced to the EarthBox – apparently anyone can enjoy delicious homegrown veggies, fruits, and herbs grown in an EarthBox. It is a sustainable product that uses less water and fertilizer, will grow bigger and tastier plants faster than a conventional garden--with virtually no effort and zero guesswork! Sounds like my kind of garden. I think I will start with one EarthBox this year, but if the reviews on this product are true...I will be buying more next season! I hope to share progress as this season unfolds!

http://store.earthbox.com/Green-EarthBox-Ready-to-Grow-Kit/productinfo/1010065/

Be Healthy YOUR Way

What works for me, may not work for you and vice verse. Finding your own synergy with health and wellness is a personal journey that you must embark on with patience and lots of self-love. We all want that quick fix, drop 10 pounds before vacation or a wedding, so we join a weight loss program or begin counting calories. Well, I don't know about you, but when I was in my 20's and 30's that seemed to work just fine – now that I am smack dab in the middle of 40, I felt the jig was up. The weight was creeping on, running 3 times a week and counting calories wasn't working. On top of that I was tired all the time, my body ached and I just didn't like myself very much. 

Enter peri-menopause and a lovely diagnoses of Adrenal Gland Insufficiency. Ok, now what? So I began working with an amazing Compound Pharmacist in Oakdale, MN with a regimen of plant based supplements to support my adrenal glands and help build my cortisol levels back up where they should be. But I had to do more – it was time. My time.

This is where I stopped eating refined sugars, processed white flour and switched my diet to whole grains, green leafy vegetables and fruits. I've always been a runner, but I began incorporating strength training, yoga and core exercises into my routine. The result? I am slowly seeing my weight return to where I want it, I have more energy and overall just feel fit for 45. I like myself again.

This journey began last October and will continue for the rest of my life. Being healthy MEANS something to me now. In this blog I would like to share things that are working for me and hope that you will share what works for you. We can help one another find "our healthy"!