Awaiting Summer Smoothie

28 March 2013

We are enjoying beautiful spring weather here on the West Coast of British Columbia.

This morning I decided I would make a true “Awaiting Summer Smoothie” – because to be honest with you, I crave summer like crazy!

I had some deliciously ripe mangos (juicy and sweet)

some fresh pineapple,

and a cute pear with red cheeks.

Pear with red cheeks

Some fresh mint, freshly squeezed juice of lime and some cool coconut water.

Mint & Lime

Sweet mango

For 4 people:

1/2 pineapple

1 pear

1 big mango

1-2 lime

2 sprigs of fresh mint

2 cups of coconut water

Put it all in the blender along with some ice to cool it down. Blend into a fabulous nutritious and delicious drink.

Enjoy!

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer – Albert Camus

Lime and Herb Infused Green Papaya Salad

25 February 2013

33 Comments

A total craving for Green Papaya Salad lured me out into the cold and windy day, on the hunt for green papaya. I love my local China town – it’s always full of life, hectic, intense, full of colors, smells and hints of adventure. Then, the sun came out, and what more can you really ask for?

Market Market

I found the freshest and most beautiful green papaya fruit, a deliciously sweet pineapple, fresh herbs, big juicy oranges, tangy lime fruit and dried cranberries. That’s when I knew I was fully ready to go home and create a delicious Green Papaya Salad.

Green Papaya

Papaya in Julienne

Filets of Orange

Juicy Orange

Mint, Cilantro and Basil

Green Papaya Salad

1/2 green papaya

1/4 fresh sweet pineapple

1 big orange

1 bunch fresh cilantro

1 bunch fresh basil

1 bunch fresh mint

A handful of cranberries

Cut the papaya and the pineapple into julienne strips and cut the orange into fillets. Wash and finely chop the herbs, mix everything in a bowl. Add a handful of dried cranberries

Marinade

2 lime

3-4 sps of maple syrup or agave

1 -2 cloves of garlic

some freshly grated ginger

Squeeze the lime, add maple syrup, squeeze garlic and grate some fresh ginger – mix well.

Pour the marinade over the salad and enjoy!

Green Papaya Salad

A straight shot of health

16 August 2012

7 Comments

One of the easiest ways to improve your health, is by drinking fresh juice!

It is delicious! One of the most satisfying drinks on a hot summers day, is an ice cold freshly squeezed green juice – I absolutely love it!

It is vibrant and full of goodness – a straight and instant shot of health.

In the green market I found these wonderfully ripe and incredibly sweet pineapples on sale, and in my garden, I have Swiss chard – yellow and red. I love the taste of fresh chard and I use it a lot. In green smoothies and in juice but also gently sauteed with fresh ginger, garlic and a dash of soy sauce. – Today I juiced it with the ripest and sweetest pineapple. No artificial sugar or colors – just pure nature. Served on ice, it is the best summer drink you can ever imagine!

Swiss chard is a great source of anti-oxidant, vitamin C, vitamin K and a rich in omega 3. it also is a great source of minerals such as calcium and iron.

Along with the pineapple that is rich in vitamin A and C – great source of calcium and copper – this is a power drink full of goodness and great taste.