Good day beauties,
I decided to take a trip up North to hang at my parents, get some work done, look after the animals (Frankie the poodle and Suki the most rambunctious cat ever) while they take a much needed vacay and of course, eat my way through Ma McCarthy’s organic garden. Little does she know there will be nothing left when she returns, hee hee.
Upon my arrival there were notes everywhere … my fave of them all was this one:
Yes, my mom wrote on her note that the Mennonite corn and fresh garlic were both “no-gmo”. Hilarious! She knows her daughter well. She also left me a perfectly ripe avocado and four juicy tomatoes she must have just picked. This inspired me. So, I decided to make an entirely vegetarian meal because I had everything I needed and felt like something light after my lunch at Marcello’s with my sweet man.
The photo below is my avocado (infused with mega-watt tasting garlic) tomato basil salad. Everything is from Ma’s garden or up the street (the Mennonites), except the avocado (obviously). After the recipe and because I’m a nutritionist, I will share the health benefits and why I called this salad beautifying.
Ingredients:
- 5 perfectly ripe tomatoes (hopefully local and organic), cut into chunks
- 1 soft avocado, peeled, seed removed and sliced
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped basil
- 1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- A few gluggs of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method: Chop everything, arrange nicely on a plate. Pour EVOO generously over the salad and eat, eat, eat! Or as I said many times while in Italy, mangia, mangia, mangia!
The tomatoes were SO FRESH that I didn’t have to squirt any lemon juice on top because they were oozing with mouth watering goodness, as you can see from this photo. After this salad was settled into my joyous belly, I boiled my fresh corn on the cob and slathered it in organic butter, sprinkled sea salt and chomped down. My mouth was flooded with sweet juicy deliciousness. Good thing no one saw me, I am sure I had corn nibblets on my face.
When I was putting everything back in the fridge (not the leftover tomatoes because they stay out on the counter, it’s a crime to do otherwise!!) I noticed there was a container of sunflower seed chocolate chip spelt flour cookies that Ma McCarthy had made, so I devoured one (tons of fibre!). She is an amazing baker. I will get the recipe and share it with you.
Don’t go anywhere just yet! Half the reason I wrote this post is so I could share the health benefits with you. When you realize how incredibly healing, beautifying and detoxifying food can be, you will be more likely to eat it.
Avocado: Ahhh, the buttery-creamy richness makes it nature’s perfect fruit. We have been blessed with this gift from mama earth and here’s why avocados deserve superfood cred:
- They are a source of monounsaturated fat otherwise known as good fat, a heart healthy fat that studies have proven helps to lower cholesterol, lower inflammation, moisturize and beautify our skin.
- A good source of potassium (in fact. more than a banana), a mineral most notable for its ability to regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- This pear-shaped fruit has health benefits for both sexes: Studies show antioxidants found in the avocado help lower the risk for both breast and prostate cancers.
- Highest protein content of any fruit and more protein than milk, not that I suggest you drink cow’s milk, but you already knew that right??
Tomatoes, as you’ve probably already heard are an excellent source of lycopene, but here’s a cool fact you need to know:
Combining tomatoes and avocado together actually increases their nutritional benefits. Specifically, when you combine the good fat from an avocado, with the rich source of lycopene (a fat-soluble antioxidant in the tomato), it enhances your body’s ability to absorb the lycopene. Research studies have shown that eating fat (from the avocado) changes the molecular structure of lycopene in your digestive tract, making it more easily absorbed. Fascinating, isn’t it?
Check my blog next week because I’ve got a whole slew of beet recipes to share. This goofy photo below is to show you how large this organic beet is, or rather… “was”, which provided me with endless amusement! Next week I’m going to share all the recipes I made with this ONE MASSIVE BEET including beet goat cheese spread, beet juice and walnut beet arugula salad.
Have a joyous long weekend!
Joy
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Upcoming workshops that Joyous Health is teaching will be sold out very soon. If you want to register, don’t delay!
- 6wk nutrition + yoga (for all levels, beginners welcome) starts September 13th. Register here: Eat Well Feel Well.
- 2 hour workshop. Learn how to incorporate everyday superfoods into your diet to feel fabulous! Register here: Superfoods to the Rescue!
- 2012 Mexico wellness retreat. Register by November 15th and save! Do yoga, learn about holistic nutrition, get joyous!
Hi!
That salad sounds unreal! I miss Ontario tomatoes!
I read that as a general rule, it’s a good idea to pair veggies w fat too. So, if you pair say, broccoli w olive oil, the benefits of that broccoli will be more easily absorbed by your body. Is that true? Or is it only that if you pair tomatoes (which I know, are not vegetables…) w fat that the benefits are heightened?
Beautiful, beautifying salad!
That photo of you is priceless, love it
haha thanks Liz! I don’t know what I was doing…. but what the heck, it illustrates the point. Thanks for reading. Hope you are well sweetie! xo
oh I’m so glad you’re going to be doing a post on beets. I bought some the other day and don’t really know what to do with them… thanks for all you do! I am becoming a healthier person because of all the great information you provide. I cannot thank you enough!
My pleasure Jennifer! So glad you got some beets. As I write to you, I’m up North at my parents roasting beets in the oven. Definitely check back next week!
thats my favorite salad ever…did you use the garlic? love your site.
Yes I did… oops, did I forget that in my recipe. I will fix it!
Thanks for this Joy, one of my favourite salads to enjoy – I guess I know what to have for lunch!
Looking forward to the upcoming beet ideas – my husband loves them, I however do not … but always open to trying ….
Hi, I need to gain weight but I can’t afford a dietitian or nutritionist. I’m stable enough and my doctor gave me suggestions. I want to start at 2000 cals and raise from them. My doc said to increase rapidly, but I don’t want to be too harsh. She said 2 lbs gain per week is good. Is this too much you think? I’m not exercising, which sucks.
Do you know good books or websites that give sample 2000 cal meal plans (I’m not vegan…and she said to emphasize protein…). I get bloated and full real quick. I’m hoping to start at 2000 and increase steady from there.
Thanks for any advice. It will be REALLY helpful!
oh my goodness… you totally just gave me a beet + goat cheese salad craving. wish I could be in Toronto for the Eat Well Feel Well program. sounds right up my alley.