 This time of year I eat way more fruit than usual because of how perfect and abundant it is. Strawberries from the farmers market are such a great weekly treat. And all of the fresh herbs that are available! Oh, it is wonderful. The two together? Now you know the way to my heart.
 Last weekend was one of my favorites of the year - greens are back at the farmers market! A true sign of spring and summer vegetable bounty. I bought some baby collards and baby kale and of course I got some ramps!
I have missed fresh greens so much. I had to have them raw in a salad. I bought some good quality steak and decided to make my own dressing. If you haven't made your own salad dressing before then this delicious eye-opener is for you - I only use dressing I've made at home. It's healthier, prettier, and yummier!  More so than any year in the past I feel the need to be healthy. Not for the fad of it, but for my well-being. It feels so good being healthy! Though the holidays are often a time for us to indulge (I for one am a firm believer in not holding back), I think having at least one guilt-free dish isn't a bad thing.
When I think Easter, I think boiled eggs, ham, rolls, and spring vegetables and fruit. I love a good, fresh fruit salad or fruit platter. And I love when it is paired with a creamy dip. Unfortunately those dips are full of cream and processed sugars, and when you are trying to cut back on the bad stuff it isn't exactly the best for you. So I decided to make a healthier version that still gives you that tangy goodness and delicious flavor. I am ready to be done with winter. This one has been so cold! I had a tiny break last weekend in Florida and since then I've been craving the sun's warmth. Luckily I have a longer trip in just a week to sunny Australia! But in the meantime I want to feel like I'm already soaking up the sun, even if I'm actually bundled up in a sweater and its 20 degrees outside. The best way to do this? Eating food that reminds me of summer! And that's where this delicious salad comes in. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries come together in all their berry-glory to brighten up a bed a spinach. With the addition of thinly sliced cucumber, creamy blue cheese, and a lemon vinaigrette it becomes instantly refreshing. Ahh, I can already feel that summer sun beating down on me.  
Valentine's Day is coming up quick and if you are anything like me you don't have a restaurant reservation made. For me it's partially laziness, but mostly it's more like I'd rather cook a fancy dinner at home and have some privacy with my boyfriend rather than be in a restaurant (though nothing is wrong with that - it is just my personal preference!). So if you are where I am, you're probably wondering what the hell you should make for you and your significant other this Valentine's Day. Or maybe you are single and want to have a friend date, roommate date, whatever. Either way, it's a time to get fancy.
We all want to get fancy without breaking the bank. The only splurge in this is the duck breast, which will cost somewhere around $10-15. Even then it still beats the cost of a fancy restaurant dinner! A few simple ingredients made the right way will impress whoever you are cooking for this Saturday and really set the mood right. |
AuthorAli is a Brooklyn based blogger and Certified Health Coach with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, providing you with recipes to inspire you to cook more at home! She is a firm believer in knowing that eating healthy can be made easy and inexpensive if you simply know how to cook and understands that for the average person there needs to be balance between "healthy" and "unhealthy". Whether you are looking for easy weeknight recipes, delicious snacks, or want to try something new, Ali's recipes are easy to follow at all skill levels! For more info about Ali and her offerings, check out the About page.   Categories
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