Apple Berry Salsa

“Pushing the limits”- definitely a good phrase to describe myself. A couple of days ago, I walked into my favorite neighborhood cafe. The host/waiter did a double take upon seeing me come in and said "Oh no!". I guess it's because I make several adjustments to the menu selection I order. I probably push the limits of allotted substitutions for one order.
On my fortieth birthday, I succumbed to the peer pressure at my "party" and dismounted from a rope swing high above the river. I had an eight inch bruise on my legs for weeks to prove it.
I definitely pushed all my physical and mental toughness limits that day.
Today I push the season of strawberries a bit. They are really still a few weeks away from being really nice, but when I saw them while shopping at Costco. I gave in to their red ripe looking tips. They are a little firm, but rather nice in this:

Apple Berry Salsa

2 medium apples, peeled, sliced, and chopped
½ lb. diced strawberries
2 kiwi, peeled and diced
1 small orange, zested, and juiced
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar (I omit this)
2 tablespoons apple jelly or apricot jam (I omit this)

Place prepared fruit in small bowl. Add orange zest, juice, brown sugar and jelly to fruit mixture. Mix gently. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I serve this with cinnamon crisps. There are several brands out there you can purchase. My local Costco carries La Panzanella Sweet Crisps -(Croccantini- an Italian cracker).

I have made my own by spraying a flour tortilla with Pam cooking spray and sprinkling with cinnamon sugar. Then cut with a pizza cutter into desired sizes. Bake at 425 for 10+ minutes depending on desired crispness.

So if you feel like pushing the limits today, go ahead- purchase those somewhat over priced berries and make a healthy snack!

(This recipe originally came from Pampered Chef. I gave it to you as in their cookbook. I omit the brown sugar and jam. It is plenty sweet and I'm calling this a snack so I'll save those extra calories for dessert.)

Mandarin Green Salad

(Continued journal entry from a year ago- January 2010)
“While my heart aches for the devastation the Haitians (January 12th was the earthquake that caused mass destruction and devastation in Haiti) are seeing, and living, I understand my role a little more. I understand my faith a little more. And truly, I understand the need to be grateful for the today that I –we have. I am grateful that B can still run, jump and play- at least for today!!”

So that brings me to my 2011 New Year’s Resolution- live life, and love with no reservations or regrets. Too often I think I focus too much on the future, and while every action has a consequence tomorrow, I want to enjoy today’s journey to its fullest. No doubt, my life will produce another round of heartache. Such is part of the refining process by which we will all be judged someday. However, I want to remember the feeling I had last January as I resolved to find gratitude in the blessings that today brings.

Happy New Year!!

Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions centered on healthy eating? Unfortunately, with the treadmill broken, and me eating my way through my recipes, I do :) To be honest, I blame the lemon cake. It’s gotta be one of my favorites. Nevertheless, Salad needs to be less of a foreign concept for me. Here is one of my favorites:

Mandarin Green Salad

Step 1: 1/3 cup sliced almonds. Cook over low heat with 2 T sugar. Stir constantly over low heat, until sugar is dissolved. Lay on waxed paper. (I skip this step and purchase Almond Accents -Honey Roasted flavor.)

Step 2: Prepare 3 cups combined spinach leaves and/or romaine lettuce.

Step 3: Slice 1 cup celery, 1/4 of a red onion and drain 1 can mandarin oranges.

Step 4: Toss together, or layer as greens, celery, onions, oranges, and almonds.

Step 5: Dressing:
¼ cup olive oil
2 T. sugar
2 T. red wine vinegar
Dash pepper
1 T. snipped parsley
½ tsp. Salt
Shake immediately and thoroughly until dissolved.
Just before serving, pour on dressing.

I skip the dressing altogether. With a little freshly ground sea salt and pepper, it bursts with flavor. Nothing kills healthy eating like dressing on a salad- check the back of the bottle for calories and fat! I'd rather save those calories for dessert!