Raw Food

This post is well timed. I’ve had worse than usual allergies for the last week, and I knew it would be a pain to fly with all the congestion, but as my flight descended into Portland late on Wednesday my left ear started hurting so badly that I was still clutching it and whimpering to Jared (who happened to be one seat behind me on the plane) thirty minutes after landing. I felt OK when I woke up Thursday, but by 3pm I was a sniffling mess again. At Jasmin’s urging, I set up a clinic appointment and found out that I had a pretty bad ear infection, in addition to the allergies. So now I’m on antibiotics, feeling much better, and realizing that this is the perfect moment to write about high potency probiotics from Renew Life. Perhaps when you were growing up, your mother told you to eat lots of yogurt when you were taking antibiotics. It wasn’t the yogurt that was special; it was the healthy bacteria living in the cultured food that would help to replenish good bacteria living in your gut and throughout your body, which antibiotics wipe out along with harmful invaders. I’m like most people in that I don’t love taking antibiotics, but I don’t hesitate to do so when they’re necessary. If I do, I always take care to supplement with a high potency probiotic, so that my overall immunity and gut health stay strong. That said, being on a course of antibiotics is hardly the only reason to consider adding a probiotic to your routine. More and more, we’re starting to glimpse the enormous role that the microbiome plays in our health. It seems that a great many of us lack a lot of the good bacteria that aid in immunity, digestion, and possibly even weight maintenance. Eating poor diet, too much use of drugs and antibiotics, and underexposure to germs in childhood may all impact whether or not we have enough gut bacteria. If we don’t, it’s a wise idea to experiment with a probiotic supplement. When choosing a probiotic, there are a few important factors to consider. One is whether or not it contains milk, casein, honey, gelatin, or other non-vegan ingredients. Check labels to be sure. Another good tip is to be sure the supplement is enteric coated or otherwise designed to protect the bacterial strains; if it isn’t, your acidic stomach environment will kill many of the good bacteria you’re trying to get (not all, of course; if that were true, fermented foods wouldn’t be so healthful, but if you’re using probiotics medicinally it can’t hurt to maximize their survival). If you struggle with IBS-C in particular (that’s a tendency toward constipation, which I struggled with for many years), you want a probiotic with both acidophilus and bifidus (the latter is important). There’s a lot we don’t understand about the role of probiotics in health. Very few medical studies have established their efficacy with confidence (there is one exception; VSL 3, a probiotic developed in Italy, has been shown to be effective in management of IBD and IBS), and beyond that, they’re not always regulated closely, which means that it’s hard to say whether you’re taking too much, too little, or whether the blend you’re taking is going to help. Some blends are so high potency that they may actually upset your stomach, and cause more disruption than good. But so far, most medical professionals agree that an acidophilus/bifidus blend is a wise idea for people with digestive struggles, for people on antibiotics, and for anyone hoping to increase immune function. Chat with your health care provider about whether or not a probiotic may be right for you–and if so, which one! So this brings me to RenewLife, and their high potency probiotic blend. The folks at RenewLife, knowing my passion for all things GI, offered to send me some of their probiotics to review, and I was pleased to say yes. Given the fact that I’m currently under it, the timing was fortuitous. I’ve taken a good many probiotics in my time, but I’m having a really good experience with this one. No wacky d

I oftentimes enjoy a little something sweet after dinner. Don’t you? Lately, my after-dinner desserts have been consisting of one of the following: Organic super dark chocolate (I try to keep it at 1/4-1/2 a bar…  although eating 1/2 a bar is when I’m not being very mindful and just chomping away. Even though I’m eating 85% organic dark chocolate, and sometimes raw, I still don’t think it’s in my best interest to slam 1/2 a bar a day so I *try* to keep it at 1/4… ok, let’s compromise… 1/3?) Trail mix with chopped organic super dark chocolate in it (this was my attempt to reduce my chocolate intake by putting tiny bits in the trail mix of organic nuts). Problem here is the addictive nature of trail mix. What is it with even the most humble trail mix, it is still so dang addictive? Fruit, usually berries, and organic super dark chocolate (see recipe below). We’re starting to see a pattern here, eh? I like my chocolate. Slow cooked yams with raw coconut oil and ceylon cinnamon (no organic super dark chocolate – what? Wait, that might be really good! Note to self… Must try). At mom’s recently we had delicious fresh organic strawberries in the fridge, and I went to work whipping something up simple and mega delicious. Kamea and I loved it. Even though I hadn’t written down any amounts the first time through, it was so good that I went back into the kitchen to make another batch so I could measure some amounts for my readers. Of course we ate it. A handful of ingredients for a wonderful dessert, mostly raw. If you want it all raw, then you can use raw organic honey or raw coconut nectar in place of the maple syrup. Chocolate Crunch Strawberries Chocolate Crunch Strawberries Yield 1 to 2 servings (it’s really one serving, who are we kidding?) 1 cup organic diced strawberries 2 tablespoons cacao nibs/cacao powder mix* 2 tablespoons coconut, shredded and unsweetened 1 tablespoon (or more) maple syrup (or raw honey or raw coconut nectar) Place your diced strawberries in a bowl and set aside. Take the remaining ingredients and stir together in a bowl. Pour the chocolate mixture on top of the strawberries and toss to thoroughly coat the strawberries. Enjoy like crazy as the textures and flavors have a party in your mouth. If you let it set out a bit before eating, the juices release from the strawberries which make it a delightful syrupy treat. But, come on, who can wait? * I keep a jar of raw cacao nibs and raw cacao powder mixed together (see picture below), because it’s delicious for using it like this in many different recipes. In my opinion, the raw cacao powder helps to soften the flavor of the raw cacao nibs. Plus? More chocolate! Raw cacao nibs mixed in a jar with raw cacao “chocolate” powderSimilar Posts: Raw Chocolate in the News – Sweet! Party Dessert Movie Trail Mix Awesome Raw Vegan Shake of the Week – Mesquite, Anyone? Organic Double Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake RECIPE Longevity Chia Porridge – Raw Vegan Recipe

Normal 0 I’m back in Cairns! And I gotta say it’s so nice to be back. It also feels a little weird, a little unsettling, and a tad something else that I’m having trouble articulating. So instead of the usual weekend recipe I give you guys each Friday, I thought I’d fill you in on what I’ve been doing, where I’m at, and what’s happening next.We landed here in Cairns yesterday morning after a beautiful week in Darwin with family; resting, playing with our gorgeous nephew and adorable niece, spending time on the bikes riding around town, and we even managed to get a free week’s pass to the local gym and hit the weights each day which felt GREAT after having not been in a gym for over a year due to adrenal exhaustion and fatigue – I feel I’m slowly getting my strength and energy back now. It’s been a while.Since arriving home, our car battery had died, we had to get a jump start, and then off to grab some organics, it died again and we had to call for a new battery. The place we were meant to be staying for a week or so fell through so we had no place to go to for showers and snoozes, so instead we grabbed our swimmers and headed for Stoney Creek (our favourite fresh water creek) for a freezing cold refreshing wake up dip and wash, and felt much better after that. Stopping by a mates place for hello’s and ending up with an invitation to crash there in a spare room with full use of kitchen, bathroom and living areas until further notice… things were falling into place. A quick trip for some veggies for dinner, a pot of herbal tea, and we were ready for bed.On waking this morning I could instantly hear the banter going on in my head and all the things “I had to get done” – I was already feeling stressed just by being here and I hadn’t even gotten out of bed. Feeling restless lying there, I got up, poured some tea and sat on the deck in the crisp fresh air staring out at the garden. I needed the stillness and quiet in my mind, and after a whole large pot of tea and green grass staring, I felt much better, although I still feel a little off kilter today.So as I begin to reintegrate back into home, without my own home to do it in, I know I’ve got to be gentle on myself and take things slowly. My own space, quiet time + tea, journaling and kitchen cooking is huge on my sanity list and so I intend on keeping those things in my day-to-day activities whilst we continue to hunt for our perfect place to live. This is total looking-after-me-nessWhat things do you need in your day-to-day that help to keep you feeling your best?In the meantime I’ve got a bucketload of photos I need to edit with plenty of mouth-watering Thailand food porn pics to deliver you sometime in the next couple of weeks so I’m gonna jet to do so.Have a fabulous weekend, enjoy whatever beautiful things come your way. Eat well, stay well,Christie xx

Last week, I shared a recipe for uber-customizable vegan granola bars, and I also reviewed the new Vega One bars, which we all agreed are tasty/nutritious but super pricey, too. This led one of my readers, Ali, to ask whether I have a homemade protein bar recipe? At that time, I didn’t. A week later, I’m pleased to say that, while I don’t quite have a protein bar recipe, I do have a higher protein bar recipe — a spin on my standard date/nut bars, but with the addition of some brown rice protein. They’re easy, fast, and they provide about 10 grams of protein per bar. That’s not quite as high as a lot of commercial proteins, but it’s a little more than my norm! To make these bars, I used plain Sun Warrior protein powder. I like this brown rice protein because I find it less “chalky” than some other brown rice proteins, because each bag has 47 servings, which at $42.99 on Vitacost is a good deal, and because an unflavored version is offered, which means no stevia aftertaste. But you could use any brown rice protein that you like instead; the Nutribiotic brand is a cheaper option, especially when you buy it on Vitacost (which, as you can see, is a favorite shopping destination of mine!). Like all of my snack bars, these guys are highly customizable. If you hate dates, you can use raisins. If you’re allergic to almonds, try them with cashews, Brazil nuts, or pumpkin seeds. Get creative, and have fun! At the end of the recipe, I pulsed in 1/4 cup goji berries. Raisins, cranberries, apricots, or any dried fruit would be nice, too. It’s also worth saying that I cut the bars into a variety of sizes. See? A size for everyone and every time of day! Had I added another scoop of protein, these guys would be even more protein-rich. But three scoops was the right amount in terms of texture and avoiding that chalky taste. My next experiment will be a bar with hemp protein. And more ideas will probably follow, so stay tuned I hope you enjoy these! Print Higher Protein Raw, Vegan Snack Bars. Easy to Customize! Ingredients2 cups raw almonds (not soaked) Pinch of sea salt 2 cups pitted dates 3 scoops (approximately 62 grams) brown rice protein powder of choice, preferably plain flavor 4 tbsp almond butter 1/4 cup goji berries, raisins, chopped dried apricots, or another dried fruit of choiceInstructionsIn a food processor fitted with the "S" blade, process almonds and sea salt till they're ground into a coarse meal (but no giant chunks of almonds left). Add the dates. Give the mixture a few pulses to combine. Then run the motor until the whole mixture is very well ground, and sticks together when you squeeze a handful. Add the dates and the almond butter, and continue to process for a minute or two. Pulse in the dried fruit. If you use gojis, they can be hard, so you may need to run the motor a little. Press the "dough" into a small rectangular baking pan (I used 11 x 7 x 2 inches) that has been lined with parchment paper. Make sure the top is even as you press. Let sit in a cool place for a little while (the fridge is good). Cut into bar shapes that fit your needs, and enjoy. Makes approximately 10-15 bars. Notes: 1. If you use a vanilla flavored protein powder, that's totally fine, but the taste will be quite sweet. You can try omitting some of the dates (maybe a half cup) and adding more almond butter to bind (maybe 2-3 tbsp), though I haven't yet tried this method. 2. Feel free to chop in cacao nibs, to add vanilla extract, or any other add-ins you like (maca, cinnamon, cocoa powder). 3. Hemp protein should also work well! Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin2.2http://www.choosingraw.com/higher-protein-raw-vegan-snack-bars-easy-to-customize/ Well friends, I’m here in Portland, eagerly waiting for Vida Vegan Con 2013 to begin! Today is a designated work day, though, so I’m sticking close to my hotel and watchin

When last I left off on Seed weekend recapping, Kathy and I had been reunited over a lovely dinner at Pure. On Saturday, I made my way downtown for day one of The Seed, to participate on a panel with my friend JL Fields, Pas Niratbhand, and the lovely Kristen LaJeunesse of Will Travel for Vegan Food. Our topic? Vegan businesses: getting started, using online marketing to find an audience, and staying true to vegan values while also being inclusive and welcoming everyone, everywhere. I arrived pretty close to start time, but had a few moments for this ridiculous lovefest with the hens and JL. (Photo courtesy of Ethan!)  Soon, we were up on stage. This panel was somewhat impromptu–Chloe Coscarelli couldn’t make it to the event, and so we three stepped in. It was a good chat, very similar to last year’s blogging panel (where JL and I were also working together).  After, I got to check out some of the cool vendors. I was actually pretty beat come late afternoon–a combination of a seven hour bus ride Friday and some pretty intense seasonal allergies–so I made my way home for a quiet night at my mom’s. It was a good call, because Kathy and I presented bright and early on Sunday! (These photos are courtesy of Kathy and of Ali Seiter, who was graciously snapping a few in the audience for me.) Kathy and I are no strangers to collaboration, but this was our first time doing something live. Our presentation was on 10 ways to liven up your smoothie routine. A perfect topic, since Kathy’s upcoming book is a collection of 365 vegan smoothies, and she’s the queen of creative, fun smoothie recipes. It was fun to be in the presence of a master! Kathy gave the audience 10 tips for making smoothies richer, more nutritious, and more creative. They were all really great. My fave? Using cubes! Kathy mentioned that you can create better texture and flavor by freezing juice, almond milk, or soy milk and blending them in place of ice cubes so that you can keep things frosty without watering them down. Such a cool piece of advice, and one I’d never thought of! She also mentioned that frozen watermelon chunks add a wonderful, frothy texture to smoothies (a trick I learned when I saw her making her watermelon frosty at home). She also recommended varying the type of plant milk you use (oat, almond, soy, rice) for different texture and taste. My little spiel was on making smoothies more filling and nutritious. I went over different protein powder options, different healthy fats you can use, and how to balance a smoothie so that it doesn’t leave you craving food after an hour or so.  A little plug for 22 Days Nutrition! Afterwards, we got to take questions and meet some of the awesome folks who had come out on a very rainy morning to see us present. Thanks, wonderful audience! You made our day   After that, I took another spin through the conference. I was happy to see friends from Candle Cafe: And One Lucky Duck:   In addition to other vendors with new products I had never tried. Brooklyn Dark deserves a special shout out for their tasty dark chocolate! I picked up a dark chocolate sesame seed bar, which was truly unique. I was also really impressed with skincare from the Orange Owl–handmade, batch by batch, and it smelled so good! I snuck around the corner to grab a quick coffee with my friend Brendan, who I hadn’t seen in nearly a year. We made our way back to the conference in time for him to present to a packed room, but first made time for a photo op: After that, I had a few extra minutes of chilling with JL, whose presentation on expanding a blog into a business had been a tremendous hit, and caught the beginning of Dr. Robert Ostfeld’s presentation. Dr. Ostfeld is a cardiologist at Montefiore who has been putting his patients on a whole foods, plant-based diet and seeing tremendous results. He’s a true inspiration, and his presentation was accessible and informative. I said goodbye to 82 Mercer and headed out int

Whether it's abs of steel we want, or simply a litte less bloating after meals, the flat tummy can be had by all. And food plays a huge role. Here are 9 of my top picks that you wanna get in your gob if you're after a trim taut tummy. + Almonds Little gems of protein, fibre and vitamin E - a powerful antioxidant - with plenty of magnesium, which our body must have in order to produce energy, build and maintain muscle tissue, AND regulate blood sugar; this is what helps prevent cravings that can lead to overeating and weight gain. Soaking them prior to eating them also helps with the digestion of them, which can further make your tummy happy :) All other nuts are also great.+ Eggs You won't find a more perfect protein source thanks to their balance of essential amino acids. Personally, and from what I've seen, when people eat eggs for brekkie, they feel less hungry throughout the day (than when breakfast is mainly complex carbohydrates like breads and cereals). The protein and fat in the egg is likely what contributes to the feeling of satiety. And unless you've got an allergy, no bloating seen!+ Berries Antioxidants and fibre! The more fibre you eat the fewer calories you absorb from all the other stuff you put in your mouth because fibre traps food particles and shuttles them out of your system before they're fully digested. + Leafy Greens Super super low calorie count is what helps that waistline here. One cup of spinach contains only about 40 calories, while a cup of broccoli has 55 calories and satisfies 20 percent of your day's fibre requirement. Most leafy greens are also a good source of calcium, an essential ingredient for muscle contraction, helping fuel your workouts. However, if your system is struggling with digesting foods, make sure you're cooking your greens.+ Salmon Seafood, especially fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel, is an excellent source of uber-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which help promote fat burning by making our metabolism more efficient. Ontop of that, salmon (and other seafood) is an excellent source of abs-friendly protein.+ Oats (unsweetened, unflavored)Unless you experience gluten sensitivity, oats are a great flat-tummy food. Boosting our energy right up, and helping to maintain our blood sugar levels, so we're not reaching for the unhealthy stuff. + Peanut butterOh hello. Who else adores peanut butter? In anything and everything, I'll eat it. And what's even better? It builds muscle, and burns fat. What more could we want? + AvocadoRich in monounsaturated fats that will help maintain a trim stomach. + Probiotic foods It's the healthy probiotic bacteria in yogurt, kombucha, kefir and fermented vegetables such as saurekraut that helps keep our digestive system healthy, translating into a lower incidence of gas, bloating, and constipation, which of course keeps your tummy looking flat. Our health starts in our colon so if we ensure plenty of healthy bacteria there, we are ensuring health in the rest of us - this includes a healthy looking tummy.NOTE: This is not a definitive list. If you are allergic, sensitive or intolerant to any of these foods, it is likely that they are not flat-tummy foods for you. Listen to your body and eat what works best for you. This is only a guide.And one biggie to avoid... + Processed carbohydratesThese increase insulin levels and if we eat too many too often, they can stimulate abdominal fat (ontop of being devoid of any real nutrition). Some examples of these are low-fibre, processed breakfast cereals, white bread, pikelets, crumpets, bagels and scones, white rice and sugary soft drinks.Additionally...+ Regular exercise is essential to a flat tummy. People who exercise regularly are better fat burners, burning more fat all day long, as opposed to those who don't exercise regularly. + Practice good posture; yoga, pilates and the like all teach you to engage your core muscles and help you develop strength. All the sit ups in the world won

apparently sage is a beautiful flowering plant! what a bonus!so what have you got growing on? (bah, i know, i'm horrible.=) in june i plan to do a post of our home and community garden. i may even ask a friend to borrow her fancy camera. we're growing the usual plus some new things i'm excited to show you. enjoy your unofficial start of summer!=)

This has never happened to me before. My nails have been growing faster than I can trim them. Ok that sounds like a stretch but with my crazy busy days of late (husband’s away for 2 weeks, with 2 little ones, also getting back into my regular workouts as well as planning for my online video class e course due to launch soon) you can see why some things may slide. But honestly my nails have never grown so long and strong EVER. Here’s why… Yesterday I had to remind myself to trim them – sounds crazy but each time I’d notice they were getting longer I would make a mental note to do it, before I knew it they’d grown even more. I used to be a chronic nail biter as a kid, and when I was a flight attendant I either kept my natural nails short, or wore acrylics (yuk!) as nails were constantly broken, heaving that metal trolley up and down the aisles. And usually when pregnant, women find their nails; skin & hair improve or give them grief, one of the two. Mine was the former, with my hair beautiful and thick and nails not bad, but skin was the best it’s ever been (with both PREGNANCIES) only to go back to it’s average, combination complexion with occasional breakouts. So in an effort to get my skin back to it’s pregnancy glory, or at least try, I’ve been increasing my healthy fats. Not only is this great for my skin, but my hair, nails and of course healthy fats are UBER IMPORTANTE for breastfeeding mothers. Joanna Steven who wrote The Milky Way, talks about the importance of these fats (Omega 3’s and 6’s) for not only the quality of the milk, but also to assist with the brain development of our bub. WIN WIN WIN I say. So I’ve been enjoying more chia puddings, flax crackers, coconut & coconut oil in balls & fitness fudge and my fruit salads as well as way more avocados than ever before. I really like my avocados massaged into my salads aka guacamole salad, however if I get to the end of the day and have felt I’ve been a little short on my healthy fats, and am not really feeling like a savoury treat then… I’ve been experimenting with avocado sweet smoothies. And that is how this recipe came about.. Berry Yoghurt/Smoothie. Total accident but WOW. If you feel you are missing your dairy yoghurts then this is the one for you. Feeling a little silly though because yesterday I did post that it was NUT FREE. Oops. You’ll see that it is not in fact nut free (almond milk is in the recipe) – that will teach me for posting a teaser after I have nothing left (in my brain!) after boot camp class! Please let me know if you make it and what you think of it in the comments below. I originally made this as a smoothie, but if it thick enough to eat with a spoon. If you prefer your yoghurts more thick then reduce to 1 ½ or 1 cup of almond milk. Play around with it. Also did you have any other weird and wonderful things happen whilst pregnant that you wish had continued into non pregnant life? CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE Share on Facebook

The temps are heating up and the humidity is increasing. It definitely feels like summer around here, especially yesterday, when my latest Eco Emi arrived in the mail. The summer-themed box was one of the best I've received so far.As usual, Hayden and I made our unboxing video, right before heading out for her dance class. She has dance pictures today and a crazy recital week (rehearsals and two performances) coming up soon.Anyway, in case you missed it, here's what we got in this month's box:Assorted Nail Polish by Suncoat Girl: Hayden and I are definitely girlie girls, who enjoy a pretty mani-pedi every once and a while. We love the fact that this kid-friendly nail polish is water-based and odor-free. We received a pale orange color (Delicious Peach), perfect for summer and my warm skin tone (it looks like a soft nude shimmer on my nails). It glides on evenly and is easy to apply. I just wished it dried a bit faster on Hayden's nails (she's a bit impatient sometimes). However, it's so simple to remove; just soak your nails in warm water and peel away the polish (seriously, it works; Hayden and I tried it). Vegan Assorted Natural Mascara by Suncoat: I'm so happy this mascara came in this month's box. Mascara is probably my "desert island" makeup product. You can barely see my lashes without it. However, this particular mascara has Hayden's name written on it this time (although I may have to purchase one of my own). It is natural, sugar-based, vegan and "kind to sensitive eyes." I finally have a mascara I can use on Hayden for her dance pictures tonight, as well as her recital (makeup is required, including black mascara). Although this mascara is not waterproof (no tears baby girl), it should resist smudging.Mongo Kiss Honey Vanilla Lip Balm by Eco Lips: In our video, I failed to mention that this lip balm is made by Eco Lips. It amazes me how many varieties of lip balms they make, especially since I seem to love them all. This one is no exception. It smells lovely and is a nice chunky size for little hands to grip (Hayden is a big fan of natural lip balms). It's cruelty-free, GMO-free, gluten-free, USDA organic, fair trade certified, manufactured with 100% renewable energy, and the tubes and caps are made out of recycled materials.Pink Champagne Powder Eyeshadow by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques: Now you know I'm a big fan of all the Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques I have received in past Eco Emi boxes. This pink champagne color gives a rosy glow for summer and is just right for daytime wear. The best part is that it doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes. Hayden even tested it out. Oh, and did I mention it came in a full-size container?AquaSport SPF 30 Sunscreen by All Terrain: In the summer, I gotta have my sunscreen. This one looks like it can handle a day at the beach or even the pool. It claims to be non-greasy, both water and sweat resistant, and the best part, won't cause eye sting. Hallelujah! ("Hallelujah, I Love Her So" just happens to be Hayden's dance recital song, if you were wondering). I can't wait to try it at Hayden's end-of-the-year preschool picnic this week.Herbal Armor Insect Repellent by All Terrain: There are a lot of mosquitoes where we live, which reminds me of one of Hayden's current favorite flicks, "Lilo and Stitch" (Did you know aliens sent mosquitoes to Earth, because they are an endangered species that need humans to feed? Did I also mention this information is from an animated Disney film? Ha ha). Anyway, this insect repellent will be appreciated while watching the fireworks this summer. The mosquitoes certainly come out to feast then. Pomegranate Bars by Athena Bars: This is the third Athena bar to come in an Eco Emi box (the other two were blueberry and pumpkin spice). Each bar contains two servings of fruits and veggies, 40 antioxidants, 10 grams of protein and also probiotics. Since I opt for vegan or "bee-gan" bars, I haven't sampled these for myself, but I hear they are really good.Assorted Lotion and

Last week, I showed you a slew of recipes featuring strawberries and greens, because the folks at Relay Foods had given me a chance to sample their local Bounty Box (similar to a CSA box). It was brimming with leafy greens and tender plump strawberries (finally, tis the season). The greens lasted me quite a few days, and many salads over the course of them. Today, I’ll show you the last salad I made with these ingredients: a simple asparagus and strawberry salad with balsamic vinegar and basil. Strawberries and balsamic are a classic flavor combination. I’ll never forget the first time I tasted the two together, expecting something terrible; I was delighted at how delicious the marriage was! I often pair balsamic vinegar with fruit in salads (it’s also great with peaches, raspberries, and even watermelon), so I knew I’d be happy with this combination of ingredients. Needless to say, it was a hit, and it was also quick and easy to make. Print Asparagus and Strawberry Salad with Balsamic and Basil Ingredients5 large stalks asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces 1 cup halved or quartered fresh strawberries 6 cups fresh greens (mesclun, baby spinach, romaine, mache -- all of these will be just fine) 1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 1/2 tabelspoons balsamic vinegar 1 tsp dijon mustard 1 tsp agave or maple syrup Sea salt and pepper to tasteInstructionsBring a small pot of water to boil. Add the asparagus and blanch for 1-2 minutes, till the stalks are still crunchy, but bright green and just tender enough to be palatable to you. Slice the basil into thin ribbons and, in a large bowl, combine the greens, asparagus, basil, and strawberries. Whisk together the oil, vinegar, mustard, syrup, and salt/pepper. Toss with the greens. Serve. Makes 2 appetizer sized or 1 sizable salad.Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin2.2http://www.choosingraw.com/asparagus-and-strawberry-salad-with-balsamic-and-basil/ If you’re eating this on its own and would like it to be more meal sized, you could toss in some cooked quinoa or roasted chickpeas–both would be lovely here! This crispy, sweet, and savory bowl is a perfect celebration of the season. I hope you enjoy it soon. xo