Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!!


 Yesterday I went to a family picnic at my sister's new house and as always, we all had such a great time hanging out together. I have 2 sisters and it's a family joke that every family get together is really just about the 3 of us. The close bond that my sister's and I share is always at the core of every gathering, we seem to take center stage whether it's intentional or not. 
There's nothing like the special bond that we sister's share ~ we are so blessed!


                                                      Silly fun with Karen & Sharon ~ xoxo
 Of course food is at the center of any picnic and my choices are never an issue with my family. It's really easy to march to the beat of a different drummer when everyone around you is supportive!
Karen  served a huge green salad she knew I'd love. She had all the yummy trimmings ~ sliced almonds, sprouts galore, sunflower seeds and cranberries. I was in heaven :)
I brought along a veggie platter with a raw spinach dip that was awesome and fruity quinoa salad that everyone enjoyed... (recipes below). I've found that as long as I have healthy, nutritious foods at my fingertips, it doesn't matter what anyone else is eating. After all ~ food is only a small part of any family gathering. Shared laughs and time together is what it's really all about!

                                             


Creamy Spinach Dip
4 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 ripe tomato
1/2 cup raw tahini
1/3 cup chopped onion
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 Tsp. garlic powder

combine in a food processor until pureed
Enjoy!!


Fruity Quinoa Salad
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 Tsp cinnamon
juice of 1 lime
pinch sea salt
1/2 cup cranberries
1 orange ~ sectioned & sliced
1/2 cup walnuts

Add quinoa to 2 cups boiling water 
simmer on low 15 minutes
let sit 5 minutes to absorb rest of water
Add the rest of the ingredients
Enjoy!


Dessert!!


"Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life"
Albert Einstein








2 comments:

  1. Hello Kathy! My name is Margot, and I am a 57 years old Norwegian. I have been watching a lot of these healthy-life-style-videoes on YouTube, and have learned a lot. It seems to me that you Americans are way ahead of us when it comes to choosing a healthy life style!
    Yesterday I made my first green smoothie, and I liked it so much that I had to make myself one today as well! I have been able to loose appr 24 kilogrammes, probably around 48 pounds, I guess. And - for the first time ever, I have been able to keep my weight steady for more than 2 years!
    However, there is a lot of ''heart- history'' in my family, and my doctor wants me to start on medicine that will lower my cholesterol. I'd rather not start on this medicine, 'cause I know there are a lot of side-affects to this kind of medicine. So now I hope that your green smoothies will help me reduce my weight even further, so that I don't have to start on this medication.

    I really must say that you look great! The transformation you have been through, is incredible! Imagine changing your life like that - really impressive, Kathy!
    By the way, how is the old man who tried his first green smoothie, doing? I think he said that he had lost 12 pounds in just 3 weeks, is that right? Is he still on the same diet?
    Have a nice week! Here in Norway we have had a very late Spring this year, and flowers and migrant birds are delayed at least 3 weeks.Thanks for reading my comment! Margot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Margot :)
      Thank you for taking the time to post such a nice comment!! I really appreciate it. Congrats to you for your weight loss, you must feel amazing. Keeping the weight off for 2 years is quite an accomplishment, as we both know! I am sure that once you add green smoothies into your days you will not only lose weight but lower your cholesterol without medication.I share my smoothies with many friends, family & coworkers now and all are having the same great success. Losing weight is almost a bonus, because everyone feels so great and so pleased with their improvements to their health. I'm sure the magic of the greens will do the same for you! Keep me posted,I'd love to hear about your progress :)
      We are having a late Spring here in Ct too...I am so anxious for warm weather,it can't come soon enough! Something for us to look forward to!
      Thanks again for stopping by Margot :)
      Wishing you much health & happiness always!!

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