Not your mama’s radish

If you have no idea what you’re looking at, meet the watermelon radish! By far my favorite radish, for many reasons, not the least of which is the totally gorgeous fuchsia flesh and green rim!

Resembling one of America’s favorite summer fruits, the watermelon, this fun veggie is a beautiful, healthy addition to any salad.

Raw, roasted or pickled, pairing this vitamin C rich root with your favorite salads will add an appealing twist!

Watermelon radishes are more mild and slightly sweet as compared to your standard radish. In addition to being a great source of Vitamin C, radishes stimulate liver function and promote healthy digestion.

You can buy watermelon radish seeds to add to your garden or snag some at your local farmers market/grocery store.

Even if you’re not impressed by the health benefits, there is no denying how pretty these little discs will look in your next garden salad!

Enjoy!

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Love or Hate: A Broccoli Story

No matter which side you’re on, there is no denying the big time benefits from broccoli! Thankfully, I can’t seem to get enough of this green superfood!

Like almost everything, broccoli most nutrient rich in its raw form, but can be eaten in a variety of ways! Broccoli is a low cal, low fat, high fiber, smart carb which provides protein, vitamins A, B, C and K, omega 3, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene and much more.

All of its complex nutrients help give you energy throughout the day, detoxify your body, lower cholesterol, promote skin health and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Whether you’re on the broccoli bandwagon or not, its a great vegetable to try and incorporate into your diet!

*Try steaming some lightly and squeezing a little lemon over top if you’re not the biggest fan of the flavor but are still looking for a boost in your diet*

Bistro Beets

Who says you have to go out to have a restaurant worthy lunch!?!?! Try making this beet, walnut and goat cheese salad teeming with nutrients! It is delectable, will keep you full and focused all afternoon and can even help boost your mood! Not convinced? This 350 calories salad legitimately has superpowers and I can prove it!

Beets are an unbeatable (haha, yep went for the pun!) source of iron, folic acid, vitamins A, B & C, fiber, potassium, beta carotene and much more! This purple power food helps lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of colon cancer, generate cell growth/recovery, and has higher levels of carbohydrates and sugar that break down slowly do give you continued energy throughout the day. If that wasn’t enough, they also contain betaine, which is used to help treat depression, and trytophan, which increases your sense of well being (its the same feeling you get when you eat chocolate).

Walnuts rich in omega 3, vitamin E and protein which have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. Walnuts also help promote heart health and reduce your risk of prostate and breast cancer.

Goat cheese is low fat, low calorie and calcium/protein/probiotic packed. While the calcium you get from this salty, soft cheese helps with bone density, it also assists in your body’s fat burning functions post meal.

If all that doesn’t convince you to give this simply salad a try, how about the fact its plain yummy!?!

1 cup boiled beets, >1/4 cup raw walnuts, 1oz goat cheese, mixed greens w/parsley, salt/pepper and a splash of aged balsamic – BOOM! – unbeatable, bistro beet deliciousness!

Keep it simple!

When it comes to eating healthfully, I am a firm believer in keeping it simple! Great food doesn’t need filler or additives because its deliciously good for you all on its own. While I love experimenting with foods, making new recipes and exploring different culinary concepts, there is something to be said for the simplicity of eating foods just as they are.

Why make things complicated? Need a healthy, nutrient rich, protein packed, energy boosting snack? Little beats a fresh apple (pink lady apples are my personal favorite) and raw almonds!

Don’t over think it when it comes to eating healthy – keep it simple and it will always be simply delicious!