Raw Beet Salad with Mint and Pear (Gluten Free)

My youngest and I have planted a few too many beets this year.  They have really taken off and many are ready for harvest. I am not sure what I am going to do with them all as I think I do prefer cooked beet greens to actual cooked beetroot.  In the summer however, this raw beetroot salad is definitely the way to go, it is delicious.  My family and I discovered this recipe a few summers ago.  I can take zero credit for, but rather give all credit to Jamie Oliver.  I highly recommend it, even my girls enjoy it.

Ingredients
Salad:

• 4 medium sized beets, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces (a mandolin is helpful here)
• 1/4 cup minced fresh mint
• 1/3 cup crumbled goat, sheep or cow feta cheese (optional, but tasty)
• 1-2 ripe pears cut into matchstick pieces*

Dressing:

• 1 lemon juiced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• fresh black pepper to taste
• 1-2 drops stevia (optional)

My youngest pulling up some of her beets

Directions

1. In a medium size bowl combine beets, mint, feta and pear (see note about pears)
2. In a small bowl combine all dressing ingredients and stir to fully mix.  
3. Pour dressing over salad and serve or let sit 1-2 hours in the fridge to allow flavours to combine.

*if making this salad ahead (more than 2-3 hours) I leave the pears out until close to serving, as they can get kind of mushy if left too long in the dressing

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Taking Control of Right Now

Right now is what I have to work with.  I have learned from past mistakes and hurts,  overcome injuries through hard work, and this has taught me to make the most of my "nows".  It has also shown me how to celebrate every moment in this life.

The road has been tough and sometimes still can be, but each day is about taking control of right now and becoming my best me.  Procrastination is a waste of life, body and soul and really a slap in our own faces when we don't take care of business.  Right now we have a choice to eat healthy, exercise and stop complaining about all the things wrong in our lives.  So many are caught up in all the negative stuff and can't see the forest through the trees. Instead of celebrating a pound lost, the happy event quickly becomes downgraded to "just a pound" and this has just ruined my day.

We are the products of our daily choices.  It is important to take control of "right now" and not allow another day to pass without making some great changes. Whether you are struggling with poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, stress, or a bad attitude there is no time like the present to take positive action.   Our lives become so habitual that change feels alien and impossible, but I say it is POSSIBLE.

Get out a piece of paper and journal changes you would like to see happen in your life.  Do you want to look better, feel better, and improve the quality of your life?  Create a plan to make that happen and that may mean going to a qualified counselor, personal trainer, or registered dietitian. Whatever needs to happen, only you can make it so.  Dependence on others to somehow create this magic transformation for you is a fairytale.  We are all responsible for our physical, spiritual and emotional health and any slacking manifests itself as illness, unhappiness and low self-esteem.

Time to take control of RIGHT NOW and Stay Healthy!

Read my latest article on the sportsnutrition.about.com network titled "Five Food Strategies You Can Do Right Now to Reach Your Fitness Goals" for some great ideas.

Thanks for stopping by my Blog and I look forward to responding to your comments.  Don't forget to subscribe below and never miss a FREE update.

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I believe in Right Now

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Carrot Apple Spice Muffins (Gluten and Refined Sugar Free)

Perhaps these are more of a fall muffin but we had the ingredients handy and were looking for snacks to take along to the beach or to grab for quick breakfasts.  These are full of flavour and have some added protein to help keep you full.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup grapeseed oil 
• 1 shredded apple
• 3 shredded carrots (1 1/2 cups)
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
• 2 teaspoons gluten free vanilla 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 cup palm or coconut sugar (add another 1/4 cup if you prefer a sweet muffin)
• 1/4 cup chickpea flour
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour
• 1/3 cup arrowroot starch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon psyllium husk
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and prepare muffin tray.
2. In a large size bowl add all the wet ingredients including the carrot, apple and raisins.
3. In a medium size bowl add all the dry ingredients.
4. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined.
5. Scoop into muffin tray and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

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Stir Fried Greens -Simple and Clean

One of our favourite ways to eat greens is to simply pan steam or fry them up.  My oldest has planted rainbow swiss chard in her garden which we have been enjoying these last few weeks.  We have also substituted beet greens or kale in this recipe.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 tablespoons bacon fat, olive oil or ghee or 1/4 cup broth
• 2-3 minced cloves garlic
• 1 diced onion
•  6-8 cups chopped swiss chard, kale, beet greens, spinach or any other leafy green of choice
• pinch sea salt

Directions

1. Heat a wok or large frying pan with broth or oil.
2. Add onion and fry for 3-5 minutes, add garlic and fry another minute or until fragrant.
3. Add leafy greens and sea salt. Steam/fry for 5 minutes or until greens are at desired texture.
4. Enjoy!

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