Grated Radish and Apple Salad (Easy & Refreshing)

It’s amazing how endlessly creative salad making can be. This grated radish and grated apple salad became a new favorite of mine after I bought a bunch of red radishes and quickly realized I had no plan or idea what to do with them. 

Vegan Thai Green Mango Salad Recipe- (Som Tum Mamuang) Sweet & Sour, and Refreshing!

Are you a fan of Thai food? I am !

This Thai green mango salad recipe (also known as Som Tum Mamuang) is a vibrant dish bursting with sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Traditionally enjoyed as a street food salad in Thailand, this Thai green mango salad is 100% vegan and gluten-free, made with crisp unripe mango, fresh herbs, and a tangy lime dressing. It’s quick, refreshing, and perfect as a side dish or light meal.

The best part? this green mango salad comes together in under 20-25 minutes, looks impressive on the table, and offers an interesting alternative to traditional green salads.

Just a heads-up: if you’re expecting a sweet fruit salad, this isn’t it! The recipe calls for green mango which is far from fruity.

Holding On or Letting Go? + A Delicious Summer Recipe

Holding On or Letting Go?

A personal reflection on clutter, memory, and making space

“Less is more.”
“Does it bring you joy?”
“Do you use it—or have you just been storing it for years?”

These are just a few of the questions worth asking when clutter begins to feel overwhelming. It's not just about organization—it’s about creating space for calm, clarity, and intention.  It's not that my house is messy, but I just keep a lot of stuff I no longer want or need. 

Black Bean, Avocado, and Tomato Salad - When It's Too Hot To Cook

It's mid July and we've been experiencing a two week HEAT wave. As a result, I have not felt much like cooking so I've been on the lookout for interesting summer salad recipes. 

I didn't have to look very far. 

Carol at Comfort Spring Blog posted a delicious beautiful looking salad this week that is made with black beans, avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, corn and more. I love this combination of ingredients, and I really enjoy reading Carol's blog. It's not the first time I've found a really good recipe on her blog. I decided to try it.

15-Minute Marinated Cucumber Salad

If you’re looking for a fast, refreshing dish that’s as versatile as it is delicious, this Marinated Cucumber Salad is perfect. With just a handful of ingredients—including crisp cucumbers, tangy rice vinegar, red onions, and a touch of Dijon mustard—this salad comes together quickly and the onion marinates in just 15 minutes!

The Broccoli Salad You'll Actually Like To Eat

Broccoli in salad ? 

Yes, and it tastes great!!

The key is to "blanch" the broccoli so it stays vibrant, green, and tasty. 

My friend Noreen served this delicious salad at a recent gathering of friends and everyone really liked it. It uses baby salad greens as its base, some blanched broccoli, red onion, slivered almonds, sun dried tomatoes, and olives.

3 Simple Healthy Holiday Recipes to Impress Without the Stress

Although the holiday season is frequently laden with sweet and rich indulgences, it doesn’t mean we can't find snacks and sides that are light, healthy, or uncomplicated. 

On this post today, I'm sharing 3 interesting recipes that I found on other blogs that I thought were perfect for entertaining now and during the holidays. 

I had a dinner party last night with 15 guests. I tried two different recipes that I found on Pattie's blog ( A blog that I follow) called Olla-Podrida.  Both recipes were well received.

Cannellini Bean Dip with Black Olive (vegan) calls for just a handful of healthy ingredients. The dip is savory and creamy with the delicious taste of olives. It's perfect for scooping with crisp veggies or your favorite chips or crackers (all gluten-free of course). It's an easy recipe to keep on hand. Follow the link to find her recipe. Cannellini Bean Dip with Black Olive

Next, an interesting Artichoke Salad with Hearts of Palm features hearts of palm, marinated artichokes, a variety of olives, and cherry tomatoes- a delightful mix of textures and delicious flavors. Light, refreshing, and festive, it’s perfect for balancing out all those rich holiday meals. Follow the link to see her recipe. I did make some personal taste changes. See my notes at the bottom of the post for my personal changes.Artichoke Salad with Hearts of Palm

The third recipe I found on another blog that I follow, Jeff the Chef's blog - Make it Like a Man. I have not made this incredible looking food design recipe yet, so I don't have a photo to share with you - but click over to his blog to see this beautiful Caprese holiday wreath made of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls,  (vegans can substitute vegan feta cheese) and edible greens. So creative, and definitely is cheerful, festive, and makes a great presentation during the holidays. I think it's a show stopper!! 

 Whether you're wanting a festive appetizer or a light, colorful salad, these simple dishes are the perfect balance of healthful ingredients and holiday cheer.

My Notes: 

Re: Artichoke Salad with Hearts of Palm. 

I made a few changes when I made the recipe. 

First, I used a jar of marinated artichoke quarters. I used some of the marinade from the jar in place of the suggested dressing for the recipe.

Re;Cannellini Bean Dip with Black Olive . I left out the oil and I thought it was still very creamy. Next time, I might try using green olives or Kalamata olives in this easy bean dip recipe. 

“Simple Asian Cucumber and Edamame Salad: A No-Fuss Recipe”

If you enjoy starting your meal with a salad, but are looking for something a little different, you may enjoy this simple Asian  cucumber and edamame salad using English cucumbers.

Dressed with rice vinegar, tamari sauce, and a hint of maple syrup, this salad is not only delicious but also packed with specific health benefits.

Growing Greens In the Fall

You may remember that I shared this photo of the garden that my son built. It was a big project, and he didn't finish it until the end of the summer. Although he has never gardened before, he was pleased to find out that he could actually still attempt to grow some fall crops before closing shop for the winter.

Someone gifted him the sign 

Although the days are shorter and the air is crisper, fall offers a wonderful opportunity to plant a garden. While many think of spring as the prime planting season, autumn is perfect for growing a variety of hardy crops, especially leafy greens.

My son was a little too late to start his fall crops from seed, so he found a farm selling tiny starter plants which included lettuce, Swiss chard, carrots, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, dandelion greens, and some herbs - all fall crops.

Vegetable Garden Now in Bloom 

It has now been 6 weeks since I first shared his plantings, and the garden is now flourishing. I went over this morning to pick lettuce, kale, dandelion greens, and Swiss chard. 

Unfortunately, his radishes and cauliflower didn't seem to want to develop: there were plants but no bulbs. It is something he will have to figure out for next growing season. 

Swiss Chard

I looked it up and the reason the radishes bulbs never developed, and it may be that they were planted too close together, the soil many be too acidic, or since it is a first time garden, the soil may not be loose enough. 

He still has a lot to learn for his spring planting, but he is enjoying the abundance of greens!

Why Plant Leafy Greens in Fall?

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, arugula, lettuces, dandelion, and Swiss chard thrive in cooler temperatures.

Leafy greens provide important health benefits: 

Nutrient-Rich Powerhouses: 

• Leafy greens are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Spinach is rich in iron, kale boasts high levels of vitamins A, C, and K, while Swiss chard provides magnesium and potassium.  
• Greens such as kale and collard greens are rich in calcium and vitamin K, important for maintaining strong bones as we age.
•  Incorporating these greens into your diet may help boost your immune system as winter approaches.

1. Quick Harvest: Many leafy greens are quick to mature, allowing you to enjoy fresh produce in just a few weeks. This is especially rewarding in the fall, when the first frost can sweeten the leaves, enhancing their flavor.

Storing My Pickings

Since I only go to his garden once a week, I needed to know how long the greens would stay fresh in the refrigerator. This is what I found to help them maintain their freshness: 

• Lettuce: up to 1 week. Store in a plastic bag or container to retain moisture.
• Swiss Chard: up to 1 week. Wrap loosely in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag.
• Spinach:up to  5-7 days. Keep it in a breathable bag in the vegetable drawer.
• Dandelion Greens: up to 3-5 days. Store similarly to spinach for best results.
• Kale: up to 5-7 days. Use a perforated bag to maintain humidity without causing rot.

Kale 

Anti- Inflammatory Salad - this is a wonderful fall salad made with lettuce, kale, chickpeas, celery, red cabbage, roasted butternut squash and some other vegetables. Why not try it? It's a powerhouse of nutrients and tastes delicious.  It goes great with a bowl of quick and easy carrot ginger soup.

Do you plant a garden? Do you re-plant crops for the fall? Any suggestions on the radishes? 

The Great Gatsby on Broadway

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is playing on Broadway in NYC. This week was 2-for-1 week at participating Broadway theaters, and we were able to get our 7th row orchestra, 1/2 price tickets weeks in advance by mail.

In My Kitchen September

I'm joining Sherry at Sherry's Pickings for  her "IN MY KITCHEN" September, 2024 blogger share!

It's hard to believe that the summer is almost over and we are already welcoming in the month of September.  

Not a lot going on in my kitchen right now but I'll share what I've got!

The Origin of Buddha Bowls And How to Make One

Have you ever made a Buddha Bowl for lunch? These versatile bowls are healthy, filling, and delicious. But do you know the beautiful story behind the origin of these plant-based meals in a bowl?

Spinach and Potato Comfort Food

Do you like potatoes? We all have our favorite comfort foods, and for me, potatoes and spinach are a perfect pair. I especially enjoy creamy mashed potatoes with wilted spinach, but there are countless ways to combine these two ingredients in comforting recipes. Since both of these vegetables are currently in season at local farmers' markets, it’s the perfect time to savor their freshness and flavor with the following simple effortless (ok maybe just low effort) recipes.

Here are some ideas that I have made in the past!

Pickled Cabbage in 10 Minutes

Have you ever made your own pickled vegetables? 

Pickled cabbage can be made on the stovetop in about 5-7 minutes. It's a delicious condiment that can be used to perk up a sandwich, wrap, or salad. Can it be eaten alone as a side dish? Absolutely I love it.

7 Easy Sweet Potato Recipes

Do you enjoy a good sweet potato? I do and I often steam a batch of 4 or 5 them at one time in my Instant Pot to eat throughout the week. I eat the sweet potatoes as needed- sometimes plain or with toppings or adding sweet potato to a variety of recipes. I'm sharing seven of my favorite recipes.

Leafy Greens for Anti-Aging

I like leafy greens, but I often overlook eating them. They are in season, and the farmer's markets are bursting with early summer leafy greens (kale, dandelion greens, lettuces, spinach, etc.). I did a little research on their benefits. Wow! They are extremely beneficial and well worth eating! Here is what I found out. 

Eating leafy greens may give you more energy, stronger bones, contribute to better eye health and heart health. If that is not enough,

Refreshing Cucumber Salad with Clear Rice Noodles

Cucumbers, onions, sesame seeds, mint, parsley, and rice noodles are some of my favorite salad ingredients that I use to make this easy, light, refreshing, and healthy hot weather salad. 

As we delve into the hotter summer months, think cucumber recipes to help combat the heat and stay hydrated and energized. Cucumbers are a delicious low fat and low calorie addition to any meal that help cool you down, nourish your body, and invigorate your taste buds. 

I know it's only the beginning of June, but the temperatures in the Philadelphia area are already sunny and in the upper 80's and low 90's right now, and I'm feeling the heat and humidity!

Truthfully since I've been traveling for over a month, I have been eating out entirely and have not been doing any cooking at all!. 

It's been a shock to have to go back to shopping for groceries, then having to bring everything home, put things away and then actually having to COOK!! It's work- 

Embrace The Spring Season With Delicious Plant-based Foods

 

Who doesn't look forward spring and delicious seasonal spring vegetables? 

As winter fades away and nature begins to awaken, spring brings with it a burst of colors, flavors, and fresh produce. It's a time of renewal and rejuvenation, making it the perfect opportunity to embrace lighter, plant-based meals that celebrate the season's bounty. 

Whether you're a seasoned vegan or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, there's no shortage of delicious options to explore. From vibrant salads to hearty gluten-free grain bowls, here are some must-try vegan spring foods to add to your repertoire:

Chickpea "Mock Tuna" Sandwich

Chickpeas are really versatile. The high protein beans taste great added to salads, soups, or casseroles. Sometimes, I simply mash them with a fork and eat them on a sandwich like a mock tuna sandwich.

10 Favorite Plant-Based Asian Recipes- Gluten free

                                  Asian Soup in 10 Minutes  (Recipe Link)

I am quite a fan of Asian food. Are you?  It works very well with a vegan diet. For those looking to increase the amount of low fat plant-based foods to their diet, here are 10 of my favorite delicious and easy ideas.