Watermelon Radish Canapé

I have a long time love affair with Farmers' Markets.

The amazing produce, the proud farmers, the colors, the smells, the thrill of getting items that are only available seasonally.

When I received an advanced copy of, 

Pescan, A Feel Good CookBook, 

it was a dream come true!

The premise is simple. 

The authors who are also best friends, would take trips to their local farmers' market and spend all day cooking.  Their focus is on  plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free dishes but incorporate high-protein seafood and eggs.

This book is not only a treat to look at but the recipes are colorful, simple and fun.

One of the wonders of the farmers' market for me are watermelon radishes.

I love anything that is a vibrant play on words 

and it is always a joy to cut into these radishes and see the watermelon-esq colors.

Naturally, Abbie and Jacqueline's recipe for a canapé made from these gems caught my eye...

They are easy to make...

delicious to eat...

and a total show-stopper...

I'm calling this a platter of happiness...

Watermelon Radish and Smoked Salmon Canapés
from Pescan, A Feel Good Cookbook

1/2 cup nondairy cream cheese (like Kite Hill)
4 to 8 watermelon radishes, thinly sliced into 24 rounds
f8 ounces smoked salmon
1/2 cup thinly sliced grape tomatoes
1 small carrot thinly sliced
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
1/4 cup capers drained
1/4 fresh lemon juice
flaky seas salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 bunch fresh dill

Spread 1 tsp. of the cream cheese onto each radish round.  Top each round with a small piece of salmon.  Add a slice of grape tomato and a slice of carrot to each piece. sprinkle each canapé with 1/4 tsp red onion, 3-4 capers and 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Garnish with dill fronds and arrange the canapés nicely on a serving platter.




Thank you to ABRAMS Books for sponsoring this post and for sending me an advanced copy of Pescan, A Feel Good CookBook.  I am part of the ABRAMS Dinner Party so there will be more wonderful recipes to come.

Simple Steps to a Healthier and Colorful Fall

Thank you Blue Shield of California for sponsoring this post. They are committed to health and wellness, and they believe in tackling health issues before they start.

When it comes to health and wellness, my approach is simple.

I try to make small lifestyle changes everyday to improve well-being for myself and my family.

The key for me is to keep it colorful and fun,  

and do things that make me happy while still keeping it healthy.

Food Swaps

Who doesn't love a donut? But you can't eat them all the time.

Swapping out the classic, fried treat for a sprinkle yogurt donut

is one of my favorite ways to start the day.

I coat a donut pan with non-stick spray, add sprinkles to each mold,

fill with a low sugar yogurt and freeze.  

Then pop them out in the morning and serve over granola.

It's a much healthier breakfast that is still festive and feels indulgent.

I love to serve zucchini noodles as an alternative to pasta, sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes for french fries or plain Greek yogurt for sour cream.  

They are all easy, delicious changes that don't make you feel like you are missing out.

Take the road less traveled and get out of the car!

Not only is taking your bike for a spin or walking great exercise,

often they take you on picturesque paths that you could never see from the car.  

You can treat yourself by stopping and smelling the flowers, enjoying the wind in your hair

and really taking in the view.

It is good for you body and your mind.  A day at the beach is so much more rewarding when you ride your bicycle there.

Another tip, parking far away from a store's entrance.  It not only alleviates the stress of fighting for a good spot but those extra steps add up.

I don't know about you but I am always proud of myself

when I take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.  Working up a sweat in the gym is a great work out but little everyday activities count too!

Take the eat more color challenge

I love to go to our local Farmers' Market and try to buy the most vibrant produce I can find.

Gorgeous greens, beautiful blueberries, pretty peaches, colorful chard...

not only are they amazing to look at, they taste even better.

I challenge my kids and myself to try to find the most unique products at the market. It is always an adventure and thrill when you discover something you have never tried before.

I encourage them to talk to the farmers about what they have grown and their favorite ways to eat it.

We love learning about seasonal fruits and vegetables and are

always in awe with how much better farm fresh ingredients taste.

Eating better is not only important, it should be celebrated.

Living a healthier life is important but for success, it needs to be something you enjoy and easily fits into the way you live.  I was excited to learn that Blue Shield of California is committed to their patients' health and mental wellness and see that it's crucial to tackle health issues before they start whenever possible. Wellvolution is Blue Shield of California’s a suite of programs that has been proven to prevent and reverse disease through 100% lifestyle based approaches.  Concentrating on improving diet, activity, stress management and social support are all things Wellvolution addresses.  If you are already a Blue Shield of California member it is free to join. Be sure to find more information on Wellevolution here.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Marble Potato Salad

I am a sucker for any tiny food.
When I saw these teeny, tiny marble potatoes,
I couldn't resist taking them home!

Colorful, quick to cook and pretty to eat, 

not only do they look just like the classic childhood toy but,

Marble Potato Salad 

has become the side dish of the summer.

So, do you think you are ready to take a "shot"?

Marble Potato Salad
serves 6 as a side dish

In a large mixing bowl stir together:
4 cups of Marble Potatoes (or the tiniest potatoes you can find), cooked in heavily salted water until tender, then cooled (these cooked in less than 10 minutes)
1 large shallot, sliced thin
1/4 cup roughly chopped Italian parsley
3 Tablespoons finely diced chives

whisk or shake together:
4 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
8 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Dress potato mixture with dressing and add salt and pepper to taste.  Then top with zest of one lemon.

Summer Cherry Salsa

Is there anything cheerier than a cherry?
Perfect for pies, simple snacks, gorgeous garnish for drinks
and sensational in salsa...

We are so lucky to have friends with property chock full of cherry orchards.

We definitely know Summer is here when we get a package from Sunset Ranch...

Cherries are such a fun, flavorful alternative to tomatoes, 

the tart yet sweet taste is totally addictive...

Quick, easy and pretty, 

I think it's the best way to get the Summer Fiesta Season started...

Summer Cherry Salsa

Mix together:

2 cups fresh pitted cherries chopped

1/4 cup finely chopped shallot

1-2 fresh jalepeños finely chopped with seeds removed

juice of one lime

1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro 

1 tsp kosher salt

Serve with chips and enjoy

Keeping my exercise routine fun and fresh

For me, exercise has to be inspiring.

I tend to get bored easily so I need to think of it as a treat.

I love to plan activities with amazing views, like my favorite 

Land's End Trail in San Francisco...

or transport myself to a magical place and hike in 

Muir Woods with my son...

Not only is it good for the body but amazing to clear your mind.

Besides my trusty water bottle, I always have a pack of Orbit® gum with me.

I've found that not only is it a nice treat, 

but when your mouth feels clean and fresh you can really make the most of the moment.

With amazing flavors such as, Spearmint, Peppermint, Wintermint, Bubblemint, 

Strawberry, Citrus, Sweet Mint and Orbit White, there is always something new.  

Orbit® sugarfree gum has only 5-10 calories per serving

and can help keep your wellness goals on track, not only while being active,

 but by minimizing mindless snacking throughout the day.

Perfect for a run on the beach...

power walking in the city...

or a vigorous stroll with friends to The Golden Gate Bridge.

Orbit®  helps to keep it lively and exciting.

Some days it is as simple as walking to the shopping center, art museum or 

farmers' market instead of driving.  I make the destination a rewarding experience.

I may treat myself to a candle at the mall, a new exhibit at the museum or 

unique produce that I've never tried at the farmers' market.

Keeping it fresh, fun and interesting,
is the best way to #ChewToABetterYou!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Lucky Farms - St. Patrick's Day Crudité

It's always a good day at the Farmers' Market but around St. Patrick's Day, 

it's all about the Luck of the Irish.

So many shades of green and so much bright, fresh produce that I'm calling it, 

Lucky Farms and putting together a St. Patrick's Day Crudité.

 I gathered bunches of green goodness like

Av o' cados...

Celtic Cucumber...

Shades of Shamrock Sugar Snap Peas...

 Rainbow Chard...

and of course, the customary cabbage...

I started this emerald endeavour with sliced avocado,

 a touch of fresh squeezed lime...

then topped with Everything Seasoning.

It is bursting with flavor and character, 

just like many irishmen I know.

Spiralizing veggies makes anything cooler and more fun to eat, 

and it's not blarney that it tastes better too.

Cucumbers and zucchini have never looked better...

A wee bit of spicy red pepper flakes and olive oil 

added to sugar snap peas will have you ready to do the jig.

We are all looking for rainbows on St. Patrick's Day.

Swiss Chard stems add just a punch of color...

and crunch when the leaves are made into Sea Salt and Vinegar Chips...

A day celebrating the Irish isn't complete without a touch of cabbage...

Our's is front and center,

 filled with Toby's Ranch Dip

So try the Lucky Farms, 

they're magically delicious!