oranges

My Favorite Ambrosia Salad Recipe

This classic fruit salad is one of my favorite family holiday recipes because nobody can pass up its tropical fruit and marshmallows bathed in tangy whipped sour cream.

“You’re REALLY going to put that on the blog?” my man questioned. “Really?”

Yes, REALLY.

We each have our holiday favorite dishes. He has his creamed corn. I have my Ambrosia salad.

These are the recipes that if missed on the holiday table cause pain and agony. Even if just for ourselves, because it simply wouldn’t be the same without them.continue to the recipe… about My Favorite Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Quinoa and Kale Protein Power Salad

Quinoa, chickpeas and pistachios add protein and healthy fat to this seasonal kale salad, making it a favorite side dish or healthy vegetarian main meal.

Even though I knew better, I still asked.

“Should we do something with kale, or swiss chard, or spinach, with the quinoa?”

“I’m not a good one to ask about that sort of thing,” he replied. “How about you do something with sausage, butter and cream?”

Typical. Oh…so…typical.

Didn’t he hear the bleating of the noise makers? Didn’t he see the ball drop? Doesn’t he know there’s been the annual calendar flip that puts us all into dietary shock following the previous two month’s full-steam-ahead intake of gluttonous anything and everything?

Lucky for him (ahem) he has me and this protein-packed quinoa and kale salad to remind him.

continue to the recipe… about Quinoa and Kale Protein Power Salad

Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

This festive and fruity punch with bubbly champagne and DIY frozen ice cubes is a crowd favorite that can easily be made non-alcoholic.

We’ve done it for the past 20+ years and I expect we’ll be doing it for the next 20+ years, too.

As the year starts to wane, and now that we’ve given thanks and counted our blessings with turkey, pie and our family’s love, and are beginning to think of what might lie ahead in the sunshine and sparkles of what we hope the new year will bring, my friends and I gather together to celebrate our long time friendship by doing what we did best in college.

Jello shots? Wellllll…sometimes. But not this time around.

Instead, we head back to our sorority roots and plan a philanthropy to give to others who don’t have it as good as we are so fortunate to have it.

continue to the recipe… about Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

Berry Delicious Fruit Salad Recipe

A mix of berries, melon, oranges and pineapple gets tossed with honey, fresh orange and lime juice and mint, making for a healthy, colorful and bright salad that’s both light and refreshing.

Following my route of debauchery last weekend in Las Vegas for our 16th annual NASCAR race (yep, I’ve got a little redneck or “neckcar” in me, and proud of it), I’ve been in need of a thorough cleansing.

Too much rich food for dinners and wacky fair food at the track (fried bricks of french fries?), too many late nights as my dad’s good luck charm at the 21 table only to get up too early to head out to watch cars go round and round and round in the 74 degree sun.

Good thing I evened it out with a spa day spent with my mama. At least they offered cucumber water to counter our mango-ritas.

It’s all about balance.continue to the recipe… about Berry Delicious Fruit Salad Recipe

Citrus Fennel and Avocado Salad

It’s no secret I like to eat. It would be abnormal—in my humble opinion—to have a food blog and not enjoy the feasting it’s bounty produces. I stand firmly in the make and munch camp.

While I do consider myself a semi-foodie, I’m not really a whole foodie. I’m not hard core about eating 100% organic or avoiding sugar in my diet and I’m too lazy a.k.a. scatterbrained to ponder the possibilities of signing up for a CSA because then I wouldn’t have to run to the grocery store 4 times a day.

And for heaven’s sake don’t even ask me to think of giving up chocolate or cheese.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not a fan of eating fresh foods depending upon the season. In fact, I’d say that’s just exactly how my foodie tidal cravings swing.

As a former creative director for a health and fitness magazine, over the years I learned ALOT about food and nutrition. Heck, I even put a girl in a swimming pool full of oranges just to show “creatively” that vitamin C is so important for skin care. Instead of shooting just a regular old orange. Because that would be easy. Back before digital cameras were even used professionally, when we still shot film. And polaroids. So you could save them for years and hang then on the inside of your office cupboards for a walk down memory lane.

Oh wait, am I the only one that does that?

Oh, how my prop stylist hated me when she had to transport 100 cases of oranges to the pool and then get them all out afterward. And the model who put on a brave face in January in an unheated pool in un-sunny Encino, CA.

But doesn’t that model look just like Bridget from Bake at 350? I bet Bridget would have been smiling too, because she’s always smiling.

continue to the recipe… about Citrus Fennel and Avocado Salad