FRIDAY FARE: Turkey and Strawberry Salad

I was at Costco today, and saw their strawberries. YUM! So, I thought I'd find a healthy recipe that uses strawberries and turkey... here ya go!

Turkey-Mixed Greens Salad with Strawberries, Kiwi and Cashews in Honey-Sesame Dressing
(This is from Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller - on FoodNetwork.com)


Oh, my goodness, doesn't that look scrumptious!

Ingredients:

1 (1 1/2-pound) reserved cooked turkey tenderloin, sliced
4 cups mixed greens
1 cup sliced strawberries
2 sliced kiwi
1/2 cup dry-roasted, salted cashews
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons honey mustard
Salt and ground black pepper

Directions:

Cut turkey into bite-size pieces and set aside.

Arrange the mixed greens on salad plates or large serving platter. Top with turkey, strawberries, kiwi, and cashews.

In a small bowl, whisk together broth, honey, sesame oil, and honey mustard. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Pour mixture over turkey and spinach salad.

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Cold & Flu Season

I've had two severe colds in the last month, and winter just started. Each cold I get seems to last forever, and is worse than the previous one. I think one of the problems is that my immune system is not as strong as it used to be. It's been a year and a half since my last chemo treatment, and I kind of expected to not have these problems still. But, as I've talked to other cancer survivors, I've learned that it can take 2-5 years to get back to your "normal" pre-cancer self. The fact that I can get back to my old self is good - but I wish it didn't take so much time. It seems that with each new cold, I get weaker and weaker. I guess this would be a good time to make sure I've got a flu shot, that I'm eating fruits and vegetables, and that I get lots of rest.

Today, open your journal and talk about getting better. As you think about this, try to recognize the things you are doing that help you feel better. Is there something you are trying that helps? Maybe you take a nap each day, and that helps boost your energy - or maybe you are careful to stay away from others who are sick.

My advice: Be careful of crowds. If you feel a cold coming on, get plenty of rest and Vitamin C. Take care of yourself!

FRIDAY FARE - Green Smoothie...

Guest blogger, Shannon Stahura, sent this in. Shannon is a friend and neighbor of mine. She helped me out lots during my treatment. Her mom is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and Shannon volunteered to help me out here on the blog with recipes...

"My trainer gave me this recipe and I have been making it for breakfast and as a snack for the last couple of weeks . If you have had the naked juice or odwalla green juice it is very similar . This is a great fast and easy way to get your fruit and veggie servings."

GREEN SMOOTHIE

1 cup water
2 cups spinach
1 cup fresh pineapple
1 banana
1 cup ice

Optional...

Add protein powder or a teaspoon of coconut oil. Coconut oil is a great way to get your serving of healthy fats and adds some thickness to the shake.

Directions...

1. Blend spinach and water until well blended
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well and drink it up.

The whole food blenders such as Vitamix or bBlendtec are recommended.

By-the-way, at our nutrition meeting in the summer, Kim - one of our Sister Survivors - showed us how to make green smoothies, so I'm excited to have another recipe. I've still got a few of Kim's smoothie recipes if anyone didn't get a packet. Let me know... sistersurvivors@gmail.com

-Kara

FRIDAY FARE: Healthy Recipe - Summer Smoothie

When I was going through Chemo treatments, I had a hard time finding something I could eat. Not much tasted good. A good friend of mine, who had gone through chemo the year before, suggested that I try a smoothie. In fact, her sweet husband even came to my house and made me one! It worked - I was able to keep it down, and it even tasted pretty good to me. I've asked guest blogger, Shannon Stahura, to submit a smoothie recipe for you to try. -Kara

Shannon:

"Here is a fast and easy way to beat the summer heat and maintain a healthy lifestyle...a smoothie! This recipe is full of anitoxidants and high-nutrient leafy greens (but you can't even taste them "deceptively delicious style"). This makes a great snack or even serves up as a well-balanced meal replacement complete with all five food groups."

Summer Smoothie

1/2 cup apple juice
1/4 cup blueberry or pomegranate juice
1/2 banana
1/2 cup mango
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup almonds

Put ingredients in blender and pulse for 15-20 seconds and serve.