Tuesday’s Tidbits

Hi, everyone – I hope your Tuesday is off to a good start!

Katie’s Five Bean Salad with Curry

Today I’d like to introduce you to Katie, a blogger that I have been following for a quite some time.  She is not only an excellent cook but an amazing photographer and food stylist.  Katie didn’t know me until now because I have been secretly stalking her blog and fervently wishing that one day when I finally figure out my camera, I can take photos like hers!  Now that I’ve exposed my secret, I can share her beautiful site, Healthy Seasonal Recipes, with you.

This Five Bean Salad with Curry is exactly the kind of recipe I love – fresh, quick, healthy and easy.  With the warmer weather finally on it`s way, you`ll want to bookmark Katie`s blog because there is no end to the fabulous salads she has made.  She believes in buying local and cooking what`s in season and her recipes are especially creative and the photography – well, gorgeousness!

With the newscasts full of dire warnings of skyrocketing food prices, shopping locally is the smart way to go.  The number of farmers growing organically has increased dramatically and the farmers` markets are now a Saturday stopover for most everyone.   Click here to check out the recipes and beautiful images – so much to choose from!  Better take a cup of coffee with you, you’ll want to stay awhile.  Thanks, Katie!

Healthy Seasonal Recipes – Five Bean Salad with Curry 

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This week, I had a visitor from the inspirational blog, The Daily Quipple.  I was so delighted when I found this blog and immediately signed up for a daily email of fun, encouragement, insight and enthusiasm.  Three women have partnered on this site and they provide charming artwork and a morning smile.  They also have a store where you can purchase art prints, mugs, cards and many other fun items. Check it out here.  What a great way to start each day!

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It’s time to throw open the windows and turn on the sprinklers and get out into the sunshine.  I thought I would share some of my favourite outdoor spaces from my board on Pinterest.  I was reading an article the other day about how we are so attached to our technology that we seldom spend time outdoors anymore.  Even when we do, we are preoccupied with our phones and Ipads.  How much nicer is it to leave it all inside and pour a glass of wine or lemonade and drink in the luscious green beauty of nature? In the meantime, here’s some dreamy places that will be sure to make your heart sing.

I don’t think I could ever leave….

 What a charming spot to lunch with family and friends…..

This took a lot of creativity!

Viceroy Hotel, Bali.  Speechless….

Old world charm….

Caldera View Dining, Santorini, Greece.  Perfection?

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If you haven’t yet read last week’s Tidbits, you’ve missed the opportunity to enjoy the unique experience on Anita’s site, Castles, Crowns and Cottages.  Her new post is one of her best, in my opinion, and cannot be missed.  Click here to go for a special ride – come on now, do it…you know you want to! 🙂

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We can’t forget about our weekly tidbit on health and this one comes from Healthline.com, a great website with a huge variety of helpful topics. I like this article on sodium and wanted to pass it along.

What Does Half of Your DV of Sodium Look Like?

Most Americans consume a large amount of salt. Restricting salt intake is especially important if you have heart disease or hypertension—or if you’re genetically predisposed to hypertension. The FDA recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day. That comes out to just a teaspoon of salt! As long as you pass on salting your food at the dinner table and only occasionally indulge a potato chip craving, you should be well within range, right?

Not necessarily.

Hefty servings of sodium hide in some foods you’d least expect. So we measured out just above half (1200 mg) of your daily serving of sodium— that is one half what the USDA suggests most adults should aim for—to help you decide which foods to limit or leave off your grocery list altogether.

Wendy’s Baja Chili Salad:                                       Chipotle Carnitas Burrito:

3/4 salad bowl=1200mg sodium                                                     2/5 burrito=1200mg sodium

Continue reading for more information and examples of every day foods we eat with high sodium here.

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Lastly, I have a question for you……

Too cute!  Have a great day, everyone.