Jicama and Mango Salad

This light and delicious summer salad was inspired by a sample I tried at Whole Foods.  It was so good I had to recreate it at home.  It’s crunchy and sweet and the only kind of coleslaw for me!  It is the perfect accompaniment to shrimp or fish tacos. 

Jicama can seem a little scary, in fact I had to ask someone where it was since I had never seen one.  It’s a bit of a pain to peel but easy to cut and tastes great.  I am even thinking of trying it out on my kids since it has such a light taste and fun crunch. Put it on your next crudite platter.

Jicama and Mango Salad

  • 1 large jicama, peeled and cubed
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 head cabbage, sliced

Dressing

  • 4 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Combine dressing ingredients with a whisk and pour over the salad.  Serve immediately since the cabbage will begin to wilt and look translucent.  I have eaten it the next day but it does not look as appetizing. 

 

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74 Non-Candy Easter Treats

 

After you have chosen some all natural candies from the Natural Candy Store, here’s my list of non-candy Easter treats…

  1. Lego figures
  2. Ninjago figures
  3. Ninjago Spinner (always sold out at Target-they love these!)
  4. Small Lego accessories
  5. Star Wars figures
  6. Littlest Pet Shop
  7. Zoobles figures
  8. Polly Pocket
  9. Calico Critters
  10. Dollhouse furniture
  11. Play food
  12. Barbie
  13. Barbie clothes
  14. Pencils
  15. Fancy markers (my son asked for fine-tipped Sharpies so he can draw new faces on his Lego figures)
  16. Gift card to Five Below
  17. Jump rope
  18. Sidewalk chalk
  19. Hair bows
  20. Headbands
  21. Ponytail holders
  22. Nail polish
  23. Little girl make-up (all natural of course)
  24. Puzzles
  25. Spot It game
  26. Story Cubes game
  27. ThinkFun Rush Hour game
  28. Bananagrams game
  29. Hungry Hippo On The Run game
  30. Uno cards
  31. Pictionary Card Game
  32. Travel Perfection game
  33. Matchbox cars
  34. Wallet
  35. Gardening supplies for kids
  36. Cd or iTunes gift card
  37. Chapter book
  38. Clipboard and puffy paint to decorate it
  39. Paintbrushes
  40. Finger paint
  41. Watercolors
  42. Stamps
  43. Oil Pastels
  44. Girl Lego set
  45. Kid’s Cookbook and Cooking Supplies
  46. Kid’s apron
  47. Family pass to indoor pool
  48. Pool toys for summer
  49. Swim goggles
  50. Movie passes
  51. Paddle ball
  52. Harmonica
  53. Kazoo
  54. Play Doh
  55. Silly Putty (I got this every year as a kid)
  56. Toothbrush or cute character flossers
  57. Marbles
  58. Dice
  59. Jacks
  60. Pokemon or baseball cards with sheets for collecting
  61. Tickets to a Spring baseball game
  62. Baseball cap
  63. Sunglasses
  64. Jewelery
  65. Small water guns or Nerf (definitely not a good idea with lots of junky candy!)
  66. Erasers
  67. Small notepads
  68. Silly Bandz
  69. Fun duct tape that can be used to make wallets and other crafts
  70. Bubbles
  71. Kite
  72. Bath toys
  73. Balls
  74. Last but not least – things you would buy anyway: socks, pajamas, shoes, clothes, underwear (sorry kids!)

Photo from Farconville.

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An All Natural Easter Basket

Easter is right around the corner and it’s time to help out that Easter Bunny a little.  Clearly he or she does not know what it is in the garbage he gives to children on Easter morning.  That’s why they often turn into little monsters with their heads spinning around.  It’s not just the sugar that affects them; it’s the artificial colors, flavor and preservatives.  Why do that to our kids?

The Natural Candy Store is loaded with yummy natural treats with no artificial anything. But don’t delay because today is the last day for standard shipping for Easter.  Happy Shopping!

Natural Candy Store

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Taco Sauce

Key Lime Taco Sauce

I just had to share this and no I am not getting paid by Frontera.  I love this Key Lime Cilantro Taco Skillet Sauce with roasted tomatillo and green chile.  It tastes like you worked on it for hours and used all the freshest ingredients. 

It does not contain anything but healthy and all natural ingredients and is a great time saver.  I put it on beef, chicken and fish tacos.  I keep it in my fridge for quick healthy lunches with leftover chicken, shrimp, salmon or whatever protein I can find.

It is a bit spicy so when I use it for my kids I use very little.  I like it hot so I pile it on.  I love it when I find something quick, healthy and weeknight worthy!

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Mustard Glazed Salmon

Heart healthy and full of Omega-3′s, salmon should be on the modern family menu once a week.  My three children are not on board with this yet, but I still ask them to try it now and then.  You never know when they will develop a taste for it.

This is the simplest and most delicious salmon recipe I have found yet.  I like to double the recipe and keep it in my fridge for lunches during the week.  I can put it on a salad, wrap it in a tortilla or mix it with quinoa for a quick, healthy lunch.

It’s perfect for a dinner party since it requires mimimal prep and a quick cook time.  It can be broiled or cooked on the grill.  Always a crowd pleaser.

I discovered this recipe in Giada De Laurentiis’, cookbook Giada’s Family Dinners.  I am a huge fan of hers and I am anxiously awaiting the release of her next cookbook, Weeknights With Giada.  I have been DVRing her show for years and years.  I changed this recipe a tiny bit but the idea is all Giada’s.  Thanks Giada!

mustard glazed salmon

  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
  • 1 tbsp dry white wine
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 salmon fillets (I like to ask the fishmonger for the center cut so I don’t have the thin ends that burn)

 

mustard glazed salmon

Mix the first 5 ingredients in a small bowl.  Put the fillets on a foil lined baking pan sprayed with non-stick spray.  Salt and pepper the salmon.

Cook under the broiler 4 inches from heat for about 2 minutes. Don’t forget to leave the oven door open a crack.  Brush the mustard sauce on and cook for 5 minutes longer until the salmon begins to brown on top.

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