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In-Season Produce: Rainbow Rotini Salad
We now know that buying in-season fruits and vegetables, particularly produce that has been grown locally, is better for our environment (and probably our taste buds and bodies too). But it also provides an exciting opportunity to try new foods and to experiment with seasonal recipes!
Check out this recipe for Rainbow Rotini Salad. If you make it, shoot a picture of your finished dish and upload it to the Vista Ridge Facebook page. Anyone interested in having a community cooking contest?
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) package colored rotini pasta
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 large cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
- 1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian-style salad dressing
- 1 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
Directions
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a rapid boil (2 teaspoons of salt can be added, optional). Add rotini. Return water to rapid boil and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain. Rinse in cold water.
- Combine cooked pasta with tomatoes, green bell pepper, onion, cucumber, broccoli, mushrooms, olives and Italian salad dressing. Cover and chill. Toss salad before serving.
Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 327 | Total Fat: 11.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg
In-Season Produce: Markets near Vista Ridge
April 12, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Around Town, Food, Go Green, Health & Fitness
Do you shop for your fresh food and produce locally? If not, you may want to give it some serious consideration. Although today’s global market allows us to buy foods grown almost anywhere in the world at any given time, this option is not the most sustainable.
Buying in-season fruits and vegetables that are locally grown helps to eliminate the environmental damage caused by shipping foods across the country – and in some cases – the world. Not only does your food dollar go directly to the farmers, but you’re able to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, better tasting, unprocessed produce. According to the National Resources Defense Council, in-season foods for the state of Texas (and surrouning areas) include:
| Blackberries Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Cucumber Grapefruit Greens Herbs Mushrooms |
Onions Oranges Peaches Potatoes Spinach Strawberries Summer squash Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes* Turnips |
Here is a short list of markets that sell fresh locally grown foods near the Vista Ridge area. If you can suggest any other markets, leave a comment and let the community know!
Going Green: Refresh your face
April 6, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Food, Go Green, Health & Fitness
Check out this easy Do it Yourself recipe courtesy of The Daily Green…
Revitalizing Mask
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped avocado
- 1 egg white
- 2 tsp. powdered milk
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender until they form a smooth paste. Apply the mask to your face and neck using circular upward movements. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, or until dry. Rinse your face and neck with warm water and finish with a cold water rinse. This mask will keep up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator if you need to prepare it slightly in advance. Makes 1 application.
Fogelman Management Group is focused on spreading the word about Going Green, a term that signifies the social movement towards environmental conservation, protection and improvement. It’s all about making simple lifestyle choices that will lessen our negative impact on the Earth. Making and using home products with organic materials is just one way to we can make a difference.
Stay tuned to the Vista Ridge blog throughout the month of April for more tips on how you can play your part.
