Summer Salads

There is nothing better than a refreshing salad in the summertime. This salad makes a great side dish or add some grilled chicken to it for a healthy lunch. I did not add the dressing to it like the recipe says. I just drizzled it over each individual serving so I could save the leftovers.

Strawberry Salad with Cinnamon Vinaigrette
Adapted from Taste of Home
Ingredients
• 1/3 cup raspberry vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 6 cups torn romaine or spring mix salad
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered
• 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
• 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Directions
• In a container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the first seven ingredients; shake well until sugar is dissolved. In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine, strawberries, avocado, oranges, onion and pecans. Drizzle with vinaigrette; toss gently. Serve immediately. Yield: 12 servings.

My Plate

You have probably heard in the news recently that My Pyramid is now called My Plate. My Plate divides the food groups into fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy and shows how your plate should be look at each meal. The main points of my plate are:
Balancing Calories
● Enjoy your food, but eat less.
● Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase
● Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
● Make at least half your grains whole grains.
● Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce
● Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
● Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

For more information on My Plate visit www.chosemyplate.gov and view the slide show listed below created by the University of Nebraska Extension Program.

My Plate

Choose MyPlate: Selected Consumer Messages

View more presentations from Alice Henneman