SPINACH-CHICKPEA SALAD W/WARM BACON DRESSING

This is a Dinner Salad, meaning that it is all you need, unless you are a big eater. A baked Sweet Potato and Fresh Applesauce would be good. Tal and I just needed the salad. We ate a little Applesauce later in the evening.

SPINACH-CHICKPEAS SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

4 - 6 slices Bacon (Fry and crumble when cool)
1 15 oz can Chickpeas (rinse and drain) Cook your own for a bit healthier choice.
Fresh Spinach (I fill my salad bowl with what I think we will eat.
Sliced Red or Sweet Onion
Crumbled Blue Cheese
6 to 8 dried Figs, stemmed and sliced. Fresh would be better.

2 TBS Cider Vinegar or Fig Vinegar made with dried figs and Balsamic
1 TBS Dijon Mustard
1 TBS Olive OIl

After your bacon is browned, pour off the drippings. Add back 1 TBS and saute the Chickpeas until lightly browned. About 7 to 10 minutes.

In the bowl of Greens, add the Chickpeas, Onion, Bacon, and Figs.

Make dressing in the warm skillet, adding the remaining Bacon drippings, Vinegar, Dijon and Olive Oil. Cool a bit.

Pour slightly cooled dressing over the Salad and toss.

You could use a mixture of Spring Greens and Spinach. This salad must be eaten immediately.

PALE GREEN SMOOTHIE

How about a recipe? I haven't posted a new one for some time now, but I have several to share now.

As I have said before, I think Green smoothies are an excellent way to get children and grands to enjoy green vegetables, as well as having the advantage of getting the enzymes from raw food. This is so important in reproducing another healthy cell.

Did you know that in 7 years you will have a brand new body? Every cell dies off and is replaced by another. Will your new body be healthier or more diseased? You can do something about it, however I realize that this demands a learning curve that will demand persistence on your part. Any changes you can make will be worth the effort, if nothing more than refusing to go with the flow. Do what you can with what you know to be right and then don't worry about the rest. Remember too, that health is not just a matter of what you put in your body on a physical level. You are also soul and spirit in a perishable body. Your pursuit of intimacy with God is primary. "Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life." Determine to live in inner tranquality that is produced by enjoying God's presence and surrendering every negative emotion & thought to His love.

I hope someone will try this health giving drink and let me know what you think? You may be skeptical about using Spinach and Kale in this drink, but I am confident that you will be surprised how tasty it can be. This makes a great lunch or breakfast. To make your first green smoothie, we will start with very little greens.

IN A BLENDER:
A small handfull of fresh Spinach. If you are brave or trust me, add one leaf Kale. Kale and Spinach have mild flavor and blend well with the fruit. You can add more Spinach and Kale later.

1/2 frozen Banana. It doesn't have to be frozen. Banana makes for a smooth consistency. Remove the peeling and collect real ripe bananas in a plastic bag and freeze.

Small chunk of English Cucumber.

1/2 Apple, peeled.

1/2 Lime or Lemon Juice. Fresh squeezed, not pasturized bottled juice.

Enough Orange Juice to liquify. It is harder to find good tasting oranges, so use fresh squeezed, pasturized juice, not concentrated.


NOTE: Drink this meal slowly. Don't flood you stomach. "Chew" your Smoothie to activate saliva in your mouth to help digestion. You should not have chunks of fruit or vegetables in the finished product if your blender is strong enough to liquify the contents.

OTHER ADDITIONS: Flax Meal, Grapes, Kiwi, Pear

Enjoy!