Easy and Healthy Potluck Recipe

Last year I was on the hunt for a healthy salad to take for our family get together over the holidays. This is one that got rave reviews then and every time I've served it since and as I was digging out the link for another holiday request...thought it would be good to share here.

The recipe is a Celery Salad from Cooking Light that they describe as

A cool, crisp salad adds crunch and contrast to any menu. You can also use dried cranberries and walnuts.

Got your own healthy potluck recipe? Please share it here!

Buying Locally and In-Season

I just found a great tool on the NRDC's Web site (National Resource Defense Council): a guide that tells you what produce is in season in your state. So for early November in Illinois, a few of the listed items include:

• Apples
• Greens
• Peas
• Sweet Potatoes
• Click here to see the full list

They also list the in season produce in the neighboring states as well as a list of produce that is almost always flown in from a far away country, including:

• Asparagus (Peru)
• Bell peppers (Netherlands)--currently in season, so stock up now and freeze for later
  
• Cherries (Chile)
• Raspberries (Chile)
• Peaches (Chile)
• Nectarines (Chile)
• Click here to see the full list

So just in case you're wondering how eating local and in-season can be good for your health. Well there are a lot of reasons. It's best to eat food shortly after harvesting/picking because the longer they sit, the more nutrients they loose. It also reduces pollution (which is always good for your wellness) because the food doesn't have to be transported over hundreds and thousands of miles. Another reason is that it simply tastes better when it's in season and local. There's a lot more reasons, so please post a reason.

Connected to Wellness via Movies

Here's the first post in what will hopefully become a series on Wellness Movies...

I recently came across a documentary titled How to Cook Your Life with Zen Master Edward Espe Brown. Right now, you can watch the trailer and check out the site. Unfortunately it is only showing in a few select cities and Peoria is NOT one of them.

If you get a chance to see this movie or hear about it coming to Peoria, please let us know.