THE BEST FAMILY EVER

        You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
                                                                                        Desmond Tutu 


As you start searching the world for nutritious food, it is nice to have family support!   So when Ben and I recently visited his family, we were delighted that his sister Jane served a great meal:  Baked salmon along with a salad and a fabulous salad dressing!   Try her recipes:

ORANGE WALNUT SALAD

1 cup toasted walnut pieces
10 oz. mixed greens
1 head butter lettuce (or romaine lettuce) chopped
2 large navel oranges, peeled and sectioned, each section cut in half
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 tub gorgonzola cheese, crumbled (I substitute feta)
optional:  1 can drained kidney beans

Toast walnuts in a dry saute pan or under oven broiler until brown (being careful not to burn them).  Toss all salad ingredients together except cheese.  Sprinkle cheese on top of each serving.

ORANGE WALNUT SALAD DRESSING

Blend with a high-powered blender until smooth:

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup (or less) agave (or honey or stevia powder/drops to taste)
2 tsp dijon mustard
2 Tbls balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp ground oregano
1/4 tsp black pepper

                                                AND...
...my daughter-in-law, Christina, just sent me the best link ever!  We're going to try making ice cream!    www.thespunkycoconut.com

                                                AND...
...My other daughter-in-law, Kacey, introduced me to another great recipe that I have experimented with for about a year.  It is very versatile!  The healthiest muffins ever!
(...except for those who are allergic to some of the ingredients.  It can be modified again!)

I modified it to this:
PUMPKIN MUFFINS

Chop in a blender:
1/2 cup pecans (or other nuts)
1/4 cup flax seeds

Mix together in a large bowl:
2 cups almond flour (or 1 cup almond flour and 1 cup quinoa flour)
1/3 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup arrowroot powder
1/4 cup buckwheat flour (opt.)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp stevia extract powder (or other sweetener)

Add to nut mix in blender and blend:
1 can pumpkin puree
1/4 cup oil (I like almond oil)
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups nut milk (or enough to achieve correct consistency)

Combine ingredients and mix completely.  Fill paper muffin cups 3/4 full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  Makes 2 dozen.