Chicken and Fresh Fruit Salad

A Taste of Sunshine!

Ok, just close the drapes, pretend there isn't any snow on the ground and the temperature outside isn't below freezing. Now put on some Beach Boys music, get in the kitchen and make this really easy and fabulous salad, and sit back to enjoy a taste of sunshine!

Ingredients:

Steamed, Diced Chicken

Spring Salad Mix & Baby Spinach Leaves

Mandarin Oranges

Sliced Strawberries

Green Grapes, Halved

Dried Cranberries

Glazed Pecans

Crumbled Blue Cheese (completely optional)

Rasberry Vinaigrette dressing

I make this quite often during the summer months for a quick light meal and usually serve it with fresh baked muffins....cranberry-orange muffins are wonderful with this! But last night I just figured we could use a momentary escape from all the snow we've been getting. (And of course we played the Beach Boys, danced like no one was watching, and had a great time in the kitchen!) ~Enjoy~

Irish Oatmeal To Start Your Day

We all know the basics: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Whole grains are good for the heart, and we all could use a little more fiber in our diets. But we also know there are mornings when pouring a bowl of cereal is just easier and less time consuming, especially if you have kids to get off to school.

In my attempt to start the New Year off eating healthier (notice I didn't say the "D" word?) I purchased a box of McCann's Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal....and we love it! It's so easy to fix and you can get it started before you go to bed at night. Just bring four cups of water to a boil, remove your pot from the stove and add 1 cup of oats. Cover and let the oats soak over night. In the morning, cook the oatmeal on low for 9-12 minutes and you have a wonderfully hot and nutritious breakfast. I add raisins, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and my boys love it! So if you're looking to eat healthier and just want a warm, easy breakfast give this a try, you won't be disappointed!