Healthy Endeavors

Take a look at this morning’s segment on Good Morning Connecticut!

Wendy Battles-Plasse: wtnh.com

Here are a few of the recipes that I shared on Good Morning Connecticut on Sunday, July 24, 2011. They are all healthy, simple and loaded with antioxidants to help prevent cancer and other chronic disorders like diabetes.

Sassy Water

(Adapted from the Fat Belly Diet Book)

I love this flavored water! It’s so refreshing and easily quenches my thirst on exceedingly hot days.  Experiment with the flavors to make it your own!

Ingredients:

½ cucumber, peeled

½ of a lemon

Handful of fresh mint leaves

½ gallon filtered or bottled water

Directions:

1.       Slice the cucumber and lemon thinly and add to pitcher.

2.       Add a small amount of water.

3.       Add the mint leaves and “muddle” to bring out the flavor.

4.       Fill the pitcher with water, chill and enjoy!

Watermelon Cooler

This light and refreshing drink is a snap to whip up in no time and is the perfect elixir on hot summer days.  Watermelon is bursting with Vitamins A & C and also contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent cancer.

Ingredients:

2 cups watermelon, cut into chunks

2 tbsp. fresh lime juice

Ice cubes

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a blender, pour and enjoy.  Garnish with fresh mint if you like.

Orange-Mint Iced Tea

Growing up my mom made this tea and I always loved it.  A few years ago she recreated the recipe.  Experiment with the flavors to make it your own.

64 oz. water

5 tea bags

handful of fresh mint leaves

1 cup orange juice or to taste

2 tbsp. agave nectar or sugar, to taste (optional)

Directions:

1. Brew tea in large pitcher for approximately 5 minutes. Discard tea bags.

2. Add fresh mint and let tea cool.

3. Chill tea and before serving add orange juice and agave nectar if desired.

Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds ripe tomatoes

½ cup torn basil leaves

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 clove minced garlic

¼ tsp. salt

2 medium cucumbers

½ sweet onion

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

1 tsp. red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. ground pepper

Directions:

1. Cut the tomatoes into ½ inch squares.

2. In large bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic and salt. Stir and set aside.

3. Peel the cucumbers, and then cut in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and then dice into ½ pieces.

4. Dice the onion.

5. Add cucumber, onion and cheese to the tomato mixture. Add the vinegar and pepper and mix well.

6. Serve and enjoy!

Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad

(Adapted from a recipe by Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

1 small watermelon (2-3 pounds)

1 sweet onion

1/8 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

4 ounces feta cheese,  crumbled

Directions:

1. Cut the melon into bite sized pieces.

2. Cut the onion in half and then cut into crescent shaped pieces.

3. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, pepper, and whisk until salt is dissolved. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.

4. In a large bowl, combine the melon, onion, and feta cheese.

5. Pour the dressing over the melon mixture, just enough to evenly coat the ingredients.

6. Add chopped mint.