RECIPE: Weightless Watermelon Salad

Weightless Watermelon Salad

This past weekend I was invited to make my 'Weightless Watermelon Salad' at The Seed Expo at 82 Mercer in NYC. I was honored to speak alongside celebrity, vegan Ironman, and bestselling author Brendan Brazier, Gena Hamshaw, author of one of my favorite raw vegan food blogs, Choosing Raw, and my friend, and best-selling author of "Main Street Vegan," Victoria Moran, and MORE! I had a blast and a half rockin' my Madonna-esque mic ;).

Chef Tatiana Ridley at The Seed Expo

Here is my easy peasy recipe for my 'Weightless Watermelon Salad,' perfect for your summer picnic, party, lunch or dinner. With only 5, yes 5, ingredients, it's super simple to make, jam-packed with healthylicious nutrients and low-calorie. I encourage my clients to keep it simple when they prepare their meals; the less ingredients the body has to break down for digestion, the easier it is for the body to thrive. My motto is: Keep it under five to thrive!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

                                

Ingredients:

~ Organic Arugula

~ Watermelon - Whole or chopped up into chunks

~ Cheese - Either Feta or a nut-based, vegan cheese like the Lisanatti Almond Mozzarella Style "Cheese"

~ Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

~ Balsamic Vinaigrette 

Supplies:          

~ Cutting Board

~ Knife

~ Salad Bowl

~ Salad Tossers

Directions:

1) Wash the organic arugula and place it in the salad bowl. 

2) Chop up the watermelon into 1/2 inch cubes (or buy them pre-chopped) and throw them into the salad bowl.

3) Chop up the cheese into 1/2 inch cubes and toss them into the salad bowl.

4) Drizzle the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinaigrette onto the salad and toss.

5) Enjoy!

Nitty Gritty Nutrition Facts:

Arugula is a great source o' the following health benefits:

Vitamin A - Great for eyes, skin, bones, teeth, and immunity.
Vitamin C - Cancer preventing anti-oxidant and immunity booster. 
Vitamin K - Bone density and brain function.

Watermelon is 92% water, this melon is a natural diuretic that hydrates and cleanses the body. 

Blissfully Yours,

Tatiana Ridley, CHHC, AADP 

Earth Day GIVEAWAY! -> Smart Glass Recycled Jewelry

In honor of Earth Day, Smart Glass Recycled Jewelry contacted me to offer a GIVEAWAY for my readers! Made from recycled glass bottles, (wine, beer, champagne, sake, vodka, water, and Coca-Cola bottles), and sterling silver or gold fill, these beautiful and unique pieces have a dual purpose - they're stylish and socially conscious. BONUS! 

Every piece is handcrafted by Kathleen Plate in Atlanta, Georgia, (which just so happens to be the type o' font I use on my blog... Georgia that is.). Smart Glass is the bling of choice among celebrities including Katherine Heigl, Sienna Miller, Leighton Meester, Christina Applegate, and Amy Smart, and has been featured on popular TV shows like Entourage, Nip/Tuck, and Days of Our Lives. 

ENTER TO WIN a Smart Glass "Treasure" Necklace (Value: $88)!

Smart Glass "Treasure" Necklace

Inspired by travels to foreign lands, the Smart Glass treasure necklace is as unique as you are. Made from recycled glass bottles and antiqued brass chain, it is 18 inches long and can adjust to be shorter. Color one is center, 2 is next to center, 3 is on the sides. Pictured in aqua from a sake bottle, lime from a beer bottle, and antiqued clear from a soda bottle.  For more information, visit: http://www.smartglassjewelry.com

CONTEST RULES: Comment below with your favorite environmental tip. 

For example: I (try) not to buy bottled water in favor of using my Kleen Kanteen. 

One lucky winner will be picked on Friday, April 26th 2013. Could it be YOU?!

Good Luck!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, Jules!!!

Blissfully Yours,

Tatiana Ridley, CHHC, AADP

TOP 4 NEW Healthy Pet Products

Yesterday Oliver, (my 7 year old Chiman), and I were invited to check out  the 15 NEW pet products to hit the market at the annual Pet News Now Health & Wellness Pet Product Media Showcase at the artsy Roger Smith Hotel in midtown Manhattan. As a healthy living blogger, I was keen to check out the healthy, natural pet products on the market to bring into my wee dog's life and to share with my devoted dog readers.

Oliver and I enjoyed posing for the pupperazzi on the "green carpet."

TOP 4 Your Ticket To Healthylicious Bliss!™ Approved Healthy NEW Pet Products:

1) CritterZone Air Naturalizer, (1st place winner of the SuperZoo National Show in 2012), is MY FAVORITE new pet product on the market because it solves 2 of my main pet problems: 

1. Stinky Pet Odor (Urine & Poop)

2. Dog Allergies

It's a chemical-free, filterless plug-in air naturalizer that removes pet odors, (not just for dogs, but for ALL pets, including birds, rodents, reptiles etc.). Per Dr. Oz's recommendation, air filters are a must-have in your home with allergy season in full swing. 


** The folks at CritterZone want you to enjoy $10 OFF their product when you use the promo code, 'Tatiana,' when you ORDER HERE. (plug-in OR adaptor w/chord options available) **

2) VetIQ™'s Minties have won me over from my usual bad breath, plaque fighting bone brushes for my dog, Greenies, with their affordability (cheaper than Greenies) and healthier ingredients: Parsley, Dill, Fennel, Chlorophyll (Alfalfa) and Peppermint.

Oliver "dancing" for a Pack 'N Pride 

Chick Chick Hooray! treat.

3) Pack 'N Pride (website coming soon!) is a hip and healthy new treat brand hitting the shelves this June. NO by-products or fillers AND antibiotic-free. Just good stuff! 

Oliver tried (see picture at left) and approved the treats, (trust me, he's a picky pup). Using a patent pending process of a vacum-freezing, low temperature baking process, these treats are more nutritious and easier to digest for your animal babies. 

4) Wahl has solved my search for an all-natural, anti-shedding shampoo for my shedding machine with their Shed Control Shampoo. Not only does it smell like something that I want to use on myself, (ingredients include: lemongrass, sage, oatmeal and aloe), but it's affordable and 100% natural plant derived ingredients! Coming to your local Target in June... 





Oliver is on K-9 Cloud 9 will all of his healthylicious goodies... Thanks, Amanda Leesburg, for making my dog happy and healthy :)

What are your favorite healthy pet products?! 

Blissfully Yours,

Tatiana Ridley, CHHC, AADP

Eat. Work. Grow. The (Foodie) Movement - Just Food Conference 2013 Wrap-up

This past weekend I was invited to cover one of my favorite foodie events of the year, the Just Food Conference 2013 for my healthy living blog, Your Ticket To Healthylicious Bliss!™. As always, it was a treat (this was my 3rd year in attendance).  

Here are MY TOP 5 FAVES from the event:

1) Healthylicious Lunch catered by Whole Foods, Great Performances, Good Water Farms, and Orwashers Bakery (mouthwatering picture below). 

My healthylicous lunch... Jealous?

My super fresh lunch menu included: 

- Cauliflower, slow roasted cherry tomatoes, peas, and capers
- Faro salad with chickpea, marinated artichokes, and olives
- Baby herbs salad (SO freakin' fresh!) 
- Grilled veggies, herb goat cheese, arugula, and roasted tomatoes on a tasca roll
- Golden apple, pear, and camembert with arugula on health bread
- Marinated artichoke, sun-dried tomato pesto, roasted garlic confit, and hand-sheared greens on whole wheat wrap 

2) Andrea Beaman's Workshop, "The Wisdom Of Eating Locally & Seasonally." I'm a HUGE advocate of eating seasonably and encourage my clients to do so when they're able. Oh so many health benefits, like the freshness and overall quality of the food.

Crock & Jar's Brona Cosgrave & Michaela Hayes

3) Crock & Jar Kraut - Made locally in Brooklyn. Only 3 ingredients! 

My Motto is: Keep it under 5 to thrive! (trademark pending...)

Founded by Michaela Hayes (pictured at right), these jars are a must have in your fridge. They were on sale for $5 (down from $7) so of course I had to buy myself some! I bought the Pickle Kraut for myself :) Check out their website for all the cool kids that sell their products. 



* Nutrition Note: Fermented foods like kraut are beneficial to the body for a number of reasons, like helping our digestion by supporting the beneficial bacteria in our digestive tract, allowing our bodies to absorb the nutrients we need.

The Plan Tea Guys.

4) Plan Tea is the perfect healthier alternative to SNAPPLE Ice Tea (believe it or not, I am a recovering Snapple Ice Tea drinker). With only 3 ingredients, this delicious drink was created by Alexander Ridings (pictured at left, standing on the far right) and his life partner, Claire Ridings. Sweet story, right? Well, it gets sweeter... They give 5% of their sales to non-profits that provide sustainable solutions to social problems and empower people to help themselves. Try 'um at your local Whole Foods, Fairway, or somewhere else in NYC. 


5) The fabulous people I met! 

Just Food SNAPSHOT: Just Food is a non-profit organization that connects communities and local farms with the resources and support they need to make fresh, locally grown food accessible to all New Yorkers. 

Blissfully Yours,

Tatiana Ridley, CHHC, AADP

GIVEAWAY! -> WIN a ticket to the Just Food Conference 2013 on March 29th & 30th

I'm thrilled to be able to offer you the opportunity to WIN a ticket to the Just Food Conference 2013 ($45 Value) which is now officially SOLD OUT!!! The conference takes place on Friday, March 29th (8am-7:30pm) and Saturday, March 30th (8am-6:30pm) at the Food & Finance High School in New York City. This year will be my third year attending this event and each year I meet like minded people, learn so much about the food movement, try delicious and nutritious new foods, and leave feeling enriched and inspired! Join me and enter to win a chance to experience ALL of this... 

Here's what you get with your GOLDEN TICKET:

~ Breakfast, Lunch, Dessert & Snacks, including goodies from some of my favorite spots: Whole Foods, Orwashers Artisan Bakery, Red Jacket Orchards, and MORE!

~ Keynote Address from Byron Hurt - Award-winning documentary filmmaker, published writer, anti-sexist activist, and lecturer.

~ Food Talks - 5 food professionals will share their stories, ideas and perspectives on a food-related topic. 

~ Workshops

~ Good Food Jobs Get Together <- GREAT if you're looking for a job in the food industry!

~ Expo Reception - Lots o' cool sponsors, including some of my faves: Sweet Loren's, Juice Generation, Bareburger, Clean Plates, Organic Valley, and MORE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blissfully Yours,

Tatiana Ridley, CHHC, AADP