Dreamin' of Potatoes

This week was overwhelming work-wise. Super long days with no stops. Cramming knowledge into my brain, answering the phone, tending to emails right and left and of course, the dreaded paperwork. So. much. to. do.

So after I hit a wall today (maybe one of my more unproductive days) I came home and decided I would write down a list of dreams. I knew what some of them were already, but I wanted to be give myself freedom and be honest about what I truly wanted, why I wanted them and how I would obtain them. If you know me, you wouldn't be surprised to see that most of them are food, people and travel related. Some of them are possible and some of them might not be. But why would I sell myself short and not even try at the ones that seem impossible? I'm tired of giving up so easily and letting others be the ones to Do. Find. See. what they love. Why should I not go for it and embrace failures along with (hopeful) successes?

This brings me to this blog specifically. It's something I've dreamed of doing for years and (finally) worked up the courage to start. I want it to be a place of honesty. A place I can come to and share my thoughts, learnings, ideas and dreams. A place where I can be myself. Not stressing to say the right thing. Or presenting myself in a "perfect" way. Just a place where I can share what I'm passionate about and be real. (And hopefully make some friends along the way!)

So, here I go -- attempting to go after my dreams. It will take time, effort, research, patience and who knows what else. But I don't want to settle for someone else's dream - I want to live my own.



As you can see, this recipe is a somewhat familiar twist on the old potato salad. Now before you go running to the treadmill out of fright, give me a minute to stand up for potatoes. Long have been the days where I dream about potatoes and as soon as I finish someone debbie downers me with a statement like "Oh, but you know I really don't eat those because they're so bad for you!" Poor potatoes! They never stood a chance!

But I'm here today to point you in the other direction. I wouldn't say these tubers are super-foods (cause they're not) but they do have some great qualities about them! First off, these babies are chocked full of Phytochemicals and Vitamins! Phytochemicals are compounds made by plants that are great for preventing serious health conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. There's evidence that these bad boys fight off the formation of carcinogens and protect our cells by suppressing the development of cancer. In fact, Phenolic Acid (a type of Phytochemical) is so high in red potatoes that it rivals broccoli!

As for vitamins, potatoes are high in B6. This vitamin is essential to the the building and communicating of our cells. Which is of course extremely important in every system in our body!

So, I say we all give potatoes a second chance (unless of course you're allergic - then please don't!) and this is the perfect opportunity!

Green Bean and Colorful Potato Salad
Serves: An army*

Potato Salad:

1.5 lbs green beans
3 lbs small potatoes - blue, red and golden varieties
2 lbs cherry or grape tomatoes
1 large handful parsley, chopped
3-4whole lemons, juiced
1/4 cup olive oil (organic, expeller pressed if possible)
salt and peper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil potatoes until fork tender. Chill and then quarter them.**
2. Blanch green beans. Chill and then cut them into a size similar to potatoes.***
3. Halve tomatoes.
3. Chop parsley.
4. Cut lemons in half and squeeze all the juice.
5. Mix lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. (I prefer more lemon than oil but just measure as you
    prefer!)
6. Mix all ingredients in a bowl except lemon dressing and parsley. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
7. When ready to serve, shake dressing well and pour over salad. Mix well.
8. Sprinkle chopped parsley over top and serve!

Notes:

*The great thing about this recipe is that it is completely flexible! You can add more or less of any
   ingredient to fit your taste preferences. Love potatoes? Add more! Prefer cilantro? Sub it for
   the parsley. Only feeding yourself? Just downsize on all the portions to fit one. You can tweak
   this recipe as much as you like!
**Fork Tender = stabbing potato with fork and the potato slides right off. (Be sure to let them chill
                             completely before quartering or they will mush).
***Blanch = steam or boil for only 30 seconds -1 minute (so beans are still vibrant green) then throw
                     them straight into a big bowl of iced cold water. Let them chill completely and then chop.
****As always, I strongly suggest organic. This is because the less chemicals, hormones, pesticides,
        herbicides, fungicides ETC you put in your body, the more capable it is to function properly! The
        better it functions, the better it serves you!

What are your dreams? Are you living them out already? Still developing them? Let's hear it! 

Whatever they are, I pray you have the courage to embark on your journey towards them....and enjoy the ride! 

Here's to living out dreams,

Anne

References:

1.http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/phytochemicals
2. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=48