Greek Salad's Heath Benefits

Eating this Greek Salad is a healthy way to get a dose of antioxidants. Each vegetable has its own benefit.

Raw onions: vitamins C and B6, phosphorous, magnesium, sulphur, flavonoids and several phytochemicals including allicin, known to ward off viruses, bacteria and fungus.

Cucumbers: contain small amounts of provitamin A and C

Roma tomatoes: source of mixed carotenoids and lycopene, which possess multiple antioxidant benefits, a good source of vitamin C, potassium and calcium, uncooked they provide the body with vitamin E.

Olives: good source of provitamin A, B1, B2, C, and include iron and calcium.


Greek Salad Recipe

3 cucumbers, seeded and sliced
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
1 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
3 cups diced roma tomatoes
1/3 cup diced oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved
1/2 red onion, sliced

In a large salad bowl, toss together the cucumbers, feta cheese, olives, roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons reserved sun-dried tomato oil, and red onion. Chill.

Mediterranean Diet article

I found this on abcnews.com. This article gives the facts and the studies to prove it. Check it out!

Mediterranean Diet's Best Ingredients - ABC News

Syrian Sleik

Here's a recipe that is a great dish for those trying
the Mediterranean diet.

Syrian Sleik

1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 C bulgar (wheat)
3 C water
2 bags of fresh spinach, rinsed and chopped
salt & pepper

In a large skillet, saute onion on high heat, using olive oil, until tender. Add wheat and water. Let this come to a boil. Add chopped spinach and turn down to medium heat. Cook until spinach and wheat is cooked and soft. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook approximately for 45 minutes to an hour.

Mediterranean Diet

When don't we hear the word diet? It's a daily occurrence to try and find the "new" and "improved" diet tricks. But lately the Mediterranean diet has become very popular.

The Mediterranean diet doesn't focus on what you can't eat, but what you can eat. The main staples include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, yogurt, olive oil, legumes, sea food, and small portions of wine. AVOIDING processed foods. Eating smaller portions of good food, such as nuts and olive oil, to keep you fuller longer without the large portions of food. Substitute vegetables in place of a large piece of meat. Eat fruit for dessert.


Sounds good on paper, but can it really be that easy? I personally hate seafood and yogurt. But the health benefits and weight lose sound like this is worth trying.

Syrian Grape Leaves

I remember when I was little my mom trying to get me to eat these green cigar looking things at grandmas. They were weird looking and smelled like lemon juice. But over the years, I have grown to love them. They are exactly what the name is. Grape leaves are a combination of rice, lamb (or pork), and a grape leaf rolled like a cigar. Add some lemon juice, salt, pepper and peppermint, and you've got all the necessary ingredients.

This is definitely an acquired taste. This is my families recipe:

1 jar of fresh grape leaves, washed and stems removed
3 cups long grain rice
1 lb. lamb (or pork), cut into small pieces
Salt
Pepper
Lemon juice
Dried peppermint leaves

Rinse rice in a large bowl. Add the meat pieces to rice. Mix well. Add dried peppermint, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Set aside. Rinse and remove stems from the grape leaves. Place a small amount of rice/meat mixture onto grape leaf. Roll like a cigar, tucking the ends in. Place into a large pot alternating the rows of leaves. Pour a small amount of lemon juice on top of grape leaves for added flavor. Fill pot to the top with water. You may need to place a plate on the top row to keep them down when cooking. Cook approximately for 1 hour on medium heat until done. Rice will be tender and meat will thoroughly cooked when done.

Mediterranean goodness

The Mediterranean style of life is as unique as its cultures, but its food is out of this world. Think about your daily diet. I bet it includes beef, potatos, deep fried everything, and quite possibly fast food on a daily basis.

Now, just imagine how much healthier that diet could become with a Mediterranean style influence. A diet full dishes such as kibbe, grape leaves, mesha, and sleik.

What am I talking about? Those are some of the main staples in my house. Join me in enjoying these unique and healthy meals.