How are your new year resolutions going so far? New eating habits are one of the most popular new year resolutions, so I decided to share this roasted vegetable salad with orange vinaigrette. The dressing is what makes this salad superb. It’s a perfect pairing in this recipe, but you can get creative and use it on others!

In short, the dressing is simple yet flavorful. I think it has become one of my favorite dressings to use across salads because of its citrus flavor profile. I’ve all together quit buying dressing at the grocery store because of the long ingredients list. Store bought salad dressings often have a long ingredients list, with some being artificial. Making your own and keeping it in the fridge for future consumption is perfect.  And, salad dressings keep well. I have had homemade salad dressings for over two weeks in the fridge and they are still good. Making your own is a win-win. Since making your own dressing is super easy, I would rather do that because it also allows me to get creative.

For this roasted vegetable salad with orange vinaigrette, I used vegetables that are in season, but you can use any vegetables you prefer. I thought the butternut squash, red onions and beets made for a great combination. I am usually not a fan of butternut squash or beets, but I am striving to introduce new and different vegetable combinations into our family meals this year.  We really enjoyed how the salad came together.

When you use orange juice in this recipe, opt for Florida’s Natural® Brand Orange Juice which is made from one simple ingredient — Florida oranges. And only Florida oranges. No water, sugar or preservatives are added.

Florida’s Natural orange juice comes from pure Florida oranges. There are no artificial flavors or ingredients. Florida’s Natural doesn’t fuss with their farmers’ oranges — they’re simply squeezed, gently pasteurized and poured into cartons that ensure a straight-from-the-grove taste that my family loves. I feel good about using Florida’s Natural as a key ingredient in many of my recipes and dressings.

If your new year resolution is centered around your diet, try for small changes at first. For example, try to incorporate one new veggie each week, have one less drink, or even try a new kitchen hack to keep you inspired and enjoying meal prep. Starting right now, you can make your own salad dressing!

Try this roasted vegetable salad with orange vinaigrette. Swap any veggies of your choice, the dressing is truly what makes the recipe, so I hope you like it.

Enjoy!

Roasted vegetable salad with orange vinaigrette

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 red beets, cubed
• 2 large red onions, cubed
• 1 lb butternut squash, cubed
• 6 oz fresh spinach
• 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 8 oz goat cheese
• 1 tsp Celtic salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the dressing

• 1/2 cup Florida's Natural orange juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbs raw honey
• 2 tbs rice vinegar

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F

Place the sliced beets on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.

In another baking sheet, place the sliced butternut squash and red onions. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Roast the veggies for 20 minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool for at least 10-15 minutes.

While the beets are roasting, prepare the dressing. Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the roasted veggies. Add the fresh spinach and salad dressing, then toss to combine. Divide salad among four plates and sprinkle the goat cheese over the salad. Serve immediately.

I like to store my salad dressings in salad dressing jars. So convenient!!

The post Roasted vegetable salad with orange vinaigrette. appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

I love the colors of this beet apple carrot juice. I mean it is so vibrant. For my 4 yr old daughter it took sometime to get used to the flavors and colors. Even though there was some convincing to do she is drinking them all. My 8 yr old on the other hand doesn’t complain at all. He drinks them all the time and he sometimes he even asks for seconds.

I don’t know why I waited so long to get a new juicer. I had an old one that was stored in my attic because it is gigantic and it is a pain to clean. On the other hand, this juicer is a breeze to clean and use. I actually keep it on my kitchen counter to make sure it gets used plenty.

If you are looking for a new juicer I highly recommend this one. It is the cheapest of the bunch and it performs really well, $150 well spent  for sure.

I plan in posting many other juice recipes so stay tuned. For this beet apple carrot juice I used ginger but I have done it with lemon too and it is equally good. Whatever you like best.

Also I got all my fruits and veggies organic. I just wash them really good but I don’t peel them. If you get them organic there is no need to peel them.

This juice is high in:

• Vitamin A, B, C
• Manganese
• Potassium

Juice combinations are endless and I intend to experiment much more. I am so excited….

I also going to find a way to save the pulp and scraps to make bread, muffins, cakes and add to salads. All that fiber is a shame to waste.

Enjoy!

Here all the veggies and fruits I used for this beet apple carrot juice. I got almost one liter which equals to 4 cups or 32 oz.

This beet apple carrot juice is the bomb. I am in love with my juicer and tend to use it if not every day almost every other day. Also I am device a way to save the scraps to make bread, muffins, cakes and even add it to salads. I will let you know of any ideas to save the pulp when I do.

Beet apple carrot juice

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 organic small to medium beets
• 1 lb organic carrots
• 3-4 organic apples
• 2 inch piece ginger

Directions:

Wash all your produce before putting through the juicer.

There is no need to peel them if organic. If you can't afford organic produce or if it is not available to you just spray them with apple cider vinegar and wash very well.

I use mason jars to store my juice but it is best when the juice is consumed inmmediately!

The post Beet apple carrot juice appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

I have been experimenting with smoothies lately and getting more creative. I want to try other flavors and ingredients so stay tuned for new ones to come.

This beet smoothie is a prime example. I did too use beets for another smoothie not long ago and we really liked it. I think the ginger in that one was what made the smoothie over the top.

This beet smoothie version is good too but I think it resembled a bit more of the beet flavor. It was no a favorite for my kids but they did drank it anyways :-)

For the e-books I have included a few awesome smoothies that I think everyone is sure to like. So far my kids are loving them so I hope you do too.

If you are not fond off or can’t get veggies and fruits in your diet through out the day much you should try to make smoothies. They are super simple to put together, quick and ultra nutritious.

I have seen many places that do sell them but to tell you the truth I find them very expensive and not as good. I also find them super sweet too, which pretty much ruins the smoothie.

Anyhow, let me know how like this beet and berry smoothie if you get to try it.

Enjoy!

This smoothie is really good. If you like you can add more mixed berries. I just added 6 oz. I have just discovered roasted organic beets at my store and I am going to use them much more often. I actually want to use them to make some type or red velvet cake so will see how it goes!

Beet and Mixed Berry Smoothie

Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients:

4 cups apple juice
2-3 ripe bananas
9 oz roasted organic frozen beets, I buy them at the store already roasted and then I freeze them
6 oz mixed organic berries, frozen or fresh

Place all of the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition facts calculated based on the recipe giving 5 servings.

The post Beet and mixed berry smoothie appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

It is quite surprising that I don’t have more ginger recipes in the blog or that I don’t have a category just for ginger…maybe I will some day.

If you like ginger, look no further, this is your smoothie. I thought not only this smoothie tasted superb but the properties ginger has, made this drink top on my list so for the past days this is what I have been drinking in the mornings.

I was surprised at the beautiful color the beets brought to the smoothie. My kids just wanted to drink it because of the beautiful pink color, so sure, they went for it. A bit much for them, with all the ginger they couldn’t seem to finish it all. They drank half so that was good enough for me.

Anyhow, some important properties about ginger I want to point out are

• Antibacterial
• Very powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
• Antiemetic
• Helps dissolve blood clots
• Eliminates congestion

You should really consider making this smoothie, with all of the amazing health benefits you will be getting from drinking this and the amazing flavor I don’t think you will be disappointed. A super win smoothie in my book!

Enjoy!!


This smoothie is just simply superb, refreshing, and nutrient dense to say the least. This has become one of my ultimate favorite smoothies.

For the love of ginger: Triple ginger and beet smoothie

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

14.5 oz can sliced beets, drained, if you can get fresh ones that are cooked that would be better.
2-3 Tbsp crystallized ginger
1 tsp ginger powder
1 inch fresh ginger, peeled
2 frozen bananas
4 cups almond milk, any other milk will work

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition facts calculated based on the recipe giving 4 servings

The post For the love of ginger: Triple ginger and beet smoothie appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.