Jicama-Pineapple Salad

Again, I pilfered a recipe. Krista posted this today, and I couldn't get to the store fast enough.  So, after the gym, I did. 
I was going to post this tomorrow, but I just ate some of this for a "dessert" (I am semi-hungry and still have 8 pts. left for the day), and it was SO GOOD I couldn't wait to post. 

My mom used to eat jicama like it was an apple.  She'd try to get my sister and I to enjoy it like she did, but what did I want with a vegetable that was like a fruit that was sort-of-tasteless, when there were Ranch Doritos around? 

Maybe too much cilantro, but it was perfect for me!

So, it's been a while since me and jicama have hooked up.  And, I won't wait so long again.  If you look past what a task peeling the bad boy is, jicama really is an interesting legume.
 
Combine jicama with my favorite fruit--fresh pineapple--some cilantro and fresh lime juice and the result is a fresh, crispy, sweet, mild, citrusy, springy treat. 

I am a baby with spice, so I didn't include a pepper like Krista did--so feel free to ramp up the heat with your own tweaks.

Jicama-Pineapple Salad
(adapted from Krista at Guerilla Gourmet)
1/2 fresh cut pineapple (chop it up)
1/4 ~ of a jicama (after peeling and chopping up)
Cilantro (I think I used about 1/4 C)
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime

Mix together.  Let sit (I can't wait to try this tomorrow!!). Eat.  Feel free to salt to taste.  Me? I thought it was perfect. 

Servings?  Who cares, eat the whole friggen bowl if you want to!  Get this:  0 POINTS!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And it is DELICIOUS!!!

Thanks again Krista--this recipe ROCKS!

Green Monster Take 1...Not really green...

More brownish I'd say.
It wasn't as scary as I anticipated.  I actually thought it was good.  I didn't like how it smelled though.  Yay for straws. 
I will admit that it didn't make a life-altering change as I saw/felt, but maybe this was because I didn't drink it immediately in the morning?  I don't know.  It did fill me up for several hours.  And, it was nice getting in 3-4 servings of fruits and veggies in one shot.


My first Green Monster
1TBSP flax seeds
2 C baby spinach
1 handful frozen peaches
1 handful frozen blueberries
1 banana
1 C skim milk

Blend.
Drink.

Spiced Citrus Salad

 Yummy. Thanks WW for this recipe!

1 piece(s) ginger root, 2-inches, finely minced or grated

1/8 tsp whole cloves, use 2 or 3 cloves

1/8 tsp ground allspice

1/4 cup(s) sugar

1/4 cup(s) water

3 medium grapefruit, seedless, one each pink, white and red

3 medium orange(s), 2 blood variety and 1 navel variety

2 large tangerine(s)

Citrus

Whole clove=FUN!

1 medium lemon(s), Meyer variety 

What I used: 

1 Pomelo (YUM--first time even trying this fruit! Much milder than a grapefruit with HUGE segments)

1 navel orange

1 minneola

2 clementines

Final result!

1 GIANT ruby red grapefruit

1 regular sized red grapefruit

NO lemon

 

To make syrup, in a small saucepan, combine ginger, cloves and allspice; sprinkle with sugar. Using a pestle or back of a wooden spoon, crush sugar into spices, making sure to break them into many pieces; stir in water. Set over high heat and bring to a boil for 1 minute; reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Peel off skin and cut off white pith from each piece of fruit. Hold each piece of fruit over a large, nonreactive bowl; slice into each fruit section with a v-shaped cut to remove citrus flesh from membranes, keeping the bowl underneath to catch juice and citrus sections. When you finish removing segments from each piece of fruit, squeeze center membranes over bowl to catch remaining juice; remove any pits that fall into the bowl. (To watch a video of this technique, click here).  (DO IT!! Do not be like me and think you know what you are doing.  Trust me!!)

Strain syrup and pour over fruit; toss well. Serve chilled. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.
Notes:
You can use a variety of citrus fruit in this recipe: Temple oranges, mandarins, clementines, etc. are all wonderful options.

Use this citrus salad to top lemon sorbet or add seltzer for a refreshing drink. For a party, consider subbing champagne or rum for the seltzer (could affect PointsPlus values).

About 8 servings: 3pts+/serving--I am not sure how this works.  1/4 C sugar = 5pts+/8=about 1pt+ That is what I am going with.

This is refreshing, light, and YUMMY.  I love the ginger kick, but I wish I didn't have to strain it--GIANT pain in the butt.

Something small...

I used to drink incessant amounts of juice.  Love, love love love juice.  Mainly orange, but sometimes orange/mango or ruby red (until I read Fast Food Nation and found out that bugs were what gives it the pink color.  awesome.), sometimes even cranberry, as long as it had Vitamin C.

I've decreased my juice intake to zero since starting WW.  Before WW, cost was initially the reason, but now it is because I'd rather not drink my points. I'd rather eat an apple or mango or one chip for the points (maybe not the one chip, but you get the idea).  I've missed it.  Especially when I am sick, or think I am going to get sick.  That was my go-to food of choice.

My sister has been horrifically sick.  The people she works with at the hospital have also been sick--the number of call-in-sick has increased dramatically the last few days.  I slept a good chunk of the day today--now that could just be because I am exhausted, but I am not taking any chances.  AND then at the store tonight I saw this:

AND IT WAS EVEN ON SALE!!!  YAY!!!
I just pounded 2 cups for 2 points and I feel better already!!

Well, not really, I feel full and bloated with juice, but it is better than being full of the chocolate covered pretzels that I made today.

Ah, the little things!!