want a delicious, fast and easy recipe for purple cabbage slaw?

it has been such a busy spring.  my mom has been ill which means i have made numerous trips to southern california (if you live here you know how tiring the drive is up and down interstate 5)...business is good which keeps me jammed with projects...and we went crazy and decided to repaint our white picket fence ourselves.   the picket fence project took three 4-day weekends.  (i never realized how much fence we actually had).

to keep me healthy i have been focusing on taking care of myself....getting plenty of sleep, exercising even when i don't think i have the time and eating well.  my strategy for food is simple and non-negotiable...eat 5-7 servings of fruit and vegetables per day...and ensure those fruits and vegetables provide a rainbow of colors.

studies show that the different colors of produce provide different nutrients and antioxidants all needed by our bodies.  you really don't have to learn the nutritional breakdown for each color (unless you are like me and find this type of info fascinating), you just need to "finger paint with your mind"  when you shop for your fruits and vegetables.  how cool is this?  yellow bell peppers, red tomatoes, purple cabbage,  blue berries, green kale, butternut squash, white cauliflower.  i have been planning my meals with color in mind in addition to taste.

i am going to explore this topic in future posts...but today it is the friday before memorial day.  we have loads of projects in the garden the next two days, but have promised to take monday as a real holiday...no work!  sleeping in, swimming in the pool, catching up on reading, relaxing and easy-breezy meals.  this purple cabbage slaw is on the menu.  simple, delicious, versatile and...to keep the theme going...the "purple" in the color wheel menu.  the slaw is full of crunchy cabbage and apples with a light dressing of seasoned rice vinegar, olive oil and a touch of honey.   perfect with barbecue, grilled meat or poultry or as part of a salad dinner....try added to sandwiches, wraps or tacos.  you can make it early in the day...it holds well. sometimes i throw in a small handful of chopped pistachio nuts for protein if i am doing a vegetarian meal...but this is not necessary.  by the way...purple and blue fruits and vegetables contain nutrients which include lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol, vitamin C, fiber, flavonoids, ellagic acid, and quercetin.  these nutrients support retinal health, lower LDL cholesterol, boost immune system activity, support healthy digestion, improve calcium and other mineral absorption, fight inflammation, reduce tumor growth, act as an anticarcinogens in the digestive tract, and limit the activity of cancer cells. ** from color wheel of fruits and vegetables

happy memorial day everyone!

purple cabbage slaw
3 cups red cabbage, shredded
1 red delicious apple, cored and diced
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp honey
pinch sea salt
pinch black pepper
1/4 cup chopped pistachios, optional

add cabbage and apple to large bowl.  in a jar with tight fitting lid (i use mason jars for my vinaigrettes) add vinegar, e.v.o.o., honey, salt and pepper.  screw on lid and shake vigorously until combined.  drizzle half of vinaigrette over cabbage mixture.  stir to combine.  add more vinaigrette to your liking. 

this slaw keeps in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

my grandfathers, dad, uncles and husband all served in various branches of the military.  i so appreciate their service and that of all veterans.  here's to taking time to appreciate the freedoms we have thanks to their efforts!

best,
diane

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