Pomegranate Salad - A Holiday Favourites List (and a Giveaway!)

It's December 1st and I'm officially kicking off the Holidays

with a Festive Salad, Holiday Favourites List and.... a Giveaway!

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Confession time.

I'm not a good shopper.

I don't enjoy crowds or noise. I get headaches from artificial lighting and recycled air. I find it exhausting and overwhelming spinning around in circles looking for a simple pair of socks (and the staircase that always seems to be on the other side of where I am). 

In short, I'm not a good shopper.

If there is anything I can do to get organized ahead of time and avoid the trappings of holiday shopping, I'm fully on board and eternally grateful.

So, for anyone else who might like to use their time and energy differently, I offer you some holiday ideas that I'm totally excited about!

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Holiday Favourites List 2011

(all titles clickable)

In Music - School Teacher and Mother of Three by Day and Rocker by Night, discover Mary Ann Allossery's gorgeous voice in her band Thread's debut album - In my Dreams.  I am particularly smitten with the track Suggestion Box although the whole album is well worth getting to know.

In Movement - The beautiful Canadian Figure Skater, Joannie Rochette, who lost her mother only days before her Olympic medal performance in Vancouver has just launched her first workout DVD entitled Avec Coeur et Passion. Even if you don't get around to doing the workout, just watching Joannie is sure to get your heart pumping!  Kidding aside, this is an excellent workout that will challenge all fitness levels and can be done in the comfort of your own home.

In Books: The International Diabetes Federation is predicting that at least one in 10 of us will have diabetes by 2030.  Sobering Statistics.  

In his book Wheat Belly, cardiologist William Davis makes the argument that grains are a leading contributor to the obesity epidemic. 

'Wheat Belly' refers to the accumulation of fat that results from years of consuming foods that trigger insulin, our body’s highly efficient fat storage hormone.  This fat gets stored in our tummies and is unique in that it provokes a cascade of inflammatory processes in the body. 

Whether or not you agree with Dr. Davis in whole or in part (or otherwise), he does make a strong case for rethinking our overwhelming attachment to carbohydrates.  Wheat Belly is a cogent and well researched contribution to the scientific dialogue on obesity and one that we will no doubt be hearing more about in the coming years.





In Cookware: Offering the convenience of non-stick without the usual toxins and carcinogens, GreenPan™ has developed an eco-friendly PFOA/PTFE-free line of frying pans using Thermolon - A natural, non-stick mineral-based coating.  Visit the company's website to view their full line of products and learn more about their technology and commitment to “constainability” (convenience and sustainability). 





In Giving Back:  Last year my son and a few of his buddies launched Kids can Kare - an initiative aimed at raising money for families in developing countries.  The idea behind the initiative was to show other boys and girls their age that they are never too young to start changing the world.  With a little ingenuity and lots of enthusiasm, Kids can Kare raised enough money to buy: 2 calves; 6 'rapidly reproducing' rabbits (my favourite); 3 baby chicks; one sheep; one goat and two mango trees.  Pretty wonderful what 10-year-olds are up to these days...

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Now, just before I get to the recipe...

A GIVEAWAY!!

I want to thank my readers and blogging buddies who have helped make my first year of blogging such a fun adventure.  I appreciate all the kind words, suggestions and feedback shared via comments, by email and live over dinners and at the gym (thanks ladies!).

So, in the spirit of gratitude, I am excited to offer you a gift...

I will be giving away 2 copies of Dr. Davis Williams book Wheat Belly or Dr. Andrew Weil's brand new release, Spontaneous Happiness - your choice!

Dr Weil is the celebrated American pioneer of Integrative Medicine.  His latest book, Spontaneous Happiness, examines the foundation for attaining and sustaining emotional health by drawing on both Eastern and Western psychology to counteract low mood and enhance contentment, serenity and emotional balance.

Dr. Weil struggled with depression for many years.  In this book, he shares how he was able to overcome his depression and return to a state of wellness.

Giveaway Details -

1. This giveaway is open to anyone and everyone.

2. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below. 

3. For additional entries, please like Inspired Edibles' fan page on Facebook or follow Inspired Edibles on Twitter and let me know that you are doing so in a separate comment.

4. The draw will take place on Friday, December 9th - I will announce the two winners on that day - Good luck to All!

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Now on to the Recipe!

This one reminds me of Holly...



Pomegranate Salad with Edamame, Apple and Fresh Raspberry Vinaigrette

• 1 head curly lettuce, washed and cut into smaller pieces
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 green apple, skin on chopped
• 1 cup frozen shelled edamame (soybeans), run under hot water for a couple minutes and drain thoroughly
• A snippet of chives

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Note: I received the most *fantastic* gift from my girlfriend the other night, which I've never seen before...  She gave me two large containers of pomegranate seeds (they were already extracted from the fruit - ie: no work and no mess - how exciting is that?)  I have to start shopping at Costco!

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Simply assemble salad ingredients in your favourite serving bowl and drizzle with Raspberry Vinaigrette.

Fresh Raspberry Vinaigrette

• A generous 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp agave nectar
• Sea salt

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Drizzle over salad and enjoy.