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Kanikama Rainbow Salad

9 Jun

KaniSalad

Let me introduce you to Kanikama, also known as imitation crab,crab sticks,a.k.a surimi. Surimi is made of a mix of processed fish(mainly Pollock),eggs, some type of starch and crab flavor, pressed into sticks.

I agree, it sounds nasty. But it tastes sooooo good!. By itself, with a few drops of lime, or with Shoyu (soy sauce). Kanikama is low in mercury and environment- friendly when it comes from a sustainable fishery.

My favorite way to eat it is in a very colorful salad. I tweaked my family’s heirloom recipe and substituted their Smoked Turkey Breast for Kanikama, and omitted the grated Queijo Prato ( similar to Monterey Jack Cheese).

Here it goes:

Salad

  • 3 hand fulls of any green lettuce (such as romaine or bibb) , chopped or tear by hand
  • 1 hand full of spring mix greens
  • 1 hand full of arugula or watercress
  • 2 hand fulls of shredded purple beets, shredded
  • 2 hand fulls of shredded carrots, shredded
  • 10 sticks of Kanikama, shredded by hand
  • 1 ripe mango, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • Shoestring Potato Sticks, to taste
Batata Palha, or Matchstick Potato, I prefer Yoki because it is extra thin. I buy it at Brazilian stores.But you can also find the Picnic brand at most grocery stores.

Batata Palha, or Shoestring Potato Sticks, I prefer Yoki because it is extra thin. I buy it at Brazilian stores.But you can also find the Pik Nik brand at most grocery stores.

In a clear, glass bowl (It looks prettier, so you can see the different layers)place the lettuce at the bottom. Follow with the spring mix and the arugula and/or watercress. Make a layer of shredded beets, and on top of it a layer of shredded carrots. Place the shredded Kanikama (or smoked turkey) and the mango’s cubes on top of the carrots, and finish with the shoestring potato sticks.

Kanisaladbowl2

Dressing:

  • 1/4 c creme fraiche, or plain yogurt
  • 1/2 c mayonnaise
  • 1/4 c Ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp red hot sauce, such as Red Rooster or Tabasco
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together, and keep refrigerated marinating until it is time to use it. I find it better to dress the salad on the plate, so one can choose how much dressing goes into their salad.

I suggest that you try this recipe as is, and do not skip any ingredients, even if you are not a big fan of beets or mangoes. The combination of the sweetness of the beets, carrots, mango and kani, with the salty crunchiness of the potatoes….is out of this world. Try it, and let me know what you think!

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Epsom Salt – Uses and Benefits

25 Apr

This week I got back in the gym, after almost 6 months. I go for walks, bike rides and hikes, but I had not been with a trainer, in a gym ever since I moved to LA. After one hour of intense workout, which included TRX, squats, lunges, boat rope, and weights, I also took a Vinyasa Yoga. Yes, crazy, I know. But even crazier was the aches I felt the next day. It was hard to walk, sit, get up and move. Then I took two Epsom Salt baths and my aches and soreness improved tremendously. So I decided to share it here.

You see, Epsom Salt and I go a long way back.

I remember how my grandmother would always tell me to drink Epsom Salt with water to relieve constipation and help “detoxify” my body. She believed it would help “clean my blood”. In Brazil we call it Bitter Salt ( Sal Amargo).

There is a famous Spa near my hometown, called  Spa Lapinha where people go for different reasons, from detoxing, losing weight to battling addictions. I remember the first thing you had to do once you were there was to take Epsom Salt as a laxative.

Growing up dancing and training for tap dance competitions, I was always sore and Epsom Salt was my best friend.

I should say it remains my best friend, because I always have it at home ( I buy it in bulk at Costco), but you can also find it at Target, Walmart, SafeWay, CVS, RiteAid and Wallgreens. Just go to the aisle where all the orthopedic and Feet Care products are, or by the Tiger Balms, Salonpas and BenGay pomades. And use it for many things.

There are many different types, with added oils in it. I prefer to buy mine plain (much cheaper) and add the oils I need.

Lavender Epsom Salt

Lavender Epsom Salt

Epsom Salt Uses

Relaxing bath : In a tub filled with warm water add 2 cups of Epsom Salt. Soak in the water for 20 minutes. I like to add drops of Lavender and Chamomile Essential Oils to help me relax.

Soak feet : helps relax tired feet, releases aches, removes odors and soften rough skin. I sometimes add 1 drop each of Tea Tree, Rosemary and Peppermint or Spearmint essential oils for extra relief. It feels cold and hot at the same time and helps relaxes the feet. Tea Tree deodorizes the feet, it is an antiseptic, and good for toe nail fungus;Rosemary is an astringent that helps with swelling and inflammation; and Mint helps improve circulation and is refreshing.

Sprains and bruises and body aches : Add 2 cups of Epsom Salt to a tub of warm water and soak.

Plants : Add a teaspoon of Epsom Salt to plants to boost their growth.

Laxative : Add 1 teaspoon of Epsom Salt to a 8 oz glass of water. Consult with your doctor first.

Splint Remover : Add 2 cups of Epsom Salt to a tub of warm water and soak.

Beach Waves Natural Hair Spray : Add 2 tablespoons of Epsom Salt to 1 cup of boiled water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Himalayan Salt, 5 drops of Almond Oil, Morrocan Oil, or any hair oil you like. Put the mix in a spray bottle and shake. If using a plastic bottle , make sure the water is not so hot as to melt the bottle. Spray in your hair and enjoy the complements you will get.

Body and face exfoliator and mask : Mix 1 cup of Epsom Salt and 1/2 cup of honey. In the shower, start exfoliating from your feet towards your neck and face. Rinse with warm water.

A quick Google search of “Epsom Salt” will show several different opinion,studies, and articles about Epsom Salt. Some claim it has benefits while others claim it is a myth. I am not a scientist, doctor, or researcher on this topic, but I can tell you about my personal experiences with it and how it has been increasing my quality of life throughout the years. Like everything in life, you are better off if you make your own conclusions, based on your own experiences.

This article claims there is not enough proof of any health benefits. These other one talk about its benefits. You can also go the Epsom Salt Council page to learn a bit more about it.

Let me know what you think of Epsom Salt, your experiences and uses. I will love to hear it!

 

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