Jelly (Jello) Carrot Salad

This has *some* "healthy delight" aspect to it, buuuut the jelly kinda tips it over into the junk food category.  It's one of my favourite salads and it especially yummy on a hot summer day, say with a BBQ. :)

All you need is:

1 packet Jelly / jello (I use greengage because it's my favourite, but pineapple (or even peach) jelly works really well here too - so test it out with your favourite jelly)
3 cups finely grated carrots

First make the jelly according to packet instructions, then mix in the grated carrots.

If you'd like to, you can add pineapple chunks too.

The amounts don't have to be exact, of course.  For every 400ml of jelly that I make (ie 400ml of the liquidy end product, not 400ml of powder), I add about 3 cups of grated carrots.  You can add less carrots if you want more jelly in there, or even a little more carrots if you want the mixture to be firmer and denser.

Let it set in the fridge for a few hours until the jelly is fully set and no longer liquid - so make sure to make this dish WELL ahead of time.  It can stand in fridge overnight as well.

Mmmmmmm..........

Ok, so to be honest, the jelly I used is probably not strictly vegetarian because of the gelatine... :O  I have found a vegan jelly but I still need to try it out with this salad to see if it works.

Banana & Nectarine Smoothie

We have some fruit trees in our garden, and the nectarines are ready for munching....sweet, juice, organic nectarines, yummy. :D  So I thought I'd try a smoothie with them, and it turned out really good.

3 bananas
3 nectarines
1/2 cup rice milk
3 tbs ground flaxseeds

Blend together and enjoy!  Makes 2 medium - large & thick smoothies.

Garden Salad with Feta & Mushrooms

I like to make this as a side-dish or as dinner if we've had a big lunch or late lunch that day.  It doesn't matter how much of what you throw it, so just use your discretion:

Salad:
mixed lettuce leaves
tomatoes
celery
cucumber
raw sliced white mushrooms
green pepper
plain feta cheese
sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds

Dressing:
olive oil
himalayan crystal salt

Mix together all the salad ingredients, drizzle over some olive oil & sprinkle some salt and mix until everything is coated.  Mmmm. :)