Ensalada de Nopalitos

image via imelectric

The benefits of cactus (plural is cacti) are far and wide. Cactus, also known as nopales or nopalitos, contains beta carotene and helps with hangovers (!!!), glucose (anti-diabetic!), metabolic, cardiovascular and digestive disorders. It's an anti-inflammatory and it tastes gooooddd...

Here's an excellent recipe via fabulous foods:

Ingredients:	Salad: 1 jar (15 ounces) nopalitos (prickly pear cactus) 2-3 Roma tomatoes, diced 1/2 medium sweet onion, diced 1/2 bell pepper (green, yellow or red), diced 1/3 cup chopped cilantro 1-2 serrano or jalepeño chiles (or to taste) 1/4 cup crumbled Mexican queso cheese or feta cheese Dressing: 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon olive oil salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:	Mix all salad ingredients together. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over salad, toss well to coat. This salad can be made a few hours ahead of time and refrigerated until needed.

Seattle - Bang Those Pots & Pans

A little frightened by the stove? Want to improve your culinary skills?

Please join Ladies Lotto Seattle for October's unique meeting at Seattle's Urban Cooking School.

Tuesday, October 14th
6-8pm

Diane's Market Kitchen
1101 Post Alley

Pre-registration is REQUIRED and can be found at rsvpseattle@ladieslotto.com

Go-Go-Goji Berries Go

Goji berries grow on an evergreen shrub found in temperate and subtropical regions in China, Mongolia and in the Himalayas in Tibet.

Goji berries are usually found dried. They are shriveled red berries that look like red raisins and contain over 18 antioxidants, a wide array of vitamin B and more iron than spinach (move over popeye).

Goji berries have been used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India to:

• protect the liver
  
• help eyesight
  
• improve sexual function and fertility
  
• strengthen the legs

Goji extracts may prevent the growth of cancer cells, reduce blood glucose, and lower cholesterol levels. Source: Altmedicine.about.com

Goji berries can be found at your local health food store in bulk as well as pre-packaged and in Himalayan trail mix (all the rage at the moment). You may choose to use Goji berries in tea, smoothies, cooking, baking and a favorite - as an addition to your oatmeal.

The Thai Dinner Class at Live Live in NYC

The Thai Dinner Class - Live Food Preparation Event & Webinar
Raw Food Pioneer & Master Chef Raw Chef Dan teaches some of his favorite Thai dishes in the raw.

Thai Salad / Salad Dressing
Spring Rolls with Thai Dipping Sauce
"Fish" Cakes with Thai Dipping Sauce
Vegetable Green Curry
Broccoli in a Garlic Black Pepper Sauce
Coconut Rice Pudding with Caramelized Pineapple

Sunday, June 29th @ 11am
live live & organic
261 east 10th street, NYC
Tel: 212-505-5504
Email: info@live-live.com
$60 pre-registration required

To sign up for this event @ Live Live & Organic please follow the link above, or if you are unable to make it in person, follow the link below for the webinar.

Live internet broadcast of this event $40, pre-registration required
If you can't make it to the actual event in NYC, Quest.tv is providing a live internet broadcast, click here to sign up and see this amazing online class live through the Quest.tv website.

Recipes will be available for sale for those who cannot make this class.