Healthy Habits Cross State Lines

I am happily surrounded by Loew family this weekend as we vacation in Long Beach Island, NJ. Yes, I brought SBK with me, but I am not in charge of the kitchen, so I haven't busted out a recipe in the last two days. I don't know if the family could handle the vegan version of Ani.



Anyway, thanks to my super sister-in-law, Lizzie, I have a crazy good vegan recipe to share with you! Edameme Salad . . . sooo good and so easy!

1 bag frozen shelled Edameme (vegan virgins, Edameme is green soy beans!)

1 bag frozen pegged corn, or 3 ears of fresh, cooked corn (cut of kernels), or 2 cans of corn-drained

1 red pepper, finely diced

1-2 cans black beans, rinsed

(mix above ingredients in serving bowl. Make one hour ahead of time, no need to defrost frozen veggies)



Dressing: 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar, 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard, 1 tsp salt (add more olive oil + vinegar if you desire more dressing)



Mix and let sit at room temp until ready to serve. This salad is filling, beautiful, and delicious! Lizzie served it with grilled fish, lamb, spiedies, steak, and a huge tossed salad of mixed greens, tomato and cucumber. It was a big meal with a lot of variety.



Best part of this salad? All eight children in the house ate it! Okay, the 8 year old cousin had to sit a very long time at the counter before agreeing to take a required bite. But, once she did, she ate the entire serving! Success! Both my 14 and 10 year olds liked it, so it is going in the favorites category of my online recipe book. I think it is interesting that a child who will eat salmon and lamb will balk at Edimeme. But, hey, that's just me.

It is interesting to plan meals and cook with a big group of 4 different households who are all on vacation. Are there any rules under these circumstances? I don't think there can be. Each family brings their own habits to the table. Everyone has to be a little flexible, but try telling that to kids under age 8. If they are accustomed to chocolate milk, gogurts, gatorade, or cereal on demand, that is your own mom's prerogative. But, when it comes to dinner time, you get what you get and you like it! Good thing this family has so many good cooks!