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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Kale and Beet Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Plate of kale salad with beets, walnuts and goat cheese

Photo courtesy of Michelle Demuth-Bibb

For the salad:
1 bunch kale
3-4 medium beets
⅓ cup roasted walnuts, chopped
½ cup goat cheese
Pinch of salt
1-2 pinches of microgreens

For the dressing:
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp freshly crushed black pepper, finely ground
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil

For the beets:

Add beets to a full pot of water and bring to a boil, cooking them until they are fork tender. Remove beets from stove and drain into a colander. Run cold water over them to cool slightly. Remove the skins with a paring knife and/or fingers. Slice into quarters.

For the dressing:

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the balsamic, mustard, salt and pepper. Add the oil and whisk thoroughly to combine. Continue whisking until the dressing is fully emulsified.

For the salad:

Combine kale, beets, walnuts and 2 Tbsp dressing in a bowl and mix. Add a pinch or two of microgreens. Add the goat cheese by breaking it into small pieces. Add a pinch of salt and serve.


Note: Store any extra dressing in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Use within 7 days.


Recipe by The Chef’s Garden.


More Beet Recipes

pPhoto courtesy of Michelle Demuth-Bibbbrp

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This heart-healthy recipe adds beets, greens and goat cheese to make a flavorful linguine pasta dish. Read More » 

 

pPhoto courtesy of Reynolds Wrapbrp

Beet Chips with Sea Salt and Smoked Paprika

Healthy snack recipe for beet chips flavored with sea salt and smoked paprika seasoning. Read More » 

 

pPhoto courtesy of Michelle Demuth-Bibbbrp

Beet Hummus

Take your hummus up a notch with this tasty recipe using roasted beets. Read More » 

Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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