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Sunday, June 6, 2010

Creamy Avocado Tossed Salad w/ Feta

This post is to serve two purposes, my Dearies:

1. To enter the challenge that I call the DenLaz Challenge a.k.a Denise and Lazaro's contest requiring a dish made with avocado and feta cheese.

2. To remind or even inform you of the power of leafy greens, cabbage family plants, and orange/red colored veggies in reference to cancer and overall health!

Here are some study results that may shock you:

*Men who eat a regular diet of green vegetables, such as cabbage and broccoli, can lower their risk of prostate cancer by 41 percent according to the Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
*Two large Harvard studies of more than 124,000 people showed a 32% reduction in the risk of lung cancer for those who consumed a variety of carotenoid-rich foods.
* Eating as little as three servings of raw cruciferous vegetables from the cabbage family per month has been found to decrease the risk of bladder cancer by an astonishing 40% according to researchers at the Roswell Cancer Institute in Buffalo (only 3 times a month)!


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And Dr. Neal Barnard, a famous cardiologist and vegan, reveals to us how smokers truly show us the power of whole, organic greens and other foods in his book "Food For Life" when he states this:

"Smokers have provided dramatic demonstrations of the power of vegetables and fruits. A fifty five year old male smoker whose diet is low in Vitamin C has a one-in-four (25%) risk of dying of lung cancer in the next twenty five years. But if the smoker has a high intake of vitamin C, either through diet or supplements, his risk drops to 7 percent. People who quit smoking benefit from fruits and vegetables too. Researchers at the University of Texas found that former smokers who do not eat many vegetables and fruits are five and a half times more likely to develop throat cancer compared to ex-smokers who eat more fruits and vegetables."

New research has also come out showing that one's overall cancer risk can drop a whopping 50% automatically by simply eating more than 5 servings of cabbage family vegetables a week. I'm not going to site the study, as I can't find it now that I need it. But I encourage you to 'google' information on cancer and greens, cabbage family plants, carotenoids, and green tea. You will most likely be pleasantly surprised at what we can all easily and deliciously do for our health in reference to cancers! And I'm not even going to go into how voraciously powerful diet is in reference to Heart Disease and Type II Diabetes...

Vegan Avocado Dressing
2 Whole Avocados
1/2-1 tsp. Sriracha (hot sauce)
3-4 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Cilantro
Squeeze of lemon
1/2-3/4 Tsp. Salt

Place above ingredients in a food processor and whirl in order to get the most delicious & creamy vegan dressing ever! Be sure to serve this dressing over salad with a side of lemon or lime-it adds tang!

Mixed Green Salad w/ Avocado Dressing & Feta! Topped with shrimp for Cauldron Boy...I might have liked them too though (smile).

44 comments:

  1. Great recipe! You know I'm a big fan of avocado and this dip looks yum!

    It's amazing how a simple diet change can have a huge impact on anyone's health!

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  2. This is a great post fulled of good info, Stella. Thanks for sharing with us. The dressing looks incredible good. Love the color of it too! i like that you put huge shrimps on the salad. They were grilled perfectly. Good luck with the challenge Stella!

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  3. That looks delicious Stella. Id have to skip the shrimp (allergy) but I'm sure the salad is wonderful without it. I'd be such a good vegan if it wasn't for feta cheese!

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  4. Stella,

    Fantastic entry into the Quickies Challenge. I think I better amp up my cabbage intake.

    Great post as always very informative and well-written.

    The grilled shrimp look marvelous.

    Cheers!

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  5. This looks fresh, healthy and delicious. If we ate whole food, more fresh, local whenever possible. We would be looking good.

    Good post.

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  6. Wow! The salad looks so delicious!

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  7. beautiful salad! First I will start eating all the gorgeous grilled shrimps then I would dig into the salad! and everything will be over in 5 minutes! yum!

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  8. Gorgeous salad Stella - love the (grilled?) shrimp and the avocado dressing! Have to get my man to eat more cabbagey greens too ;)

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  9. Hi Stella, You're making me hungry for healthy food, that's a good thing, thanks. You have really photographed your salad and all the ingredients beautifully, very appealing.

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  10. Stella...so sweet of you to take our health seriously...and why not add more cabbage to our meals. I'll pass this info along to my Hubby who has already at least increased his lycopene intake ;o)
    The salad looks like the perfect light lunch. Feta and avocado do make a perfect pair ;o)
    BTW...to answer your question...yes, my origins, for some reason do stem out of the world of fairies. If you're more interested...go ahead and read my about page...and your question will me answered amply;) I hope after this...my Witchy Stellina...we will still be able to co-exist on the same turf???
    Flavourful wishes, Claudia

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  11. I'm completely sold on greens! As if the studies weren't enough - I just feel sooo much better when I eat greens every day.

    btw, don't know if you saw on my blog but the blackstrap molasses in milk was suggested and I tried it and it's great. I'm assuming it'd be good in any soymilk or almond milk etc. too!

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  12. This vegan dressing sounds amazing with avocados and hot sauce! It is definitely amazing what greens can do for our health. Thanks for passing along some good knowledge!

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  13. Super post, Stella, filled with important information.
    And a lovely salad as well. The avocado dressing looks delicious.
    Luckily, I am really fond of cabbage...I don't eat it three times a week, but maybe once. I was a smoker until 1982 when I quit. Never was tempted again.

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  14. Avocados and feta are 2 of my favorite foods, the idea of combining them in a dressing is brilliant! Looks delicious!! I have both avocado and feta that I need to use up, maybe salad is in order today. Thanks also for the nutrition facts, what we eat is so important to how healthy we are. Looks like its time to amp up the cabbage in our household :)

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  15. What a great post Stella! ONCE AGAIN I learned something from you about a healtheir way to eat. The creamy dressing is gorgeous and I wish I could plop one of those awesome grilled prawns in my mouth right now.

    More cabbage related veggies? Here I come! :)

    Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

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  16. Well, it's a good thing I eat so much broccoli, then!

    This looks wonderful, and that's coming from someone who didn't participate in the challenge because I'm fond of neither avocado nor feta. :)

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  17. Incredible health information - and I am home ill today watching the Dr. Oz show giving similar information. Amazing. Even with zero appetite, I can see what a sparkling salad this would be. My husband is one of those men who eats raw veggies in salads - some of them - and eats NO cooked veggies. He has indulged his childhood fetishes far too long, I tell him. I am going to have him read this tonight.
    :)
    VALERIE

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  18. Stella WOW avocado dressing..... that looks delicious! I can't wait to make it!

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  19. Even though I don't enjoy as much cabbage as I should, if it were as tempting as this dish, I would eat it all day long. Thank you for all the valuable information!

    On a side note, my heart goes out to you and everyone else who live on or around the Gulf Coast. xxoo

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  20. Excellent salad! I love your avocado dressing with the addition of sriracha!

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  21. This reminds me of a cheesecake factory salad. Huge, epic, and amazing. The grilled shrimp sign the deal for me. And I have to say, smoking is gross. Never got it. Never will.

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  22. You have no idea how much I LOVE this post! Lifestyle changes are way more effective than any prescription or medication in treating and preventing diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia. Change your lifestyle...and you will change your life for the better.

    I love the sound of this dressing. Avocado and feta...fatty and tangy...a match made in heaven.

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  23. Hi Stella, what a great post. Thank you for all the information. I will go shopping tomorrow and get some avocados for the avocado dressing with the greens, grilled shrimp and the feta. Can't wait to try them. I have to cook more cabbage for the hubby. Great photos by the way.

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  24. Avocadoes in dressing...this looks so good! I completely agree that everyone must eat cruciferous veg in order to stay healthy! By the way, your photo of the salad is beautiful!

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  25. sriracha..is my fav sauce for heat in a pinch, I never thought to mix it with avocado and make a dressing, I love this, well anything with avocado has be drooling, great info I personally love cabbage, but getting hubby to eat more is a challenge, great entry
    sweetlife

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  26. Hi Stella, I just came by to tell you that I left an award for you on my blog, also wanted to tell you that you're the same age as my oldest daughter, isn't that cool!

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  27. Hola Stellita,

    If there is something that I hate about these contests is "competing" with a friend....so I wanted to let you know that, not only I love your salad but what you do in your blog is very important for people! (You have my vote, shhhh!)
    Besos,
    cristina

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  28. Veggies, veggies, veggies! Looks like I must have more veggies. I don't even like avocado in the past and only a recent convert.

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  29. I can't believe that i missed out on this challenge. I named my dog "Feta" because I love the cheese sooo much!

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  30. Wow Stella, such a persuasive insights in to vegos! And top it with spicy & zingy dressings. Twang!
    You should be a cardiologist or a cancer specialist too? (Thanks. reminding me why I wanted to be a doctor)

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  31. Hi Stella, sorry it took me so long to respond....I had a deadline and a very demanding client.Thanks for your tips for my garden situation. I'll look for organic Neem. Now.... Lovely, delicious looking salad. The shrimp looks luscious. And avocado for dressing sounds great. Have a great week.

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  32. Stella, such wonderful reminders about our friends the leafy greens. This recipe looks delicious - I have shrimp waiting for inspiration, so I may make it ...just need to pick up some feta cheese!

    What a great entry to Denise and Lazaro's contest! Good luck!

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  33. Wonderful combination. I have to get out of the snow.

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  34. Thanks for the very informative post, Stella! This salad looks so healthy and refreshing. I'm sure my bf would appreciate the shrimps on top too. :)

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  35. This look really delicious and yummy!! gloria

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  36. That avocado dressing looks divine! I love salads. I assume that is faux shrimp. It looks so real!! (just kidding - my kooky sense of humor kicking in) ;-)

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  37. Thank you for all the info you give here. Remedy is in nature if we know where to look.
    And your salad looks so healthy, the dressing sounds so appetizing!

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  38. I love what you did with the challenge - I'm with Silvia, I would finish this off in 5 minutes, at most!

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  39. Stella,

    This looks like a lovely salad. Perfect for a hot summer day. Just beautiful!

    Good luck with the challenge!

    -Brian

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  40. I love visiting your blog Stella :) I just told Bob that I have to feed him more cabbage and brocolli and he said OK! lol....
    Your salad sounds divine! And I love how your incorporate Sriracha, it's probably the only hot sauce I can eat without my body organizing into revolt. xoxo

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  41. This looks delicious Stella! Ah, the power of greens! :)

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  42. Cauldron Boy like!!!! Delicious vegetables keep stirring arm strong. Witchy shrimps are scrumpalicious. Must get back to stirring cauldron lest kitchen witch turn me into genetically modified soybean.

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  43. Sounds delicious! Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing! =)

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Please do comment, Dearies!