FREEDOM! FROM FATIGUE AND CONSTANT MEDIA IMAGES OF DEATH AND DYING!

July 3rd, 2009 by Ellen

Okay, like everyone else I am trying to get my child out of the house (and my hair) and then to a place where he can spend his energy (as opposed to my money!) wisely.

So today's MAGICALLY DELICIOUS post is going to be short but really and truly sweet.

I was going to do a whole sort of Fiesta for the Fourth but, honestly, I am just so tired of watching and hearing about death and death and more death and soaring unemployment rates and tanking stock markets and blah, blah, depressing schmepressing blah.

ORANGES!!!!!

They uplift and raise your spirits! Smelling them, eating them, drinking their juice in your Grey Goose (my surefire recipe to a happy ending!) and even bathing in them (nine pieces of peels in a tub with two cups of Epsom salts will do more to restore your Chi and your energy then any large dose of Lexipro!) Oranges are just the easiest, most natural way to bring a boost to your mood regardless the media mayhem.

And, then there's tarragon! Fights fatigue. In fact, the famous philosopher Pliny, alongside other elders, believed that tucking tarragon into their shoes would allow them insights and energy along "the" journey. Because, well, as we all know, it's never about the destination but really only about the journey. Now there's an herb we can count on to make that trip a little easier! I guess I'll crazy glue some to my four inch high flip flops.

Hence....

ORANGE-TARRAGON SALAD
Serves 6

Ingredients for the salad:
2 oranges
6 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves
1 bunch leaf lettuce
1 small cucumber thinly sliced
2 tablespoons coursely chopped fresh tarragon

Ingredients for the dressing:
2 tablespoons minced chives
2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
2 tablespoons mayo
2 tablespoons corn oil
1 minced garlic clove
sea salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste

Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl and mix well. You can do this in a blender or food processor as well. Refrigerate for at least three hours and keep covered.

Remove the rind from the oranges and the white parts as well. Section and chop. Wash the greens and tear into pieces. Place the lettuce in a chilled salad bowl with the oranges. Add the cucumber and garnish with salt, pepper and chopped fresh tarragon.

Not only is this FREEDOM from the kitchen due to it's easy assembling but it's really delicious and, honestly, will make you forget all about Michael and Farrah and Ed and David and Harve and Fred and, and, and........

Plus, it gives you a big boost and a ton of good energy.

Now that's a reason for some fireworks!

HAPPY FOURTH KIDS! GODSPEED, BE SAFE AND, OF COURSE, ENJOY!