A QUICK MEAL

You arrive home on the hour, we'll say it's ll:00 a.m. or 5 p.m. and need a quick nourishing meal. Both celery and carrot keepers emerge from the frig and the chopping knife goes into action. The C & C couple start simmering while you add a couple of slices from a yam. A friend of mine has given up her favourite and much enjoyed white potato for the low glycemic index of the yam. The broccoli can stay cool in the frig until the next meal or maybe use a couple of florets for the salad. A small raw carrot can join with the greens as well. I recall Kareen Zeboff's cookbook (the yoga guru on CBC) saying that both raw and cooked carrots have different parts to play in digestion. A shake of onion or garlic salt can be added at this time along with a sprinkle of cayenne and that golden yellow turmeric that stimulates the digestion, supports the liver and helps maintain healthy muscles and joints.

While the vegetables simmer a little (according to your liking) the salad greens emerge - lettuce with a few leaves of dandelion cuddle together in my small round food processor and are ready for a whirl. Dried pineapple from the bulk store have been soaked overnight in the frig and a ring is sliced into small bits and placed in the salad bowl. The pineapple enzymes called bromelain also aid digestion, breaks down protein and enhances the absorption of the turmeric. I keep the dried rings of pineapple on hand soaking in the frig since once pineapple is cooked enzymes are lost. A spoonful of any of your favourite nut butters from the frig becomes part of the salad dressing. Or use other salad dressings you may have on hand if you wish. For additional protein, Wild Pacific canned salmon can be added. Then give your creation a new name - Salmon Bisque will do nicely. Any other combinations of vegetables you like can be used of course, like tomatoes, peas, cabbage, corn and string beans. Your digestive system will be happy and you will get a great energy boost and be ready for a walk.