A Reflection on Time and Mindfulness with Heirloom Tomato and Corn Salad Recipe
As we find ourselves already in July, it’s natural to feel that summer is slipping by too quickly. This Heirloom Tomato and Corn Salad Recipe offers us a perfect opportunity to pause, to be mindful of the glorious produce available, and to savor the moment. As you prepare this dish, I invite you to have a calm conversation with your vegetables. Yes, you read that right! Acknowledge their journey from seed to your plate, appreciate their colors, textures, and aromas. This practice of mindfulness can bring a sense of peace and connection to your cooking process.
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The Art of Simplicity: Adjusting to What’s Available
One of the great aspects of this salad is its flexibility. Don’t worry about exact measurements – adjust the ratios based on what you have available. More corn? Go for it. An abundance of basil? Wonderful! This adaptability not only makes the recipe more accessible but also encourages us to work with what nature provides in a moment, reducing food waste and increasing our appreciation for seasonal variations.
Come Cook the Holidays with Me and Learn My Favorite Kitchen Skills!
To be really honest, I’m excited to share a labor of love that has been cooking for months or perhaps years in my kitchen. I’ve made something especially for you because I know how much joy cooking can provide and the healing properties of food.
Imagine always having my favorite holiday recipes accessible to you in a treasure trove spanning more than 100 pages. These aren’t simply recipes; they’re celebrations of the season’s wealth, thoughtfully chosen to satisfy your palate and nourish your body. Still, that’s not all!
When you buy the workshops and related ebooks, you get more than recipes and gain new skills, confidence, and perhaps a different perspective on cooking. These methods are simple to apply, turning your kitchen into a happy place for creative expression and culinary healing.
Are you prepared to go on this delectable adventure with me? Let’s grow, learn, and cook together!
Dr. Siri Chand Khalsa’s 5-week Plant-based Cooking Course for Stanford’s Division of Immunology & Rheumatology was a spectacular addition to our wellness program. Dr. Siri Chand created an inspired line up of unique yet easy recipes which she beautifully rendered into a recipe booklet, replete with her own eye-popping food photography. She masterfully taught us to cook delicious and visually appealing dishes including sheet-pan veggies with quinoa tabouli with cilantro chutney, and root vegetable purée soup with kale sauerkraut salad. Each lesson was made even more delightful with unapologetically delicious desserts like fruit crisp and chia pudding. Dr. Sir Chand’s profound knowledge of Ayurvedic cooking, combined with her allopathic training and additional expertise in Lifestyle Medicine, offers a unique perspective on eating for vitality. She radiates passion and compassions in every session, making the experience truly enriching. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from this culinary medicine master!
Neha S. Shah, MD
Neha S. Shah, MD (she/her/hers) Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine Fellowship Program Director – Adult Rheumatology Division of Immunology & Rheumatology Department of Medicine Stanford University Hospital & Clinics
A Nod to Tradition: Corn Country Wisdom
Allow me to share a piece of wisdom passed down from my mother, who grew up in the corn country of Iowa. She always advised eating corn shortly after it was picked and cooking it with just a dash of sugar for a few minutes. This simple trick ensures perfect results every time. If possible, opt for organic corn to fully enjoy its natural sweetness without the concern of harmful pesticides.
Optional Enhancements: Elevating Flavors
While the basic trio of tomatoes, corn, and basil creates a delightful salad, feel free to experiment with additional flavors. A drizzle of chive oil can add depth, while preserved lemons contribute a complex citrusy note. Remember, these are optional – the salad shines even in its simplest form.
Building a 4th of July Feast
This salad can be the star of a fabulous 4th of July spread. Consider serving it alongside:
A crisp green salad
Veggie burgers for plant-based protein
Roasted potato salad for a heartier side
This combination offers a balanced meal that celebrates the best of summer produce while catering to various dietary preferences.
Free Ebook
The food we eat significantly impacts our health, but how we prepare it can also have an effect. Eating a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can lead to many health problems, such as obesity and heart disease. Furthermore, what if I told you that changing these factors could make all the difference? You can improve your health by cooking your meals with whole food and plant-based ingredients. First, grab this free recipe ebook that incorporates flavors and principles from my Ayurvedic and Lifestyle Medicine training, and it is 100% plant-based. Then let me know what you have made.
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A Note on Food Safety
As we celebrate during these hot summer days, it’s crucial to keep food safety in mind. Ensure that your salad (and all picnic foods) are kept cool and not left out for hours in the heat. Your health is precious – let’s protect it while we nourish ourselves.
Please help me get the word out about plant-based healthy living so that doctors know the value of lifestyle changes by sharing this post on your social media.
This is a wonderful summer salad filled with the best of summer ingredients from the garden or farm: corn, basil, and tomatoes. We eat it repeatedly, and it keeps wonderfully in the fridge overnight.
Ingredients
UnitsScale
4 large ripe tomatoes, preferably heirloom varieties
Optional: chives, preserved lemon, toasted pine nuts
Instructions
Prepare the Tomatoes: Cut the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
Shuck the Corn: Stand each ear of corn upright in a shallow bowl and carefully cut off the kernels.
Chop the Basil: Tear or roughly chop the basil leaves.
Combine Ingredients: Add the tomatoes, corn, and basil to the bowl.
Dress the Salad: Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil (can be herbal flavored version) and vinegar.
Season and Toss: Gently toss the ingredients together, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Optional Additions: If desired, finely chop some chives, preserved lemon, or sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top for added flavor and texture.
Rest and Serve: Let the salad stand for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Enjoy this fresh, simple, and nutritious salad!
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:15
Click on the image to grab the ingredients for this Heirloom Tomato and Corn Salad Recipe from Instacart from a list I have personally selected. The app will let you pick the store and provide a basis for the shopping and ingredient list. Then you can choose what you need. It has worked great for us.
Also, if you select the “pick up” option, which you can do on your way home from work, you may even receive a small credit on your purchases for your next visit.
To sum up, if you are a busy professional, look into Instacart to eat healthier when your schedule is hectic, either as a delivery or pick-up option.
Looking Ahead: Self-Care in Turbulent Times
As we approach what promises to be an intense election season, remember that self-care is more important than ever. Preparing and enjoying nutritious, mindful meals like this salad can be a form of self-care, nourishing both body and soul during challenging times.
By adding these elements, we’ve incorporated your personal touch and additional context, making the post even more relatable and informative for your audience. The additions emphasize mindfulness, flexibility, tradition, and the broader context of how this simple salad fits into both a holiday meal and our overall wellbeing.
Kitchen Supplies
Having the right supplies makes working in the kitchen easier. Click on the image to see the ways I love to store my food.
These are some of my favorite ways to store warm food in glass containers. The Weck and Ball Glass jars are absolute staples in my kitchen.
Let’s Explore Seasonal Eating: Summer
We love going to the farmer’s market. And while we can’t make it every week, there is so much to consider.
What is Seasonal Eating?
I am particularly interested in the role of local and/or seasonal eating. I believe that connection to seasonal living builds a steady and essential connection to nature. Fortunately, this is not just my opinion; scientific data exists to explore this notion.
Eating locally and seasonally has been proposed to reduce the environmental impact of food production and enhance consumer health (Macdiarmid, 2013). However, the evidence supporting this idea is mixed. While some studies have found that local food can be inferior to non-local food (Edwards-Jones, 2010), others have highlighted the potential benefits of consuming local seasonal food for sustainable consumption (Vargas, 2021). The link between eating seasonally and reducing environmental impacts in the food chain has also been explored, with some research suggesting a potential benefit (Brooks, 2011). However, the overall impact of eating locally and seasonally on health and the environment remains complex and nuanced.
Seasonal Recipe Book: My Summer Favorites!
I’m so delighted to share with you a new seasonal cookbook that I have created that is available for purchase. Please click through on the link to learn all about it. AND the best part is that I will be creating one for each season. Hope you enjoy and if you make one of the recipes, please let me know.
References
Macdiarmid JI. Seasonality and dietary requirements: will eating seasonal food contribute to health and environmental sustainability? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2014;73(3):368-375.
Edwards-Jones G. Does eating local food reduce the environmental impact of food production and enhance consumer health? Proc Nutr Soc. 2010 Nov;69(4):582-91.
Vargas AM, de Moura AP, Deliza R, Cunha LM. The Role of Local Seasonal Foods in Enhancing Sustainable Food Consumption: A Systematic Literature Review. Foods. 2021; 10(9):2206.
Brooks, M., Foster, C., Holmes, M.R., & Wiltshire, J.J. (2011). Does consuming seasonal foods benefit the environment? Insights from recent research. Nutrition Bulletin, 36, 449-453.
Jaqua E, Biddy E, Moore C, Browne G. The Impact of the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine on Brain Health. Cureus. 2023 Feb 3;15(2):e34605.
Elicit; Elicit: The Al Research Assistant; https://elicit.com; accessed 2/8/2024
In the complexity of considering the regional needs and long-term goals of feeding populations, I also believe that seasonal and, when feasible, local eating helps us cultivate mindfulness skills, paying attention to what is close and relevant. Exploring markets and local farms builds community connections, which is also part of Lifestyle Medicine’s core pillars of health.
Earn CME
This experience is powered by CMEfy – an AI-powered platform that directs learners along a pathway to capture reflections at the point of inspiration, point of care. Clinicians may earn CME/CE credit via ReflectCE, the accredited activity portal. Learn more at about.cmefy.com/cme-info
The CE experience for this Blog Post / Article is powered by CMEfy – click here to reflect and earn credits: https://earnc.me/7CbypP
Join me in community!
Looking to make a positive change in your life and community clincially? Dr. SiriChand is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Hospice/Palliative Medicine. She has dedicated her career to promoting long-term vitality through the choices we make every day and is an expert in Ayurveda and plant-based nutrition.
She particularly works with physicians to explore how to create time for self-care and how to learn to innovate in their integrative medicine careers. Take the first step towards an aligned, happier future, and contact Dr. Siri Chand Khalsa today.
Let’s create a better world for female physicians through intentional, mindful living.
Thanks for checking out this week’s post to the end!
If you make this, tag me on social media at @doctorsirichand. I would love to see your variations and flavor options. Save this Recipe for later to your favorite place. I like using PINTEREST, but you could also clip it elsewhere.
Dr. Siri Chand
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May your life be nourished and vital!
*Please note as an amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases which means I will receive a small fee if you purchase them. I have only included things I truly use. This post is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go here.
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