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 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 summer 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!

I am aware of how intimidating trying new recipes or methods may be. Because of this, I’ve combined this cookbook with a fun series of culinary lessons. Together, we’ll investigate novel kitchen ideas, adding invigorating suggestions to your menu. It’s like having a helpful mentor in the kitchen, encouraging you as you pick up new abilities.

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.

Print

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

Review recent seasonal plant-based posts here!

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.