Arugula Salad with Ultimate Vinaigrette + Happy Registered Dietitian Day!

This March is the 40^th anniversary of National Nutrition Month and today, is National Registered Dietitian Day! So, Happy RD Day to all the RD’s out there! 😀

The theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month is “Eat right, your way, every day!” I was actually on the radio last weekend talking about what this theme means and why I love it so much. Not that past years’ themes haven’t been excellent, but this is most definitely my favorite theme to date.

I cautiously use the term “healthy”. Yet, it’s a commonplace adjective used to describe so much in our modern day language (and the word even appears in my cookbook title, which changed, by the way – “A Delicious Balance: 100 Everyday Recipes for A Healthy Diet.”) The point to consider is that what is healthy for you may not be healthy for the next person, and vice versa. Nutrition is an evolving science that has come a long way and without a doubt, will continue to grow and emerge as a respected science and medical practice. It’s important to understand that proper nutrition is dependent upon so much — weight, activity, disease, labs, medications, age, ethnicity, and much, much more. Finding out what is right for YOU is the best road to a healthy you. Everyone’s needs are different…so the way people eat will vary. Ex: Is it better to eat 6 snacks or 3 meals a day? Is it bad to eat after 7pm? An RD is the perfect person to help people develop appropriate goals for individuals that aim to meet their personal needs.

This theme also aims to dispel so many myths surrounding health and nutrition, and nutrition and disease. We all know that there are far too many myths out there and as hard as it may be to believe, I hear new ones ALL the time. Just when I thought I’d heard it all…there’s always something else.

The National Nutrition Month theme aims to approach nutrition in a manageable, enjoyable, and personalized way that can lend to permanent changes and subsequently, healthier eating. Encouraging personalized healthy eating styles is critical for permanent changes.

Food preferences and allergies, lifestyle, cultural and ethnic traditions all impact individual food choices — these choices will impact how you eat, your way. Nutrition should fit your lifestyle, not the other way around.

March is the perfect time of year to be reminded to eat right EVERY day…not just in the few weeks following the new year!

In short:

• Consider the broad use of the term “healthy” – what’s healthy for one person may not be for the next
• Nutrition is a science and in order to help someone with the appropriate diet, it’s important to assess medications, lab work, family history, etc.
• Eating right should NEVER have to include giving up any particular food or food group — not only does this raise a red flag nutritionally-speaking, but it is also hard to maintain for long-term
• For something to change, you have to change. The same actions will always yield the same results.
• Try something new! Nutritious should be delicious…and not just because it rhymes!

On that note, I promise you…this arugula salad is one great way to celebrate nutrition. SO, SO good…you’ll be amazed.

Arugula Salad with Ultimate Vinaigrette from Tyler Florence at Food Network as seen on The Healthy Junky

1 shallot, finely minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp honey or agave
1/4 tsp kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 oz fresh arugula

Directions:

Combine the shallot, mustard, vinegar, oil, sugar, honey and salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk to combine. Toss arugula with vinaigrette to distribute. Serve within 1 hour.

Yield: 4 servings (about 2 1/2 cups each)

Nutrition Information (per serving): 144 calories; 13.5 g. fat; 0 mg. cholesterol; 185 mg. sodium; 4.8 g. carbohydrate; 0.5 g. fiber; 1.3 g. protein; 3.5 g. sugar

Result: I’m in love with this vinaigrette. Fact. It is ultimate! Mr. Prevention said, “This dressing is so good…it must not be healthy.” BONK. Totally healthy, and ready in seconds. This is a new staple in my kitchen! 🙂

Work, boot camp, and a date with Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 🙂 So lame, so wonderful!

Happy RD Day, fellow RD’s!!

Be well,