Orange Salted Prunes - At the first sign of a cold or sore throatcoming on, savor one or two of these with a warm cup of black tea.

Lay dried plums out on parchment and sprinkle each with a generous amount of orange zest, then shake out about 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt on each - depending on your taste. Let sit for 6 - 8 hours, you may cover with a screen. Slice the paper and roll up two or three of these into a lovely packet to pull out on a frosty day. They make a thoughtful gift and a welcome surprise in a lunch bag. Make plenty, they are delicious and good for you - they'll be devoured before you know it! Thank you grandmother.

Granola (my friend Jennifer Cox's recipe)

Ingredients:

Rolled oats

Pumpkin seeds

Sunflower seeeds

Ground flak seeds

Seame seeds

Pecans ...any other seeds, nuts or grains that you wish

Coconut oil

Pure maple syrup

Honey

Salt

Cinnamon

Fresh grated ginger

Directions:
Place oats, nuts and seeds into a large bowl. Combine coconut oil, syrup and honey in sauce pan and heat lightly and stir, until they are liquid and combined. Pour the warm liquid into the bowl and slowly toss until everything is well coated. Add seasonings to taste. Spread mixture evenly on a baking sheet, bake in a 300 degree oven for about 25 - 35 minutes, turning the mixture avery 10 minutes or so. It is ready when the color has turned slightly darker and mixture is slightly sticky. Let cool before packing in an air tight container. Granola will keep for about one month, or for about 6 months if frozen.

Coffee and Cardamom

About Cardamom:
Cardamom is a pungent aromatic spice. The fruit of a perennial herb in the ginger family know as Elettaria - commonly called green cardamom, is mostly grown in India. It is perhaps one of the worlds most expensive spices (after saffron and vanilla).  You can find it ground and or in pods in small jars in most grocery stores. If you happen to go to India - bring home a big jar full of the dried pods which contain the black seeds.

Directions:
For one cup of coffee: Grind 3 - 4 pods of cardamom in with coffee beans. (Or add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom to freshly ground coffee.) Put all in a drip maker over your coffee mug, add a tiny pinch of salt and pour in boiled water. Let the liquid filter through completely. Add milk or sweetener if you prefer - or drink black.

Quinoa, Sweet Pea, and Avocado Salad

Serves 4 

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups fresh or frozen sweet peas
1 large or 2 small avocado(s)
1 lemon
1/2 orange
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 - 2 cloves garlic - crushed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of any type olives 

Directions:
Simmer 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups water for about 10 minutes (all the water should be absorbed), allow to cool. Boil peas, rinse in cold water and, drain in colander. Peel, stone and, slice the avocado and place in a large bowl. Squeeze juice from the lemon and orange into a small mixing bowl then, add the vinegar, garlic, oil and, salt, and blend. Pour this mixture over the avocado then add the cooled quinoa, peas and, olives. Mix lightly. Serve over a bed of baby romaine with fresh ground pepper and shaved lemon peel. Warn your guests if you use olives with pits!