Did you know that more than 90 percent of adults and children don’t eat the daily amount of fruits and vegetables recommended? By just adding one more fruit and/or vegetable to each of your meals, you can feel more energized and healthy.

In honor of September being Fruit and Veggies-More Matters Month, Chef Anthony Stewart, Executive Chef at Pritikin Longevity Center+Spa, has created fruit and vegetable dishes that incorporate the sweet taste of fruits mixed with the hearty flavor of vegetables.

Pritikin’s Asparagus Orange Salad

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients:

2 bunches asparagus

2 tomatoes firm & ripe. cored, quartered and cut into bite-sized pieces

3 blood oranges peeled and sectioned

1 large bunch romaine shredded

Dressing:

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon garlic fresh, minced

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon black pepper fresh ground

Instructions:

For dressing, combine all dressing ingredients and whisk.

Remove tough asparagus ends, cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces, and blanch. Put asparagus, tomatoes, oranges, and romaine in large bowl. Toss gently with dressing, and serve.

Pritikin’s Garden Vegetable Potato Salad

Yields 10 servings

Ingredients:

10 petite red potates boiled quartered

1 cup grape tomatoes quartered

1 green bell pepper diced

1 small red onion diced

1/2 tablespoon dried oregano

For the dressing

4 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 clove garlic minced

fresh ground pepper to taste

Instructions:

Bring a pot of water to a boil; add potatoes and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until fork tender.

Cut each potato into fourths.

Combine potatoes and the rest of the salad ingredients in one large mixing bowl; set aside.

Pour balsamic vinegar into a small bowl.

Add minced garlic and a few grinds of black pepper.

Whisk until thoroughly combined.

Adjust the pepper, or the proportion of vinegar to taste.

Gently stir dressing into salad.

Cover salad with plastic wrap and set in fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Mix and serve.

Why not give one of these great recipes a try this week? Add some extra fruits and veggies to your meals and you'll see and feel the difference!

Have a terrific Tuesday!