Spring’s Fruit Salad in a Pineapple Boat

There’s nothing like a fresh fruit salad on hot days. It’s good for the body and soul, don’t you think? If you ponder all the stress we put our temples through during our week of work, hustle, chasing dreams, dressing the kids (not me!), indulging in delightful yet sinful foods and sipping cocktails, I’d say a raw approach for a few days would be a good way to cleanse.

I was doing well. I had lost 10-12 pounds since coming from back Mexico last September. I stopped eating a lot of different foods, mostly eggs, milk and honey. I was eating those particular three foods as if it were the only thing rationed to my wallet. And I stopped drinking casually, even during media events and reviews. But, I broke that long and unheard of streak last week. I had 12 cocktails in two days. That’s two days of a lot hard liquor in body and NOT coupled with working out or hardly enough water.

Yeah, I totally mistreated mi cuerpo and I paid for it this weekend. Talk about lethargy.

Instead of zipping through town with my most fabulous hat at a post Derby tea party or even breaking chop sticks to enjoy sushi with Christina, my behind was inside all weekend, feeling bloated and kinda queazy most of the weekend. I didn’t get to sit on my patio and gaze at these lovely community flowers that are taking over and finally colorfying our otherwise dull neighborhood.

No, I was inside, swigging water and coffee, instead.

But I did eat pizza. And that was no good.

So it’s Monday and I’m better. The experience of feeling like a disastrous cause of affection and unable to control the ebb and flow of my current transition — oh, because if you hadn’t heard, I’m moving back to D.C. — was a rude awakening.

I need my body to be in full performance for the next 6 weeks so Imma attack my diet with amazing goodness. Fruits and vegetables. Summer fruits are in abundance at the stinky farmers’ market next door; but they’re inexpensive so I’ve been pinching my nose and making quick purchases. A ton of blueberries, strawberries, mangoes, kiwi’s, pineapple, papaya, raspberries and anything else I can get my hands on is going into my belly. In the form of fresh salads, smoothies and sugarless desserts (at least a formidable attempt will be made) I will cleanse this week and get my body back.

The one below isn’t so fancy just because it’s on a pretty pineapple half.  I was just bored and had a few extra pineapples to spare so it was simply pretty to fill with the fruits. It’s actually pretty great for serving friends, clients, having at parties and brunches. The juices from the pineapple boat seep into the other fruits and just add more goodness. Sprinkles of light spices augment the natural sweet flavors — think lavender or lime sugar, cinnamon, star anise powder and the like. I also love the idea of a squeeze of lemon and a final garnish of minced mint. I’m telling you, it’s a great, efficient and delicious way to wipe the body of toxins we seemingly can’t get away from injecting into our bodies.

It’s hot outside, the beach is calling and I’ve got some filming going on. I have to get it together. A bloated belly (and other parts) is simply not cute on a 5’1″ chica. Like, never.

On second thought, a grapefruit mimosa would just make eating this salad 10x better. I have to keep it real. 😉

Eat well, love unapologetically, pray with true intention, and take care of yourself.

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Enjoy

PINEAPPLE BOAT FRUIT SALAD

Ingredients:

• 1 pineapple, cored, cut in half and cubed
• 1 mango, cubed
• 1 lb. strawberries, sliced
• 1 jewel case of blueberries
• 1/2 papaya or 2 cups, cubed
• 5 mint leaves, minced
• Juice from one lemon
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• lavender or lime sugar, optional

Method:

In large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients except mint leaves. Transfer and fill both halve of pineapple with fruit. Garnish with mint leaves.

Serves 8.