Travel & Eats: The Mira ~ Hong Kong

Design Hotels™ is delighted to announce its first member hotel in Hong Kong, The Mira Hong Kong (www.designhotels.com/the_mira). The partnership comes at an exciting time as the hotel is also celebrating its first birthday.

Overlooking the banyan trees and hedge mazes of Kowloon Park in Tsimshatsui, one of Hong Kong’s boutique-lined shopping districts, The Mira is an award-winning urban retreat. Its 492 rooms, including 56 suites, are classified as green, red and silver, and are furnished with handpicked fabrics and design features, including the Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen. The hotel has six distinct dining and bar establishments, including COCO, a coffee and chocolate lounge, and Yamm, a Japanese-infused international buffet.

New Chef and New Rooftop Garden Lounge
As part of the birthday celebrations, The Mira is opening Vibes, its new al fresco terrace lounge, and welcomes a new chef to its modern European restaurant, WHISK. William Girard, former chef at Al Mahara, the Burj Al Arab Dubai’s fine dining restaurant, will be unveiling his new menu this week. It showcases Girard’s signature French cuisine, including fresh produce from his home region in the French Pyrenees.

Chef William Girard says: “My cooking is contemporary French: it has classical roots with an Asian twist. I pay particular attention to the product by not mixing more than three flavours in a dish. Real cooking is the product of simplicity, the star of a dish is always its ingredients.”

Located on the fifth floor of The Mira, WHISK offers many different dining environments, making it a unique setting for a business lunch, a chic Sunday brunch with a twist, or even a post-party nightcap. Its features include a wine bar, dining lounge with casual seating and mezzanine area overlooking the hotel’s Chinese restaurant with lush views of Kowloon Park. Opening out from the restaurant is Vibes, an al fresco garden concept lounge with lotus-shaped open fires, running waterways, bamboo groves and private cabanas. This exclusive haven in the city is the ideal venue for brunch, breezy afternoon teas, after dinner drinks and makes the perfect party playground.

The Mira’s Design
Charles Allem, a Miami-based interior architect, was inspired by Hong Kong’s expansive skyline in the design of The Mira’s interior. Together with Colin Cowie, lifestyle guru, they have created an interior of sparkling lights, metallic globes, innovative artwork and experimental sculptures, creating a memorable experience for each guest. Cowie is known for designing a variety of extremely high profile events, including Oprah Winfrey’s 50th birthday party and Elton John’s AIDS foundation Oscar Party. Allem has also taken inspiration from Hong Kong’s natural environment and historical architecture, shown in the striking emerald and platinum colour schemes.

Allem says: “Each facet of this exquisite diamond, set in the heart of Hong Kong, is designed to fascinate and mesmerise. My vision has been to leave an indelible mark on the mind, body and soul.”

Spa and Special Events
Surrounded by stylish circular chill-out daybeds, the 25-metre pool area in the MiraSpa provides a chic place to mingle. The vast 1,700 m² spa also offers experience showers, waterbed floatation lounges and a nail bar.

For events, the Ballroom on the 18th floor, designed by Colin Cowie, offers over 20 colour and event themes for a variety of occasions. It also features 18 custom made chandeliers with over 20 tons of hand-cut Czech crystals.

For more information, check out www.designhotels.com/the_mira.

Travel & Eats: A European Visit With Perillo Tours

By Jacqueline Shaprow, J.D. ~

Seeing Florence, Rome, Paris, and London with Perillo Tours was a great vacation choice. Perillo provides a number of great meals, and assures that guests stay at quality hotels throughout Europe. The tour guide that led my tour of Europe had been hosting visitors for over twenty years – it was a very friendly group of people and a great experience.

Florence

See: Florence is a truly romantic city, and it has incredible Renaissance art! While there, be sure that you visit the Uffizi Gallery, Pisa, Siena, the Academy of Fine Arts, and a beautiful Tuscan winery. The Uffizi has an enormous picture collection and magnificent Botticelli paintings, and the Academy of Fine Arts houses Michelangelo’s ‘David.’  It was also incredible visiting some of the famous graves in Florence, such as Machiavelli’s, Michelangelo’s, and Galileo’s grave.  For shoppers, there are a number of boutiques and markets in Florence, where one can find wine, leather goods, ceramics, and clothes.

Devour: I must have eaten at least two scoops of Peach Gelato a day while I was in Florence.  I also enjoyed thin crusted pizza, which was topped with olive oil, prosciutto, black pepper, and rosemary.

Rome

See: In Rome you will love the cobblestone streets.  Be sure to take a tour of the Vatican City, where you can see the famous Vatican Museums. Michelangelo’s work of art – the Sistine Chapel – is certainly an awe inspiring site to see. You will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, where you can experience the largest church in Christendom.  See the Colosseum, which is the largest Roman-era amphitheatre, and a place with so much history. There is shopping, and more shopping in Rome! I spent an entire day shopping, and I spotted incredible fashions to take home with me.

Devour: The pasta in Rome is delicious. I enjoyed spaghetti carbonara, which was topped with black pepper and pecorino romano cheese – a cheese used often in Rome.  I also had wonderful penne pasta, cooked with grilled onions, prosciutto, and a brilliant tomato sauce.

Paris

See: You will see the Eiffel Tower at night, which is breathtaking and the Bastille. My favorite part of the trip was visiting the Louvre Museum, where I marveled at Leonardo da Vinci’s world famous work of art, the ‘Mona Lisa.’ Additionally, you will visit the Sorbonne, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Champs Elysees, and The Concorde Square, among many other sites. The Bastille, Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter, and the Musee d’Orsay, which has a very impressive Impressionist collection are definitely worth a visit.  You will also have plenty of time for shopping in Paris.

Devour: The pastries in Paris are to die for! They are soft and flaky, and they are baked with real (not artificial) butter. Have a chocolate filled croissant with your morning coffee.

London

See: Perillo Tours will take you to Buckingham Palace, Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square, the West End, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Piccadilly Circus. At Trafalgar Square, you can see the National Gallery and Nelson’s Column. There are also tons of street performers to entertain you in London, especially outside of the National Theatre. You can take a shopping trip downtown and visit the historic theatre district.  At night, I watched a musical performance in the theatre district and the entire cast was very talented – it was much better than any performance I had ever seen on Broadway.

Devour:  The fish and chips in London should not be missed.

Jacqueline Shaprow, J.D., earned a degree in Psychology from Yale University and has published articles in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, The California Family Law Monthly, Music Publications, Movie Publications, The Savvy Gal, and The Journal of Health Psychology (where her article ranked among the “50 Most Frequently Read Articles” in 2008 and 2009). Jacqueline has interviewed a number of celebrities, including Grammy and Oscar Award-Winning Artists. Her writing has been featured in a book by Kaplan Publications about the diversity of experiences among female lawyers and legal scholars in America. Her Psychology Study on Weight Stigma and Discrimination was published in a number of different languages and presented at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity. Her findings on Exercise Motivation and Behavior have been housed in University Libraries around the world, including the Ritsumeikan University in Japan and the Universidad de Madrid in Spain.

Travel & Eats: A Four-Season Guide to New York City

Every season is tourist season in New York City. Here’s a quick guide to what to do and what to see.

Fall

In September, the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera host their opening nights, while the New York Film Festival features the films of national and international directors. The following month, revelers hit the streets of Greenwich Village for New York’s Village Halloween Parade.

Later in the season, visitors and locals enjoy The ING New York City Marathon, The New York Comedy Festival, the New York Chocolate Show and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Other New York City parades held in the fall include the Columbus Day Parade, African-American Day Parade and the New York Hispanic Parade.) For sports fans, it’s tip-off for the Knicks and Liberty’s basketball seasons, and the New York Rangers hockey season begins.

Winter

Winter in New York brings traditional holiday celebrations, including the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Rockefeller Center, the world’s largest menorah on Central Park South and Radio City Christmas Spectacular’s Rockettes. Central Park, Prospect Park and Rockefeller Center, among other rinks, offer ice skating to the public. The City is host to several winter shows including the National Boat Show, Winter Antiques Show and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

For athletes and fans Madison Square Garden hosts the Millrose Games while fashion-lovers can enjoy the release of new collections at Fashion Week. NYC Restaurant Week also offers discounted prix-fixed lunches and dinners at more than 200 of the city’s top eateries.

Looking to get a head start on the holiday season? Begin your holiday shopping at department stores, craft fairs and the specialty boutiques lining the City’s streets. Or bring family and friends together and take in a performance of A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker or Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Spring

Spring in New York marks the return of the Yankees and Mets, as well as the start of the season for their minor league baseball teams, the Staten Island Yankees and the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Public parks and botanical gardens in every borough welcome visitors with flower shows such as the Macy’s Flower Show, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Cherry Blossom Festival and the Greater New York Orchid Show.

The St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Greek Independence Day, Cuban Day and Salute to Israel Parades, among others, make their way through the city streets in spring. And with the warmer weather comes the Five Boro Bike Tour, the nation’s largest recreational cycling event. Also highly anticipated this season is Fleet Week, when ships from all around the world dock in the New York Harbor and sailors take to the City streets. There is also the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival in Hell’s Kitchen, where diverse ethnic cuisines are celebrated through food and live music.



Summer

Summer sends New Yorkers and visitors outdoors to enjoy film festivals, music, public parks and beaches throughout the five boroughs. For baseball lovers, the season continues, while tennis fans head to the U.S. Open in Queens. Starting at the end of June, beach-goers can watch fireworks on the shores of Coney Island. Jones Beach, with its open-air concert venue, is a popular destination as well as Brighton Beach with its colorful outdoor cafes and boardwalk.

Summer also is time for annual celebrations. The Museum Mile Festival features nine museums along Fifth Avenue, for a mile-long festivity of free access and entertainment. There is also the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, which highlights over a dozen barbecue cooks. The Puerto Rican Day Parade and Gay Pride Parade also are celebrated during the summer months, and the NYC Triathlon Weekend gets underway. July marks the legendary Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.

Many of New York’s finest restaurants offer discounted three-course prix-fixed lunches and dinners through Labor Day as an extension of NYC Restaurant Week. NYC Summer Breaks, a citywide program, offers exclusive savings at almost 200 of NYC & Company’s member hotels, restaurants, retailers, theaters, cultural organizations.

For a one-stop tour of All Things New York, go to www.nycgs.com.

Travel and Eats: Hints for Airline Travel in a Wheelchair

By: Linda Winkler Garvin, R.N., M.S.N. ~

Having assisted my parents with their airport travel, I frequently came across a few issues from ordering a wheelchair in the airport, to going through security, which taught me to be as prepared as possible for the unexpected. Preparing a list of questions for the airlines and reading information on the web will be of great assistance in your quest.  Reviewing the Disability booklet from the U.S. Department of Transportation [information given below] will place you in a position of preparedness and confidence.  Although there will be an enormous   amount of variation as to how dependent each person is with a wheelchair, these are some tips that may be helpful for utilizing a wheelchair for airline traveling:

• If possible, try to get a non-stop flight.

• If you need to change planes, arrange the flight to allow at least one hour in transferring to another plane.  Make a reservation on the telephone, as soon as you have your airline reservation.  Contact the airlines and inform them that you will need a wheelchair, as well as a person to help in bringing you through security and possibly stay with you until your flight leaves.  It is usually a courtesy to tip the person who assists you in a wheelchair.

• Once you arrive at the airlines to check in verbally inform the person behind the desk of the airline you’re flying or the sky cap so they can put this information into their computer [I was recently informed that by doing this “in person” it assures a wheelchair will be waiting on the other end of the flight/s.

• Sit as close to the front of the plane as possible.  This will afford easy access getting on the plane, as well as when departing & you will be close to the bathroom.  You may want to consider the first row since the bulkhead seats have a little more room.  Also, there may be 4 or 5 other people requesting wheelchairs on your flight.  By being the first one off the plane [particularly if you have to change planes], you will be the first one in a wheelchair.  This is important when there are five people all waiting for assistants to arrive to wheel them to their destination.

• If you have your own wheelchair, contact the airlines to check on their individual procedures.  I have read where it is important to utilize only “gel type cell batteries”, since many airlines may refuse wet cell batteries on their plane, due to possible dangers associated with them.  Always put a permanent type of identification tag or marker on your wheelchair.  If you checked your wheelchair with the airlines, verify with airline attendant to make sure it was loaded on the airplane.   Call the particular airlines to check on any specific requests for your “own wheelchair”.

As with anyone who travels, I believe it is a smart idea to carry a Preparedness Bag.  This bag may carry some of the following items:

Prescription & Non-prescriptions medications, including information on any allergies to medicines.

Phone numbers of friends, neighbors, medical contacts & emergency contact information.

Cell phone, paper and pen.

Healthy snacks

Sanitary towelettes

Happy Travels!

Linda Winkler Garvin, R.N., M.S.N., of Alameda, California, is Director of Health Management Associates, a health advocate and educator with an advanced degree in Nursing.  She assists individuals in navigating the complexities of their health problems from medical treatment, health insurance issues, management of health issues and chronic pain.  She is the author of several articles including, healthy lifestyles, travel, nutrition, health insurance, guided imagery & chronic health problems.  Learn more at www.healthmanagerbayarea.com or e-mail at garvin_linda@yahoo.com.

Travel & Eats: Divine Dips ~ Hotel Pools to Dive For

Clockwise from top left: The Library, The Standard, Downtown LA, Alila Ubud and Habita Monterrey

Hot or cold? Green or red? Infinity or plunge? The swimming pool has come a long way since the ancient Greek and Roman baths. From an urban concrete jungle to a lush hillside in Asia, Design Hotels™ presents four hotel pools ideal for sunbathing, socializing and of course, swimming! For an eye-catching pool in a vibrant colour Alila Ubud offers an emerald-green infinity pool above a dramatic river valley in Bali. In Koh Samui The Library’s vivid red pool is the place to see and be seen, with an enviable location next to the popular Chaweng beach. For a stylish pool party The Standard, Downtown LA’s rooftop hosts weekend pool parties complete with DJs and underwater LED lighting. Lastly Habita Monterrey in Mexico offers two rooftop pools – one cold, and one hot – so bathers can cool off, or heat up whilst taking in stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains.

The Library, Koh Samui, Thailand
Just a few steps from Chaweng beach, The Library’s vivid red pool is one admired by guests and passersby alike. Made using mosaic Italian glass tiles in red, yellow and orange, the pool is set on the beachfront and is surrounded by a wooden deck with red mattresses and black bean bags. Guests are welcome to choose from the poolside menu, or take a book from the hotel’s impressive white library complex adjacent to the pool. At night the underwater lights transform the swimming pool in to a dazzling spectacle and provide the perfect backdrop to dinner or drinks in the restaurant and bar next door. The Library was recently voted as one of the top 10 amazing worldwide hotel pools by TripAdvisor in 2010.
www.designhotels.com/the_library

The Standard, Downtown LA, United States of America
The rooftop pool at The Standard, Downtown LA is part of one of Los Angeles’ most coveted nightlife hotspots. Situated on the rooftop of the twelve-storey hotel in Downtown LA, the pool has panoramic views of the city. On the opposite side of the terrace there is sculptured topiary, an open fireplace, dancefloor and bar. The turquoise heated pool stands out sharply against the deep red Astroturf of the surrounding sundeck, where there are also bright red water-bed canopies for up to ten. The bar and dancefloor creates a fun and bustling space where nightly international DJs play to a fashionable crowd. The rooftop area can also be hired exclusively for events for up to 240 people, making it ideal for anything from corporate functions to editorial shoots.
www.designhotels.com/the_standard_downtown_la

Alila Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Cited as one of the most beautiful pools in the world, the infinity pool at Alila Ubud boasts a spectacular location perched on a terrace floating above the lush Ayung River valley. The pool spreads out to form an elongated rectangle until it seems to disappear down the terraced jungle hillside. A daily afternoon tea of traditional local sweets is served by the pool, where guests can relax on sun beds shaded by large Balinese umbrellas. In addition to its 58 rooms, the hotel has four Valley Villas on stilts with wooden decks and four Pool Villas providing seclusion with a private pool.
www.designhotels.com/alilaubud

Habita Monterrey, San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico
With different views and contrasting temperatures the two pools at Habita Monterrey cater to all tastes and weather conditions. The hot pool is heated to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for a dip in the winter months. There is also a cold pool which is great for cooling off during the summer when temperatures rise. Situated on either side of the eighth floor roof terrace with 360-degree views over the desert metropolis and Sierra Madre, the pools are divided by a chic concrete bar. The bar can cater to up to 80 people and is open for snacks and cocktails from 10am to 2am. On one side there is a view over Sierra Madre and its eponymous Cerro de la Silla, known as the Chair Mountain, whilst on the opposite side there is a view of the El Obispado, a green mountainous area.
www.designhotels.com/hotel_habita_monterrey

ABOUT DESIGN HOTELS™
Design Hotels™ represents and markets a curated selection of more than 190 independent hotels in over 40 countries across the globe.
More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design and architecture. Each “Original” stands for the individual, aesthetic and service-driven experience that his or her hotel provides.

Founded by Claus Sendlinger in 1993, Design Hotels™ offers its members insightful travel industry knowledge, from feasibility studies and conceptual branding to market trend consultancy and international sales representation. The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore, Bali and Perth.

Travel & Eats: Tips for Making Healthy Choices in Restaurants

By: Linda Winkler Garvin, R.N., M.S.N. ~

Eating mindfully is one of the best ways to approach eating.  Slowing yourself down while you are eating helps you to relax and chew your food more slowly, resulting in improved digestion & felling of well being.  If you want to follow a healthy and delicious nutrition plan when you eat out, you may want to follow some simple tips:

Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to be assertive & polite.  Explain to the server what you need based on your health needs & diet plan.

Portion size: Consider ordering an appetizer for the main course or sharing a meal.

Food selections: Choose clear soups.  Stay away from high caloric dressings or dressings mixed with mayonnaise.  Consider ordering salad dressings& sauces on the side and only use a small amount.  Try to choose food items that have more vegetables or order an additional vegetable side dish with a smaller entree.

Low Fat: Look for foods that are broiled, grilled roasted, poached or steamed instead of fried.  Ask for substitutions for high-fat foods like fried potatoes & request leaner meats.

Dessert: Consider sharing dessert or order fresh fruit, angel food cake or nonfat yogurt.

Water: Drink plenty of water.  It can help to drink a glass of water before your meal.  Many individuals find water without ice helps with digestion & is easier to drink.  Adding some lemon or lime can enhance the taste as well.

Other hints: Ask for lunch portions at dinner.  Be careful of the sodium content in the foods you order.  It can be helpful to contact the restaurant ahead of time or to go online and read the menu to get some ideas of what you may order of time.

Linda Winkler Garvin, R.N., M.S.N., of Alameda, California, is a Health Advocate in the Bay Area & Director of Health Management Associates.  She assists individuals & families in making informed choices by providing explanations of your health options, advocating on your behalf with hospital & medical staff, organizes your medical information & assists in reviewing your health bills & insurance payments.  She is the author of several articles on Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition Pain Management & Travel. Learn more at www.healthmanagerbayarea.com or e-mail at garvin_linda@yahoo.com.

Travel & Eats: Become Salad Savvy

By: Cheryl Tallman ~

You may have heard people comment that lettuce is just empty calories. This is just not true. While iceberg lettuce is not a nutritional powerhouse, other salad greens are nutritional champions.

As a general rule, the darker the leaves, the more nutritious the salad green. Just as an example, romaine and watercress have seven times as much beta-carotene, two to four times as much calcium and twice the amount of potassium as iceberg lettuce.

By simply choosing a variety of salad greens you use in your salads, you can enhance the nutritional content and enjoy new tastes and textures. Give it try!

At the market: You want to buy salad greens that have been picked recently. A great place to buy salad greens is a farmer’s market or farm stand. Look for clean, fresh looking cut ends. You don’t want anything that looks rusty, dried-out or wilted. Crisp, bright looking leaves are good too. Firm or solid feeling heads of lettuce are best.

Storage at home: For wilt-free lettuce with maximum crunch thoroughly wash and dry your lettuce as soon you bring it home. Roll the leaves in several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel, seal in a plastic bag, and store in the “crisper” of your refrigerator for up to 1 week. Iceberg lettuce will keep up to 2 weeks.

Here are some simple, delicious salad green ideas for the whole family:

Lettuce Cups: Both Boston and Bibb lettuce make perfect “cups” for grilled fish, shrimp or tofu. Serve with diced vegetables and your favorite salad dressing to drizzle on top. These lettuce cups also make “green” taco shells, just fill them up with all your favorite taco fix-ens  — muy delicioso!

Tossed Salads: Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and onions are the traditional ingredients for a tossed salad. There are many more exciting options. Starting with a nice variety of salad greens in your bowl, add a few mix-in items and you’ll transform the tired tossed salad into a great side dish.

Here are some of our favorite tossed salad mix-in combinations:

Cooked corn, black beans, diced red peppers, and crumbled tortilla chips

Mandarin oranges, diced green onions, and blanched almond pieces

Diced pears, chopped dates, crumbled blue cheese and chopped walnuts

Green apple slices, dried cranberries, and cheddar cheese cubes

Mango slices, grilled shitake mushrooms, and sesame seeds

Dressing Up Your Tossed Salad: A great tossed salads is nothing without a delicious dressing. Homemade salad dressings are simple to make, taste better, and are much healthier than the store- bought bottles.

To make homemade salad dressing, simply start with a container that has a tight-fitting lid. Add the dressing ingredients from one of the recipes below to the container, cover it and give it a good shake. It’s that easy!

Classic French Dijon:

3/4cup olive oil

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

Pinch of salt & pepper

Creamy Dill:

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp chopped green onions

1 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped

Pinch of salt & pepper

Sweet Balsamic:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4cup balsamic vinegar

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp sugar

Pinch of salt & pepper

Sesame:

1/2 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp sesame oil

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1/4 cup rice vinegar

2 tsp fresh ginger, minced

2 Tbsp brown sugar

Lemon Garlic:

1/2 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp white wine vinegar

3 Tbsp lemon juice

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch of salt & pepper

Fattoush Salad

This is a refreshing Middle Eastern chopped salad with a lemony zip. Chop or dice all of the ingredients into small pieces, so each forkful contains a complete variety of delicious flavors.

Ingredients:

2 pita breads

1 head romaine lettuce, washed and dried

4 Roma tomatoes, diced

1 cucumber, peeled and diced

2 Tbsp mint leaves, chopped

2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped

2 Tbsp parsley, chopped

1/4 – 1/2cup Lemon Garlic Dressing (recipe above)

Directions: Toast pita breads until well done, cool, and break/crush into small pieces. Set aside. Chop lettuce into very small pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, including the pita pieces. Pour Lemon Garlic Salad dressing over the salad and toss to combine all the flavors well. Serve.

Bok Choy Slaw

This cabbage is a staple in Asia and when you make this Asian-inspired cole slaw, you will know why it’s a huge favorite.

Ingredients:

2 bunches baby bok choy, cleaned

4 – 6 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

1/4 cup raisins

1 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles, crushed

Sesame Dressing (recipe above)

Directions: Shred or slice bok choy into small, thin pieces (like cabbage for cole slaw). Combine the bok choy, green onions, almonds, and ramen noodles in a salad bowl. Toss with dressing and let stand for a 15 minutes. Serve.

About the author: Cheryl Tallman is the co-founder of Fresh Baby, creators of the award-winning So Easy Baby Food Kit, and author of the So Easy Baby Food Basics: Homemade Baby Food in Less Than 30 Minutes Per Week and So Easy Toddler Food: Survival Tips and Simple Recipes for the Toddler Years. Visit Cheryl online at www.FreshBaby.com for more delicious tips.