Large or small, dark or green, tart or smoky… olives come in a variety of flavors and sizes. Available year-round, they’re a great source of vitamin E, iron, copper and fiber. Vitamin E is the body's primary fat-soluble antioxidant, which acts to protect cells against the effects of free radicals. Add veggies to your diet in a bright, flavorful way with Oprah's Mediterranean Salad.

Ingredients:

Vinaigrette:
1 shallot
2 garlic cloves
1 cup red wine vinegar
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
2 Tbs. organic sugar
2 1/2 cups olive oil
1 cup basil
1/2 cup filtered water
salt & pepper (to taste)

1 yellow squash
1 zucchini
1 Japanese eggplant
1 large red onion
olive oil (for brushing vegetables)
salt & pepper (to taste)
2 roasted red peppers
1/4 cup olives
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
Baby arugula

Directions:

1. For the vinaigrette, place the shallot, garlic, vinegar, mustard and sugar in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth.
   
2. With the blender running, add the olive oil in a slow drizzle (the dressing should emulsify).
   
3. Add the basil and blend until smooth; slowly drizzle in the water; season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
   
4. For the salad, cut vegetables into 1/4-inch strips, then brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
   
5. Grill on both sides, then cut into small pieces; mix until well combined and refrigerate.
   
6. Toss the chopped vegetables with the basil vinaigrette; add salt and black pepper to taste and serve on a bed of baby arugula.

Find other great vegan recipes, visit www2.oprah.com!

Vegan Fire & Spice is your culinary passport to the world's spicy cuisines. This book lets you take a trip around the world with exciting mouth-watering recipes, ranging from mildly spiced to flaming hot. Explore spicy cuisines of the U.S., South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Asia. Featured dishes include Red-Hot White Bean Chili, Tunisian Couscous, Vindaloo Vegetables, Szechuan Noodle Salad, Jambalaya, Thai Coconut Soup, and many more.

Vegan Fire & Spice is organized by global regions and gives you 200 inventive and delicious recipes for traditional international dishes, using readily available ingredients. Adjust the heat and enjoy these recipes hot - or not!

Learn more and buy the book, visit www.RobinRobertson.com!

Older people with higher levels of vitamin E experience less physical decline, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the Yale University School of Medicine. The researchers analyzed data from 698 people over the age of 65, living in Italy, over the course of three years. Study results indicate that the odds of declining in physical function were 1.62 times greater in study participants with low levels of vitamin E compared with persons with higher levels. Because there was no connection found between performance on the tests and energy intake (caloric intake), this suggests that the protective benefit comes from vitamin E specifically, and not from general nutritional status. Vitamin E is known to play a role in the formation of red blood cells.

Good dietary sources of vitamin E include leafy green vegetables, whole wheat, soy, olives, seeds and nuts. Researchers noted that vitamin E supplements may not provide the same protective benefit as dietary sources.

To read the full article, click here!

The Vegetarian Network of Dallas (VegNod) makes a difference by helping local vegetarians and vegans connect. The inspiring group was created to provide support for like-minded people who love animals and want to help them. The VegNod network is unique because it supports each member as a person, as well as the group as a whole… creating strength in numbers! Since February 2007, they’ve been getting active together to speak out for animals and help educate others about animal cruelty and the benefits of a veg diet. In addition to their calendar of activities, they do outreach by writing letters to their local papers.

Last March, VegNod has several letters to the editors published in popular Dallas newspapers. Letters to the editor are the second most read section of the newspaper after the front page. Submitting a letter is a great way to spread the message of compassion in your community and it’s something each one of us can do. You can be an inspiration by voicing your opinion. The animals don’t have many voices to speak for them, so every letter counts!

Check the Vegetarian Network of Dallas website, visit www.VegNOD.com!

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