Fresh Cranberry-Fennel Salad

Health Tip for the Week   Cranberries contain iodine, which is beneficial for  the thyroid gland.  They have natural diuretic properties,  so if you have water retention, drink unsweetened  cranberry juice mixed with water.  The berries have also  been shown to protect the cardiovascular system.   They are anti-inflammatory as well.  And they have  also been shown to fight cancer. This is fresh cranberry season. Time to stock up!  They freeze beautifully.

Let's have a Healthy Thanksgiving Fresh Cranberry - Fennel Salad 2/3 cup roughly chopped fresh cranberries 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon raw honey 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Salt and black pepper, to taste 1 bulb fennel, cored and thinly sliced (save some of the fronds for garnish) 3 cups arugula or baby spinach 1/4 cup toasted pecan halves Preparation Place cranberries in a small bowl and toss with sugar; let sit for about 20 minutes. Combine vinegar, honey, mustard and shallot in a bowl. Slowly drizzle in oil while whisking constantly to make an emulsified dressing. Fold in parsley and season with salt and pepper. Combine cranberries, fennel, pear, orange and arugula on a large serving platter. Gently toss with dressing to coat. Sprinkle with pecans, blue cheese and reserved fennel fronds; serve immediately.