Lunch: Celery, Fennel and Apple Salad with Pecorino and Walnuts

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Lemon, Honey, Apples, Nuts, Walnuts, Basil

Health and fertility benefits of Celery, Fennel and Apple Salad with Pecorino and Walnuts

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. One tbsp of honey has a glycemic index (GI) of 55. Apples will improve your body's sensitivity to insulin (Reference: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/1/281.full) Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Walnuts are low on the glycemic index. What’s more, they also lower the glycemic index of other foods that you eat in conjunction with these nuts. Any kind of nuts provide a healthy source of fat and a great way to encourage PCOS weight loss. Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

3/4 cup walnuts
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
Pepper
3 celery ribs, sliced diagonally 1/4-inch thick
2 fennel bulbs—trimmed, halved, cored and thinly sliced on a mandoline
2 Honeycrisp apples—halved, cored and sliced
1/2 cup basil leaves, torn if large
Pecorino cheese shavings, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°. Spread the walnuts in a pie plate and toast for 7 to 8 minutes, until golden. Coarsely chop the nuts.
In a large bowl, whisk the 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Add the celery, fennel, apples and basil and toss to evenly coat. Transfer the salad to a serving platter. Season with pepper and drizzle with olive oil, then top with the walnuts and garnish with cheese shavings.

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