As a health food blogger, I like to stay in the know about all the different diets and ways of eating that are currently being circulated. One of the ones that's become quite popular over the past few years has been the Mediterranean Diet.

The Mediterranean Diet is pretty simple and incorporates the basics of healthy eating; including fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and limited unhealthy fats. Any way of eating that allows for olive oil and a few glasses of wine is a bonus in my eyes.

The basis of the Mediterranean Diet is eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Replacing butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil. Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor your foods. Limiting red meat and eating fish and poultry at least two times a week. Plus, red wine in moderation!

All of these things are pretty much how we eat in my house on a day to day basis.

California Ripe Black Olives are a key ingredient in the Mediterranean Diet, but that doesn't mean that all things following the Mediterranean Diet needs to be strictly Mediterranean flavors. It can be any type of cuisine that utilized key ingredients in the Mediterranean Diet (such as fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds legumes, fish and seafood, etc.)

Even so, I love me some feta cheese and I have some beautiful fresh basil in my backyard that just screams for me to use it in the warmer summer months. So, grecian inspired it is!

I wanted the black olives to be focal point of this recipe. The hero. The star! Why? Because I love olives and so does my little one. There's so many benefits of including California Ripe Olives into you and your families diets, so when my 5 year old goes through 1-2 cans of black olives a week on her own, I couldn't be happier. She's my lovely little princess of inspiration today.

To add to the black olives and basil, I decided to go with some chick peas, fresh bell peppers, red onion, farm fresh cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and even some lemon! This olive salad is great as a side dish to some grilled chicken or even atop some thin slices of a baguette for a snappy and healthy appetizer. Think of it as a greek style bruschetta, yum!

Head on over and participate in this give away for a chance to win a fabulous prize package that will help you enjoy the tasty flavors this season and beyond.

Mediterranean Olive Salad
TheSkinnyFork.com

The Skinny:
Servings: 6 • Size: About 1/2 Cup • Calories: 128.9 • Fat: 8.2 g • Carb: 11.1 g • Fiber: 1.7 g • Protein: 3.6 g • Sugar: 0.4 g • Sodium: 273.3 mg

Ingredients:
1 (14.5 Oz.) Can Pitted California Black Ripe Olives, Drained & Chopped
1/2 C. Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans
1/2 C. Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
1/2 C. Fresh Basil Leaves, Chopped or Torn
1/2 Red Bell Pepper, Chopped
1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper, Chopped
1/4 C. Red Onion, Minced
1/4 C. Crumbled Reduced Fat Feta
1 Lemon, Juiced (About 1/4 C.)
2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Seasonings to Taste

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients together in a medium to large sealable serving bowl.

Cover and set in the fridge to chill and let the flavors marry.

Enjoy!

For more ideas on how to incorporate olives into your everyday cooking, check out California Ripe Olives.