The Best Salad Ever

Okay maybe the best salad of the week because I eat A LOT of salads. I just love mixing different flavors and textures into my salads. Boring salad-never over here girl (or boy)! 

I do have a few favorites that I normally gravitate towards. See below!

Salad favs
Lettuce: mixed baby greens
Veggie: carrots
Veggie that is technically a fruit*: avocados or tomatoes
Fruit: oranges or blueberries
Cheese: goat cheese babay
Nut: walnuts
Protein: chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas
Dressing: any homemade vinaigrette with olive oil

*The farmer blood in me has to call an avocado a fruit…. I’ve accepted that tomatoes are fruits, but avocados are more difficult for me.

In my perfect salad today: mixed baby greens, red raspberries, mandarin oranges, pomegranates, walnuts, leftover Venetian apricot chicken** from Olive Garden, and cranberry balsamic vinaigrette.

**I totally want to recreate this Olive Garden dish….its fantastic for a chain restaurant! 

Now go create a fantastic salad!! And feel good about it

Roasted Broccoli: Simple and Healthy.

Aren’t these little trees just beautiful? I’ve always thought so. I was one of those kids that’s loved broccoli and all things green…and I’m okay with that! I hope that my future children love it too…because they will be force fed it. And brussel sprouts. And Greek yogurt. Seriously how does anyone eat the non-Greek stuff? It’s soooo thin and super sweet. Bleh.

Back to the beautiful tiny trees. Growing up my mom always steamed them. Which I loved… Until I learned how to roast them (and any vegetable for that matter).

Now guys, roasting is no difficult task. And other than eating veggies raw, there is no healthier way to do it!

Just cut up your broccoli into same size florets and toss in olive oil (about one tbsp per head of broccoli). Salt and pepper. Roast in oven for about 15 minutes (tossing once if you desire). Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top. Proceed to eat two heads of broccoli and not feel guilty about it!

And yes I just wanted to sneak my engagement ring in the picture because I love it so much!!!!!

Now go roast some broccoli.