Sunday, February 5, 2012

Produce Picks Salad

I love salad! and I can't tell ya how many times I've heard people say they are "sick of salad" or they "can only eat so much lettuce" or they "don't like rabbit food," etc. The real problem? Their definition of salad is so very limited...yes I agree, wilted lettuce from the back of the fridge covered in rancid, sodium-bomb Kraft dressing is not appetizing, filling or healthful.

My favorite way to keep it fresh with salads is by creating a meal while walking through the produce department, choosing a whatever fruits and vegetables that look good and/or on sale.

Check out this deliciousness!

Ingredients
1 red pepper, chopped (on sale @ $3.69/lb--> $1.75)
1 tomato, chopped ($1.99/lb--> $.40)
bulk spinach, chopped ($6.69/lb --> around $1.00)
slice red onion, chopped fine
1/2 avocado, diced (on sale @ $.89 ea--> $.45)

and for the dressing... blend up
1 mango, peeled and chopped ($2.29)
1 lime, juiced ($.50)
1 handful cilantro (about $.25)
dash sea salt & apple cider vinegar

Using 100% organic co-op produce and leaving enough dressing for another meal or two, the total cost of this meal was around $4.75 for a huge portion. Creating raw meals that feature produce specials is a great way to keep things affordable.

I encourage you to give this method of salad-making-madness a try. Not only is it fun, it is economical and will increase the variety of produce you consume. In closing, I must insert a little plug for shopping at your local co-op, 'cause when you've got amazing, flavorful produce to work with, you cannot "mess up" in the kitchen.

Go have some fun with the salad friends!

<3

4 comments:

  1. I can verify that this salad is fantastic since Claire made something very close to this for us over the weekend. YUMMY!

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  2. Agreed on the "definition" concept. Think about it...there are only a handful of meats that we eat, but there are many, many items that can go into a salad. We don't take the time to investigate and experiment. Keep those recipe's coming!

    PS: You are missing some ingredients in the dressing because my bottle of Kraft has 27!

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  3. It's been a while. When are you going to do your next post?

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  4. Hi Claire, I found your blog through Healthy Living Blogs.com. I am from Wisconsin too. I blog at www.empowernetwork.com/2bhealthywealthywise So what do you think about blogging so far? Did you get onto the blog-o-sphere for a specific purpose or just to check it out? I'm kind hooked. Empower is my first official blogging platform, but I have my fun personal blogs too. Have fun with it!

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