Something good goin' on

So, since posting that very silly blog about making salads, I've been making myself make and eat salad at least once a day. Initially it was really not appetizing. Really not. I did ok during the week because I took salad and that was my lunch, period. But that first weekend it was quite difficult to convince myself to eat it.

However, it has surprised me how much easier eating salad has gotten. This past weekend, I ate it (with crispy chicken thrown on top) 'cuz nothing else looked good! Woah! I found myself wanting to eat it!! (and perhaps crispy chicken isn't the best thing to throw on top.. but I let myself do it on the weekends as a treat to me) :) The rest of the time it's all about cauliflower, carrots and almonds. And I'm finding that it is tasting SO GOOD!
I know, crazy talk! But, it's a good good thing :)

I made myself a Workout Diary to prep for the wedding. I wrote out a workout regime for every week from now 'til then - with little boxes to check off when I do it (for the nerdy list maker within) and I set the goal to lose 30lbs in 20weeks. I'm not going to freak right out if I don't make it, I imagine that I'll get pretty crazy near the end with all the other stuff going on.. BUT goals are great to have out there. And if I don't quite reach it, but I lose some and get more toned, I'll still be quite pleased with that.

Insta-Salad: A Guide for Delicious Salads

Alright, here we are, by popular demand, instructions (with artistic pictures) for making a MOST delicious salad that should last roughly two weeks. Yum!


Step One: Select the perfect container
Oooooooooh... look a big bowl.....

Step Two: Assemble the materials -
Romaine Lettuce
Baby Spinach (yeah for added iron)
Fresh Dill
Crunchy Veggie Toppers

(Romaine lettuce has a longer life than Green or Red lettuce, and also has more nutritional value than Iceberg Lettuce)
My crunchy veggie toppers of choice are cauliflower and baby carrots, but of course there are lots of other tasty things to add in as well: Peppers, Almonds, Snow Peas, Broccoli, Ginger, Chicken, Black Beans.. you get the idea.
(I use dill to add some more zest to the mix. My old roommate liked to add Cilantro and even occasionally Mint.)

Step Three: Rinse the Lettuce
(Notice the droplet of water artistically suspended in mid-air... naaaaaaiiice)

Step Four: Chop the Crunchy Veggie Toppers
This way, while the lettuce is drying, you can cut up the veggies for easy assembly (or snacking) later.

Step Five: Chopping and Layering
I use a knife to chop the lettuce and spinach, rather than rip it, simply because it goes faster this way. I chop the lettuce, spinach and the dill as I go, so that it is a more consistent and thorough mix.

Ok, for the layers, I start with a layer of paper towel on the bottom. Keeping the greens dry is the key element.
(See the mixed spinach, lettuce and dill.. Yum)
The second layer is just more of the same - don't scrimp on the paper towel.. thinner lettuce layers stay dryer and last longer.
Finally, once the layering is complete, cover the whole thing with one last layer of paper towels to keep the top layer fresh and stash it in your fridge!

I keep my Crunchy Veggie Toppers in separate containers; open, but in water. This way, when I want a salad, I just grab a handful of lettuce and stuff and add whatever toppings look good. Keeping the toppings in water keeps them hydrated and fresh but allows for quick munches whenever you open the fridge door :) (Just watch out for freezing.)

And there you have it! Insta-salad.