Friday, January 8, 2016

Red & White Winter Salad...and Weigh In

As you know, I've been trying to incorporate changes into  my diet and life to have a healthier me in 2016. 

Making healthier choices. Incorporating more whole foods. More fruits and veggies. 


I know it's only the first week, but so far so good. 

Friday has always been my weigh in day. And woo hoo!! I am down 4.8 lbs! I have no doubt much of that is water weight....but either way my eyeballs were super happy to see that number on the scale this morning!

Great motivation to keep going!

Last night I made a lovely winter salad that I thought I'd share with you today. This would be a great salad for a nice winter lunch. We had it as a starter before our main meal, which was Deconstructed Lasagna - one of my favorites! 


I based this salad on some of the veggies I bought when I was prepping for my no-spend month (which I'll post my progress on weekly, beginning on Monday!)

I have never purchased Endive or Radicchio before, but they looked so lovely sitting in the produce section I just had to give them a try. 

When I got them home I honestly didn't know what I would do with them! But I knew I'd come up with something. 

And I did. Something lovely!

I started by cutting the ends off the Endive and the Radicchio. I pulled all the leaves off the Endive and cut it into strips. 

The Radicchio I chopped into rough strips as well. It's so beautiful with all that glorious color!


Next came a small red onion, peeled, cut in half, and then into thin slices. 

A red pear, just ripe enough and super juicy and sweet, also cut into strips. 

Red grapes were cut in half and tossed into the mix. 


Just look at all that good stuff in there! 

I tossed in a handful of shelled pistachios for crunch and protein. 

Next came some good Gorgonzola. Because lets face it, there's no way I'm giving up cheese entirely. And Gorgonzola and fruit is the most amazing combination!


A drizzle of olive oil, some balsamic vinegar  - I used Blackberry Ginger Balsamic from the Saratoga Olive Oil Company - it's so amazing!

Some freshly ground pepper and sea salt and you're all done. 


The sweetness of the fruit balances out the bitterness of the Radicchio. The Endive has a great fresh crunch. And the onions gave just enough bite. Add the crunch of the pistachios and the creamy tart Gorgonzola and this was a match made in heaven!


The salad as a starter meant I only took half as much pasta as I would have without that fiber filling my belly. 

My body thanks me for this wonderful goodness I nourished it with. 

And it showed on the scale. 


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Sharing at


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Best of the Weekend

38 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, that salad looks absolutely delicious! Very creative and pretty, too. Great news on your weight loss. :-)

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    1. Every lb lost is good, right, Melanie! I'm on my way!!

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  2. Whoo Hoo!! Way to go, I love good news and I love the looks and sounds of this salad!
    Have a lovely weekend,
    xo
    Jemma

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  3. Good for you, in every way. That looks delicious. My daughter is eating healthier this year and I'm very proud of her. I need to get on board myself.

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    1. It's not the easiest....and I'm certainly nowhere even close to perfect!!

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  4. This looks delicious and congrats on the 4 pounds! I love salads and they always make me full! Hugs to you sweet friend!

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    1. I miss my garden for fresh ingredients for salads every day!

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  5. What a pretty salad...you eat with your eyes first. Congrats on your weight loss. I have had success with Weight Watchers before and I love how it teaches you a lifestyle...now if only I could stick to it!

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    1. It's hard to stick with anything long term, that's for sure! But I am off to a good start and I feel better already!

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  6. I love making and EATING huge salads.. And i love raddichio! And sometimes its hard to find!

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    1. I don't usually see it in our tiny mountaintop market that's why I grabbed it when I did!

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  7. My Italian MIL had endive in practically every salad she served with her spaghetti! :)

    ( don't bother visiting me back at the moment / my host, Dreamserver, has moved blogs to another server and mine seems to be lost right now! :)

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    1. I'll be buying it again for sure, Deb! I know it's often used as a base for canapes as well, I'm going to look into that for my next party. Hope your blog gets sorted out soon!!

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  8. What a yummy salad! I've never tried endive or raddicio in a salad I've made, although I've eaten them before - I agree fruit, cheese, and a lovely balsamic vinegar make the most divine salads! Congrats on your weight loss already, that is fabulous! And good for you to pass up on the meatloaf and eat salad instead... a tough decision indeed! Have a blessed and marvelous day! :)

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    1. I passed it up yesterday also - it was tough, I had the Tupperware in my hand and put it back in the fridge!

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  9. The salad looks healthy. You have done a fabulous job losing near five pounds. Congrats. Hope your weekend is a great one. Blessings xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thanks, Susie - I feel less 'puffy' already which is truly a blessing!

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  10. I love radicchio and endive, but usually use them in a tricolor salad with arugula, and a light lemon-olive oil dressing. Your salad looks so good, that I'm pinning, and definitely going to try it! Congrats on the weight loss! Just read through your last few posts - meatloaf, mindful, motivation - enjoyed them all!

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    1. Thanks, Amy!! I didn't realize I was focusing on M words...what do you think that means? :)

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  11. That salad sounds amazingly delicious! You are to be commended for taking the bull by the horns and losing weight. I need to quit eating so many sweets and lose some of added weight I have been carrying around for a little too long. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. I'm hoping that by sharing it here on the blog I will be inspired to keep going, Marigene - wish me luck!

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  12. That salad is beautiful! Good for the eyes, good for the belly... Congratulations on your weight loss. My sugar is a little high and my doctor told me I could avoid medications by losing some weight and exercising. Have to take care of the temple!

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    1. Without a doubt, Donna! I would really love to lose 15 more pounds to get back to where I was a few years back. That will save me from having to buy any new clothes!!

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  13. What a pretty salad and my mouth is watering. This sounds delicious too. I've never bought those lettuces either and would not have known what to do with them. You did good. Congratulations on your weight loss too! That's great. Thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Thanks, Shelia! Hope you're feeling a bit better these days - I'm sure you're getting a little tired of just sitting around!

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  14. Looks delicious - minus the onion :) Raw onion and I don't get along. My husband and I need to watch our diets also - not as easy to do in the winter, but we try, and this recipe will be a new one for us! Thanks!

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  15. I'm getting back to my whole food diet again after all the Christmas goodies, and this salad looks delish! I've never bought either of those veggies, but I'd love to give them a try for variety. Thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. Isn't it funny, it's just not one of those things you routinely throw into your basket at the market! I'm glad I did, though!

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  16. OMGOODNESS!!! That looks absolutely delicious. It is as pretty as it is good for you. Good luck to you on your Health Journey! You are off to a really good start! xo Diana

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    1. Thanks, Diana - I hope your Hero is making some good progress these days - thinking of both of you and keeping you in my prayers. xoxo

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  17. This salad has my mouthwatering. Imagine a salad that is, at the same time, beautiful, healthy, and delicious. Thanks for the recipe.

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    1. You are more than welcome - I hope you give it a try!!

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  18. That looks amazing! I wish my hubby was more adventurous about salads so that I could make this for us.

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    1. I usually don't tell my sweetie what's in things until he tries them! I do the same with my dad. Men can be so strange about trying new things!

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