The "Ultimate" Salad

Hi friends!  I've been missing in action and have thought of my dear followers many times and am just now carving out a few moments to post.  Life has been busy and good all rolled into one.  We have finished up our school year and are having a break before starting our summer term.  I hope to share our summer learning plan in the near future.

Some of you know that hubs and I are Beachbody coaches and really strive to live fit and healthy lives for both ourselves and our children.  As coaches we have challenged ourselves with workout programs like P90X, INSANITY (we have 2 brief appearances in the infomercial) and COMBAT.  Our involvement in Beachbody has done so much to enrich our physical lives.  Hubs and I completed Beachbody's Ultimate Reset last fall and one thing that has stuck with us is the wonderful salad that is eaten almost daily on the Reset.  I have had many requests to share a post about salads and salad dressings and I am finally getting it done.  So here are my salad suggestions and a few dressing recipes, the creamy garlic is my absolute favorite.

The Ultimate Reset Salad

Salad greens—we use a lot of spinach because it lasts long but definitely mix it up if you want

¼ c. shredded carrots

¼ c. chopped cucumber

¼ c. sliced red pepper

¼ c. sprouts

¼ c. tomato

1/3 c. toasted nuts—I like slivered almonds, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.

Add any fresh herbs you like and top with a Reset dressing.

Other great things to add to salads:

Kalamata olives

Beans (protein)

Quinoa (protein)

avocado

Frozen corn

Roasted beets

Kalamata olives

Dried fruit—cranberries, raisins

Do Not add: (just because they are highly processed and at unnecessary fat and calories to your salad)

Bottled dressings of any kind

Crutons

Flavored nuts

Cheese

Meat

I really do not like the taste of bottled salad dressing, sure making your own takes a bit of time but is it oh so delicious.  I even traveled with my dressing on a recent women's retreat weekend and surprisingly received zero comments about it.  In college I always brought my own dressing to the cafeteria and was named "the girl with the salad dressing."  However, in those days it was bottled dressing just because I had a certain flavor preference.

Basic Vinaigrette—The Ultimate Reset

½ c. extra virgin olive oil

¼ c. red wine vinegar

1tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. honey or raw agave

2 TBS. lemon juice

Mix in blender

Creamy Garlic Dressing—The Ultimate Reset

½ c. extra virgin olive oil

¼ c. apple cider vinegar

3 cloves garlic

3 TBS. lemon juice

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. Dijon mustard

1 TBS. honey or raw agave

Mix in blender

And just for those with inquiring minds here is a quick fitness update.  Hubs and I have completed 60 days of P90X as training for Tough Mudder in July.  Hubs and I completed our first Tough Mudder in September and hope that the weather in July will be much warmer this time around.  I am taking a 30 Day Vegan Workshop online.  There have been some great recipes and fun articles to read.  I was interested in the workshop to gain another perspective on vegan eating and to discipline and challenge myself.  

What are all of you doing to stay fit and eat clean as we approach summer?