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Easy Lunch Idea: Ziplock Greek Salad

Happy Monday! Today was such a fun day but quite the whirlwind. It started at the early hour of 4:15 as I met Melissa Z for a quick four mile run along with East River before work. It turns out that we both have to be at work early and we discovered only yesterday that we live just 2 blocks from each other!

It was nice to enjoy the gorgeous views while conquering the darkness with a buddy as we kicked off the week in full gear.

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Then, the day didn’t end until 10pm when I left Revolve, where I took my second class with Jason in just as many days. Melissa and Dori hosted a free ride for readers tonight at 8:45. The music was amazing, Jason’s energy was great, and the spin portion was stronger and harder than last time. I still think the Rip Ride will be my favorite but I do love Jason’s dance parties!

Now it’s almost 10:30 and I’m ready to curl up in bed and fall asleep. But, before I do that, I have to share this week’s salad creation with you guys! I enjoyed last week’s Mexican Ziplock salad so much that I created a new one this week while still staying under my goal budget of $30 for a week’s worth of ingredients.

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This Greek salad packs in tons of flavor and lots of different textures while still being healthy! Grab a Ziplock bag and toss the below ingredients into the bag for a delicious salad that won’t even need dressing thanks to the hummus and taboule!

  • 4 handfuls of arugula
  • 2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes
  • 3 handfuls of chopped red and orange peppers
  • Any random leftover cooked vegetables you have in your fridge (this week I have sautéed mushrooms)
  • 1 tablespoon hummus
  • 1 tablespoon taboule
  • 1/2 cup grilled/roasted chicken (or your favorite protein)
  • 4 diced sundried tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup low fat feta

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Once you toss it around, serve on a plate when you’re ready for lunch!

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Hope you enjoy this week’s creation!

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ashleyd /

Easy Lunch Idea: Ziplock Mexican Salad

While I love getting fresh air when I step out to buy lunch on the days I don’t bring my own, it’s an expensive date with fresh air. I had a wake up call when a salad cost $14 last week! Oh New York City how I love you and hate you all at the same time! That hefty receipt urged to start bringing my own lunch again. It can’t be that hard, especially since I’m not traveling this month. Each Sunday I have plenty of time to enjoy Fairway shopping trips and stock the fridge.

This week and last week’s lunch was inspired by Anne but has been slightly altered and renamed a Ziplock Mexican salad.

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So, next time you’re looking for an easy lunch option that is portable and flavorful, just grab a gallon Ziplock and stuff it full with the below delicious ingredients! I was able to buy a week’s worth of ingredients for just $23, which averages $4.25 per day!

  • 4 handfuls of baby spinach
  • 2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes
  • 3 handfuls of chopped red and orange peppers
  • Any random leftover cooked vegetables you have in your fridge (this week I have sautéed mushrooms)
  • 1 handful chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup brown rice, seasoned with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and chili powder
  • 1/2 cup of rinsed, drained black beans
  • 1/4 cup shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 avocado, chopped
  • 1/4 cup mango salsa

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The Ziplock salad not be pretty but it’s delicious and filling! I love pairing my salads with some crunch so often pack a serving of baked chips or crackers with an apple. This keeps me full until my afternoon snack of yogurt, cottage cheese, or grapefruit and almonds.

What’s your favorite easy lunch option?

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Peach Cobbler Smoothie

A Georgia girl born and raised, some days there is nothing I crave more than peaches. Fresh, juicy, melt in your mouth peaches that drip down your chin as you’re trying to enjoy the last bite.

Since I can rarely find fresh peaches in New York City that match Georgia peaches, I choose frequently to use them in recipes instead. You can’t taste the mushy spots and there is no disappointment because that peach aroma and fresh flavor shines through regardless of whether they are frozen, Jersey, or Georgia peaches.

This recipe takes the goodness of a peach cobbler, complete with the graham cracker sweetness and the peach juiciness and transposes it into a healthier smoothie version. By using fat free Greek yogurt and Silk PureAlmond Unsweetened Vanilla I’m able to pack in more protein and reduce the calories. The swap of the Silk PureAlmond Unsweetened Vanilla in place of skim milk saves 30 calories alone in just one serving!

So take out your blender, grab the freshest peaches you can find, and bring back memories of delicious peach cobblers as you sip the stress of the day away!

B&Wpeach

Peach Cobbler Smoothie

Servings: 2

Ingredients

1 cup Low Fat Greek Vanilla Yogurt

1 cup frozen or fresh sliced peaches

1 graham cracker rectangle, or 2 squares

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp agave nectar

1 cup Silk PureAlmond Unsweetened Vanilla

Directions

Add all ingredients to blender, in the above order, and blend until smooth. Depending on the consistency of the smoothie you want, you may need to add a few ice cubes, especially if you use fresh peaches instead of frozen.

nutritionals

 

Be sure to check out Silk Pure Almond website and Facebook page to see more delicious, creative recipes!

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with Silk and FitFluential, LLC. All opinions are my own. Learn more about Silk Pure Almond Unsweetened on Facebook andTwitter.

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