A Salad that Sticks

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Catching up on weekend posts?  I ran the Girls on the Run 5K!

 

Happy Monday! πŸ™‚ IÒ€ℒm really hoping that I can bang out a productive week.  HereÒ€ℒs to trying, right? πŸ™‚

 

Got things started bright and grilled with a Grilled Banana Sandwich.

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Oh, wonderful stack of ooey, gooey goodness.

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And after getting some work done at home, I headed to the clinic with the Husband to see some patients.

 

I packed my lunch in just 2 MINUTES (yes, I timed myself!):

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Into the romaine lettuce container went:

 

  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Feta
  • Sprouts
  • Edamame (I pre-cooked and stashed a few servings in a tupperware)
  • Craisins
  • Pre-cooked cloves of garlic

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This is definitely the kind of salad that fills me up! 

 

Oh, and before lunch, I had an amazing Γ’β‚¬ΛœmedicalÒ€ℒ massage from Donna Mathis (contact info is here; I tried  to convince her that she really needs her own website!).  The Husband has been networking with Donna for a while, and she offered to give me a free massage so I could Γ’β‚¬Λœtest-driveÒ€ℒ her services and better recommend her to patients.  It was THE. BEST. MASSAGE. EVER.  She specializes in orthopedic and sports massage, so she did a number on my IT band and back.

 

Donna said to drink lots of water and skip my run today, so IÒ€ℒm going to take time off.  Which is fine by me.  πŸ™‚

 

Going to close up the clinic for the day and hole up at Starbucks to plow through some work.

 

What ingredients are key for getting a salad to stick to your ribs?  I need some sort of cheese + beans/tofu.

{ 76 comments }

 

  • Lauren @ Clean Eats in the Dirty South December 6, 2010, 12:55 pm

    if i want a filling salad, i’ll definitely have spinach, tomato, shredded carrots, peppers, beans/tofu, and some nuts for added nutrients. as for a dressing, i like to get a bowl and mix together a serving or two of hummus and thin it out with some water. sometimes i’ll add dried spices into the hummus dressing too… it is divine πŸ™‚

  • Kim December 6, 2010, 12:59 pm

    I like cheese, either feta or blue, and some nuts of some sort, usually walnuts.

  • Annette December 6, 2010, 1:02 pm

    Chicken or feta/blue cheese. I also love any type of bean on top. I adore salads and try to make them as creative as possible- so thanks for all the ideas on your blog!

  • Jen December 6, 2010, 1:06 pm

    I go for hummus (I don’t like most salad dressings, so I make my own with hummus and lemon juice), nuts, and/or chicken. I also like more filling vegetables like sweet potatoes.

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin December 6, 2010, 1:16 pm

    I love using the salad container to make a salad! For me, cheese and beans are definitely helpful in making a salad stick to my ribs. I also like to add some cottage cheese or hummus instead of dressing!

  • Amanda (Eating Up) December 6, 2010, 1:16 pm

    I need some sort of protein for sure. I hate when you eat a big salad, and you still feel unsatisfied!

  • Lauren December 6, 2010, 1:17 pm

    I love adding chickpeas to salads

  • Leah @ L4L December 6, 2010, 1:18 pm

    Nuts + seeds are my filler-uppers!

    This weekend, I had a big spinach salad with parmesan, craisens, almond slivers, sesame seeds, onion, and a citrus viniagrette! It was amazing! I love fruity salads!

  • grocery goddess jen December 6, 2010, 1:20 pm

    To make a salad a meal I definitely need either nuts or grains or both, or maybe cheese and avocado, something heftier. I sometimes add cold brown rice or barley or something, and that’s good. Tempeh is good for that, too!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat December 6, 2010, 1:20 pm

    Sounds delicious! Key salad ingredients for filling me up are some sort of protein (usually chicken, chickpeas, edamame, tuna, hard boiled eggs, or a combination of any!) and plenty of dark leafy greens.

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) December 6, 2010, 1:21 pm

    I tried grilled bananas for the first time today (I had them in my yogurt). I have been missing out all my life! Oh my goodness! πŸ™‚ It was pure bliss.

    Your salad looks so yummy! πŸ™‚

  • Gavi @ GaviGetsGoing! December 6, 2010, 1:21 pm

    My favorite salads include: romaine, purple cabbage, carrots, nutritional yeast (major stick-to-ribs factor!), gluten-free veggie burger (Amy’s Bistro Burgers are the best), grilled eggplant, avocado, and dressing made from fresh salsa. That kind of salad keeps me going for hours!

  • Joanna@ Drizzle of Sunshine December 6, 2010, 1:22 pm

    Ooo… filling salads are yum! I like egg, chickpeas, corn, any type of nut is also good and avocado!!

    p.s love your bright yellow jacket btw!

  • Erin @ Bishella December 6, 2010, 1:33 pm

    Ok, I feel really dumb for saying this but in the spirit of being honest…THANK YOU FOR THIS POST! I never would have thought to buy lettuce like that so I can make my salad in the container..

    so, like all your other great posts(which are all of them)…thank you πŸ™‚

    http://www.bishella.blogspot.com

  • janae @ hungryrunnergirl December 6, 2010, 1:35 pm

    I am all about your fiber. Broccoli, beans, spinach, nuts….keeps me full:)

    I love making your grilled banana french toast, my favorite.

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence December 6, 2010, 1:36 pm

    I need protein- chicken is my favorite and fiber!

  • Jill E. December 6, 2010, 1:38 pm

    most certainly protein but i notice that if i have a half cup more greens i am way more filled.

  • Kelly December 6, 2010, 1:41 pm

    Needs to have a lot of spinach and a protein for me!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 6, 2010, 1:43 pm

    Protein! I need hummus, beans, egg whites or nutritional yeast or I am hungry a little while afterwards. I just enjoyed my hummus filled salad for the day. Chili is on the menu tonight so a huge taco salad with be lunch tomorrow…I can’t wait!

  • Laura December 6, 2010, 1:45 pm

    I like to have mostly toppings with just a little lettuce or spinach. Also, adding a non-traditional dressing like barbeque sauce makes it “feel” more substaintial.

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) December 6, 2010, 1:45 pm

    I agree, need protein in the salad! I like feta or cheddar cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and beans. I also like to throw in a handful of raisins for some chewiness. I’m loving the new coat, by the way!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg December 6, 2010, 2:05 pm

    Oooh, cute coat!! Avocado in a salad always helps to fill me up really well.

  • the veg meg December 6, 2010, 2:05 pm

    a protein and a fat and something crunchy (like nuts or seeds!). i also really love salads with raisins or dried cranberries (or just regular ol’ grapes!)

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In December 6, 2010, 2:06 pm

    For some reason salads only fill me up when I purchase them. If I make them at home, no matter what I put in it, I’m starving soon after. Makes no sense.

  • Madeleine @ Stepping to the Bright Side December 6, 2010, 2:06 pm

    I’m a fan of throwing hummus in my salad, as well as quinoa and/or lentils… I always boil up a big batch of each and keep a container in the fridge to toss in when I’m in a hurry. I feel you on being productive- the holidays are so close but there’s still so much to do before 2011!

  • Carpensm @ A Life Without Ice Cream December 6, 2010, 2:09 pm

    Loved this post! I actually do the plank time activity and push up count at least once a week. I realized a few months back that I HATE HATE HATE doing plank and push ups because I find them hard… and then I realized that that is not a good reason to not do something so now I time myself.

    Thanks for the tips on keeping the focus off the numbers.

  • Ellen @FirednFabulous December 6, 2010, 2:12 pm

    Chicken, chickpeas, egg whites and plenty of veggies!

  • Heather December 6, 2010, 2:14 pm

    I love using half full lettuce containers for lunch!

    I can recycle them at work and not feel guilty about using a “throw away” container!

    One of my fitness goals is the pull up…currently I am on my way to doing at least one:)

  • April @ Crazy Fabulous Life December 6, 2010, 2:15 pm

    Avocado, tomatoes, and lots of veggies!

  • Nikki M December 6, 2010, 2:17 pm

    Mmmmm salad, my fav. lunch! I am in a nut rut, so I have turned to beans of all sorts. Currently chickpeas are my go to. I load up my spinach/leafy greens with tons of veggies. Then I always add raisens, dill pickels and usually some nooch. I love Annie’s Goddess dressing πŸ™‚ Give me all that in a container and I am one happy veg head πŸ™‚

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations December 6, 2010, 2:18 pm

    I think adding beans really makes a difference… fruit and nuts work too.

  • Ashley December 6, 2010, 2:20 pm

    I love my salads to have variety and the bigger the better. I usually add hummus to bulk it up.

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday December 6, 2010, 2:28 pm

    I like to add nuts or seeds, chick peas (I sorta hate edamame), and avocado

  • Rachel December 6, 2010, 2:30 pm

    Some grain or beans and protein help make a salad stick. I also like grilled or roasted vegetables along with raw veggies. Maybe it’s the added oil from the cooked veggies that make them more filling.
    Good to see a plastic lettuce container being recycled! Those things are perfect for a big salad.

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman December 6, 2010, 2:31 pm

    My favorite jumbo salads have beans and cheese. Actually, all salads need cheese.

  • Sana December 6, 2010, 2:37 pm

    Cheese and chickpeas πŸ™‚

  • Deb December 6, 2010, 2:38 pm

    Gotta have nuts in my salad to make it stick to the ribs!

  • Rachel @ EatMoreMeatLess December 6, 2010, 2:38 pm

    BEANS!!!

  • Heather December 6, 2010, 2:42 pm

    I have to have some sort of cheese or maybe hummus instead of dressing. I also like to have a little carb on the side, like a flatbread or something.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing December 6, 2010, 2:52 pm

    I STILL have not tried that grilled banana sandwich… need to get on that!!!
    And I have to have some sort of protein, fat, and carb for a salad to stick with me.

  • Sarah for Real December 6, 2010, 2:53 pm

    I’ve been really enjoying garbanzo beans and olives on my salads. Dressing makes a big difference too. I need a (little) full fat dressing to satisfy.

  • Amy December 6, 2010, 2:53 pm

    White beans, roasted veggies, sunflower seeds, and goat cheese are must-haves! Toasted walnuts are a nice bonus too. Mmmmm.

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing December 6, 2010, 2:57 pm

    In my salads, I need some kind of cheese, cauliflower (maybe my favorite salad ingredient) and hard-boiled egg, and I often enjoy edamame and sprouts as well. ONIONS are required of course, because I love them.

  • Liz @ Blog is the New Black December 6, 2010, 3:06 pm

    I need to add protein to get salad to “stick.” I usually do chicken but I love beans or edamame!

  • jen December 6, 2010, 3:12 pm

    Your salad looks awesome! I had my best salad ever today! Spring mix lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, chili powder/cheesoning roasted chickpeas, sliced string cheese. Delicious.

    Jen

  • kate December 6, 2010, 3:13 pm

    Cheese makes a salad. Feta, blue, cottage…bring it on!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) December 6, 2010, 3:20 pm

    That banana sandwich seriously made my tummy rumble!! I guess I know what I will be having for breakfast tomorrow πŸ™‚

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) December 6, 2010, 3:20 pm

    That banana sandwich seriously made my tummy rumble!! I guess I know what I will be having for breakfast tomorrow πŸ™‚

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie December 6, 2010, 3:21 pm

    YUM! I love a good hearty salad.

    My fav toppings are beans, salsa, hummus and all that good stuff.

  • Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries December 6, 2010, 3:41 pm

    Oh my gosh…YOUR COAT = love!! So gorgeous!!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 6, 2010, 3:42 pm

    I need that massage… BAD!!! Salads are totally my go to meal – I <3 adding tofu to them or using hummus as a dressing…. i <3 sunflower seeds too!

  • Amber K December 6, 2010, 3:44 pm

    Definitely beans and some sort of fat, avocado or sunflower seeds usually.

    I have never had a professional massage (save for a couple of minute-long ones they have at fairs). It sounds wonderful.

  • Keri December 6, 2010, 4:08 pm

    Goat cheese, chicken or hummus have proved to be fool proof for me! Yum!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit December 6, 2010, 4:08 pm

    I’m hooked on walnuts + goat cheese as a salad topping! So delicious and filling.

  • Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life December 6, 2010, 4:13 pm

    Nuts for sure, either almonds or walnuts!
    I love getting a “medical” sports massage. It can be pretty painful, but the end results are worth it!

  • bakingnbooks December 6, 2010, 4:14 pm

    CHEESE – definitely cheese πŸ™‚ Hummus, salsa thrown on top too. And big veggies – not just lettuce πŸ˜‰

  • Lizz (leadingthegoodlife) December 6, 2010, 4:17 pm

    I like mixing in some precooked & cooled grains, like quinoa, couscous, or rice.

  • Natalia - a side of simple December 6, 2010, 5:05 pm

    Salsa, tuna, eggs, or cheese are always favorite fill-me-up mix ins for salad!
    Professional advice for a day off running? Sounds good to me πŸ˜‰

  • Charlie December 6, 2010, 6:06 pm

    I always add sliced almonds or beans & cheese (feta, goat cheese or parmesan). I also love raisins/dried cranberries in my salads!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 6, 2010, 6:37 pm

    Avocados and some kind of protein always make a salad more filling for me. But I find I usually need some bread or crackers on the side for it to really stick!

  • Lee December 6, 2010, 6:45 pm

    Definitely beans and avocado. I also like hearts of palm and feta cheese in my salads.

    I like your coat.

  • Ashley @ Thefitacademic December 6, 2010, 6:47 pm

    I love the addition of nuts to salads to make them a little more hearty – whether its slivered almonds or whole walnuts….delish! And I LOVE me some avocado for sure, too!

  • Camille December 6, 2010, 7:38 pm

    Beans or tofu really helps me with a salad. Any protein and fiber is always helpful!

  • Kris December 6, 2010, 7:49 pm

    Haha, did you really want to eat cloves of garlic in your salad when you are working at the clinic? I know it’s healthy and all, but …

    • Caitlin December 6, 2010, 7:50 pm

      I scurred away all the vampires!!! Gahhhhlric breath.

  • April December 6, 2010, 8:51 pm

    Hey Caitlin!

    I live in Lakeland…I am trying to maybe get involved with GOTR. I have a bachelors in exercise science and I am an RN so there is probably lots that I could do besides run! Let me know if you know of any ways I can help!
    April

    • Caitlin December 6, 2010, 8:55 pm

      Hey April! Just check out the GOTR website and reach out to your local chapter!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) December 6, 2010, 9:49 pm

    Beans and tofu are a necessity on salad. Throw in some grains and dried fruit, and that is my kind of meal!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 6, 2010, 11:57 pm

    Cheese does it for me πŸ™‚

  • Lili December 7, 2010, 1:31 am

    You got me hooked on your grilled banana sandwich. I made it for the 2nd time this past weekend! Soooo good and simple to make! and shared your recipe page w/ a friend as well:)

  • Wei-Wei December 7, 2010, 3:00 am

    I haven’t found my secret yet – maybe I should start adding nuts? But for the winter, I’ll skip salads for now.

  • natalie @ http://healthybalancingact.blogspot.com/ December 7, 2010, 3:19 am

    tuna, i must have tuna or chicken or some sort of lean protien to make my salads filling..it works well πŸ™‚

  • Marika December 7, 2010, 4:10 am

    Also a fan of beans or hard-boiled eggs on salad. Not only do they make it filling, but the soft/creamy texture is such a nice contrast to crunchy greens and carrots.

  • Laura (Starloz) December 7, 2010, 4:34 am

    hmmm, i’d say avocado & beans are a must

  • Lacey @ Lake Life December 7, 2010, 6:27 am

    Roasted Garbanzo beans and goat cheese make a crunchy and filling salad topping πŸ™‚

  • Melissa December 8, 2010, 11:06 am

    Like some others have said, I find a salad more filling if it includes a protein. I like grilled chicken, chickpeas or boiled eggs with my salads. I also find cheese makes it more filling. My family refers to me as the salad queen, because I always volunteer to bring a salad to gatherings. There are so many yummy ways to make a salad!!

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