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Thursday, August 8, 2013

Barley Summer Salad

 
Barley Summer Salad



Today's Tidbit:   A salad can become a whole meal when you throw in some whole grains.  It can also be a great cool option for a lunch or dinner during the warm months of Summer.  Such was the case with the above pictured Barley Summer Salad.


Barley can take a while to cook, but not if you find a par-cooked version, such as sold at Trader Joe's, which only take 10-15 minutes to prepare and then it's ready to throw into any meal!  If you don't like Barley, or can't find it, you can always sub in Farro, Whole Wheat Couscous, Quinoa, Bulgur or any other whole grain you like!  My recipe is below.




Barley Summer Salad

Barley Summer Salad Recipe

2 cups cooked Barley
Arugula
Cilantro, chopped
Red Onion, chopped
Green Onions/ Scallions, sliced
Jersey Tomatoes, chopped
Cucumbers, sliced
Walnuts
White Cannellini Beans (drained/ rinsed)
Grapes, halved
Gala Apple, diced
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Juice from 1/2 Lime

Mix everything together and chill or serve!  


2 types of Greens (Cilantro & Arugula) + 2 types of Onions (Red & Green) + 2 Veggies (Tomatoes & Cucumbers) + 2 Fruit (Apples and Grapes) + 2 Proteins (Nuts & Beans) + 2 Dressings (Vinaigrette & Lime Juice) + 1 Whole Grain (Barley) = totally filling, totally delicious and totally satisfying meal that transports easily for picnics, concerts, the beach or a BBQ because there is no meat, mayo or cheese to worry about in the heat!  

(Yes, though Tomato is technically a Fruit, we consider it a Veggie in this house!)






What Amy Ate Today...

The Story of What Amy Ate Today:
 
Last year I created the What Amy Ate Today blog to share my personal story of losing over 40 pounds by making simple healthy changes to the way I was eating.  I wanted to show the real life picture of what my daily food choices looked like by simply posting every single thing that I ate every single day; which I did for 9 straight months!   

It all started on May 1, 2012, check out a sample post here:  

   
 
 

 
One day last July...
 
 
 
I wanted to show that it is possible to lose weight and be healthy without being on a diet and without starving or depriving yourself of anything.  I make healthy choices whenever I can, but I am a normal person living a real life and I want to enjoy it, so I indulge in special treats regularly too.   
 
It has been a great journey for me, further motivating me to seek out new foods, new recipes and new ways to prepare and eat more healthily and get more Vitamins and Nutrients (and Energy!)  into my day.   I look forward to continuing this journey by highlighting special recipes, new foods and/ or preparations that I discover or create, alongside any helpful Health information or news that I come across through the above "Today's Tidbit".  Thanks for joining me on my journey to better health and better living!