Sometimes you eat something, and you know you are doing your body a favor, but your tastebuds hate you for it. Well this salad is a better version of that. Its a packed with powerful good for you ingredients, but your mouth will actually enjoy eating it! 

Ingredients: 

2 cups arugula 

1 ounce goat cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup pickled beets, chopped

1/4 cup smoked almonds, chopped

2 tablespoons red onion, diced 

1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Directions: 

Mix together all ingredients, eat, and be happy. 

Have you ever been to the fast casual restaurant Cubby's in Utah? It's seriously to die for. Fresh, healthy, good for you food with such great flavors. If you live near one, run there now. Seriously, what are you doing still reading this post? Go! 

I recently had Cubby's wild rice & kale salad. It's full of chicken, apples, and packed with savory flavors. I don't live within a days drive of a Cubby's, so figuring out how to make this salad on my own was a must. This salad isn't 100% up to the deliciousness they have created, but its darn near close. Make it today and your body and taste buds will thank you. 

Ingredients: 

Salad: 
1 head of kale, finely sliced into 1/8 of an inch strips
1 chicken breast, cooked, then diced
1 apple, diced
1/3 cup toasted almonds, chopped
1 cup wild rice, cooked
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 avocado, diced
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Dressing: 
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lavender honey
1/2 tsp kosher salt
sprinkling of fresh ground pepper

Directions: 

Once your kale is chopped, toss it with the lemon juice to allow it to soften. Cook your rice and while the rice is still hot, mix it with the kale to soften it further. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Add in your other salad ingredients, dress to your taste level, and toss. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 



Enjoy!

If you're like me, you have a few too many pinterest boards, full of good intentions you're never going to get to. Last year around the 4th of July you may remember some of these recipes. Well this year, I'm giving myself plenty of time to prep for this wonderful holiday. And since the 4th of July falls on a Monday, I have the whole weekend to whip up delicious treats ripe with americana. So just like last year, here are some fresh and tasty ideas of how you can serve fun fantastic food for your family on the fourth. 

Adorable 4th of July Popsicles from Stagetecture

Patriotic Fruit Salad from Whole and Heavenly Oven

Gorgeous Strawberry Blueberry Shortcakes from Whats Gaby Cooking

Oh so cute watermelon on a stick from Skinny Taste

Do you have any other fun Fourth of July recipes you enjoy? If so, we'd love to hear about them. Now that I've got the sweet side of life covered, its time to go find some grilling ideas! Happy 4th!

Here is another EPCOT copy cat recipe. What can I say? We love all of the sophisticated foreign flavors there. The unique twists on everyday recipes are right up our alley. This dish is another great one from the Morocco section of Epcot. It's a wonderful citrus salad. Its delightful warm, but also great served cold as leftovers the next day. 

Ingredients: 
1 cup uncooked pearled couscous 
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup raisins 
1/2 cup chickpeas 
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup mandarin orange segments 
salt and pepper to taste
nutmeg to taste
cinnamon to taste 
1 tablespoon butter 
1/4 tsp slivered almonds. 

Directions: 
Boil your couscous in 1 1/4 cups water with some olive oil and salt until all liquid is absorbed (about 6-8 minutes). While that is cooking, add some oil to a pan and saute your onions, garlic, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, & pepper. When your onions begin to soften, add your raisins, chickpeas, and orange juice. Simmer and allow to thicken. When your cous cous is ready, mix that with the orange juice liquid. Add your orange segments, parsley, and adjust seasoning as needed. Top with almonds. 

You can eat this warm as is and its delightful. If serving cold the next day, adding a few cucumber pieces adds a nice crunch. These exotic flavors are unique, cheerful, and oh so tasty. We hope you enjoy this salad as much as we do!