Works For Me Wednesday. The Best Thing I Have Ever Made.

I have been "trying" unsuccessfully since January to drop a few pounds. And I am using the term "trying" very loosely because my attempts at dropping these few pounds has mostly consisted of me talking about losing them rather than actually doing anything about it.

But that's just me. I'm a talker and not a doer.

But not my husband.

He decided about a month ago that his little belly needed to go. So he announced that for lunch he wanted me to make him half a sandwich instead of the whole sandwich I normally make him.

And for dinner, he only wanted to eat salads.

And by "salad", he meant a little bit of lettuce, a little bit of shredded cheese, a few shredded carrots and one sprinkling of Salad Toppins. You know, McCormick's Salad Toppins - bacon bits, sesame seeds and spices - basically looks and tastes like bird food but it gives your salad an extra bit of something on the top. And he barely uses a tablespoon of dressing.

My original plan was to cook something for myself and the kids and give him his "salad". And I use the term "salad" loosely because, when I think of salad, I think of what I come back to the table with after a trip to the salad bar at Jason's Deli. Now that's a salad!

But then I saw that after three weeks, he had dropped lots of weight. And I was jealous. I don't know how much weight he has lost because he won't weigh.

So, let's recap. My husband has basically stopped eating and he is doing some light exercising and he is losing weight. And he won't weigh so he's not beating himself up every morning for any little ups he may have due to water retention. (Oh, wait. The water retention part is my problem, not his.)

Hmmm...why haven't I tried this? Why haven't I tried to lose weight by reducing my food intake and increasing my exercise? Because I am lazy and have no willpower, that's why.

So last night I decided to join him in by eating a salad too. So I set out to make a real salad. One that didn't need quotation marks. One that I could eat and enjoy. One that felt special so I wouldn't feel deprived.

I don't like to feel deprived.

So I followed Stephanie's recipe for candied walnuts. Ya'll these are good and easy and you make them in a crock. But be careful - you don't want to eat the whole batch before you put any on your salad because, really, that would defeat the whole purpose.

Then I chopped up some romaine. (Did you know that romaine is better for you than iceberg? I think I read somewhere that the darker green the leaf is, the healthier it is for you.)

Then I sprinkled a little blue cheese on top of the lettuce. Why waste your time with cheddar when there is blue cheese available? You can really taste this cheese and when you are only having a salad for dinner every bite should be yummy.

Then I chopped up an apple. I used Red Delicious because that's what we had. And they lived up to their name. They were red and they were delicious.

Then I sprinkled some of those delicious candied walnuts on top. Remember - don't eat all of them before you get to this step because, really, that would defeat the whole purpose! (I am repeating this point because these walnuts are so good, you might be tempted to eat them all but, please don't. At least save some for the salad!)

Then I dressed it with balsamic vinaigrette. And can I just say...

This was the best thing I have ever made.

Ever.

This is the only thing I have ever made that tasted like something you would get at a restaurant. Sad, but true.

These pictures don't do this salad justice but please take my word for it, this was one yummy salad. I savored every bite and I am actually looking forward to eating this salad for dinner again tonight. And tomorrow night. And the next night...you get my drift.


Sarah insisted that I take a picture of her carrot.
And here is her carrot with Ranch dressing. Because what's a carrot without Ranch dressing? Nothing. That's what.

If you are looking for a delicious salad, please try this one. (The candied walnuts make this salad so don't think it will taste the same without them.)

This salad works for me.

Please make sure to visit Works For Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer for more wonderful tips, hints and ideas.