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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

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.

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22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent post! The pictures are great and the salad sounds delicious! Guess I need to get started with my own diet - thanks for the help!

Anonymous said...

Delicious post! Sounds like an excellent way to start a diet!

Brittany said...

MMMM I love a good salad!!!!

(Sorry i've been MIA. it's been a LONG month! :))

the dragonfly said...

I don't think a salad ever made me hungry right after I ate. But that one made me hungry, and I just finished my lunch! Yummmmmmmy!

McMommy said...

I have to say...I'm not a huge salad person. However, you made THIS salad look delish! And you know me and my love for crock pots...so the candied walnuts sound right up my alley!

Tina said...

If I was a salad-eater, I'm sure this would be a TREAT!!! Good job!

Huse Yo Mama said...

That is great. Don't you just hate how men can THINK about losing weight and it happens?

As for the salad - looks DELICIOUS, however, I can never stop at just one serving of salad. Or really, I can't stop at just one serving of anything.

Good luck losing a few pounds, even though I don't think you need it!

Stephanie ODea said...

Thank you for linking to my site and for the candied walnut review!

I adore blue cheese. I didn't used to, but now I can't get enough.

xoxo
steph

Annikke said...

That sounds delicious!

Kelley said...

Sounds super-yummy! I think I HAVE had that salad at a restaurant before! Maybe Panera Bread Company? Anyway, thanks for sharing. I'm actually inspired to attempt it myself.

Melissa said...

I know your pain...my husband and I are trying to loos weight. Of course he isn't having a problem and I am trucking along trying to even drop a pound. What is weird is that I am fitting into things and getting things I have before the baby, but still not one pound differnce...werid !

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

I hate your husband. A little anyway.

I like to add a lot of extra zip to my salads so they don't get boring. Candied any kind of nut is a great way. You can also easily candy a nut by putting a couple tablespoons of sugar into a non stick skillet over medium heat. As SOON as it starts to become a liquid, add a handful of nuts, stir quickly for a minute or two and let cool on wax paper. Make sure the sugar doesn't burn. They may stick together on the wax paper, but when they cool, just break them apart. Takes about 5 minutes. Then you don't have a bunch hanging around tempting you, too.

KEEP BELIEVING

Grandma T said...

Great Post! Salad looks delicious!

Kirstin said...

That looks yummy! I love bleu cheese. And oh, those candied walnuts sound really, really good!!

Bonnie said...

Looks like a salad I want to try out !! Yum Yum !!

elizabeth embracing life said...

I love salad any day, as long as someone else is making it. Oh wait, there are those moments when all the kids are in different places of the house while I make dinner, only then do I get out the stuff and salad away. Yours sounds divine, and really if you want to diet with indulging only indulge half of whatever you like. Start there and then go down to maybe indulging a few times a day or week and then eat more salad.

Amy said...

Sounds delish! Best of luck with your weight loss. =)

Chrissy said...

It looks delicious! Thanks for the idea and good luck with the poundage!

Debbie said...

Well, you sounded like me towards the beginning of your post and then Bam!. Will-power. You lost me. Good luck on losing those few pounds.

Megan Cobb said...

I eat a slightly modified version of that one almost every day for lunch! With pecans, fresh spinach, orange slices, blue cheese and an orange/spicy mustard vinaigrette. And sometimes strawberries. I'm still gaining weight, but maybe not as fast as I would be without that salad! You made a fancy Waldorf salad, and yes, those are restaurant fare, aren't they? :)

Jendeis said...

My family makes this salad with Gorgonzola cheese as the blue cheese and with some watercress as well. We call it "Better-than-Crack Salad". :)

Pam said...

That looks deeeeelicious...especially the part about blue cheese!