First of all, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all your congratulations and well wishes regarding our baby news! Honestly, I was a little nervous to share (no idea why) but the outpouring of sweet and excited comments, messages, and emails really touched me, and my entire family for that matter. We can’t wait for July to get here!
Yesterday we shared the gender with my family by having them each open a bag (Target was out of gender-neutral yellow and orange – for Easter, me thinks) with an article of clothing inside. Once opened, they visually assembled the outfit to see whether it was boy or girl themed. Squeals were heard for miles.
I think I’ll bake you guys some cupcakes with pink or blue frosting inside for the blog reveal….coming soon! ;) (This picture of Evie is not a hint, I am just obsessed with her.)
In other news, we’re all feeling Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day pain around here as it’s been snowing. AGAIN. I sprung for flowers at the store this weekend simply so I could remember what the world looks like with a little bit of color!
$5/bouquet at Target. I am not mad at that!
I also whipped up something bright and healthy to give my skin a bit of a glow if the sunshine can’t (er, won’t!) – a Green Juice Salad.Â
I’ve been a juicer (that sounds weird) on and off for, gosh, the past 8 years or so, but I’ve really kicked it up a notch since finding out I was pregnant. These days I aim to juice Ben and myself an 8oz cup of fresh juice 3-4 mornings a week. The combos are endless, but for me the greener – THE BETTER.
This salad is the whole-food version of one of my favorite green juice concoctions – spinach, cucumber, green apple, and lemon (not green, I know) with some additional green goodies thrown in like green grapes and avocado. The result is a salad so healthy that it almost feels spa-like. And who doesn’t like spas?!
At Spa de IGE we also add marinated and sauteed chicken on top of our salads for staying power. That way male spa attendees don’t claim they’re starving 4 minutes after consuming.
Anyways! Start with the Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette that also serves as the chicken marinade. In a jar or bowl combine 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons worth,) and 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.Â
Next add 1 Tablespoon honey and lots of salt & pepper.
Microwave the mixture (without the lid!) for 20 seconds to melt the honey, then shake what yo mama gave ya! Alternatively, you could whisk the mixture in a bowl. Taste then adjust seasonings if necessary.
Now pour 1/2 the marinade into a plastic bag with 12oz chicken that has been seasoned with salt & pepper and let it marinate while you assemble the salads.
Organic baby spinach is always included in my juices, so the base of my salad started with a mixture of Dole’s Baby Spinach, and Hearts of Romaine, for crunch.
Mix together 4 cups each, then divide between 2 plates.
Next top each salad with half a chopped avocado. I cut mine in half then peel the skin away vs scooping it out with a spoon.
On top of that goes 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced or chopped…
and 1/2 cup sliced green grapes each. I LOVE GRAPES!
Finally slice 1/2 English cucumber then split between the plates.
Saute the marinated chicken in a hot skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink then chop and sprinkle on top. Drizzle with the remaining Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette, then serve!
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Green Juice Salad
Description
Green Juice Salad is a spa-like salad packed with my favorite green juice ingredients!
Ingredients
- 4 cups Dole Baby Spinach
- 4 cups Dole Hearts of Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
- 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1 cup green grapes, halved
- 12oz chicken
- salt & pepper
- For the Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette/Marinade:
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- salt & pepper
Directions
- Combine ingredients for Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette/Marinade in a jar or bowl then microwave for 20 seconds. Shake or whisk to combine then taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Season chicken with salt & pepper then place into a plastic bag and add half the vinaigrette. Marinate at room temperature while you assemble salad.
- Mix spinach and romaine lettuce then divide between two plates. Top each plate with half the cucumbers, apple, avocado, and grapes. Heat a skillet over medium high heat then spray with non-stick spray. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes a side, or until no longer pink in the center, then remove to a plate to cool slightly. Chop then divide between two plates. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette, season with more salt & pepper, and then serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Whether you have a juicer or not, this is a great salad for when you need a boost of vitamins, minerals, and good for you food. Hope you enjoy!
Regan 03.11.2013
Super cute idea with outfit assembly… So exciting!!…
Rachel 03.11.2013
I made sex-reveal cupcakes for a coworker after she found out she was having her 2nd boy. It was fun to see everyone’s reactions when they bit into them. :) It’ll be just as fun once you share with us what you’re having!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 03.11.2013
I cannot wait to hear the baby gender news!! It sure looks like your family members were awfully excited with the reveal!
Also, gorgeous flowers. I am now even MORE in the mood for Spring!
cwaltz 03.11.2013
Congrats on the baby news! Both genders are pretty great so no matter what you’re going to have an exciting new phase of life (I can’t believe my older two are adults now, and the two babies are inches away from 16 and 14.)
Jodea @ chillichocolatelove.com 03.11.2013
Can’t wait to find out the sex. It’s been a freezing, snowy day here, so your salad really cheered me up. Spa on a plate!
Nancy 03.11.2013
GAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! I meant to comment on Friday’s post but I hit “read” on my reader by accident.
Now I know why you deleted the comment that was ahead of me, a few weeks ago – where the person was saying “Does anyone else suspect Kristin is preggers?” or something. Remember that?? HAHA That got me thinking then, from there on. I was wondering where all those photos of you weren’t on your blog anymore. Well.. NOW I KNOW. Jeesh!
YAY YAY YYAYYYYY!!
Jodie 03.11.2013
My mom and dad have the same little knickknack holder thing on the wall!
Laura 03.11.2013
So very excited to find out the gender!! I have been checking all weekend hoping you’d spill the beans!! eeekkkk!
Urban Wife 03.11.2013
Also, me thinks a bump picture is in order along with the bloggy gender reveal. ;)
Brittany 03.12.2013
I completely agree with this statement :D
Trisha 03.12.2013
Yup. Bump photo for sure! :)
Finn & Evie are going to make such great big cousins!
Julie 03.11.2013
OMG!! I hadn’t had a chance to check your blog for over a week due to a crazy busy work schedule & look what I missed! Stupid work! CONGRATS!!! :) So excited for you! You guys will be wonderful parents! Looks like I have some blog entries to catch up on!
Rachel 03.11.2013
Congrats!! I love your blog and I was so excited to read the news on Friday! Can’t wait for the gender reveal! Also, I’m glad to hear you will continue your focus on posting recipes (I make meals from your blog all the time), but I would love to see baby updates/photos as well (if you are wanting to share)!
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body 03.11.2013
The salad looks so fresh and yummy. I went a little over board buying seeds for a veggie garden this year. I think the snow is getting to me. And what a cute idea for a gender reveal!
Sara 03.11.2013
I made cupcakes with blue filling and a question mark on top, to tell my co-workers the gender of our baby! Everyone loved it. Got the idea from Pinterest :) – http://pinterest.com/pin/4081455883887433/
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body 03.11.2013
We wrapped up a big box full of balloons and let the little cousins open it up for everyone. They were so thrilled to see the balloons spilling out everywhere. We got it from pinterest too ;)
Erin 03.11.2013
Oh man, I’ve been checking all day to find out the gender–what a tease!! I’m due with my first (twin boys) July 13th. Congrats!!
Sally 03.11.2013
I hope the blog gender reveal is coming soon!! :) This salad looks delish – will be the perfect dinner for tonight after an overindulgent girl’s weekend ;)
JennP 03.11.2013
I’m still giggling about you posting lyrics to “My Girl” on Facebook yesterday without intending it to be a clue. That’s totally something I would do.
Iowa Girl Eats 03.11.2013
Oh I felt like such an idiot afterwards. Didn’t even occur to me!
erin @hooleywithaz 03.11.2013
this looks like the salads i eat when my mister is out of town for work. also, this dressing recipe from you has been a hit at a few dinner parties over the past few months! (congrats again on the babe!)
Jen W 03.11.2013
I totally missed the baby announcement post! CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a blessing :)
Can’t wait to find out what you’re having and try that salad!
Keep up the great blog!
Kristen W. 03.11.2013
So excited for your growing family!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 03.11.2013
Aw, can’t wait to find out what it is! Whatever it is, your sister in law (I think) looks super excited! This salad looks like a perfect and healthy green treat, yum!