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!
Melissa 03.12.2013
Aww what a tease! That first picture is super cute! Can’t wait for that cupcake post.. and I wanted to cry on sunday when I woke up to all that doggone snow. Hurry up spring!
Cheryl Armstrong 03.12.2013
Congratulations! I am looking forward to seeing the cupcakes!
Christine 03.12.2013
Those grapes look so yummy!!! I hope you do the gender reveal on a Friday favorites post!
Amanda 03.12.2013
So excited for you guys!!!! dnmaiofjdaklfmclkgmiopad (that’s me excited:))
I have a question…did you have someone open up a bag with say…a sock first (to be more vague) then the last bit was a skirt or flannel shirt or something? Just wondering how a little boy or little girl outfit wasn’t oobvious by the first package opened?!
Iowa Girl Eats 03.12.2013
Thank you so much! They all opened their bags at the same time then looked at what everyone else was holding up. :)
Ashley 03.12.2013
Aww everyone looks so excited!! :) I can’t believe you’re still holding out on us! ;)
katie 03.12.2013
Congrats on your pregnancy, glad to hear it has been such smooth sailing so far. I actually just found out we are pregnant with our second, and so far this pregnancy I have noticed a lot more nausea, so it’s already got me thinking it might be a boy, since I hardly had any with our little girl. I’m excited to hear more updates and find out what you’re having!
Stacey 03.12.2013
Congrats on the little one!! Pregnancy was my all time favorite experience ever. I’d stay pregnant forever if I could…..no kidding!! I loved it that much. Here’s to a healthy baby and mom!
Erin 03.12.2013
Congrats! I am so excited for you and your husband. Motherhood is the BEST!
Jenny 03.12.2013
Congrats! My older child is a 4th of July baby.
Vanessa Brandon 03.12.2013
I’m so excited for your new addition!! I follow you on FB, Instagram and of course your blog. I know you are ecstatic to become a mom!! Please put up a preggo pic too when you let your readers know the sex of your baby! I know your just adorable with your little belly!! Congrats again, excited to see if it’s a boy or a girl!! Have fun and enjoy!!!
Nicole 03.12.2013
SOOOOOO excited for you! I am due with our first in 8 shorts weeks! It goes by sooo fast! We are having a baby girl. I hope you will do a family tab so we can follow along! So cute!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats 03.12.2013
That salad looks really yum!
I love having fresh flowers in the house, $5 is super cheap too. I always try and hint at my bf to buy me flowers but usually end up buying them myself at the market :)
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) 03.12.2013
I want some baby bump pics!
Christina 03.11.2013
Congratulations! That is most wonderful news!
Jessica 03.11.2013
I’m also due in July. The eighth. So excited for you
Melanie D. 03.11.2013
Aww Congrats. I have a question As far as the juice that inspired this recipe do you juice the spinach as well?
Jamie 03.11.2013
And the proprietress of Spa IGE needs the protein these days. Killer salad; I may spring that on my guy (with a protein too) someday soon. = )
Potatoes and Pilates 03.11.2013
Ahhhh! What a tease! I was so hopeful we would find out today:)
Either way, that photo of your family is adorable. Looks like the a happy crowd!
Great idea for the salad. Avocado in a salad always works for me!
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 03.11.2013
What a neat idea to transform green juice into a salad :) I’m a bit late on Friday’s announcement, but CONGRATULATIONS!
Kayla 03.11.2013
That first picture is so fantastic. Was yesterday just so much fun?
I really want this salad now.