Running on Salads

Hello guys and girls, as we move closer toward the end of the week let’s forget about the downfalls and the downright haters and look towards progression and opportunity. Continue to think POSITIVELY!!! 

On that opening note let me get right to it and give you a quick update. This afternoon, my boyfriend and I went for our first run together. YAY (laughs)!  But truly, I found it to be more fun and motivating doing it with somebody, because I usually do it alone. So if you can find a committed team to run/train with that would be great. If you prefer and are more comfortable training on your own then you go do your thing!  As for me, exercise still happens outside of the gym…as I am still a student, money does not come easily haha. But there are many exercises that do not require you having to be in a gym to do it. 

After my 20-25 minute run, I always try to incorporate some additional exercises such as sit-ups, crunches, jack knives (love-hate relationship here), plank and the famous ‘squat’. But I will provide more information in later posts because right now I would like to share one of my signature salad dishes with you that I have made in addition to supper tonight! It is very light, simple and delectable and you can eat as a main dish if you would like but I usually serve it with grilled chicken strips- (Remember It is important to try and keep it light in the evening - Low carb meals for supper).

      Pecan nut & Apple salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 6

Main Ingredients:

100g Mixed lettuce or rocket

60g Raw Pecan nuts

1 small tub plain feta cheese

2 large golden delicious apples (peeled and chopped into cubes)

1 medium sized red onion (Optional- thinly sliced)

250g cherry tomatoes (sliced into halves)

Salad dressing ingredients:

1 lemon (2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice)

Ground mustard paste (1 heaped tspn)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (3 tbsp)

Mix all the ingredients together.

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the raw pecan nuts onto a baking tray and bake in the oven for no more than 3 minutes or until it is toasted-lightly.In a large salad bowl combine the lettuce and salad dressing together and give it a good toss.Combine the apple, red onion, avocado, tomatoes, and chopped toasted pecan nuts in a separate bowl; add this mixture to the main large salad bowl and give it another gentle toss.Garnish the salad with creamy chunks of feta cheese. Please feel free to leave your comments below. Enjoy! 

        

Picture source: Food network

            HEALTH FACTS: Benefits of Pecan Nuts

                According to a study conducted by the Journal of Nutrition

• Pecan nuts are a great source of more than 19 vitamins and minerals such as Magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin A, several B vitamins, calcium, folic acid, phosphorus and potassium.   
• Pecan nuts have a high content of protein therefore assisting in slow energy release (Low GI).  
• A pecan-enriched diet reduces total cholesterol by 11.3%.
•  It has the highest content of antioxidant properties compared to other tree nuts.