Tag Archives: sunflower seeds

spinach salad with Dried plums and cranberries

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It’s a Dreary and Drizzly day here in New York. It’s Downright chilly out and a Darn shame that it can’t just be spring already…. Daffodils in bloom, kids picking Dandelions…

Okay. I think you get it. It’s D day here at the A to Z challenge.

And this gray day could really use a punch of color and brightness.

So, I painted my nails hot pink (I’m obsessed with my new Julep subscription)

And decided to mix up a delicious salad.

Now salads can be boring.

If everything is all one note, same texture, then you’re just going to feel like a bunny munching on greens. No offense to bunnies. Easter Bunny, if you’re reading, I’ll leave you some carrots in exchange for some robin’s eggs.

But if you’re having a salad for lunch, you want it to be interesting enough that you won’t be at the vending machine getting a Snickers bar, and satisfying enough that you’re not rummaging around for a bag of pretzels at 3 o’clock.

Lately I’ve been really into adding dried fruit to my greens. It adds a nice chew, a hint of sweetness and a new texture.

Here’s my spinach

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I added some marinated artichokes for some fat and some zing

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next some dried cranberries and dried plums (yes, prunes. sounds so much better to say dried plums though, no?)

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Some sunflower seeds for crunch and protein to keep me full

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A simple dressing of sunflower oil (to pick up on the sunflower seeds) and champagne vinegar and voila!

An interesting, delicious and filling salad

 

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Sunflowers

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Sunflowers are my favorite flower.

You can’t not be happy when you look at a sunflower.

Sunflowers just scream summer.

And sunflower seeds are such a beachy snack.

I recently read an article in Bon Appetit about the health benefits of seeds. (Check it out here) and it reminded how much I love sunflower seeds. So of course I went out and bought a bag. They’re good for you!

Also good for you? Sunflower oil.

I like experimenting with different oils and vinegars. My boyfriend’s meme gave us a bottle of sunflower oil to try because her nutritionist told her it was a good, light, oil to use with good, healthy fats. It’s loaded with Vitamin E and antioxidants.

We tend to make our own salad dressing, either with prosciutto or with mustard. I’m also a huge fan of salads simply dressed with olive oil and vinegar, but with the article fresh in my mind, I turned to the sunflower oil to dress my greens.

Here’s a super simple salad dressing that is so fresh and bursting with light and citrusy flavors it tastes like you poured summer into your salad bowl.

Combine the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil, garlic salt and black pepper.

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I mixed mine in a mason jar. Drizzle over your favorite mix of greens.

Top with some sunflower seeds.

Healthy and delicious.