Skip to main content

What's for Dinner Wednesday - Chick Pea Salad

A few weeks ago I decided to get serious about my eating habits. I was feeling sluggish and just blah.  It has been suggested over and over that I try a Paleo diet. I really didn't know what that was, but I finally decided to check it out. I found a website that interested me that had a meal plan with simple recipes. Robin's Sweet Confessions Paleo Challenge seemed simple enough, so I figured I could try anything for 5 days. I posted photos of the meals as I made them on my personal Facebook page and generated a lot of conversation. Well, 5 days turned into weeks and I'm still sticking to it. 

Do I cheat? Heck yea! However, I have noticed a huge difference in the way I feel when I do and don't eat paleo. Better yet, I feel like I'm enjoying my kitchen again. The preparation is simple and the results are fantastic. 

Have I lost weight? Sure, some. I've been slacking in the exercise area since I hurt my wrist in kickboxing, but I'm getting back into running so I'm sure that will pick up again. I think what I have noticed most is that I no longer hit that wall at 2 pm.  I have more energy and my digestive system is much happier - no more puffy belly.

Even though you can find most of the recipes I will be sharing here on Robin's site, I have added some modifications from my own experience of making them. First up, Chick Pea Salad. I know this is "What's for Dinner Wednesday", but I typically have this for lunch. It was the first Paleo recipe I tried and it's still a favorite. K1 and I make it at the beginning of the week and we split it between the two of us for 2-3 days each week (it makes a big batch). 
Chick Pea Salad
  • 1 can garbanzo beans (chick peas)
  • 1 and 1/2 cucumbers (chopped)
  • 1 and 1/2 tomatoes (chopped and rinsed) - I use 2-3 Roma tomotoes because I like less seeds
  • 1/2 cup oregano (fresh, chopped) - or dried if that's what you have
  • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1. Rinse Garbazno Beans well and drain, set aside.
2. Mix EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar together and toss with garbanzo beans. (add oregano here if you use dried)
3. Mix in cucumbers and tomatoes.
4. Toss Salad.

5. Top with goat cheese and oregano.

This travels well and the flavors get better over the couple days to get through the batch. We are so in love with goat cheese now. Never thought I would say that. Hope you like it, too!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Easy Baby Sweater and Hat

After searching and attempting to create the perfect - and quick/easy - baby sweater to give as a gift, I finally just combined a few to make the one I wanted. This particular one is more what I would envision for a girl (regardless of color) because of the lacy pattern created with the shells. My next step to find/create one for a boy. This one is simple enough to work up quickly. I only have a few hours of crochet time at night and I completed the set within 3 days. I imagine if you had half a day you could easily finish it in one setting, depending on your skill level. Sweater Materials: 3-4 ounces 3 ply baby yarn  Hook - size F for newborn  size G for 3 to 6 months size H (and 4 ply soft yarn) for 6 to 9 months 2-3 button for closure Pattern: (Shell = 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) Starting at neckline, loosely ch 38. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook & in each ch to end. (37 stitches) Row 2: ch 2, turn (counts as 1st dc throughout) 1 dc in each of t

Crocheted Adventure Time Fiona Hat

Well, my cosplaying kid asked for another crocheted creation, but I don't watch Adventure Time.  I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into, but this was easy enough and I get to share a free pattern with you.  It straps around the chin with a crocheted button and I had the yarn stashed away.  I love projects that use up leftover yarn, don't you?  I started out with  Lilana Wofsey Dohnert's   Finn hat pattern on Ravelry. She's brilliant.  Then I made adjustments to make it Fiona and fit a bit more snugly.   Materials : Crochet Hook (Size US G-6 (4.0mm)) Yarn Worsted Weight Size 4 Medium ('Soft' recommended) Yarn Sewing Needle Fiberfil Batting Abbreviations : st: stitch ch: chain sl st: slip stitch sc: single crochet hdc: half-double crochet dc: double crochet tr: triple crochet inc: increase (crochet 2 st in single st; preceeded by type of st to use, i.e. 'sc inc') dec: decrease (make 2 st become 1; preceeded by type of st to use, i.e. 'sc de

Organize It - Shoe Rack Grips

Do we really need all these shoes?  You can only wear one pair at a time.  I guess it's a necessary evil.  Shoes aren't my thing.  I have more flip-flops and athletic shoes than anything else.  I'm happy with that.  My favorite shoes are actually my slippers.  I could wear them all day and would wear them out if I thought I could get away with it. My hubby, on the other hand, can't have enough shoes.  Our youngest K takes after him.  We have a fairly large rack for our shoes in the closet to accommodate all those shoes.  It's nothing fancy and fulfills my two requirements.  It's functional and doesn't take up a lot of space.  But there is one huge flaw.  Our shoes don't stay put! It ok for shoes that have heels on them because they hang on the back bar. Shoes like this: But if they are flat, like tennis shoes or flip flops (like most my shoes) then they slip right off and I trip over them trying to get to my clothes.   What's a girl to do?  I