salad – The Clean Eating Mama

Turkey Cranberry Salad

October 24, 2015October 24, 2015 CleanEatingMama

The other day I was scrolling through some of my old posts and I came across my Cranberry Turkey Sandwich post… and I instantly started craving one! I LOVE the combo of turkey and cranberry – YUM-O!!!!

I didn’t have any cranberry sauce but I did have turkey and dried cranberries! So I opted to make a salad instead! This salad has so much flavor depth from the goat cheese, sweet cranberries and savory basil. I hope you enjoy!

Turkey Cranberry Salad – 1 serving

large handful of baby spinach or arugula
2 tablespoons of green onions
1/2 cup of shredded turkey
1 tablespoon goat cheese
1 tablespoon of dried cranberries
2 teaspoons of sunflower seeds
sprinkle of dried basil, sea salt and ground pepper
drizzle of olive oil

Place the greens in a bowl. Top with remaining ingredients. Drizzle olive oil over the salad and enjoy!

XxOo Tasha

clean eating, kale, lunch, salad, soup, vegan, vegetarian

Plant Power!

June 5, 2015June 5, 2015 CleanEatingMama

There is nothing better than a huge plant based lunch! I was craving kale today so I made my favorite kale salad and a huge pot of veggie soup. It was simple, quick and delicious!

Continue reading “Plant Power!” →

clean eating, salad

Are salads healthy for you?

January 19, 2015January 19, 2015 CleanEatingMama

You say you eat “mostly salads” but you are still feeling puffy, not losing weight and possibly gaining weight.

Why?

Just because you have a bed of lettuce does not mean that you can pile on the cheese, croutons, beans, meat, dressing, etc. You would probably be consuming LESS calories and fat if you ordered a plain hamburger with no cheese and extra veggies!

Image from TakePart’s 15 Worse Salads than a Big Mac

When choosing a “salad” keep it as RAW as possible and SKIP the dressing! A lot of times I will have a small amount of goat cheese or feta and that gives me enough flavor that I will not need dressing. You can also have a small scoop of hummus, too.

I do not measure my raw veggies but I will measure my beans, proteins and anything else that is NOT raw. (1/4 cup for protein/beans)

And remember: just because it is labeled “salad” does not mean that it’s healthy for you!

Now I know not all calories and grams of fat are the same. Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, flax, etc. can also add up. However these fat’s are essential for your body. One of my favorite salads is my Raw Kale Salad which has a good amount of avocado in it. Calories and fat from whole, raw plant-based foods will ALWAYS be better than cheese, dairy and meat.

Raw Kale Salad Spread

Clean Eating and Healthy Salad Dressings

Avocado dressing

1 large ripe avocado
1 garlic clove
1/4 tsp hot pepper flakes
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup water

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Adjust the amount of liquid to obtain nice creamy dressing.

Almond butter ginger dressing

1/2 cup raw almond butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
1 tsp grated ginger root
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp lemon juice
Sea salt & black pepper to taste

In a bowl whisk almond butter, olive oil, water and lemon juice until you receive smooth dressing. Adjust liquids if necessary. Add ginger and garlic. Mix well. Add salt to taste.

Herb dressing

1 cup minced medley of fresh herbs: dill, parsley, cilantro, basil
2 green onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp lime juice
Sea salt & black pepper taste

In a bowl mix herbs, spring onions and garlic. Add olive oil and balsamic. Mix gently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Here is a list of salads from restaurants that contain MORE calories than a plate of pasta or hamburger! http://www.livestrong.com/blog/10-restaurants-salads-deceptively-high-calories/

Pinterest has an amazing selection of Raw Salads – check them out!

Here is a link to some of my favorite RAW summer salads!

Spinach Salads are one of my favorite salads!

Remember to always eat consciously and healthy!

XxOo Tasha

raw, recipe, salad, vegan, vegetarian

Raw Summer Salads

July 10, 2013 CleanEatingMama

As the hot summer sun shines down on me, I crave and eat more raw food than any other time of the year. As my passion for clean eating deepens, it only makes sense to eat most, if not all, of my meals in its most natural state: RAW.

When I coach clients to start incorporating a clean eating lifestyle, I promote eating a diet that is 80% raw food. The most commonly asked question is: How do I eat that much raw? Individuals are afraid that they will become bored and not feel satisfied by eating so much raw food. However, once people start eating a diet high in raw food, they are even more satisfied than before, and they have a greater appreciation for food in its most natural state.

Here are some wonderful salads that you can not only eat in the summer, but these salads are great to serve all year long! They are full of variety, color and nutrients, and they will have your taste buds jumping for joy!

Shaved Carrot Micro Green Salad – Kitchen Apparel

Baby Kale Strawberry Avocado Salad with Lime Cilantro Dressing – Pickles & Honey

Rainbow Raw Pad Thai – Oh She Glows

Raw Empanadas with Chili Macadamia Filling – Young and Raw

Watermelon Jicama Mint Salad – Rawmazing

MoRAWccan Salad – Raw Food Recipes

XxOo Tasha

clean eating, dinner, lunch, raw, salad

Raw Summer Salads

July 5, 2013July 5, 2013 CleanEatingMama

Shaved Carrot Micro Green Salad – Kitchen Apparel

Baby Kale Strawberry Avocado Salad with Lime Cilantro Dressing – Pickles & Honey

Rainbow Raw Pad Thai – Oh She Glows

Raw Empanadas with Chili Macadamia Filling – Young and Raw

Watermelon Jicama Mint Salad – Rawmazing

MoRAWccan Salad – Raw Food Recipes

gluten free, Maninis, pasta, salad

Gluten Free Mediterranean Pasta Salad

March 17, 2013 CleanEatingMama

I try to eat gluten free as much as I can. I have ALWAYS been a bread and carb lover ever since I was young but as I started to eliminate it out of my diet, the better I found myself feeling. Although, I always found gluten free products to be hit or miss. Pasta was never soft enough, bread was dry and hard and over all I felt that consuming too much rice was not beneficial to my health. ( Did you know it contains arsenic?!)

When I came into contact with Maninis Gluten Free products, I was AMAZED with the quality, taste and the versatility of their products. Maninis is a Certified Gluten Free local Seattle company that produces FRESH pasta (not dried in a box!) and all of the products are fully sustainable. Maninis is certified by the Global Intolerance Group (GIG). All of their products are made with ancient grains INSTEAD of rice and soy. Grains such as Organic Millet, Teff, Organic Quinoa, Certified Gluten Free Oats, Flax, Organic Amaranth and Organic Sorghum. You can find them all over the Pacific Northwest including Whole Foods! Here is a location finder – and you can also order online!

I am teaming up with Maninis to help spread the word about Celiac Disease, gluten related health issues and getting the word out about Mananis wonderful pasta, bread and flour mixes! Over the next few weeks I will be showcasing more products and creating more delicious recipes that are gluten free. And I will also be giving away some great product, too!

For more information about Maninis, please visit their blog and facebook page!

Gluten Free Mediterranean Pasta Salad

1 package of Maninis Gluten Free Rigatoni, 9 oz
1/2 cup of sliced kalamata olives
3 large tablespoons of crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup sliced sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup of sliced red onion
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
handful of fresh parsley, chopped
2 teaspoons garlic powder
sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Boil pasta as directed on package.

As soon as the pasta is ready, put it in a cold bath of water to stop the cooking process. Once cold, pour into a large bowl. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add the remaining ingredients and toss gently. Taste to see if it is seasoned to your liking. Refrigerate at least 2-3 hours (overnight is best) before serving.

Makes 6 servings

jordan, life, lunch, salad

Behind the Scenes

March 26, 2012 CleanEatingMama

Hello!
Happy Sunday to you! I hope everyone’s weekend was perfect!

We had beautiful weather in Seattle! Jordan and I went down to the beach and watched the ducks yesterday. It was a little chilly still but the sun was warm and very welcoming after the long, dreary winter. We just had snow last week, too! Crazy weather!

As you all know, I love soup. I usually make a huge batch of soup on the weekend and lasts me all week long. But I have been craving salads the past few weeks and my fridge has been packed with fresh produce. Don’t you just love opening your fridge and seeing fresh veggies and fruit?!

Today’s lunch – a packed salad with spring mix and veggies – cucumbers, red onion, avocado, snap peas, sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, olive oil, salt, pepper and a splash of hot sauce.

I also had a side of whole wheat tortilla, hummus and kalamata olives. I love kalamata olives – I could eat an entire jar in one sitting!

I received an email a few weeks ago asking me if I was done with blogging and if I was doing alright. She stated that she missed my blogging and hoped I was not gone.
Rest assured, I am here. In fact, I too miss blogging. A lot.
I started my blog in 2009. I didn’t know what I was doing or where it was going to take me but I found it very fun and loved to be able to share with so many other people. My blog has then turned into an online resource for clean eating, vegan recipes and a health resource. I have learned so much from my blog – the continual research, educating others and being a very active person in the food world. I am The Clean Eating Mama and will always be the Clean Eating Mama.
Between working full time, raising a little boy and regular daily activities, I find it challenging to blog like I used to. I get frustrated and wish I could but I know it is all about balance. I really do enjoy blogging and I need to make it a priority and a routine. Like brushing my teeth. So for those that continue to read my blog, thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I hope to continue to provide nutritious recipes and be a trusted resource for your food and health needs.

A little behind the scenes…

I have a great condo in the Seattle area. It is very wooded, secure and private. I take most of my pictures on my deck because of the natural light. This is today’s lunch set up:

I pretty much live in a park – I love it!

When I blog, this little one is counting sheep:

Can you believe he is three and a half?! He is getting so big! This is Jordan and his 2 year old cousin, Alexis, at my grandmothers 70th birthday party a few weekends ago. He is sooooo incredibly handsome! And I just love her little cheeks! Holding hands… swoon!

And this is where I sit and type… and type… and edit… and sip coffee… and I also put my make up on here in the morning.

Fresh flowers are a MUST in my home. I always thought you needed someone to buy you flowers but realized I wanted flowers all of the time. Now I buy them along with my groceries. They add a level of calmness and peace to my home.

Again, thank you for allowing me to come into your home, your lives and your health. I hope to continue this blog for years to come!

clean eating, kale, raw, recipe, salad, vegan

Raw Kale Salad

July 5, 2011 CleanEatingMama

What’s my obsession lately? Raw kale salad.

Maybe it’s the texture of the firm yet chewable kale leaves… or the sea salt… or the creamy avocado…

Maybe it’s a little bit of everything all piled into one great bowl of raw kale.

My kale salads have a guacamole flair with cilantro and red onion. I have NEVER been known to pass by some tasty guacamole and I will not pass the opportunity to make this raw kale salad.

serves 1

2 cups raw kale torn into bite size pieces (no stems!)
1-2 tablespoons EVOO
a few pinches of sea salt
1/4 large avocado OR 1/2 small avocado
4-5 cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
ground pepper to taste
2 teaspoons lime/lemon juice

In a large bowl, add kale pieces oil and salt. With clean hands, massage and rub kale for a good minute OR until kale has been completely covered with oil and is soft. Next add avocado and mix/mush with hands, making sure kale has been completely covered. ( I like to leave some avocado whole)

Next add onion, tomato, red onion, cilantro and pepper. Toss gently with either your hands or utensils.

You can eat right away or feel free to refrigerate prior to eating.