Southwestern Chopped Salad Recipe

Southwestern Chopped Salad recipe from "Change Your Health for Life" found on Facebook.
Large head of Romaine 15 oz. 
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large orange bell pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 cups corn (fresh or frozen, thawed)
5 green onions
Optional: avocado

{Dressing}
1 cup loosely packed cilantro, stems removed and roughly chopped
1/2 avocado (or 1/2 cup plain vegan yogurt or Greek yogurt)
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime), more to taste
1-2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1/8 tsp. salt

{Instructions}
Making the dressing: puree all ingredients in a food processor/blender until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Making the salad: Finely chop romaine, bell pepper, tomatoes, and green onions.Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.Toss with desired dressing.

Down 20 Pounds and Eating Ice Cream!

I really feel that whole foods and micro-nutrient diet style is a healthy diet style.  I am very skeptical of macro-nutrient diets. 5 servings of fruit and vegetables is not enough.  A terrific way to get enough leafy greens into my body is to have a green smoothie for breakfast.  My husband agrees.  He decided to see if he could see a difference drinking a green smoothie rather than a protein shake.  He says he does not feel a lack of protein, and he has noticed that his body feels better with the green smoothie.

I have discovered young coconuts!  They are delicious.  My favorite thing to make with them is Coconut-Pineapple Ice Cream.  It is my own recipe...1/3 of the coconut water, 1/3 of the coconut meat, 1/2 lime juiced, and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract. Blend in a high power blender like a Vita-mix to smooth coconut meat.  Then add approximately 3 cups frozen pineapple.  Blend until smooth.  Don't over blend or you will end up with a smoothie and not ice cream.  Just blend out chunks.

Delicious!

So I am down 20 pounds and somehow I still feel soft all over.  I have 20 more pounds to loose.  How did I get so big?  I was thinking about posting my before and current picture, but I am too embarrassed.  Maybe in another 20  pounds I will be more confident.  But I did take pictures yesterday, so I have a record.

Favorite Salads

Still going strong!  I am now fitting into my clothes much better.  I have lost over 3 inches each around my waist and hips.

These are two of my favorite salads. This 1st one is a toastada, which you can not see because there is a massive, yummy salad on the top of it.  I make my own corn tortillas and my own re-fried beans.  Then top with romaine, red pepper, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, salsa, and anything else you would like to add.  As always, cheese is optional.

My Salad

My daughters quesadilla and beans as she is still "working up" to eating a salad with me.

Another favorite is this Apple Walnut Salad.  Leafy green of choice, apple, walnuts, red onion, and feta cheese.  I made my own dressing too, using apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, and pepper.

Makes you want one, doesn't it!