A Quick, Tasty Meal for Busy, Hectic Days

I’m always in a big hurry when it comes to lunch which means I’ll usually eat something that’s fast and not always very healthy.   It’s just never easy for me to find something that’s fast, healthy and delicious.   I may find two of the three but rarely do I hit the trifecta.

Recently, when I was shopping in Publix, I was craving a salad.  I decided if I was going to eat salad, I wanted something different, not your plain old “vanilla” salad.  I bought a bunch of stuff to try and it has turned out to be such a yummy combination, I thought I’d share it with you in case you’re looking for a quick lunchtime meal that’s healthy and actually tastes good.

Here’s what I tossed in the buggy at Publix.

Eating Healthy in a Hurry

 

I bought three kinds of lettuce: Spring Mix, Hearts of Romaine and a kale/spinach combo.   Since I was going for fast and easy, I really liked that everything had already been washed and was ready to go.  I’ve mainly been using the Romaine and the kale/spinach, so far.

Eating Healthy in a Hurry

 

I bought crinkle cut carrots which are bite size, so no wasted time cutting them up.  I also bought edamame beans and something called “Tomato Trinity” which is really just tomatoes, celery and onion all chopped up.  I don’t always use the trinity combination on the salad, just depends on what mood I’m in.  The onion does give it some extra zip.

Eating Healthy in a Hurry

 

I’ve never tried these snack sprouts before but oh my gosh, they are insanely good!  I LOVE Feta cheese, love the texture, the flavor, everything about it.  When I saw this tomato basil Feta cheese, I knew I had to try it.  It did not disappoint!

Eating Healthy in a Hurry

 

This combination has been so good, I’ve been eating salad three times a day!  Seriously!  My body is probably in shock from all this healthy eating.  🙂   I usually make this salad on a dinner size plate, instead of a salad plate since it’s my meal and I’m making it a bit bigger than this.

If you like, you could toss some chicken on top or make a tuna salad to go on the side.  The Feta cheese has been enough to satisfy the protein part for me.  I’ve found this salad to be really filling, not like most salads that leave me still hungry.

Eating Healthy in a Hurry

 

I usually pour a little of these dressings in a bowl and just barely dip each bite of salad into it.  I never pour my dressing on my salad because I find I hardly use any when it’s in a bowl on the side.  I think you just use less when it’s not poured on top of the salad.

I bought three kinds of lettuce: Spring Mix, Hearts of Romaine and kale.

 

This meal literally takes 2 minutes to fix from start to finish since everything is already cut-up and ready to go.   Even though I may be paying a little more since everything is already prepared, it’s been worth it since it’s fast and keeps me from running through the drive-thru window each day for lunch.

I’ve always liked Feta cheese and edamame, but now I’m hooked on the little bean sprouts.  The flavor is really different, just perfect when you don’t want the same ho-hum salad.  Umm, I wonder how slivered/sliced almonds would taste in this salad?

Eating Healthy in a Hurry

 

I’m eating healthier and saving the expense of eating out as much.  I’ve already gotten 4-5 meals out of this and there’s enough left for several more.  I’m not saying I won’t still hit the drive-thru occasionally, but I’m definitely less tempted now.

Do you have a favorite salad combination?   Any suggestions?  I love a mix of different flavors so share your faves and give me some more ideas!

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Comments

  1. Oh, your salad looks delicious. Have to try the tomato basil feta. We have a Publix where I live so I will need to check it out.

    I love to add some craisins, almonds, etc. I also love adding fresh blueberries to my salads. So yummy.

  2. I am a big salad buff!! Yours look delish. Feta is def the way to go!! 🙂
    Sharing my favoutire salad.
    I prefer green leaf and red leaf lettuce.. a few ribs of each, plus some spinach.
    sliced red onion, olives, sliced avocadoes, tomatoes, feta cheese , grilled chicken breast, a dash of slivered almonds and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and another of red wine vinegar. YUM!!!!
    Whenever we grill for an evening meal.. I always toss on a few extra breasts to use during the week for my salads.
    Just ate some spanish arroz con pollo for my lunch, and you have me hungry all over again. Hahahhaaa.. I am a foodie!
    Cheers, Gee

  3. Chickpeas are always good on a salad. Black beans, some corn kernals and your tomato trinity would be great on your greens too.

  4. Ew! Vanilla salad? That sounds weird. Just kidding. 🙂 Looks absolutely delicious. I love sprouts of all kinds but we don’t seem to be selling them here in Canada. Luckily, we’re just a few minutes to the border here so I brought some back from my last grocery trip there. I’m not sure if that’s allowed but they didn’t catch them at the border! Yup, I’m a real tough girl. Smuggling sprouts for my salads and sandwiches across the border.

  5. When I was younger I would never eat Feta. I thought it smelled funny. Now that I am older my taste buds have become a little more sophisticated, it is one of my favorites. It is a strong flavor, but when it goes into a salad it mellows out and becomes delicious. I love herb mixed greens, with almonds, dates, and feta (something crunchy, sweet, salty – I try to hit all the senses). I use homemade vinaigrette that I mix on Sunday for the week. 1 part vinegar or some acid like fresh lemon juice and 2 parts olive oil. I add a little minced onion or garlic and a little dijon, add a little honey if it is too acid. I have multiple vinegars in my pantry and every week I change it up. If you have any herbs add to the salad; it just takes it to another level. (Rinse your raw onion in cold water and drain/pat dry to take down the strong taste.)

    • Susan Hart says

      Thank you for the tip. I do not like raw onion because it is always too strong for me. My husband is always telling me the health benefits of onions and tries to encourage me to eat them. I’ll try this to see if I can stand the taste next time I fix a salad.

  6. I am hooked on Noodles and CO’s summer strawberry salad. It’s spinach and red onion tossed with balsamic vinaigrette, then topped with bacon, pecans, blue cheese crumbles, fresh strawberries and croutons. I would make it myself except the grande finale is that it’s topped with a balsamic fig reduction which really “makes” it….and I don’t know where to find that magical ingredient. It is so so yummy!

  7. Pepsigirl13 says

    Wow, what nice selections inyour market. I’ve never seen the crinkle cut carrots. I generally buy the shreds as I dislike baby carrots. I’d add a chopped hard-cooked egg, maybe some dried fruit like raisins or cranberries, slivered almonds. Love feta, but blue cheese just makes my day! Some weeks I am able to do just as you did, because I’ve thought about it. Other weeks…well it’s catch as catch can out of the frig, into the bag and off to the office. Right now, we are talking about getting an office crock pot and taking turns making an easy soup or stew to share.

  8. I loooove Publix! We just moved to FL from CA, where they don’t have Publix, so we go at least 4 times a week. Their sushi is so good and their fried chicken, yum! Your salad looks very tasty:) I love to put a chopped egg in my salad and some avocado.

  9. Yum – looks great! And yes, I second the blueberry idea.

  10. This sounds like a really tasty mix of things. I am going to look for those sprouts. I do love feta cheese, too. I think almonds would be very delicious in here. xo

  11. Susan, you’re making me feel guilty for what I had for lunch-two hotdogs! We eat a lot of salads in the spring and the fall when we grow our own lettuces and spinach. I have a great cucumber salad dressing recipe that would be really good on your salads.

  12. Miss Merry says

    I used to turn my nose down at pre-washed, pre-cut veggies. But if I am honest with myself, I am not going to take the time to do this if I can just pick up something already made – regardless of fat and calories! And purchasing these ingredients would be cheaper than picking up a ready to eat meal, too. I am putting all this on my list for next week (hope I can find that feta!) and going the homemade salad route! I hope it isn’t too much of a shock to my system.

  13. Hi, Susan!
    As Italians, we usually eat Mediterranean dishes, i.e. tons of veggies and less red meat.
    Since I know they are very healthy, I always like to add bitter vegetables or bitter herbs to my salads (twice a day), e.g. endive, aka French/Belgian endive or Witloof chicory, escarole, Brussels sprouts, radicchio, artichokes, celery, capers… Actually every bitter veggie or herb is healthy and we say: bitter is better! (They all appear to support liver health and help to keep cholesterol levels low.)
    And we use “Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil”, only.
    Sometimes Balsamic Vinegar or lemon juice, too.
    Hugs!
    Cecilia

  14. Your salad looks delicious and healthy! Weight Watchers taught me to dip my salad fork tines in dressing, then spear your salad. You get the same taste as a salad with dressing, with much less dressing!

  15. Love these ingredients wish we had a publix,I think the closest one is about two hour drive.Love salads any kind I could eat salads three times a day.

  16. Susan, I should have sent this site to you this morning. This lady is a salad queen. She is so sweet and is very prolific blogger. http://thecafesucrefarine.blogspot.com/search/label/Salads

  17. I can’t go a day without salad, being Italian!!! I buy the Artisan Lettuce at Aldi’s which is 4 mini heads of lettuce unwashed in a plastic tub. On sale this week for $1.69, quite a buy!!! I wash it all up and put it in plastic bags and its ready to go. I add Feta, green olives, avacado, walnuts or almonds, dried cranberries, and usually some cut up apple or some strawberries, sometimes a carrot, gotta have a crunchy thing in there, and plum tomatoes. Always have the same dressing….evoo, white balsamic vinegar, dash of dijon mustard and a dash of honey, salt and pepper. Oh, and Vidalia onion……I am crazy about onions!!! Oh, and a few weeks ago I treated myself to Gorgonzolla cheese…..that was soooooo awesome!!!! Food is about the only thing I get excited about, or antique shopping……..

  18. Susan Hart says

    My favorite salad is using the Mixed Spring Greens, romaine lettuce, Baby Spinach, chopped celery, red grapes, apple wedges, avocado, dried cranberries, walnuts and feta cheese. Next time I go to the grocery store I’m going to try to find the tomato basil feta cheese. One of my favorite flavors is the tomato basil.

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