Add Asian Flare To Your Salads

Hey y'all! The good news is, I finally saw the number on the scale go down last week for the first time in a LONG time. The bad news is, I did everything in my power to put that back on this weekend. I was so motivated for an entire week and it really showed and now I feel like I'm back out of it mentally again. Today is a new day and even though I feel inclined to eat things I shouldn't, I'm going to do my best to stay within my parameters and have a good attitude. We will see how it goes. I'm going to Nashville this weekend and I think that's why I'm in no mood to diet. I know I'll probably have too much in Tennessee so like always, I want to give up the whole week. I won't though. The other good news is that when I wasn't eating too much this weekend, I was being extremely active! I walked a ton, ran and helped someone move which is about the best exercise you can get it seems like. I'm really sore today.

I don't have much to share as I didn't cook much to write home about last week BUT I did want to tell you about a new salad dressing option. When people eat healthy, salads are often part of there regimen. If you're like me, dressing is one of the biggest obstacles. It's no secret that I love ranch and I have found an acceptable "skinny" option but sometimes, an alternative version of ranch makes me sad so I want a totally different flavor all together. So, I was spending more money than I should at Fresh Market (as usual) and I was browsing the sauces in the Asian aisle and picked up some peanut sauce as well as some sesame garlic sauce. Both of these sauces are about 25-30 calories per tablespoon. I am obsessed with Asian flavors, especially peanut sauce so I made a very simple salad with greens, peanut sauce, sesame garlic sauce and a 100 calorie pack of mixed nuts. It was full of flavor, healthy and very light in calories. It also helped me curb my never-ending craving for Thai food.

While we are talking about salad, I know I've shared it before but you can also use salsa as dressing. I used leftover ground chicken from taco night and tossed it with greens and salsa and it was delicious.

This weekend, I helped put on a going away party for a few friends and even though, Ian and I won't be quitting our day jobs anytime soon to pursue cake decorating, I more than likely won't be buying a cookie cake ever again. I made these at home with store bought cookie dough. My mom has done this in the past so I did it myself. It cost me less than $10 to make both and I just sliced up the cookie dough, placed them close together and baked them. Then I was done!

I hope you all enjoy your week!