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For years I thought I could sustain myself on salads. Huge salads full of vegetables, but missing any and all protein, fat, or carbohydrates. Sure, I’d be full after eating. A boatload of bulky vegetables will do that to you. But within two hours I was hungry again.
Monotonous and dull. Dismal variety. Empty sustainment.
Despite all that, it felt comfortable. And safe.
I’m thankful to say I left that life behind. Although even after emerging from that time, I couldn’t bring myself to eat salads for quite awhile, as it brought back feelings of struggle and sadness. It was similar to the complicated relationship I had with exercise, and then finally finding a healthy balance.
Today my salads are welcoming, vibrant, and nourishing.
They’re full of variety, and not just a means to filling my stomach with the fewest amount of calories possible.
They represent appreciation for beautiful crops, and the people who grow them.
They’re part of my week, but not my every meal.
Sometimes as a starter, like this Coconut Cashew Kale Salad, other times the main star, like this Raspberry Arugula Polenta Salad. It’s a breeze to make, and one of my favorite uses for the odd looking, but really good pre-cooked polenta tubes you’ll find at the grocery store. For this recipe, I sliced 1/2 inch rounds, then pan- seared with olive oil and salt, served as a warm bed for the rest of the salad.
The arugula has a mild, peppery bite, tossed with bright lemon juice and olive oil. And salt! Such an important part for bringing out the true flavors of greens. Plump, Driscoll’s raspberries play with the sweetness of the corn in the polenta, and the creaminess of the goat cheese is satisfying in its own right. I can’t help to think I need to use berries in more savory applications after eating this.
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Marsha
March 7, 2023
This looks delicious! I can’ wait to try it so glad I stumbled across this web site!
Cassie Autumn Tran
August 19, 2017
So I don’t have polenta often, but I wish I did! It’s delicious! Anyways, this is such a beautiful looking salad. I totally agree with you–I can’t feel satisfied with a salad unless if I have something hearty or heavy, like quinoa, beans, tofu, brown rice, or anything like that!
Alison @Foodbymars
August 16, 2017
Beautiful share, darling! I’ve been there before too, I knew nothing about nourishing myself and what was actually healthy. I was confused by diet fads, what others were doing and what I thought I had to do so I could look a certain way. That’s was every woman’s goal right? So frustrating. Let’s tear that down!! Haha
And this salad is beautiful- I love raspberries!!