Balsamic Broccoli Slaw

Happy Monday to you!

This weekend I have been devising a plan to start toning and losing weight now that my eating habits are back on track....I've put the brownie fiasco behind me and am back on the cleanse.

I joined the local YMCA on January 2nd (yes, yes I know that is such a "New Years resolution" thing to do). I'm not a resolution type of gal, but I do believe in making goals. Two of my goals in 2011 were to join a gym and to run a 5K race.

I got right into the gym routine and was loving my workouts and then I hit a couple of snags. I suffered some pulled muscles in my back that stopped me from working out for about a week and then I proceeded to drop a large 3-wick candle (in a glass jar) on my toe. Ouch ~ there were tears and curse words involved Who knew one little toe could cause so much pain!! Needless to say I was unable to wear running shoes, or any shoes for that matter, for almost three full weeks. My toe is now recovered, but sadly I believe that my toenail is going to be a casualty of this injury.  I'm quite concerned about when I'm going to be able to start wearing sandals....does anyone know where I can some really cute band-aids to hide my toe for the time being??

Derek has some camo band-aids he said I could use (yes, we are in our 30s :-) but I'd prefer something a little more girlie.

This weekend was the first time I've been able to get back to the gym in a month. Do you go to the gym with a plan in mind as to what you are going to do? I usually try to catch a good cardio class, but if I go in to use the treadmill and/or weights I am at a complete loss as to what I should do. I have no plan and usually end up doing a 30 minute run and then leaving.

So my plan now is to make a mental list of what I'm going to do prior to going to the gym. My goal is to hit the gym four times per week. I'd like to do 2 - 3 cardio classes and then at least one day of running on the treadmill together with the dreaded weights. I'm a weakling and don't enjoy weights at all, but I have zero muscle tone and want to have a rockin' bod this summer, so I am going to have to suck it up and go for it! On my off days, my plan is to increase the dogs' walks, so I still get an hour to an hour and a half of physical activity.

I have also made a promise to myself that I am going to eat at least one very large salad per day. Today, I tried my hand at a broccoli coleslaw. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I have to tell you it exceeded my expectations ~ it was really, really good. The balsamic dressing is a perfect match with the sweet apples and cranberries and I just love the extra crunch that the walnuts give.

Balsamic Broccoli Slaw
serves 1

1 1/2 c broccoli slaw
1/2 apple, shredded or finely chopped
2 green onions, chopped
2 tbsp dried cranberries
1 tbsp walnuts (next time I am going to toast them)
3 - 4 tbsp of your favourite balsamic dressing

I used the leftover Balsamic Dressing from when I had the roasted beet and sweet potato spinach salad. It is the most amazing dressing I have ever had and it was a perfect match with this salad. Warning: If you make this dressing, you will never buy bottled salad dressing again!!

Mix all of the ingredients except for the walnuts together in a bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. Add walnuts when you are ready to serve and enjoy!

Is it me or is this broccoli slaw glowing??

Delicious!!!

This was a really easy salad to pack for lunch at work today. It was very easy to throw together and the sweet cranberries definitely satisfied my sweet tooth, so I wasn't craving a chocolate bar by mid-afternoon.

Do you have any creative salad ideas you want to share? Leave me your link, so I can check it out.

Hope your week has started in the most fabulous of ways,

Andrea