Hi friends!
I have a confession. I don’t remember the last time I went to my Tuesday 5 am spin class. 
I look back at older posts in which I talked lovingly about said class and can’t help but think, “who is this girl?” I just can’t imagine how I was able to wake up at 4:30 and get my butt to the gym. I’m hoping that I will get the motivation, since I do really love the class.
After hitting the snooze button, it didn’t take me too long to get ready this morning. Bonus – I had my lunch ready to go since I made it on Sunday. I try to prep my food on the weekends as much as I can. It’s such a timesaver during the week. Do you try to prep your food on the weekends?
After stumbling upon this recipe on Nicole’s blog, I knew I had to make some rendition of this delicious summer salad. I made a few changes so I thought I’d share my modified recipe.
The original recipe called for farro, but I had barley at home and figured that’d work just fine.
Greek Barley Salad (adapted from Prevention RD ’s Greek Farro Salad)
- 1 cup barley (dry), cooked
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 2 bell peppers, large-diced
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, sliced in half-rounds
- 1/2 pound 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
For the vinaigrette:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup 1/3 cup olive oil
Directions:
Place the cooked barley, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl.
For the vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Still whisking, slowly add the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables.
Add the feta and toss lightly.
Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature. Serves 12 (3/4 cup per serving)
I shared this recipe with my roomie and she gave it two thumbs up. I didn’t measure out the vinaigrette exactly, which might have been helpful. The flavor wasn’t as strong as I’d imagine it would be had I not been lazy. 
I really loved this salad and can’t wait to make it again.
Other Swanky Scoop:
While browsing on pinterest, I came across the 100 workout.
Love the idea! Could be my replacement for spin?
I know I have talked about this before on the blog, but what are your tips for helping you get up and out of bed in the morning for a workout?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the idea of using barley in that salad…yum! Glad you and the roomie liked it!!!
I couldn’t do a 5am class so I’m no help! Too early! But that 100 workout is so cute! I should frame that and hang it up in my home gym!
Wow, 2 blogs mentioned Nicole’s blog (this is a good recipe). I find I wake up at 5/530 every weekday and that helps.
looks like the perfect summer salad!
4:30 AM is no joke, I don’t care how much prep you put into the rest of your day, but you’re doing a smart thing. I try to take as many extra steps out of my mornings as possible when I get up early to workout.
Another tip is to jump right out of bed when your alarm goes off. That adrenaline will do wonders as a motivator.
Lastly, tell someone that you’re going to the class. It’s almost like you would be less likely to let someone else down that you won’t show up than yourself. Sad but true, for me.
Thanks for the great tips!
Girl – 4:30 is just crazy early so you shouldn’t exactly feel bad about not being able to make that one. I know I couldn’t! Do they have an evening class or maybe noon?
I’ve been trying to get in my runs around 5:30 and I just have to have everything ready to go – it’s all set out even my water bottles.
Thanks! I know I shouldn’t be too hard on myself..it is really early.
Thanks for the tips. I lay out everything as well. It helps shave off a few minutes in the morning.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen 4:30 am!
Do you have access to the spin bikes when there are no classes going on? When I can’t make it to a class I make up my own. I put together a playlist and do some of the same things they do in class.
hahaha, that is so similar to the quinoa recipe I mentioned yesterday after your quinoa post! same thing different grain- almost always works!
love that 100 workout- seems so simple and I bet its hard! I will try it this afternoon after work!
Let me know if you try it out!
I LOVE the looks of that salad! How refreshing! I love nicole’s recipes!
I jus tthink of how good I will feel all day! That’s what I did this morning! so happy it’s out of the way! IT’s going to be a busy weekend!
I have never been able to wake up that early to work out so the fact that you did it at all is impressive!
My confession: I don’t work out enough at all. And I’ll tell you this…there’s absolutely no way that I could wake up at 4:3o. So sorry, I’m no help. I’m a night owl. I go to bed way too late for that. haha. As far as prepping foods, I do that. Not really on the weekends, but I mostly get foods ready the night before. I think preplanning is definitely key to healthy eating
for me.
Honestly… I LONG for the days that I can actually head to the gym early in the morning. With my two little guys, it’s just not in the cards right now. I am definitely a morning person, though. When I didn’t have them waiting on mommy bright & early every morning, my routine was to layout clothes the night before & set the coffee pot. Knowing I didn’t have those obstacles waiting seemed to help.
Btw: the salad looks super yum.
I usually get up at 5 am to workout, but 5 is my limit. No 4:30 am workouts for this chick! Also, I always prep a little on Sunday and/or the night before I need to bring things. Since I bring breakfast, lunch, and snack, prep is a must.
That half an hour makes a world of difference, doesn’t it?
I’m definitely a early morning person. You have to be with 3 little kids. It’s the only time to get any “me” time. Love that greek salad and YES it totally helps to prep ingredients ahead of time!! I eat way more fruits and veggies that way.
That salad sounds so good! Barley is such a smart substitute for farro… Much easier to find at the store too.
I’m totally going to try that 100 workout!
If I don’t go to sleep early enough then it’s so tough getting up for an early morning class. Plus having to get to pump to teach part of it is motivation too!
I love almost all of Nicole’s recipes – except without the onions! I am making a version of her Thai burgers for dinner tonight.
I am steeling that 100 routine!! I still haven’t forgotten about the salsa I wanted to send – the last couple weekends the tomatoes have looked like ass – and I have a reputation to uphold with my baja fresh salsa – hopefully this weekend the tomatoes are good!
No worries! I’m looking forward to trying it.
I love the idea of prepping veggies and such at the beginning of the week. Having that task out of the way would make healthy eating a lot easier during the week. Plus that Greek barley salad sounds like a great reward!
When I had early AM workouts in college I would often sleep in my workout gear so that I could just get up and go. Although, to be honest, sleeping in a sports bra is not the most comfortable. Have you tried the 100 Workout? I might have to give that a go soon too!
I am going to try it out today! It seems like a great workout!
Thanks for stopping by!
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