Hi! Who caught the Bachelorette finale?? What do you guys think? Do you like Jef?
Easy Weeknight Dinner
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For some reason I saw her going with Arie, but I was happy with her choosing Jef. Ok, it’s not like she consulted me either way! I do like that she didn’t wait until the final rose to tell Arie though. That is the absolute worst when they get down on one knee to propose and don’t get chosen. Ahh, Bachelorette you loop me in every time!
In other (slightly ashamed) news…
I have a confession to make. I have not made dinner in over a week…A WEEK!
I know, isn’t that horrible. I even have a handsome boyfriend to feed, but guys, I am just burnt out. Can’t quite put my finger on it, but after work the last thing that I want to do is get in the kitchen and cook. It doesn’t help I get off at 6pm. What I have been doing is preparing more hearty lunches and often times the boy and I will enjoy a refreshing and filling smoothie for dinner. Not your typical dinner, but it is quick and healthy.
So, in my attempts to get back in the kitchen, I thought I would turn to my friend, the salad.
I love salads, but I just seem to get bored easily. After seeing a picture of this vibrant salad on Iowa Girl Eats, I knew this could get me out of my non-dinner rut.
Mango, Orange & Avocado Salad (adapted from Iowa Girl Eats)
Ingredients (serves 2)
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 shallot, microplaned or finely minced
- salt & pepper
- 1 orange, segmented
- 1 mango, chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 6 oz spinach
- 1/4 cup almonds
Directions:
Combine lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, shallot and salt & pepper in a jar or bowl. Shake or whisk to combine. Toss orange segments, chopped mango and chopped avocado with the dressing. Divide lettuce between two plates, then top each plate with half the fruit mixture and half the almonds. Finish with a sprinkle of pepper, if desired.
The vibrant colors are enough to make you want to dig right in!!
The juicy fruits paired with the creamy avocado make for an exciting and flavorful trio! Almonds add some protein and a nice crunch!
No-cook meals during summer are key!
Other Swanky Scoop:
I want to send a big THANK YOU to Teri from Managed Macros. I won her giveaway and look what I received!
Thanks Teri! I can’t wait to use everything!
I am off to work here in a few. It is my first full week of work here in a while. Fingers crossed that it zips by! 
So what is your take on the Bachelorette? What are your favorite fruit add ins for salads? Does anyone else get in dinner ruts? (please tell me I’m not alone)
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I know the feeling! I’ve been super stressed (for no particular reason) and not wanting to cook lately too. Sometimes you just need a break! That salad looks beautiful! So colorful and and summery! I thought Arie would be chosen too. I still don’t get all the hype about Jef – I mean I like him, but there’s something weird about him that I can’t put my finger on. Hopefully they are happy together and work out for the long term!
Yeah, I agree with you!
I feel like he is too young or something. But I think they are the same age.
Salads are definitely one of my favorite dinners to make when I’m not in the mood to cook and don’t want to end up snacking all night!
I’m with you on the dinner ruts thing. This salad looks so delicious and refreshing. Mmmm gotta try!
Thanks Stephanie!
I agree! I think it’s awful when they let them get down on one knee and say their little speech and then end up getting turned down. So sad. I bet that scars some of them.
I felt like she was going to pick Jef when it came down to it. The producers did make it seem like her and Arie only had a physical connection and they showed so much of Jef saying the most wonderful things. They are cute together! I think I would be a bit overwhelmed though by everything he says – it is so sweet but a little over the top for me!
I have not watched one minute of any of the Bachelor/Bachelorette shows – must be a generational thing – I think if I was in my 20′s maybe I’d like it?
Hells yes I get in food ruts – this week will be a perfect example – I was busy helping my Mom move, had family over Saturday night, and not to overwhelm the hubs who was doing my grocery shopping, only had him pick up stuff for dinner Saturday. Um, $78 dollars later (I probably could have gotten everything for $38!) I decided we had enough leftover food to make it this week without another trip to the store.
Should be interesting (and aren’t you happy I type really fast?!)
Oy, my family is so bad about not cooking. Honestly, we get take-out more than we cook, by a large difference! I actually love cooking, so when I’m home from college, we eat homemade meals more often, but we still tend to order out a lot. I will say, though, that we order healthy food! There is no way I’d be ok with ordering Chinese food and pizza all the time. We have a delicious restaurant near us that has large portions for good prices and an incredible variety of food…we usually make one night’s order last for days (which sort of rationalizes the price of eating out, haha). My favorite dish at that place is called the Greek Taco (it’s really not a taco at all): pita bread topped with a huge amount of sauteed vegetables, grilled chicken, and feta cheese crumbles. It’s divine!
Can you believe I’ve never watched Bachelorette or Bachelor? I love strawberries in a salad. Of course I just love strawberries
Sometimes you just need a break from cooking. I had choc pudding for lunch. Oops!! Lol. But that salad looks wonderful!
Ohh this salad looks delicious! Summer time definitely calls for more fruit salads.
Salads are a staple in my diet anyway, but during summer, they are seriously CLUTCH. Who wants to use the oven with 100+ temps? Not this chick…
I agree! I put on the oven last night to roast vegetables. It dawned on me 5 minutes in once the house starting warming up that this was not my brightest plan.
Another winning salad! Love this easy salad too-pinning right now!
Thanks EA! You are too sweet!
Yes, I do get stuck in dinner ruts, especially when I have a lot going on. It seems like the further I get away from cooking dinner, the harder it is to get back into it. I love dried cranberries and fresh blueberries in salads. I will put any fruit in a salad actually. I wish I could say I watch the Bachelorette, but I think it airs at odd times here and we usually just watch movies at night and then sitcoms on DVD before going to bed.
I’m so glad that you understand the allure of The Bachelorette. No shame!
I’m actually really happy Emily chose Jef; I think they’re perfect together! I was in love with Arie (in LOVE) until the hometown dates. After “meeting” his family, I started thinking he might not be the “ideal family man” Emily was looking for. I couldn’t imagine his parents interacting with Ricki (I think they’d scare her! haha), and Arie didn’t seem as ready to be a dad. Jef is kind of quirky, but I think Emily might be too (or so she says!).
Wow, it’s slightly embarrassing that I just wrote that much about a TV show. :-p But for the record, I am NOT watch Bachelor Pad!
The Mango, Orange and Avocado Salad looks so refreshing and delicious–perfect for a quick summer night meal!
I actually missed part of that episode so I didn’t get to see the Emily meet Arie’s parents.
And yes, I agree..no bachelor pad! I can’t get sucked into any more reality shows!
I have literally been in a dinner rut for months. The less I have to cook the better at this point, particularly because it’s SO hot and we don’t have A/c! Who wants to turn on the oven!? My favorite fruit to add to salads…definitely mango, avocado, pineapple, raisins, or strawberries!!YUM!
Right there with you on the dinner rut. A lot of times the man and I, despite having food available will just pick up some take out, or I will just eat hummus and bread and veggies as my meal. Lame! Oh well! It happens. Especially in the summer!
I think it’s awesome that you take a week off from cooking. It’s a great choice in the summer, and life is about noticing what you need rather than what you should do. And smoothies count as a meal….
You are so strong this season of your life that I find your choices inspiring and fun.
And I am loving this avocado, grapeseed oil and snap pea salad with spinach right now. Yummy….plus this week I did cold quinoa and blueberries with basil and walnuts. SUPER yum!
So glad you like your give a way!!! My cooking has totally declined this month..hence the lack of blogging!! I am doing tons of salads right now and some BLT’s…turkey bacon of course
Fall brings it’s whole arena of cooking and flavors, it’s good to take a little break!