Day 15 - Spinach Strawberry Salad & Zone

I'm interested in becoming even more transparent and accountable so I will be posting daily/weekly fluctuations in weight and measurements. Don't get all excited....I'm still going to be slighly mysterious (after all, I am a girl!!!), but in order to view changes....it's important to track them. In addition, tomorrow starts our personal sessions with Andrea and the start of Qamara's blog as well, which will be linked to mine shortly. Finally, we will be posting both videos and pictures of us training on a weekly basis so we'll either be embarrassed or proud...whatever the case may be.

I'm counting measurements and weight from a starting in the Zone process, which will include adjectives about the day as well. It will be in the following format:

Weight: 0 lbs (baseline)
Measurements: TBD
Workout: None
Diet: Excellent
Mood: slightly hungry, motivated, excited

Next, a fantastic summer recipe that I could eat every day! Perfect for strawberry season right now and you could replace the berries in this with any other kind of berry or fruit for a bit of sweetness.

Spinach Strawberry Salad

6 cups washed baby spinach (0.3 block carbs)
2 cups quartered fresh strawberries (2 blocks carbs)
1/4 cup pecan pieces (10 blocks fat - you can decrease if you are worried about fats)
3 oz feta cheese, crumbled (2 blocks protein)

Dressing (will make enough for two salads or cut in half for just one)
1/3 cup raspberry vinegar (or any fruit vinegar)
1/2 cup Splenda (or other sugar substitute) (jury is out on if this is ok with Zone, but in moderation, probably fine)
1/4 cup olive oil (again, you are over on fats, but if exercising correctly and in moderation, a non-issue)
1 tsp dry mustard

Mix all salad ingredients together and toss with dressing right before serving. You can toast the pecan pieces in a skillet briefly for a nuttier flavor. The dressing really makes this salad - try it with other greens as well!

If split into two portions (dressing = 4 portions), while considerably over on fat content (which you can decrease by adjusting nuts and olive oil portions), this is about a 1 protein 1 carb - so perfect for a snack or for a filling part of a meal.