Salads are one of those go-to meals that only take a few minutes to make and can give you enough leftovers for a few meals during the week. I came across an Edamame and Grain Salad in the Sara Moulton cookbook and I got to work modifying. This is a great vegan option that is very filling and full of flavor.
Ingredients
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1 16oz package frozen shelled edamame
1 cup Trader Joes Harvest Grains or Israeli Couscous
2/3 cup Trader Joe’s Sesame Soy Dressing
1 1/2 cups shredded carrot
2 cups bean sprouts
Salt/Pepper
Directions
Mix 1 1/2 cups water, edamame, salt and pepper in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add in harvest grains and 1/3 cup of the dressing. Cook for 7-10 minutes.
Add to a large bowl and add in carrots, bean sprouts and additional salt/pepper to taste. If serving warm, add in remaining 1/3 cup of dressing. If serving cold add the dressing when ready to serve and bring to room temperature.
I loved the crunch from the carrots and bean sprouts and the dressing was a nice addition.
Living with balance is kind of my thing. And by thing I mean something I really strive to achieve. I want to live a life full of fitness, healthy food, travel and wine. On the flip side if I want to have a whole bag of Salt and Pepper chips or too much wine that’s ok to. It is all about moderation and balance. There are a lot of days that I feel like this elephant and I am beginning to realize that is when I am at my best.
I got a scolding lesson from the doctor yesterday about taking it easy and resting. No workouts this week, no being busy from 6am until 10pm and most importantly drink A LOT of water. The only way this kidney infection is going to go away is if I take care of myself and give my body healthy food and water.
So what did I do when I got home? Not listen to the doctor. Ooops. I did a little cleaning, played with Clifford, made a big dinner…but then I did do something to balance it all out. I sat down on the couch and had a good laugh with my roommate and my friend Bobby. The great thing about having some close guy friends is the ability to be very frank and talk about a few important issues (read sex and what a lot of guys do wrong) all while watching football, drinking a huge thing of water instead of wine and eating a dinner of roasted pork tenderloin and a hearty Edamame and Grain salad (recipe coming up tonight).
Sitting on the couch I again realized I will be ok. At least a few times a day I hear from a friend that I will get through this because I am incredibly strong and determined. Yes I know this and that has always been a good quality of mine. If I wasn’t strong I wouldn’t have survived all that I have. This week will be about balancing health, I will get rest, I will drink lots of water and I will eat foods that will make me feel better (even if there are Salt and Pepper Chips and my Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Cookies mixed in there) and I will take the nasty antibiotic that makes me feel like I can’t keep any food down. It is only a few days and I will make it through yet another thing that is supposed to teach me a lesson.
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