Tuesday, March 15, 2011

are we there yet?

I feel like a little kid on a car trip these days. See, I can't wait on Spring to officially arrive. I am ready for the weather to get warm (and stay that way). I'm ready to plant my herb container garden. And, most importantly, I am soooo ready for the farmers' markets to open. I am tired of heavy, rich comfort foods. (See ya later mac and cheese!) I am ready for fresh and light fruits and veggies - tart strawberries, juicy tomatoes, and sweet corn. My mouth is salivating already. But in the meantime, I am having to find ways to make do.

Take this salad for example. I used some organic baby spinach leaves that I can find year round at my grocery store as my base. I then opened a few cans - marinated artichokes brighten the salad, chickpeas give it some heft, and roasted red peppers add a depth of flavor. I also used a few organic carrots from the bag of babies that are inevitability in my produce drawer to add even more color to the dish and give some crunch (better for you than croutons - not that I don't love those too). Finally, a few slices of red onion to pack that punch and a soft boiled free range egg to add in even more protein. Topped with a balsamic vinaigrette, I dug in and with my eyes closed I could almost taste Spring...almost. Anyway, its not a bad way to tide me over until my local produce markets officially open.

By the way, the carnivore like the trips to the market too. I think he is getting antsy too. I base this on the fact that this weekend the carnivore started building a raised garden in our backyard! I make salads, he digs in the dirt - we all have our ways with coping with our winter blues. What are you doing to make it through these last days before Spring officially arrives?

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