Happy Friday, friends! I’ll tell ya, this was a FAST week. I’m looking forward to a fun weekend filled with friends, family, and hopefully some pool time. What’s everyone else up to?
Workout
Today’s workout felt great. I started out with 20 minutes of cardio, using my 20 Minute Hilly Interval Run. It’s been ages since I’d done that one, so it was nice to switch up the routine a bit.
I’ve actually had a few requests from family members recently for some treadmill options geared more towards beginners. (It’s very easy for me to forget that not everyone runs at a speed of 7.0mph!). After finishing up today’s run, I decided to make a beginner routine to the original 20 Minute Hilly Interval Run, which you can see below.
Same format, but with some modified speeds and inclines. (As always, if you’re just starting out, be sure to check with a doc beforehand.) If you find that those speeds are still a bit too challenging, figure out what your max speed is, and compare it to minutes 16:00-17:00 @ 6.5mpg. (For example, if your max speed is, say, 5.5mph, subtract 1.0 from each of the other speed intervals.)
After my quick interval run, I followed things up with some yoga bootcamp.
I first received this DVD back in October from Exercise TV, but had only tried it out once. Today, I chose the “Power Yoga for Arms & Abs” routine…holy moly.
I didn’t totally love the video (more for the instructor, not necessarily the moves) but I definitely worked up a sweat with this one. I have a feeling I’m gonna be sore tomorrow…and I’ll take it!
*****
Lunch
A little while later it was time for lunch, and let me just say…I am completely infatuated with this salad.
I’ve always enjoyed fruit on my salads, but today’s combination topped the charts…meet the Strawberry, Feta, & Avocado salad.
Everything was so fresh and summery, and paired absolutely perfect with this Newman’s Own Light Raspberry & Walnut dressing (one of my mama’s favorites).
In addition to the strawberries, feta, and avocado, I also threw in some cucumbers and scallions to round out the veggie side of things, plus a few sliced green grapes.
I’m really tempted to call this thing epic…for me to use this word is a big thing, but I think I’m gonna have to do it.
I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about that strawberry and avocado combo. Remember when I made that awesome omelet with the two? Now THAT thing was crazy awesome. Too bad I just used up the rest of my ‘cado…
I’m headed to work in a little while, and then we’ll have to see where the rest of the evening brings me.
Question for the Afternoon:
Favorite salad combination of ALL TIME – what is it?
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
oh man, that salad looks AMAZING! i have so many favorite salad combos, but one of my favorites lately has been cottage cheese, hard boiled egg, and avocado over spinach. yumm.
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
Why have I never thought to use avocado in a fruity salad?! That looks so good! Luckily, I have an avocado in need of use!
Jaren@Kiwi Fit Blog says
Love salad with shrimp, avocado, cucumbers and feta!
Lindsey says
For the past few days I have had the same salad combo for lunch and am obsessed – watermelon, blueberries, feta, basil, avocado with lime juice. Like I said obsessed.
I made pizza with strawberries on it the other night and we loved it, I am beginning to think they are a awesome addition to any dish!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Hmm I’m honestly not sure of my favorite salad combination. But I love love love Brianna’s Asiago Caesar salad dressing. It’s so yummy!! :)
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
That salad does look light and refreshing! Perfect for summer. I bet it would taste great if you added shrimp to it too. Must try it for sure :)
Angela says
ThaT salad looks so good! I rarely put fruits on my salads, I just never think about it! I think I’m going to have to change that now that it’s summer! I love that newman’s dressing!
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile says
I love way too many salad combos to just pick one! I definitely have to say some of my all time favorites are with fruit, cheese, and nuts. I will have to try it with avocado! I’m sure goat cheese would be awesome on that too :D
Amy @ Inspired Amy says
Theres this salad that I get every time I go to this restaurant called Browns. It has spring mix, corn, black beans, candied walnuts, dates, apple miso dressing, blackened chicken, braised cabbage, spicy salsa, and avocado. So delish! I wish I had the patience to make it at home!
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
That salad does look pretty amazing! Love anything with strawberries at the moment since we finally can get Irish ones! Love em!
Caitlin @ This Bride's Joyride says
Yum, that salad sounds like the perfect summery lunch! I might have to make a big batch of this for a bbq I’m going to tomorrow :)
Alysha @Shesontherun says
Here it is: Spinach, strawberries, blueberries, goat cheese (or feta), walnuts (or almonds) and a raspberry dressing, It sounds a lot like yours!
Lauren B. says
There is an EPIC salad at my favorite restaurant that combines rotisserie chicken, cornbread croutons, goat cheese, corn, almonds, avocado, tomatoes, chopped dates, cabbage, lettuce, with a to-die-for vinaigrette dressing. It’s called the Macho Salad, but I call it my “deathbed salad.”
Michelle (Better with Berries) says
I love grapes and apples as a salad topping, but my all-time favorite is a mexican salad with avocado, corn, black beans, and lots of pico de gallo. I could eat one of those every day and be a happy girl!
Alyssa @ Fit and Fun in Third says
Wow. That salad looks AMAZING. What a great combo! I love a roasted veggies and goat cheese combo… so good!
Angela @ Health, Happiness, & Harmony says
That looks delicious! I love avocados. :)
Grilled chicken, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts and goat cheese in the fall or winter and in the spring and summer grilled shrimp, corn, avocado, black beans, red onion and tomato…seasonal salads if you will!
Courtney says
My favorite is a strawberry chicken salad..chicken, strawberries, red onions, cucumbers, sliced almonds, crumbled goat cheese & lite poppyseed dressing served over a bed of spinach! YUM!
Suzanne @ Fitmindedmom says
Hands down the best salad combo EVER is avocado, grapefruit, lettuce and a poppy seed dressing. It.Is.To.Die.For!!! I don’t eat it very often though because it is served at Luby’s cafeteria and that just isn’t my type of place to dine.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
I love strawberries and salads, but I never think to put them together. I’ll have to try that!
Anita says
Oh thanks for the new workout! I am on the shorter side so those numbers are a little more reasonable for me :) I’m off to go give it a try right now!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’m not sure what my favorite salad combination of all time is but as of late it’s definitely been mixed greens with veggies + avocado, balsamic vinaigrette and topped with either 2 sunny side up eggs or a veggie patty. HOLY YUM!
Talia @ Bite Size Wellness says
I have a weird thing about fruit in salad, but I am obsessed with both strawberries and avocado so the word “epic” is quite intriguing!
Sarah says
I’m a big fan of chopped salads but favorite combo would be soo hard to say! I do know that your salad just inspired the salad I’m going to make for my family tonight: avocado, strawberry, blueberries and maybe some grapefruit? Fruit in salads sound soo good to me right now!
Maura @ My Healthy 'Ohana says
I love fruit in my salads in the summertime, what an awesome combination!! I like edamame and toasted cashews in salads…gives it that little bit of extra protein and crunch :)
Lisa says
That salad does look pretty incredible. I adore the combo of strawberries and avocado as well. And goat cheese. Divine. I also love blueberries in salads too, and I’ve used them in turkey burgers before and believe it or not its such a good combination!!
Haley @ Housegirl Haley says
I had a similar salad the other day. Strawberries and feta are the bomb together. I also put some pineapple on mine and used the pineapple juice as dressing. So delicious!
sherice@foodieluvsfitness says
that salad looks delish! I just started eating apple in my salad and why have I not done that before.. Don’t know but it’s great! I love avocado so I will have to try the strawberry and avocado combo. I should be getting my stuff from NASM on Sat so I will be deep into that this weekend. I’m so excited. Have a fab weekend!
Ellie@Fit for the Soul says
Courtney, your salad looks so delicious and healthy! It beats almost any restaurant’s salad–and same level as Panera’s salads :)
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
Spinach salad with sliced almonds, strawberries and ground flax-seed! Yum!
Carly says
I love a mix of hummus, goat cheese and balsalmic; may sound strange but it’s quite good as a salad topper; especially with some roasted veg (my fav!)
Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife says
Massaged kale, grapefruit & avocado salad – my new summer fav!
Lea says
Strawberries and avocado sounds delicious, I don’t know why I never thought to combine them.
My favorite salad combo I actually stole from a restaurant. They combined rosemary roasted potatoes and tamari marinated tofu, it sounds a little weird but soooo good.
Jenna@Redheadrunningwild says
That salad looks delicious! I will definitely be trying that one! My favorite would definitely be a spinach salad with strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, goat cheese and some grilled chicken! YUM!!!