Easy Green Salad - Popeye approved! ;)

So you have a protein in your meal all planned out... be it a burger, a brat, bacon or chicken... but what to do for a side? Hmmm.... think, think, think!

*Mental Light Bulb On!*

If you have (at least!) these 3 ingredients on hand, you're going places!

Easy Green Salad

What you'll Need:
- Spinach
- Pickles
- Cucumbers
- Dressing of Choice

Optional to add:
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

What you Do:

1) Grab a handful or two of the nutritious green spinach and add that to your plate.
2) Rinse off that crunchy cucumber you got from the grocer and then cut at least 1/3 of that puppy up and add to the mountain of green spinach on your plate!
3) Find the jar of pickles in your fridge and chop up about 2 tiny ones (or 1/2 a large one) letting the pieces fall liberally on top of the spinach and cucumbers.
4) Add your dressing and enjoy that goodness!

See? Pretty easy right? ...and yummy! That's why I share it with you! ;) Enjoy!

NOTE: If you need a way to get more veggies in your picky eaters diet this should do the trick! I only say that because my husband is not a fan of veggies in the least but he'll eat this! 

Good luck! :)

Spiced Pecans - Low Carb, Gluten & Sugar Free Recipe

We had a group of friends over and while I didn't have time to throw together a meal, I knew we'd do well to have some finger food for them. So I present for you a culinary arts display of colorful veggies...  an assortment of cheese... and spiced pecans to boot! Feast your eyes! ;)

In this spread you see:

- Cucumbers
- Grape Tomatoes
- Green, Red and Yellow Peppers
- Baby Carrots
- Celery

(Literal) Side note here:

I. LOVE. CELERY, TOMATOES & CUCUMBERS!

In dips, salads, etc. 

The dip consists of: 

- 2 Cups Mayonnaise

- 2 Cups Sour Cream

- 2 Tablespoons of my own spice mix goodness that will remind people of ranch. Yes. Will share later! 

The Cheeses:

- Mild Sharp Cheddar

- Pepper Jack Cheese

- Monterrey Jack Cheese

I cut the vegetables into sticks for easy dipping and the cheeses I cut into cubes. What you're really here for though is the pecans... I know.. I see it in your eyes. Here's the recipe for the spiced pecans already ;) ...

Spiced Pecans:

What you'll need: 

- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

- 2 Tablespoons melted butter

- 1 Tablespoon Tamari Sauce

- 1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne

- 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 Teaspoon Sea Salt

- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder

What to do: 

1) Preheat your oven to 300 degrees

2) In a medium bowl, add the melted butter, Tamari, Cayenne and Garlic Salt. 

3) Add pecans to mix and coat. 

4) From the Tablespoon shake Chili Powder over pecans and stir to coat.

5) Spread pecans on a baking sheet (parchment paper would work wonders here, you know - for clean up sake ;)).

6) Bake nuts for about 30 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes. 

7) Let cool a bit before serving.

In closing... if you miss Chex mix... these spiced pecans will satisfy that craving. 

These are salty, crunchy, slightly spicy and fun to eat! But don't take my word for it ;)

Finger Food for the win! Enjoy!