Hi Everyone,
Since January is the beginning of the year, where you start with a fresh slate, wash away the old and start with the new, I have vowed to save money, exercise more and eat even healthier than before. I tried so hard in the months of November and December, but the temptation of fresh-baked goods, holiday parties and too many boxes of chocolate that made their way into the house, kind of kicked me in the butt or should I say made my butt grow a couple to many inches. So this year I am making healthier, fresher and more wholesome meals and snacks then ever before. Now I am not perfect and every once in a while I may slip, but I hop right back on the train. After all, if you don’t splurge and give in every once in a while, you end up in an eating frenzy and we don’t want that!! So remember if you make a mistake you can always start over right now!!!!
I have made a few little changes this year, that I am hoping will stick. My biggest change is how many steps I take. Since January 1st, I have been wearing my pedometer and I have been getting 10,000 steps everyday. I may not walk 5 miles or walk on a treadmill, since I don’t have one, but I walk around as much as I can and I march in place while watching a tv show. No matter what I am really trying for 10,000 steps!! So far this month, I missed 2 days, which isn’t to bad. I just push myself a little harder the next day, I am kind of goal driven. You can do the same thing even if you don’t have a pedometer. When your watching the news, a comedy, sports or whatever you like, just march in place while watching it. I stepped 2.5 miles watching an hour tv show. Not to shabby, give a try! It may seem weird at first, but just do it! You’ll feel good and every movement you make, your body will thank you and I am hoping eventually my thighs will too! 🙂
The other big thing I have done is eat more wholesome meals with fresh ingredients. When I go to the grocery store I fill my cart with produce. My Husband is like are you going to eat all of that! You bet I am. I have incorporated fruits and vegetables in everything! Since my 3rd goal is saving money, I don’t want to waste money on produce that I bought, so I eat it up!!! I make batches of roasted vegetables, soups, smoothies with lots of fruit and fresh salads for lunch and even for dinner. I feel really good about myself and I don’t feel so weighed down. Since we are talking about salads, I made a super easy, tasty salad for you that is fresh, light, crunchy and has the most wonderful dressing. This is my Crunchy Apple Cinnamon and Pear Salad made with Truvía® Natural Sweetener.
The Crunchy Apple Cinnamon and Pear Salad is so delicious and fresh tasting! I have this for an afternoon snack when I am craving sweet and crunchy. I stay away from the chips, chocolate and pretzels and make this salad instead and it’s only 160 calories, which is the perfect calorie amount for a snack. I saw this recipe on the Truvia® brand website and I couldn’t resist it trying it.
- CINNAMON DRESSING
- ½ cup white distilled vinegar
- 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp Truvía® natural sweetener spoonable*
- 1 tsp Diamond Crystal® kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup canola or olive oil
- SALAD
- 2 cups celery, chopped diagonally
- 2 cups apples, Granny Smith or Braeburn, unpeeled and julienne sliced
- 2 cups pears, peeled, Bosc, peeled and julienne sliced
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, Truvía® natural sweetener, salt, pepper and cinnamon.
- While whisking, drizzle in oil until combined.
- In a separate bowl, place celery, apple, and pears.
- Pour cinnamon salad dressing over fruits and celery; toss to mix.
- Chill and serve
Have you Guys tried Truvia® Natural Sweetener? Truvía® natural sweetener is great-tasting, zero-calorie sweetness born from the leaves of the stevia plant. You have to just love 0 calories! I know I do. I add a little bit in my baking, coffee and anything that requires a little sweetness. You can buy it at your local grocery store in the baking isle.
I wanted to let you know that Truvia® brand is having a Facebook contest. Here is the scoop!
A recent survey commissioned by the Truvia® brand showed that 59 percent experience small setbacks to eating healthy, such as snacking on junk food or treating themselves to an indulgent meal. That’s why Truvia® natural sweetener is launching The Stay TRU to You Sweepstakes, which aims to give fans a chance to enter to win one of three rewards for sticking to their New Year’s resolutions. From Jan. 9, 2014 to Jan. 31, 2014 fans will have the opportunity to take the Stay TRU to You pledge, and just for doing so, each entrant will receive a Truvia® coupon in addition to having a chance at winning one of the three selected rewards.
To take the Stay TRU to You pledge, visit and go to the Stay TRU to You Facebook tab or join the #StayTRU conversation on Twitter at Twitter.com/Truvia.
Have you made New Years resolutions? What are they and have you been Staying True to them? Let’s chat about it!
Have a super fab healthy day!
Toodles,
Jennifer
Truvia® natural sweetener is a great tasting, zero-calorie sweetener made with the best tasting part of the stevia leaf. One packet provides the same sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar, and is great in coffee, tea, or even your morning grapefruit. The sweetener is available in 40-, 80- and 140-count boxes, and in a spoonable jar. Truvia® Baking Blend blends Truvia® natural sweetener and sugar to provide a sugar-like taste and texture for recipes, with 75% fewer calories than sugar. For more info, check out Truvia.com/recipes or our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube channels.
“Compensation was provided by Cargill® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Cargill®.”
Medeja says
Great salad! I find apples and celery delicious combination, I think with pears it’s even better 🙂 and dressing..sounds yummy!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thanks! I love the crunch too! The pears add a nice texture to it.
Linda says
I love the sound of this and the crunchiness too. I’m already trying to think of ways to use this dressing on chicken. Thanks for the great ideas. I love your blog.
Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
The dressing would be great on a chicken salad with some fresh apples, candied nuts and goat cheese! Yum! Think I’ll do that next time.
Tara says
I would have that plate gone in two seconds!! Love it!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Yah, it doesn’t last long! It has some nice flavor!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
I’d love this for a snack or a side for dinner today Jennifer, it sounds wonderful!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thanks Chris! This is such a nice light salad. We have it for a snack here!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
This looks so fresh! I love it!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen says
This salad looks delicious! My husband just got one of the fitbit things, I am looking forward to seeing how much I am moving everyday!