Do you need a special incentive,
or do you just set your mind to it, and do it?
Before we left for Italy last summer,
I wanted to lose a few pounds so that I could eat guilt-free when we were there.
So, yeah, basically, I was motivated to lose weight,
so that I could gain weight.
Something just isn't right with that thinking, I know.
But, it worked...and I went to Italy five pounds lighter.
I wanted to lose a few pounds so that I could eat guilt-free when we were there.
So, yeah, basically, I was motivated to lose weight,
so that I could gain weight.
Something just isn't right with that thinking, I know.
But, it worked...and I went to Italy five pounds lighter.
It was worth it, to be able to eat all the cheese, pasta and gelato
I wanted, while I was there.
I wanted, while I was there.
A month after that, we went to the Hamptons,
and I continued to indulge, this time, with lobster rolls, fried clams
and New England clam chowder.
Along with my weight, I could feel my cholesterol climbing...
Up
UP
UP
YUP.
and New England clam chowder.
Along with my weight, I could feel my cholesterol climbing...
Up
UP
UP
YUP.
When I had my annual physical in September,
both my weight and cholesterol were higher than desirable.
both my weight and cholesterol were higher than desirable.
Luckily, I've got a new incentive to decrease both.
I've got two weddings coming up in May and July,
and I told myself that I cannot shop for new dresses
until those five pounds come off,
which in turn, should positively affect my cholesterol
(by the way, I just had it re-tested today, so fingers crossed).
until those five pounds come off,
which in turn, should positively affect my cholesterol
(by the way, I just had it re-tested today, so fingers crossed).
So, I've been eating lots of salads, lately.
A couple of weeks ago, we went to a great restaurant in NYC,
and I had a salad that was SO GOOD,
I re-created it to eat at home (recipe coming soon).
The dressing was a vanilla ginger vinaigrette.
I've never had a salad dressing with vanilla in it, have you?
I'm thinking about asking the restaurant if they'll share their recipe,
but in the meantime, I found another one that is absolutely delish!
The vanilla is subtle, but it's definitely there,
making this dressing different than most I've had before.
Let's just say that...
it's a salad dressing with a vanilla twist!
Vanilla Vinaigrette is delicious on mixed greens, or spring mix,
and is PERFECT for the salad recipe I'm going to post next week.
The greens should be tossed in the dressing,
just so they are lightly coated.
When it comes to vinaigrettes, I like to follow this rule of thumb --
The only salad dressing that should be in my bowl,
is on the salad itself...no excess.
making this dressing different than most I've had before.
Let's just say that...
it's a salad dressing with a vanilla twist!
Vanilla Vinaigrette is delicious on mixed greens, or spring mix,
and is PERFECT for the salad recipe I'm going to post next week.
The greens should be tossed in the dressing,
just so they are lightly coated.
When it comes to vinaigrettes, I like to follow this rule of thumb --
The only salad dressing that should be in my bowl,
is on the salad itself...no excess.
VANILLA VINAIGRETTE
Recipe by Lemons for Lulu
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon orange zest
pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together in a jar with a lid. Shake well.
Store in fridge until ready to use.*
Pour dressing over salad to lightly coat greens.
*If refrigerated for several hours, or overnight, let it stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Although I'd much prefer a big scoop of vanilla ice cream,
a good salad with Vanilla Vinaigrette is pretty satisfying, too.
Linking With:
Oh my, looks and sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing Amy!
ReplyDeleteOh Amy I am soooo going to make this! I do tons of salads and protein and t-r-y to really watch my carbs.
ReplyDeleteLosing weight for a vacation makes sense to me, since that's what I do too ;-)
Xoxo,
Vera
Yum! I have been into garlic vinaigrette lately but I can switch to try this. I eat a lot of salads!
ReplyDeleteFor what its worth I thought you already looked string-bean thin in the picture when you met the other blogger for lunch a few months back AND very young for someone who I know worked for three decades..whatever you are doing obviously works! This looks delish!
ReplyDeleteAmy, as usual you have a tasty recipe :-) from which I am happy to be using :-)
ReplyDeleteI greet warmly
Now this is a new twist on dressing ( vanilla!! ) but I shall have to try it ! :)
ReplyDeleteNow this is a new twist on dressing ( vanilla!! ) but I shall have to try it ! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know how the dressing tastes, Amy, but your photography makes it very tempting. No, seriously, it looks like something I'd like and would try. Best wishes for meeting your weight loss goal. Lowering cholesterol is a very good reason to do so all by itself. Hugs, Nancy
ReplyDeleteOh that salad dressing sounds wonderful! I haven't purchased any salad dressings for years - most often we just spritz our salads with lemon and sprinkle with EVO. I also like to use the infused Olive Oils on my salads. I am going to try your recipe with the vanilla - yum! I too have been trying to keep my weight under control and am currently trying a 7-10 day "cleanse" with no sugar, flour, starch, caffeine - it's so hard (especially the no caffeine part) but once I'm past day 3 I feel really good and usually shed a few lbs. as well. Can't wait to see your salad recipe.
ReplyDeleteOh, my, this looks so good, I'm so disappointed I can't have vanilla...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds delicious, Amy. I will definitely try it.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about cutting back. You could say that I am in pre-contemplation of a diet. Sort of scary! A year of sitting in planes, sitting at a desk, sitting in front of a TV...I'm sure you get the idea.....has left me with rather more of me than I like.
Hi Amy, you did it, you changed the blog look and it looks great!! This salad dressing looks so good! I will have to give it a try. Enjoy the rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteJulie xo
That dressing sounds yummy! Gosh, I wouldn't sweat it if you only want to drop 5 lbs. If I drastically reduced my eating and drank a lot of water instead, I would drop 3 lbs in one day! I find that when I weigh myself in the morning and then at night there is a drastic difference.
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds just great Amy, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSalads are just so good any time of year and you can have such a wide variety too!
Enjoy the rest of your week.
All the best Jan
Sounds great! I like a dressing that's different every once in a while and I definitely could use one more healthy than the blue cheese that I adore.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! Vanilla is my favorite everything. This might actually make me want to eat a salad. Pinning!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique recipe! I definitely need to try this, and I totally get your reasoning behind losing weight so you can indulge on a trip! ;)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of vanilla salad dressing before but since I make my own vanilla extract I have to try it! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Leigh
I haven't seen this version of vinaigrette yet! Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so intriguing! I never heard of a vinaigrette with vanilla in it! But I want to try this! Sending some foodie love your way!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!