Mmmmm Salad

So tonight I finally did it. I made a recipe from scratch without adding my own influence. I was pretty darn hungry (just got home from working out) so I wasn't really in the mood to fuss. So I grabbed a magazine, flipped it open and just picked something. Luckily for Rob and I, it turned out to be pretty tasty. But first, let's back-up just a bit:

I have gone back to my veggie ways the past few weeks in addition to adding runs to my life (5K three to four times a week). By doing this I have managed to fit back into some clothes (mostly jeans) that I thought I would never squeeze my ass into again. But no, apparently eating well and regular exercise comes through again as a winner. So I can still have my glass of wine with dinner and not feel guilty. A glass of wine in addition to my gin martini, straight-up with blue cheese olives that I have every single time I'm in the kitchen cooking. Comfort zone people, comfort zone.

Any-who, I asked Rob as to what he would like for dinner tonight: barnyard, ocean, garden or combo. He said no to ocean as I did just make the most amazing seafood linguine anyone will ever have on Saturday, so he elected my delicious peanut butter pork burgers. It's been awhile since I had meat so, why the hell not. Plus I did just get back from a run. So the challenge tonight was the dish to accompany the burgers. Which brings me back to what I mentioned in the first paragraph...a winner!

As I mentioned I grabbed a magazine, the 2006 August Chatalaine. Yes, 2006. Like I said, I have a collection of magazines and cookbooks that I need to utilize. Wasn't joking people. Anyway, I made this salad that had a simple dressing (honey, lime juice & cumin) over greens with peaches, avocados & blueberry's. Rob wasn't sure about the blueberry/avocado mix but holy cow.... let me put it to you this way: Rob loves my peanut butter pork burgers. He eats the burger first. Always. However, tonight I kindly reminded him that he had to eat the salad at some point and give me feedback. If he didn't want it after a few bites, I would just take it for lunch tomorrow. I'm happy to report, he ate the salad first. All of it. I didn't actually finish my salad. But he did. A first. Well, except for that one time I was afraid his vegetable intake was down and made a salad and got him to eat it only because I sprinkled bacon on it (men eat anything with bacon on it, in it or beside it).

So tonight's cooking challenge was a success, thanks to August 2006 Chatelaine. I wonder what other gems I have hidden on my shelves...........