I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. I received a stipend to facilitate my purchase for my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
SPOILER ALERT! There's some info about an awesome sweepstakes opportunity at the end of this post! Good luck!
Remember I told you the other day that I don't really like to make resolutions and unattainable goals but that I wanted to start of this year making some small changes to my family's diet? I vowed to get my family eating one entrée salad for dinner per week and I started with my Roasted Vegetable Salad. Well, I've been thinking a bit more about this. Yes, I do still want my family to stand by that change, but honestly, for me, it's not the dinners that are my problem, but what I eat during the day.
I used to eat proper lunches all the time when I had a job outside the home. Since I've been home though, it's much more hectic here and this crazy train doesn't stop for breakfast or lunch. So how can I fix this when I'm so short on time? Well, I started thinking back to when Nora was a baby (how could that be 3 years ago?!). She had reflux and food allergies, topped with horrific eczema, so I would hold her for literally 20 hours a day. I had her strapped to me because it was the only way to soothe her, so needless to say, I wasn't eating. At all. My endocrinologist gave me some great advice. She said "Keep a big bowl of blueberries on a shelf where you see them first in the fridge, so when you reach in to grab the baby's bottle, you grab yourself a handful of blueberries". I did that for a long time and then I sort of fell out of it because the baby got better. So today, I'm going back to that basic rule. It's such a small thing to change, so I can totally stick with that.
TIP: Store your blueberries washed and in an easy to access bowl towards the front of the shelf
So why blueberries?
Well, I'll tell you of course: Blueberries contribute vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese and only have 80 calories per serving (per cup). They also contain 3.6 grams of fiber per serving!
I know you are probably thinking "but it's not summertime, aren't blueberries a summertime thing?". WRONG! Well, yes, blueberry season here in the US runs from April to September but for the rest of the year we get delicious, beautiful, healthy blueberries imported from Chile, Peru and Argentina, so you can always find them in your grocery store.
This little thief snuck into my photo area while I was taking photos because she couldn't "just couldn't wait for the blueberries"
In addition to just popping them in your mouth for a snack (which is how my kids devour them by the pint), blueberries can enhance some of your snack and lunch ideas too. Toss them into your yogurt, smoothies, pancake or waffle batter and/or whole grain cereals. And my favorite is to add them to salads!
This salad recipe I'm sharing today, is delicious and easy and super quick to put together. Even I have enough time to make this for lunch a few days a week! The key is having bagged salad and grilled chicken on hand.
BUT Before we get to the recipe, I want to share with you a sweepstakes opportunity! Yay!
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is hosting a sweepstakes through which you can enter to win a trip for 2 to LA for the Little Changes Kitchen Challenge alongside actress, author and TV host, Alison Sweeney!
- Runners up may win one of four $500 Whole Foods or Lululemon gift cards for a refreshed pantry or workout wardrobe! Choose little, win BIG!
- Sweepstakes opens January 1, 2015 and closes February 16, 2015
- For your chance enter here: http://bit.ly/1CrzxA0
Printable Recipe Card
Grilled Chicken Salad w/ Blueberries and Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 C Romaine Salad Blend bagged
- ½ C chopped grilled chicken
- 1 oz goat cheese crumbled
- 1 T sunflower seeds
- ½ C blueberries
- 1-2 T balsamic dressing homemade recipe
Instructions
- Place salad greens on plate or in bowl.
- Top with chicken, goat cheese, sunflower seeds and blueberries.
- Drizzle with dressing.
Lovefoodies says
I love your photos and recipe!
I would never have thought to put blueberries with chicken, and since both are in my top favs of food I am going to try it! Yummy!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks, I appreciate that! Yes, they pair very well together!
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
What a gorgeous salad Christine, especially with the addition of fresh blueberries...and your kids are adorable!
foodyschmoody says
Oh thank you. They are much cuter to me when not getting in the way of my blog photography, lol!
Tara says
I love your salad. We are huge blueberry fans here!!
Britney says
I love blueberries! We need to eat more of them!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
My kids love blueberries too, it's is a great addition to salads!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
Yum! I could (and do) eat blueberries almost every day I can. Your salad looks delish!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Marjory
Martha@A Family Feast says
We almost always have a container of blueberries in our fridge...love this healthy and beautiful salad!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Martha. See, I knew we'd be "bumping" into each other soon. It just took me a few to put your face and blog together!
Heather / girlichef says
This is totally my kind of salad! I love the tip about having the blueberries washed and at the ready, too. I often do, but in this house - they disappear in a heartbeat, so it kind of defeats the purpose. But, hey. 😉
foodyschmoody says
Yes, my little one tends to be the blueberry thief, but I cant complain since they're so healthy I'm happy she's getting them too!
Nicky says
Blueberries are great as snacks. I often keep fruit front and center in the fridge for the kids to grab. Your salad looks delicious. I like the combination of flavors
foodyschmoody says
Yeah if I chop the fruit and put in Tupperware it's like it doesn't exist. It's got to be visable.
Nikki @ Nik Snacks says
Does your fridge always look so clean, because WOW. And I love the health benefits of blueberries. Popping them as a snack always makes me feel good 🙂
foodyschmoody says
Ha! I actually didn't rearrange anything in the fridge but it was looking bare because I needed to grocery shop. I'm sure later that day after my shopping trip it was more congested looking!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I love adding blueberries into just about everything. They sure do make a great snack all by themselves too. Your salad looks delicious!
Melanie says
Blueberries are my all time favorite food! We grow some and freeze them for the winter.
Kallee says
I love blueberries. I always have some in my oatmeal.
Susan says
These photos of your kiddos eating blueberries are great! They do make the perfect snack and that's a great tip to leave them ready to eat in the fridge. Now I just have to put it on the shelf where my pug can't reach them. Would you believe he's a blueberry lover too?
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Susan. That is too funny about your pug. I actually have started leaving one pint on a shelf for the kids and on up high on a shelf where they can't reach but it's eye level to me, so they can't hog them all to themselves!
Healing Tomato says
I have started eating blueberries slowly. Even though I completely hate their taste, I think it is very healthy. Recently, I made a vinaigrette out of it and it was delicious. Thank you for suggesting the use of blueberries. I will definitely incorporate it into my diet this year.
foodyschmoody says
Rini, you crack me up. You might be the only person I've ever known to not like blueberries!
Lauren@HealthyDelicious says
I have the same problems with "daytime" eating. Love the idea of keeping a bowl of berries in the fridge for easy consumption!