Dinner Lunch Salads

Fail To Plan? Plan To Fail: Summer Salad Series Wk 1

July’s Summer Salad Series is starting this weekend and in order for this to work, I must get organized.

I am the type of person that likes to be organized only in a few parts of my life. My day job, for one. Elsewhere I like to fly by the seat of my pants. I perform best under pressure and usually at the last minute. Sometimes I can do it on my own, other times I leave things so late that I end up needing help to get through. There are often mammoth freak-outs involved and sometimes tears, other times that amazing high pitched hum of energy when things are so close to fruition that I must push through, and it’s when produce my best results. Regardless of the dramatic events that lead up to a deadline, I could never do it any differently.


But if I’m going to do this right, I’ve got to plan ahead. I am a busy girl and the first one to get lazy when the going gets tough. I know myself enough that I have to have everything I can in place to ensure smooth sailing.

I’ll be planning what salads I’ll make a week ahead of time–I won’t plan what nights I eat what, because I’d like to decide that at the time, but I will be planning a shopping list and also prepping the salad components with the precision of a restaurant kitchen. World, meet sous chef, Melanie. I slice, I dice…


I want the freedom to open the refrigerator door and grab a handful of this, a handful of that to create my own masterpiece. But make no mistake, we are going all-in for this challenge, and I plan to seriously challenge the salad status quo.


And thank you! Your response to my cries for help have been overwhelming! I have a list of salads a mile long and some of you are even going to join in on this somewhat crazy month-long experiment. Feel free to join along one salad at a time, or for a week or the whole month. No judgement here. Just roll up your sleeves, give it a go, and see what happens.


I will be posting a weekly menu with matching grocery list but will keep things loose-if I am unable to find certain ingredients at the store one week, I may switch things up, and you should too–that’s often when you find the best new flavour combinations, through experimentation and going with the flow. Hmmm, kinda like life, hunh?

Alright, no more procrastinating! Here is my list for week one of my Summer Salad Series:

  1. Mum’s Greek Salad
  2. Melon, Berry and Feta Salad
  3. Mr. Wurster’s Best Salad Ever
  4. Quinoa BLT
  5. Mariellen’s Light and Easy Go-To Lunch
  6. Strawberry, Avocado and Roasted Beet Salad w/Balsamic Vinaigrette
  7. Avocado, Fava and Quinoa Salad

Grocery List Week 1 (PRINTABLE)

I have listed all ingredients for the first week of the challenge. You might have some of these items in your pantry already, so some amounts are vague. Use your own judgement.

Now get shopping for beautiful fresh ingredients and I’ll see you back here tomorrow for refreshing Greek Salad! Happy Canada Day long weekend!

Comments (12)

  • You and I are one of the same my friend – because of school I am constantly planning up to a months cooking and my mum buys the ingredients 😛
    Your salad series sounds like it is going to be gorgeous!

    Cheers
    CCU

    Reply
    • So that’s how you are constantly cooking such amazing things! The planning! Lucky that mum goes and busy all your gear:)
      Thanks CCU–any chance I can get you to try one of the salads? It will leave more room to enjoy one of your amazing desserts:)

      Reply
  • Hmmmmm, this sounds like fun! I’m not normally a big fan of the salad, but the ones you’ve chosen here sound perfect for me. Especially #7 🙂 and #6. I’m really looking forward to your plan and posts. Yummy choices dear! You might just convert me to salad lover with this fabulous plan…

    Reply
    • Sarah I’m the same. I like eating salad when it’s placed in front of me but when I’m hungry the thought of salad disappoints me. But in this heat and to remember to eat my vegetables, I’m hoping this is fun. Stay tuned!:)

      Reply
  • I love the sound of all these salads! Thanks for so many great recipes!

    Reply
    • I’m so glad! I realized I missed a few links to the recipes for this week–they’ll be coming up later today. I must say, committing to eating all these salads is challenging but so much fun, especially all the new recipes I get to try out. And with this heat, it’s the only way to eat.

      Reply
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