Spinach Salad with Chicken, Apple & Pomegranate

During this crazy, busy, stressful time, I have tendencies to reach towards the junk food while studying.  So, to offset that, I've been trying to offset my increased junk food intake with healthy, nutritious meals.  Thankfully, we watch Biggest Loser every week and they have a smorgasbord of delicious, nutritious meals.

So here is my take on one of their yummy salads.

You may be thinking, "hmmm the title says apple, but I don't see any apple." Well, you'd be extremely observant and correct.  There's not apple in this photo because I forgot it.

This salad has everything. Savory, tart, sweet, and sour; it not only has every taste, but all kinds of nutrition for you - it is the perfect winter salad (in my completely biased opinion).  So if you're stressed and busy, eating well is simple (yes, I realize I sound like a trainer from Biggest Loser - just go with it).

Spinach Salad with Chicken, Apple & Pomegranate
adapted from Biggest Loser

Vinaigrette:
3 T apple cider vinegar
2 T honey
1 T Dijon mustard
1 T olive oil

Salad
1/2 medium red onion
1 medium apple (gala, fiji, etc.)
1/2 t cider vinegar or lemon juice
8 oz. baby spinach leaves
2/3 cup pomegranate arils
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 cup of cubed rotisserie chicken

In a small bowl (or mason jar), combine vinaigrette ingredients and whisk (or shake) until well combined.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Shake or re-whisk before serving if liquid has settled.

Slice onion in half and then into half moon slices.  Remove core from apple and cut into small cubes combine in a bowl with lemon juice or vinegar to prevent browning.  Place all salad ingredients into a large salad bowl and toss to combine.  Serve with dressing (1 1/2 t per person). Serves 10 salad portions or about 5 entree portions.

Eat and bask in the healthiness.

An ode to Kora...

Like I said in my first post, we have a dog Kora who thinks she's human.  No really, I'm pretty sure she thinks she's our kid, but that's okay with me because not only is she entertaining (I mean come one, she runs into doors and walls!) but she is also really cute - and I mean award winning cute.

Exhibit A:

This is puppy Kora that we got in May when she just slept all the time.  Soon after this she entered into the "Must destroy everything!!" phase and shocked herself by chewing on a power chord.  Yes, PETA and the ASPCA will probably be knocking on our door any day now for animal cruelty.
Check out Exhibit B:

This is sailor Kora, aka the time we found out Kora hates swimming when we threw her into the lake.  This so called "lab-chow mix" does not enjoy being in the water, even if she is in a life jacket. However, good things did come of this: she placed 2nd in the law school's cutest pet photo contest - she's still trying to figure out exactly what that means though.

And finally, exhibit C:

This Kora currently - she's in the "must destroy sticks and dig holes in yard" phase.  Other than that, she's a pretty good dog.  That's why I decided to make her some dog treats and I thought I'd share the recipe with you.  Hope you bestow some lovin' from the oven on your little furry friend.

Apple Peanut Butter Dog Treats

1 apple, cored with skin on
1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup brown rice flour*
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Place cored apple into food processor and pulse into small bits.  Combine apple bits, peanut butter, egg and flour in a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer until homogenous.  At this point, you can knead and shape with a cookie cutter or you can do what I did and use a cookie scoop.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.  Cookies will be slightly sticky; allow to cool before feeding to man's best friend.  Store in an airtight container for other times your pet has been particularly good.

*If you've never made your own rice flour - it can be a pain; it may also burn up your food processor.  If you think you'll use rice flour a lot, just buy a bag; if not, borrow some from a friend.