Raising the Bar on Food in a Jar.
Mason jars used to be just for canning – but now they may be more likely used for overnight oats. How do you do food in a jar? I’m raising the bar on food in a jar today.
Did you know that jars are the perfect way to bring salads on the go? Those giant 32 ounce mason jars are perfect for this. When Recipe Redux released it’s theme this month as food in a jar, I knew what I wanted to do!
Salads are the perfect summer meal. Cool, crisp, and refreshing. Oh, and did I mention, an extremely healthy option? However those taco salads you can order out, are usually anything but nutritious. Did you know that a simple chicken taco salad at Taco Bell is over 750 calories and 60 grams of fat?! That is what scares me. People think salad, and they think chicken, and order a meal like that, thinking that they are eating healthy. Unfortunately, choosing to buy rather than pack your lunch comes with a big price.
This is why I have created a healthy option that still has all those delicious flavors. But with not near as much fat. Or calories. I’m not one to keep count of the calories I eat, but over 750 for a simple salad?! I knew there must be a better option.
Meet my 32 ounce mason jar. It is one of my best friends when taking food on the go. I fill it with smoothies and shakes to take with me all the time (like or one), but I decided to spice it up from the typical smoothie today. Mason jar, meet delicious salad.
Ground turkey instead of beef, chick peas instead of the typical beans, fresh raw corn. All the flavors you love onhealthy antabuse about a taco. Without the greasy shell. But you may ask, how do you keep your salad becoming soggy? Meet my mini bottle used to carry salad dressing. I found a pack of 3 of these for only 2.99! They are the absolute best for salads on the go, as you keep the salad dressing off the salad until just before eating 🙂 Fill it with dressing of choice, or even just some salsa to go on top of that salad. Whichever you would like. No mater what you choose, you win when you pack this salad to go.
Taco Salad in a Jar
-1/2 cup ground turkey, cooked
-1/2 cup raw corn
-1/2 cup chick peas, drained and rinsed
-1/2 cup sliced red bell peppers
-1/4 cup sundried tomatoes
-1.5 cups lettuce, cut
Dressing to go:
-Healthy Ranch Dressing ()
-Dressing of choice
-Salsa
Directions: Obtain a 32 ounce mason jar. In the order listed, place all ingredients into jar. Finish off jar with lettuce, to prevent any wilting. Choose dressing of choice and fill any tiny to go container with dressing. Don’t forget a fork! 🙂
Tomato Benefits
1)Low in calories
2)High in vitamin C
3)Good source of vitamins A,K,folate and potassium
4)Provides thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorous, and copper
5)Source of fiber
6)High water content
7)Source of beta-carotene and lycopene (good skin protectors)
Chickpea Benefits
1) Great source of protein and fiber ( 1 cup has 10g fiber and 12g protein)
2) Rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc
3) Can improve your circulatory and heart health
4) Fiber aids in a healthy digestive system and lower cholesterol
Turkey Benefits:
1) One 3.5 oz serving is packed with 30 grams of protein and only 4 grams of fat
2) Loaded with B vitamins:phosphorous, potassium, zinc, and iron
3)Rich in Selenium–antioxidant necessary for thyroid metabolism
4)Contains tryptophan–amino acid that triggers serotonin production and aids in sleep