Apple, Cranberry, Spinach Salad with Pecans, Avocado, and Balsamic Vinaigrette

This is a salad I found through Pinterest. The original recipe can be found at http://juliasalbum.com/2015/04/apple-cranberry-spinach-salad-with-pecans-avocados-and-balsamic-vinaigrette-dressing/

INGREDIENTS

10 oz baby spinach

1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced

1 Gala apple, cored and sliced

1/2 cup dried cranberries

2 Mandarin oranges, pealed (or 1 can)

1 or 2 avocados, seeded, peeled, and sliced

1 cup pecans, either pieces or halves broken into smaller pieces

Balsamic vinaigrette dressing

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Combine first 6 ingredients. Divide into 4 salad bowls. Add dressing and sprinkle nuts on top.

Nutritional information: makes 4 very large servings, per serving = 389 calories, 25 g fat (3 g saturated, 15 g monosaturated, 7 g polyunsaturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 100 mg sodium, 41 g carbs, 11 g dietary fiber, 5 g protein

Turkey Chili

This is basically a variation on our Meatless Chili. It includes a pound of cooked and drained ground turkey, less V8 juice, and some more beans.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground turkey

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1-2 onions, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 green peppers, diced

1 large can mild chili beans

1 small can mild chili beans

1 large can diced tomatoes (low sodium)

1 6oz can tomato paste (low sodium)

1 small can red kidney beans

1 small can black beans

2-3 cups frozen corn

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1/2-1 tsp chili powder

2 tsp oregano

1 tsp cumin 

1/2 tsp salt

12 oz V8 juice (low sodium)

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground turkey. Drain and set aside.

In the same large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is translucent. Add the green pepper and sauté until pepper is soft. Add all the other ingredients, stirring things together as you go. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour.

Nutritional information: 20 servings, per serving = 180 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated, 2g monounsaturated), 16mg cholesterol, 470mg sodium, 24g carbs, 6g dietary fiber, 5g sugars, 10g protein