Sweet potato salad + lunch salad trio
Hi friends! How’s the day going?? I have an awesome lunch or side dish recipe for you today. It’s a fun twist on potato salad (using sweet potatoes!) and has zero mayo. (Even though I LOVE mayo, I know some people aren’t on board.)
Also, I’m sorry about the blog down time yesterday and for those of you who tried to comment and it wasn’t working. I have post baby bod on the same server, and PBB crashed my main site!! We’re hoping that everything is fixed and stable, and my tiny PBB site may be moving to her own server. There are some growing pains, but all good things. <3
Here are some adventures from lately. Monday was P’s first trip to the San Diego Zoo. Almost a year old, and we finally ventured to the zoo with some mamas and baby friends from her music class.
I wasn’t sure if she’d be into it yet, but she loved it. She pointed at the animals and babbled excitedly. Also, all you really need is a petting area (loved the goats!) and a hippo statue.
I taught a packed and super sweaty Spin class on Monday, and barre last night. Spin has been more challenging than usual lately. I think it’s because I know that it’s going to take a lot out of me, so I’ve had to literally give myself a mental pep talk the hour before class. After wrangling the kiddos all day + working/cleaning/life-ing, I’m always like, “How are you going to motivate a room full of people right now?” and somehow, it always happens. Class was awesome. New songs on the playlist always help, too.
Here’s one I’m loving right now:
Hot barre has been super busy lately, and I love the energy of a big group. It also reminded me that I haven’t taken a full barre class in a while. Hopefully I can catch one soon!
As far as Livi goose goes, she’s getting really excited for Halloween. They’ve learned some cute Halloween songs at school, and she cracks me up singing them in funny voices.
We also wandered into Miss Match (I can’t help myself) to look for a dress for an event for the Pilot’s work. I looked at some dresses on Rent the Runway, but for the same price as some of my favorites, I could just go to Miss Match and buy one. Formal dresses can be hit or miss for me -many drag on the ground, even in my highest heels- so I liked that I could try on a few options. Except, Miss Match had nothing. Now it’s too late to Rent the Runway, so where do I go? Where do you buy formal non-prom dresses? Nordstrom? Macy’s?
Eats-wise, after taking a bit of time to prep, there have been some awesome salads in the fridge.
a super easy tuna salad
(with Safe Catch tuna <— the best with kalamata olives, celery, onion, lemon juice, avocado mayo and fresh dill)
and this sweet potato salad.
This salad was inspired by one from the local co-op. It’s funny because when we first moved here, I didn’t like the co-op. I knooowwwwww. Little did I know that it’s a magical place.
It was expensive (turns out if you’re a member, prices go down 15%), and they had a smaller selection. Turns out the small selection is because the shelf and fridge products are curated carefully. They focus on certified organic brands, and the entire store is vegetarian. When I took a careful look, I realized that the shelves are stocked with the best of the best, and was really everything I could wish for in a Whole Foods trip (minus the certified organic meat and wild seafood). As far as produce goes, there’s always a bounty of local and organic options. Upstairs, there’s a full vegetarian hot bar with aromatic beautiful vegetarian meals, cold salads, and hearty soups. It’s definitely one of those places I’ll miss.
I picked up a sweet potato salad, along with a cabbage soomi salad for lunch one day. I was so surprised by the flavors of the sweet potato salad: lime juice with dried cranberries, herbs, and onions. Everything seemed random, but went together so well!
I had to recreate it at home.
Sweet Potato Salad Recipe
Sweet Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 8 small sweet potatoes, peeled, diced and boiled until soft (about 7 minutes)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- Juice of 1 lime
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Splash of apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Boil sweet potatoes for about 7 minutes, or until soft.
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Serve warm or chilled!
This morning we’re taking the pups for a walk, and I have an orthodontist appointment. Orthodontist and prom dress shopping = a brief flashback to being 16 haha.
Have a happy humpday and I’ll see ya on the Family page later today!!
xoxo
Gina
23 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
What an interesting combo of flavors! Definitely need to give this one a try. My taste buds are curious.
Always love when you share new music!!
Have you tried the Bloomingdale’s outlet in Mission Valley for a dress? I’ve heard they are a good bet. Plus there’s a Nordstrom Rack right there if they don’t.
No- great idea. Thank you!!
Cashe’ has cute inexpensive dresses for something like that! Fun!!!
I’ve always used Macy’s in the past , but last year I actually found one on Amazon! I just read all of the reviews for my top two fav’s and picked one from there! I was skeptical but I love the dress I got and the fit was perfect!
Your posts haven’t been showing up in my bloglovin’ feed! I had no idea I had missed them all week lol.
This looks yummy, I love sweet potatoes.
Same here!!! They haven’t been in my Bloglovin either!
Same here except for with feedly. I’ve been wondering what’s been going on.
I’m having the same problem with feedly, I hope it gets fixed soon!
bloglovin just fixed it. hopefully feedly will be next! *fingers crossed
I always have good luck with Nordstrom when it comes to dresses.
As much as I love Whole Foods, I prefer co-ops. Ours has a lot more local food and other local products, which is part of its mission and values. Also, it smells like patchouli as soon as you walk in, which is awesome 🙂
That salad sounds so good! I love taking Logan to the zoo here since it’s right by our house but it’s no San Diego zoo! Good luck finding that perfect dress!! I say Nordstrom is where you will find the dress!
Hi Gina:
totally unrelated but I was not sure how to reach your directly. We are planning on taking our four legged baby to La Jolla at Christmas time. Do you have any recommendations of pet friendly places to go and great eats, hotel, etc..? I would really appreciate it. I have been following your blog for years now and will also do a search and see if you have posted anything.
Love your blog!
I haven’t seen any posts on my Feedly so I went to check your blog to make sure everything was okay! That sweet potato salad seems amazing, a must make!
I read this article this morning and thought I would share. It’s making me want to take my kids to these places in the next few years while we still have them to enjoy! Are you guys looking to take another family vacation soon or are you holding off since you’ll be moving next year?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/bucket-list-destinations-that-may-disappear-climate-change/
All of this looks really tasty! The flavor combinations look great! Also I bought your meals made easy when you had it on sale- can’t wait to try the recipes:)
I use http://www.lightinthebox.com/ for the formal dresses and even some Christmas ones.
Love when you post spin songs…please post more. I teach spin at night and after a day with my 3 little ones doubt how I will have the energy to inspire and motivate others. You are right, though, somehow it happens and we find the mojo we need.
Surprisingly, Ross Dress for Less can have some good formal options (Navy wife here).
I’ve always been a fan of Saks Fifth Ave for dresses, or directly go to BCBGMAXAZRIA — the Camillia Halter Neck Gown is pretty gorgeous.
Just an FYI – your posts this week aren’t showing up on Feedly anymore. Even if I try to re-add your site, it shows the last post being October 14.
I can’t get over how much little P looks like your brother Kyle to me !! So so cute !!