This simple, refreshing green goodness salad will invigorate your senses and leave your body and your taste buds feeling healthy, happy and satisfied.
When someone asks me what my favorite meal is I get super nervous. My fear is that because people know I write a blog about food they expect me to have a super sophisticated palate. And yes I do love going out to eat and I enjoy most food.
However, if I’m being completely honest, one of my favorite foods that I crave the most is this green goodness salad. When I’m feeling out of balance or just super hungry this is my go-to salad. It’s my comfort food. I feel full but energized after I eat it. If I’ve had a rough day I go to the Stop & Shop buy a thing of arugula, edamame, and a cucumber because it’s green goodness salad time.
So even though it sounds lame to say that your favorite food is a salad, I guess if anyone gets it, you guys will.
This whole train of thought had me thinking that less than a year ago, my blog used to be my little secret. Ok, so I didn’t necessarily hide it and my closest friends and family knew what I was doing, but the wasn’t something I talked about a lot off the interwebs.
It’s not that I was embarrassed to tell people I wrote a blog about vegetarian food and creating a healthy lifestyle, but I would never bring it up in conversation. It was kind of like, if you found it on your own, I wouldn’t lie about.
It’s like when you’re seeing someone new and you haven’t made up your mind about them yet or you’re working on a side project that you still have the ability to back out of. Keeping something under wraps feels safe but also like an escape from yourself. You get to be someone else for a moment in time. You’re learning without judgment from people who know you.
That’s what blogging was for me for a long time. My little secret place on the internet that I got to share my struggles and what I ate in a day. To practice writing and photography and even develop a knack for coming up with easy recipes without the fear that anyone would judge me for it. I could disconnect with reality for a bit and step into a new space of creativity and exploration.
But you get to that point in any endeavor whether it’s a relationship or a project or a blog where you have to decide. How seriously do I want to take this?
It’s scary. Like really scary. Because when you realize that “why yes I love this, I want the world to know now” you run the risk of failing. Not quietly, but in front of everyone. But if you let that fear stop you, you run the risk of living with the nagging feeling of “what if I had taken it to that next level? What could have happened?” And I guess to me, that’s the scariest feeling of all.
So now, when people ask me, “so what do you do?” blogging is among the first answers. I’m all in. While the blogging industry will definitely transform through the years, all I know is communicating with women about health and wellness and happiness and veggies and struggles and crazy ass dreams is my thing and I’m all in. Sure I could totally fail. I’ve now left the comfort of being able to turn back, to hide or to play it cool. But I’ll never have to wrestle with the terrible “what if” I gave this my all.
[Tweet “Find out the connection between admitting you’re a blogger, big ass salads and going all in”]
- 1 1/2 Cups of Arugula
- 1/2 an Avocado, sliced
- 1/3 Cup of Edamame
- 1/3 of a Medium Cucumber chopped in halves
- 1/4 Cup of Walnuts
- 1/2 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- In a large bowl toss together arugula, avocado, edamame, cucumber, walnuts and drizzle with olive oil.
- Add salt and pepper to taste
Love this recipe? Scroll over to pin for later.
Your Turn:
- Turning the tables: what’s your favorite meal? (this is a no judgement zone)
- Bloggers, did you ever feel nervous about sharing and talking about your blog?
This salad is gorgggg. I still feel a little awkward when people ask me about blogging (who aren’t in the world of blogging) because I know they have no idea what I’m talking about lol. And almost always they automatically assume it means I write restaurant reviews LOL but now IDGAF and I always share my posts on my personal Facebook for everyone I know to see
Three years later and when I still say “blogging” is what I do I still get strange looks. The difference is that, while I used to feel so weird admitting that, I definitely own it these days. I BLOG AND I LOVE IT.
It’s so wonderful to see you diving head-first into something you’re not only super passionate about, but also crazy-talented in, too! I’ve been feeling out of balance with my diet a lot recently (I blame finding Justin’s dark peanut butter cups on that ;)), so this salad is right up my alley!
YESS to everything you’ve just said. About craving green things, and also about keeping a platform like a blog your little secret. I don’t blog, but I have an Instagram that I use for fitness and food and stuff (like millions of people!), and I feel very self-conscious about letting people I know find about it. I think it’s easy to judge people for “taking pictures of their food,” and I don’t want to seem like “one of those people who takes pictures of their plates”– but honestly, I have gained so much from my lil’ Instagram account. Because it isn’t about the filter, it’s about the community. Though, incidentally, I do find that setting up my plate of food nicely helps me to practice eating mindfully, which is something I’m working towards. Spending an extra two minutes dressing up my plate instead of just nomming out of tupperware helps me pay attention to what I’m eating and doing.
Anyway, rambling. Just wanted to say this is a lovely, lovely post and just what I needed to hear. And also I can’t wait to make your salad…and take a picture of it!
Coming from someone who kept her blog a secret (like a big one) for one year, I totally understand. I was embarrassed and thought blogging was weird (that, and I share some deep thoughts). But now, I’m SO happy I have “publicized” it and people are so much more supportive than I ever imagined.
As for your crazy-hard question: salmon.
I was pretty open about my blog with one side of my family, but my other side only cares about money so I know they’d be like, “can/do you make money from that?” My favorite meal is definitely a big salad similar to this. I CRAVE foods like this and people think it’s a little weird. I introduced my boyfriend to Sweetgreen on Saturday and he’s like, “oh, I get it now”. Lol moment of triumph.
edamame always seems to MAKE every salad. its the perfect addition.
i was never shy or embarrassed about coming out with my blog surprisingly. I just wanted to make sure it was PERFECT before i told everyone, and spent almost a year tweaking it until it was exactly how i wanted.
And Georgie, I find you to be one of the most encouraging bloggers when it comes to being vulnerable about all the blogging struggles, cooking struggles, and taking scary steps to improving and growing. I’m so glad that God had you start your blog and just start sharing GEORGIE and all her love for salads and smoothies and Barney Butter and the best protein bars evah! 🙂 <3
Besides the fact that this salad sounds delicious and these pictures are gorgeous I totally relate to feeling just a little bit private about blogging in the beginning. I had so many people encouraging me to start a blog and I didn’t want to let them down. Now that I’m about 6 months into it I realize it’s my blog and people can love it or hate it. Loving blogging is the most important part 🙂
I have the same thing happen when people who follow me on IG talk to me. I met with a new personal training client and when I asked if she had any questions, she said “what’s your favorite restaurant in Chicago??” I was taken by surprise considering we were talking about fitness haha.
I never know the answer and am just like “whatever tastes good?”
I totally get where you’re coming from here, and it’s definitely something I still struggle with. I am much more open about my blog than I used to be, but I’m more comfortable being open about the fact that I have a blog, not the fact that I have a vision for what I want to make it. I’m working on it! And I’m VERY open about my love of green things 😉 This salad combo sounds incredible, Georgie.
I totally feel you on the nervous part. A few years back my brother’s girlfriend at the time actually discovered my blog and mentioned it to my mom. I feel like I come from the Live Journal generation where blogging can be confused with “this is my emotional diary” so I felt super embarrassed that my mom was aware of my blog.
I feel totally different about it now though and frequently share posts on my personal Facebook. If people want to judge me or don’t get it, their problem. I’ll continue to shout it from the rooftops and be grateful for the experiences I’ve had thanks to blogging.
That’s the best attitude to have. People who won’t get it are not who the blog is for and that doesn’t mean it’s any less spectacular
This salad looks *insert bomb emoji*. You had me at arugula. Why is it so good?
Basically I am the most awkward blogger ever. When I first started my blog, I didn’t tell anyone about it. At the time I had a roommate, and I literally to this day have never said anything to her about me blogging. But she would come home to an explosion in the kitchen and me taking photos in our living room and no explanation. She also thinks I’m insane, which is totally valid haha.
I still get really embarrassed and weird when it comes to talking about blogging. It’s conflicting. I’m all in on the inside, but play it off on the outside mainly because I still haven’t reached a point where my blog is truly a place that I’m proud of. Part of me feels like what I put out is kinda lame and the idea of people going to it and also thinking it’s lame terrifies me. But I am hoping to make it into something I am more excited to share in the future.
Dude – not sure how anyone could ever think your blog was embarrassing buuut I know what it feels like to have a vision and still be working towards it. Anywhoo I freaking love your blog so I’m just happy I found it xoxo
Ah, I’m still too shy to share my blog on FB or talk about it…maybe one day. It’s still a baby finding its way.
I love fresh simple foods, your salad looks amazing – although I’d personally skip the cucumber as I loathe it. (snozcumber)
My favourite foods are Indian curries <3 especially spicy ones!
I totally get it girl – when you do start sharing it’s gonna feel great
1. That salad looks amazing
2. More importantly, this post TOTALLY resonates with me! it’s SCARY to declare “yes, I’m trying.” I didn’t tell ANYONE about my blog for months. Because it really is hard to put yourself out there! But the payoff of experience is SO worth it. I’ve definitely had quite a few failures but I’ve learned something with every single one!
That’s seriously the best attitude to have – once you realize you can learn something from every failure they’re a lot less scary or “final” feeling
Can’t wait to make this salad. I love the simple combination of green veggies! I also love that there is no dressing. I’m all for s&p, EVOO and maybe balsamic or lemon juice! The walnut addition too!
So with you on the blogging thing too. My approach to my blog is a little different to most bloggers. That being said it’s hard for me to tell others I have a blog because I know what they are thinking. I just want to scream, BUT IT’S DIFFERENT! I promise ha!!
Anyone can’t wait to make this salad.
xo,
Annie
wwww.takeabiteblog.com
Yes same! I love olive oil as a dressing, simple but does the trick
Well first of all these photos are just woah. Give me this salad STAT.
Second, what’s my favorite meal? Gosh if I am not going for a hearty salad with all the good stuff, it’s probably eggs + avo +sweet potato + feta… aka, favorite breakfast ever.
Third, ugh you just never fail to make me smile, Georgie!! I just love this post so much. I definitely kept my blog a secret for quite some time before I started sharing it with a lot of people. I still feel a little awkward at times but meh, that’s life. Not everyone is going to agree with what you do, or “get it”. And if they don’t get it and aren’t along for the ride, or willing to learn, then so be it. Keep on truckin’.
Dude that’s the best attitude to have. I still find myself nervous to talk about it at times but when I do so many people are more receptive or they just move on to the next topic if they don’t get it
You hit the nail on the head with this one. I’m a master at self-sabotage and holding myself back from things I really want in life for fear of failing. It’s really something I need to work on. And these days I do mention that I run a food blog when I’m talking about what I do. But I’m always quick to mention that I don’t make much (if anything) from it. I really need to stop doing that and start believing that I can do the things I set out to accomplish.
p.s. Salad looks bomb AF
It’s definitely engrained in our culture to be afraid of failure but once you “fail” or even accept that you’re going ot take a different path once or twice you realize, oh wait I got this no matter what happens
The color of this salad [heart-eyes emoji] and those perfect avocados! Annnnnnd, this is everything: “communicating with women about health and wellness and happiness and veggies and struggles and crazy ass dreams is my thing and I’m all in.” <—you're speaking my love language!
First of all, this salad looks AMAZING. Second of all, everything you said — so on point. My blog has been basically a secret for the past year and I just decided last week that I’m over it and am not going to hide it anymore. Well I wasn’t really hiding it – it was like you said, I wouldn’t lie if someone asked about it, but I wouldn’t bring it up. It’s a little scary deciding to tell people about it, but so so exciting! Love all of your recipes <3