Big Mac Salad

If you know me, and since about 3 people read this blog I’m assuming you do. You’re probably staring at this post title in horror. Chrystie, the self-professed “I wouldn’t eat a salad if you paid me” salad hater making a salad post!?! Relax and please take note of the “Big Mac.” This is taste bud fun disguised as a salad.

I’ve always considered myself a healthy eater, subscribing to the thought of everything in moderation and splurging rather that sacrificing. But, when I eat something healthy I want to eat something good. I’d rather eat less of something fulfilling, than more of something masquerading and ultimately leaving me unsatisfied. It’s hard to find something that fits both criteria but this salad does it. Oh and it falls in at under 500 calories, if you’re into that sort of thing.

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Carrot Soup

One of my childhood joys was smelling the familiar aromas of my mom preparing one of her famous soups. My mom had a knack for transforming vegetables into warm velvety bowls of goodness. Carrot, pumpkin, cucumber; whatever the vegetable we would all lick our bowls clean and ask for seconds.

I often times got to be her helper, dicing the vegetables and processing them in batches in our mini food processor. Fascinated by the magic of transforming the liquid into a puree, inevitably overflowing the blender and losing a bowl of soup in the process. Whenever she asked if I wanted to help her in the kitchen my reply was always yes. Little did I know those many afternoons spent in the kitchen with my mom would permanently etch these recipes on my brain.

Now that she’s gone, there is no greater comfort than the first familiar sip, warming me from mouth to heart. I realize that through her wonderful gift of food, she will always be right there cooking beside me.

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