Theresa's Mixed Nuts: Mason Jar Salads and More + Strawberry Walnut Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Mason Jar Salads and More + Strawberry Walnut Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

I mentioned earlier that my husband has been on a weight loss/healthy body mission. Going to the gym every day at lunch has helped him lose close to 30 pounds this year. Something new that he is doing is packing his lunch to take in every day also. I've had to get creative with dinners lately, learning how to make extra for left overs for him to take in the next day. Some days that just doesn't pan out, and he is left packing a boring sandwich to take in.

Most of you know that I am a cook book junkie, and when I was offered a copy of Mason Jar Salads and More: 50 Layered Lunches to Grab and Go, I knew this was a perfect solution for those days when my husband needs a tasty lunch when left overs aren't an option.

Imagine leaving the house each morning for work with a healthy and delicious lunch in tow—no morning prep required!

Introducing “Mason Jar Salads and More,” a new cookbook that will show you how to create fun and easy layered lunches, snacks and more. This book will inspire endless on-the-go meal possibilities with its 50 recipes and gorgeous full-color photos.

Thanks to the glorious Mason jar and smart layering techniques (dressing on the bottom!), you can make delicious dishes ahead of time and spend no more than 30 seconds grabbing them from the fridge on your way out the door.

Sip on a Mango Smoothie for breakfast, be the envy of your coworkers with Asparagus Risotto for lunch, and enjoy Spicy Hummus and veggies for an afternoon snack… You’ll never be disappointed with your weekday meals again!


My husband never thinks of a salad as filling, but looking over the recipes, I knew putting a few of them together for him to try would make him change his mind in a hurry! The Mixed Greens with White Beans sounded like a great way for him to add protein after his workouts. The BLT Panzanella looked like a great combination of flavors he loves. And the Guacamole salad was one I knew he would like because he really enjoys snacking on avocados.

There is a section in the front of the book that explains how to properly layer the salads to keep the ingredients tasting their best while they are being stored. Also, there are great tips on how to reheat your food in the jars. Even better, the book is filled with beautiful color photos of the salads.


Jason has also been waking up early to eat breakfast before leaving for work. Sometimes I don't wake up early enough to make him a hot meal, but there was a breakfast section in the book that gave me some great ideas for breakfast smoothies that he can make the night before, then grab on his way out the door in the morning. This basic oats and fruit almond milk smoothie was a great base for one of my new favorite breakfast smoothies. It combines 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 1/2 cups plain almond milk, honey, and berry or nuts for topping.


I have taken this recipe a step further and combined frozen strawberries and a handful of walnuts into the mix for a hearty breakfast smoothie to eat on the go.


Strawberry Walnut Breakfast Smoothie


Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cup of plain almond milk (or any milk of your choosing)
2 tbsp honey
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/4 cup walnuts.

Directions:

Combine the rolled oats and milk into a mason jar. Seal, then refrigerate over night.
In the morning, pour contents of the mason jar into a blender. Add in the honey, berries and walnuts. Blend until combined.
Serve immediately.

Mason Jar Salads and More not only has some fabulous recipes to spice up lunch time, but it provides inspiration to create even more salads your family will enjoy!

More about the book:

Author- Julie Mirabella
144 pages
ISBN Number-  978-1-61243-289-2
Published by Ulysses Press, May 2014

Mason Jar Salads and More can be purchased at Amazon, as well as most major book sellers nationwide.


*Disclosure- I received the above mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was provided. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items. 





39 comments:

  1. That sounds awesome. I am all for smoothies in the mornings because I don't like a big breakfast.

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  2. Looks like all the essentials there indeed

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  3. those are lovely! I sometimes use those jars to put my own cake mix in them, tie a bow and use them as a present. Some flour, some brown sugar, baking powder, grind hazelnuts... and a lil' paper on the jar saying - mix this with a cup of oil and two cups of yoghurt and bake :)

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    1. Dezzy, you need to move closer to me so I can be on the receiving end of your mason jar cakes :) They sound fabulous!

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  4. Those sound great. My favorite thing about them though is how they look! Those are 'purty.'

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  5. We have experimented with a couple of those in the past and liked them. My husband pretty much always eats the same thing for lunch every work day, though, and likes it that way. He eats raw spinach with a little bit of cheese on it, an orange, yogurt, and either another fruit or a little cup of applesauce. I would be bored with that, but it works for him.

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    1. Well, I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it, as the saying goes lol. Some people really like to stick to routine, and your hubs sounds like one of them :)

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  6. I keep hearing about mason jar salads. I need to get a new blender. Ours broke and I haven't been able to make smoothies for months!

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  7. Mason jars are my obsession right now! I have been putting anything and everything I can in them. Love the idea of using them for salads. Great for meal prepping for the week.

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  8. Add this to the list of things you can do with a Mason Jar. Love it!

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  9. Love having smoothies. Interesting twist with the nuts.

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  10. I love a good salad made with spinach. Looks super cute in the jar!

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  11. I've been seeing more and more meals in jars. I think they look so pretty!

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  12. Salads in jars are so popular. I can't wait to try this smoothie!

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  13. we LOVE smoothies at our house! I can't wait to make the Strawberry Walnut Breakfast Smoothie, it looks so so yummy!!!!

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  14. I love how colorful the jar salads are! And they transport to work nicely too!

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  15. I make smoothies for my son several times a week. Occasionally, I also drink them. It's an easy way to make sure he's getting fruit and certain vitamins!

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  16. That cookbook sounds wonderful. They just look so darn impressive, don't they? Your smoothie looks darn delicious too.

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  17. Anything in a mason jar is just flat out better than the same thing on a plate! Thanks for the breakfast smoothie recipe.

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  18. I'm seeing more and more of these mason jar salads. Hmm, I think I'll have to try oats and walnuts in my next smoothie.

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  19. Those look like some fun recipes. And so cute in the Mason Jars.

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  20. These look so tasty and easy. I will be making these for my lunch.

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  21. I was just wondering what I was going to have for breakfast this morning. That smoothie has my name on it.

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  22. Mason Jar salads sound like such an amazing idea! My mother-in-law would love the strawberry an walnut smoothie.

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  23. I love mason jar recipes. I love smoothies in the mornings but I'm also a fan of yogurt, fruit and granola breakfast parfaits. I have tons of mason jars so I could make some up for the week, and keep refrigerated! That way, they're ready to go!

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  24. I love everything about this post ! I just did some jar recipes on my site this week for picnics or take-alongs. I have seen that cookbook and have wondered if it was worth it. It was in my review feed from the publisher a few weeks back. Should have snagged it. I love overnight oats and your smoothie is delish looking, too Chrystal@ YUMeating.com

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  25. Bravo to your hubby! Mine is on the same deal right now, cycling and juicing, and we are also making mason jar salads for his lunches!

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  26. I love all the meal in a jar ideas that I am seeing! Going to have to try a few of them out soon - especially this smoothie!

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  27. I love meal in a jar recipes. These are great ideas!

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  28. I'd love to try jars for my salads next time around. It seems so easy!

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  29. Your smoothie looks DELICIOUS!!!! I leave so early in the morning that a blender doesn't fit into my week day schedule, but certainly a treat on the weekends.

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  30. This is a great idea. So portable and fresh!

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  31. Ok, I'm starting to see a lot of jar salads and I'm thinking it's time for me to try my hand at one. They look pretty easy and that's just what I like.

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  32. I really think I should try the salad in a jar! Looks like a great way to meal prep!

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  33. Jar salads are so pretty. They would be great for picknicking!

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  34. I love those jars and that smoothie recipe I just have to give a try. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. I'd use them for salads!

    We actually use small mason jars to put water in and keep them in the box they come in for our trips. We have to refill them every day. This year there was a mishap that I'll blog about soon, we had to talk to a park trooper, and he asked what was in the jars? I hope he didn't think anything too odd was in them. It seriously was just water.

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  36. What an awesome idea!!! This is a great way to save some $ too!

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Thanks for your comments! I appreciate every one of them :) Except promotional posts with added links. Those will be deleted.

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