Mason Jar Salads - Saving Time and Eating Healthy



Mason Jar Salads - Spinach/Kale was added later

Why do I make Mason Jar Salads?

I have started to make Mason Jar Salads for my dinner every night.  I like the fact that it is convenient and there is no effort required on my part (other than preparing them) when I am hungry.  This has been a great time-saver for me and has allowed me to stay on track.  Instead of eating a frozen commercialised meal, I can grab one of my salads and be confident that I have made a healthier choice.

Worried about soggy greens?

The basic idea when packing salads in jars is to start with the heaviest and most non-absorbent ingredients with the dressing on the bottom of the jar and work your way up through the lighter ingredients until you end up with the salad greens themselves. As long as your jar doesn't accidentally tip over you in your bag, the delicate greens will be well-protected from the dressing until you're ready to eat.

Photo Courtesy of Food Matters

How does everything get mixed together?

When you're ready to eat your salad, just shake everything together to coat your vegetables and then unscrew the cap and shake it into a bowl.  I prefer to use a fork to ensure that all of my delicious vegetables make arrive at their destination (my plate)! If you prefer, and once the salad is on your plate or in a bowl, you can toss it some more with your fork to make sure everything is evenly coated.

What's the best jar to use?

Any canning jar can be used, but wide-mouthed jars are the easiest for both packing the salad into the jars and shaking them out again. Pint-sized jars are great for individual side-salads of mostly greens with just a few "extra" salad toppings. Use 1 litre jars for a generous portion for lunch or dinner, and for salads that contain extra veggies and any other salad goodies, such as nuts, raisins, etc. Any larger jars would be great if you're taking the salad to a potluck or cookout.

How long will jars of salad keep in the fridge?

With the lid sealed tightly, these salads can last for several days in the fridge — I have kept them up to 6 or 7 days. If you're making salads with soft ingredients or perishable proteins, such as avocados, sliced or chopped tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, or even cooked chicken breast, I recommend that you add those perishable proteins on the day that you plan to eat the salad. Although I have never tried this yet, I have heard that vacuum-sealing the salads right after assembling them will keep your greens and veggies even crisper and fresher.

Useful Tips:

• Purchase reusable mason jar lids.  They are plastic, and will keep your refrigerated foods (such as salads), fresh.  You will no longer need to throw away the metal lids and know you are helping the environment at the same time.  I bought mine at Canadian Tire, they come in a box of 8, and will cost you no more than $4.00.
• When transporting your salad, remember that you are carrying a glass container, and be careful when walking on ice sidewalks in the Winter.  (yes, I thought my lunch was going to be ruined after slipping a few times)
• Take time when you are not rushed in order to clean, chop and prepare your salads.  I spend less than an hour creating 6 salads.  That is around 10 minutes for each meal.

Do you make Mason Jar Salads?  If so, what are your favourite combinations?  If not, do you think you would try it out?


To Your Health!


-VitaMikki
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Review - Orange Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Smooth and Silky Until...

I decided to try one of the recipes that I received in the Savour Recipe Book (page 194) that accompanied my Vitamix Blender.  Let me tell you, when it was freshly made, it was amazing!  I love the taste and it had a smooth and silky texture.

Orange Vinaigrette - Photo by VitaMikki

Orange Vinaigrette, courtesy of the Savor Recipe Booklet, by Vitamix

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (60ml) rice wine vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 medium oranges (peeled), halved
• 4 scallions, halved
• 2 Tablespoons (25g) sugar (I used coconut sugar)
• 1 large jalapeno, seeds and membranes removed

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Smoothies program.
3. Press Start.
4. Allow machine to complete programmed cycle, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.

This takes 10 minutes to make from preparation to finish.  It yields 2 1/4 cups (540ml) of dressing.

Finished Product - Smooth and Silky

After refrigeration, I noticed that the dressing starts to coagulate.  Essentially, I think it starts to gel back together, which doesn`t make it convenient to pour from the storage container.  The portions I have refrigerated can be re-blended and used again as a silky dressing.  As for what is in the bottom of my salad jars, I am not quite sure how to salvage the chickpeas that have been soaking in this dressing without digging them out with a spoon.  Now, i still ate the salad I made for dinner yesterday, and it was still delicious.  I am just adjusting to the texture of the dressing.


I attempted to locate this recipe on the Vitamix website, and was unable to do so.  If anyone out there has some tips on how to keep this vinaigrette from turning into a pudding in the bottom of my salad jars, I want to hear it!

Healthy Cooking!

~Vitamikki
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Tools of the Trade - The kitchen gadgets I cannot live without.

I am a self-admitted gadget freak!  This not only goes for kitchen gadgets, I absolutely love all sorts of gadgets, whether it is the latest and greatest cell phone or another gizmo that I just cannot live without!


The following is a list of gadgets that I use multiple times per day.  There have been occasions where I have considered buying multiples (perhaps I already have?!) of these gadgets in order to have them on hand when I need them instead of waiting for the dishwasher to finish its cycle!

The list of my current all-time favourite kitchen gadgets, in no particular order are:

• Vitamix - I own the Total Nutrition Center 3 in red
• Dry Mix Container is a must for creating Gluten Free flour in a pinch
• Wet Container is shorter, and fits under my cupboards
• I have not experimented with making bread in the Vitamix yet, but once I do, I will share my results with you!
• Kitchenaid Stand Mixer - I own the Custom Mixer in Stainless Steel.  I love using it, and used to make Ice Cream with it until I bought the Vitamix.  I use it for mixing my sweet potatoes with herbs, cookie doughs and my bread dough. I would like to purchase the accessories in order to make pasta and ravioli!
• Zest ’N Press™ Gadget (Tupperware) - I have never been able to squeeze as much juice out of a lemon or a lime than I have with this gadget. It even works with oranges. The best part is knowing that I will never need to fish out another seed from my glass or bowl!
• Tupperware® SmartSteamer (Tupperware) - All steamed vegetables make their way in here.  I put spices or lemon juice in the water that steams my veggies.  Of course, you can even steam fish or chicken in the bottom layer and use the top one for veggies!  All this in a matter of minutes in the microwave.  This has been a real time saver for me and the family.
• FridgeSmart® Containers (Tupperware) - These containers can double or triple the shelf-life of your fruits and vegetables, as long as you properly store them (unwashed) in these containers.  My favourite storage items to store are berries and fresh herbs.  These last for weeks in the FridgeSmart containers!
• Quick Chef® Pro System (Tupperware) - Before I owned the Vitamix, I used this gadget to dice all my vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini, onions, and herbs!  I still use it to make my salsa and guacamole.  I like the fact that it is powered by human strength and not electricity.  It is an excellent tool to use while you are camping too, not to mention that you can hook the kids into helping you.  They love turning the handle, that is, until the figure out they are actually working!  :) 
• Silicone Spatula - I actually own four of these, and I cannot imagine going without a decent quality spatula. 

I use a lot of Tupperware.  I grew up with a mother who used Tupperware.  For me, it brings back a lot of memories of cooking or parties my parents had when I was younger.  The lifetime guarantee makes this a worthwhile investment for me.  I do not work for or sell Tupperware.  If you are interested in researching any of the Tupperware I mentioned above please go here.


There are so many more gadgets out there.  The non kitchen gadget I use the most, other than my cellphone, is my iPad.  I generally have all of my recipes in a digital form, and refer to them on my iPad while I am cooking.  I also enjoy watching a few episodes of my favourite shows while I cook too!


I would really like to try some of the alternatives to the products I have listed above.  I will continue to keep an eye out for new gadgets to throw into the mix!  If you have some kitchen gadgets you would like to share, please leave your comments below!


Until the next time,


VitaMikki
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Introduction....

Hello,


My name is Mikki, and I have created this blog in order to share my experience eating clean foods that are nutrient dense and gluten free. 


I was recently diagnosed with a gluten intolerance with a potential for a lactose intolerance/allergy.  I have always been a foodie, and have loved to eat and prepare foods.  Little did I know, that most of the foods I had been eating were slowly making me feel sick or ill.


On January 3, 2014, I decided to make a life change.  I started to juice, which is making fresh pressed juice (I used as much organic produce as possible) on a reboot, which I learnt about here, and after 10 days, I slowly reintroduced healthy clean foods backs into my diet. I started vlogging my struggles on my iPad, and will consider posting them online for all of you to see! 


I am now eating whole foods, unprocessed or refined and I feel amazing!  I am here to share my story, recipes and struggles with you, the reader, and hopefully inspire you to incorporate healthy, whole foods into your diet as well!


I have chosen VitaMikki as my blog, as the kitchen appliance I use the most, although it is not the only tool I rely on, is my Vitamix.  It has changed the way I prepare many of my foods and has made a difference in my clean-eating lifestyle!


I am not a health practitioner, nor am I, or anyone in my family, employed in the health food industry.  I am just one woman taking control of her health, one sip (or bite) at a time. Most of my education regarding these subjects have been self-taught, through reading books, articles, and speaking with health professionals.


I hope you enjoy the posts!


VitaMikki
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