Simple Vegan Spinach Salad

In my early days of blogging, I'd post a lot of salads here. They definitely weren't the prettiest things you've ever seen, but they were/are super delicious and easy to make.Back then, I didn't really care what my photos looked like - I was just trying to figure out this whole blogging world that was so new to me!

Years later, most of what you see here is dessert. This is partly because I love making healthy desserts but also (largely) because I find them much easier to photograph!! It's sooo much easier to make some healthy cookie dough look appetizing than it is to make a giant bowl of kale look like you're ready to just dive right on in, mouth first!

In this world of blogging, I've come to learn that in order to get people to click to your website and look at your material, you have to have some pretty darn good photos to draw them in.

I certainly am not a photographer (although I'm learning every day!!), and my expertise is in creating healthy and easy recipes that will help people along their weight loss/wellness journeys just like they have helped me during mine!

So I've been feeling a little conflicted lately because yes, I share things on this website that I ACTUALLY eat, but really I am not eating brownies and cookies and peanut butter cake bars all day! But they are pretty darn sexy, don't you think?

Anywho, I eat TONS of salads and vegetables on a daily basis. As in, TONS. I loooove zucchini and celery for crunching on all day long (just add some spices like garlic powder, salt, and pepper (maybe a dash of cayenne if you're feelin' spicy) and you're good to go!), and I make at least one HUMONGOUS salad (like, eaten out of a large mixing bowl) every day. Sometimes two.

​So that all being said, I'm starting to face my fear of photographing more of my savory/day-to-day dishes so that I can be able to share with more of you what I really eat, love, and believe in!

But I really do eat brownies or something like that every day, too (multiple times), and I believe that the feeling of indulging when you really aren't is one of the keys to my long-term weight loss success!!!

So I guess what I've been sharing here with y'all for the most part is just one aspect of my whole weight loss/maintenance philosophy. Eat what you LOVE and definitely eat (healthy) cake and cookies anytime you feel like it, BUT ALSO include nourishing meals that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber to balance out that sweet tooth. That second part is the part I've kind of left out here in the recent years... but it's making a comeback, folks! So stay tuned.

Thank you all for being with me on this amazing life journey! I am so excited for how this blog will be evolving over the next few years and for all that is ahead for us. Thank you for being here, friends!

Cost per serving: $1.16
Calories per serving: 176
Equipment you'll need: small mixing bowl, large mixing bowl

Ingredients: makes 4 servings
6 cups spinach
1/2 small red onion, sliced
3 ounces extra firm tofu, crumbled
1/2 cup pecans
1/3 cup raisins
sprinkle of goji berries (optional)​For the dressing:
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp water
6 drops Lakanto Liquid Monkfruit Sweetener* (use discount code "Annie" for 20% off!)

*Or other liquid sweetener of choice, to taste

Method:
​1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients together.
2. Combine all salad ingredients in large mixing bowl, pour dressing on top, and toss. 

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