Fresh Summer Salad

So 21 days ago I started a series of fum summer things to do with your kids.... 

I posted 2 activities and then there were crickets.... 

I am SO sorry! We moved to Tennessee a year ago and were renting a great little house. Well, about the time of my last post, our landlords came to tell us they sold their house quicker than intended (they lived behind us) and now needed our house to live in. They had to be out of their house within 30 days, which meant, yep, another move for us. We frantically searched for a new place (we aren't ready to buy just yet) and then moved little by little over the next week. It's been insane. My garage looks like an episode of "Hoarders." Then it took 2 weeks for our internet company to transfer service. Ugh!! But that trial has passed.... we are in our new place, LOVE it (better than the other one!), in a great neighborhood full of kids and great people. Things always happen quickly for us- maybe now they'll slow down for a bit?? hmmm.... probably not. 

Anyhow- I will be back soon with the fun kids ideas. 

As soon I can find the box that held all the stuff.... 

But for today I have a recipe for you. A simple, fresh summer salad.  

My sister in law made this for us a few weeks ago and I haven't been able to stop eating it. I know she didn't "invent" it, but since she was the first to introduce it to me, I give her the credit. 

It's super simple and soooo healthy. You can eat the whole bowl and just feel happy. 

All you need is fresh spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, and fresh blueberries (I wouldn't go frozen on either fruit). Then my sis in law also adds a bunch of candied pecans. I couldn't find the kind she used, so I bought honey roasted pecans and also tried some butter toffee glazed almonds. They are each in resealable packages and I found them in the produce aisle. Granted, you don't "have" to add these, I guess the sugared part isn't really considered "healthy," but for this salad, it just makes it, you know?

Now, my sis in law used a poppyseed dressing. I'm not a dressing person, at ALL. In fact I'm the person who eats every salad dry while everyone is looking at me like I'm a weirdo. Maybe I am, but I've never tried a dressing that I liked. It always ruined the salad for me. That is until..... my mom made me try this one. 

White Balsamic and Citrus Vinaigrette. Oh me oh my. It's sooooooo good! So now I'm a reformed dressing snob. This slight zest of citrus goes perfectly with this salad. My mom couldn't find it where she lives in Georgia (she bought/ tried it the last time she was here), and I've had a hard time finding it too. But this morning I found it at my local Kroger, in the dressings that are in the produce aisle (as opposed to the regular aisles). 

Anyhow- if you need a quick salad for lunch, dinner (I had it for both today), a baby shower, or whatever- try this out! 

I promise, you won't be disappointed!