Candied Pecans

Candied pecans are super easy to make and an amazing addition to any salad ... especially the strawberry spinach salad I posted earlier.



Candied Pecans

• 1/4 to 1/2 C pecan halves
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp water

Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer until the syrupy liquid is completely dissolved (about 10 minutes). Be sure to pay attention, though! You do NOT want to burn the sugar!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 27 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories  118 Calories from Fat  87

% Daily Value*

Total Fat  9.7g 15%

Saturated Fat  0.8g 4%

Cholesterol  0mg 0%

Sodium  0mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates  8.2g 3%

Dietary Fiber  1.3g 5%

Sugars  6.8g

Protein  1.2g

Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 1% • Iron 2%

Nutrition Grade C+

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• No cholesterol
• Very low in sodium
• High in manganese

Bad points

• High in sugar

Strawberry Spinach Salad

This strawberry spinach salad with chicken was super yummy. We loved it! We cooked the chicken in and topped the salad with THIS homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
• 4 C spinach
• 1/2 pint strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 C candied pecans
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing

Cook the chicken breast meat in a skillet over medium heat with 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette. Cook and stir until the chicken is fully cooked, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

Place the spinach in a salad bowl; scatter the strawberries and pecans over the spinach. Add chicken and toss with 2 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing. 

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 277 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 421 Calories from Fat 269

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 29.8g 46%

Saturated Fat 3.3g 17%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 54mg 18%

Sodium 198mg 8%

Total Carbohydrates 16.9g 6%

Dietary Fiber 4.4g 18%

Sugars 8.1g

Protein 23.8g

Vitamin A 113% • Vitamin C 116% Calcium 9% • Iron 17%

Nutrition Grade B+

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Low in sodium
• High in manganese
• Very high in vitamin A
• Very high in vitamin C

The nutrition facts are based two servings -- as a main dish. 

We had some leftover spinach and strawberries, so I candied a few more pecans and omitted the chicken for a scrumptious side salad to go with our Herb Roasted Pork Loin and Potatoes. Without the chicken and as service for four, the nutrition facts are: 

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 89 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 83 Calories from Fat 55

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6.1g 9%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 50mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 7.0g 2%

Dietary Fiber 2.2g 9%

Sugars 3.3g

Protein 1.8g

Vitamin A 56% • Vitamin C 58% Calcium 4% • Iron 6%

Nutrition Grade A

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• No cholesterol
• High in dietary fiber
• Very high in manganese
• High in magnesium
• Very high in vitamin A
• Very high in vitamin C

Balsamic Vinaigrette

This very easy and very tasty balsamic vinaigrette recipe is from HERE. I used it to cook the chicken and dress the salad posted HERE. Enjoy!

Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 1/4 C balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp chopped garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 C extra virgin olive oil 

Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the sugar, garlic, salt and pepper. Add the oil by droplets, whisking constantly.  

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 15 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 93 Calories from Fat 91

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 10.1g 16%

Saturated Fat 1.4g 7%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 74mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates 0.6g 0%

Protein 0.0g

Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% • Iron 1%

Nutrition Grade D-

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• No cholesterol
• Low in sugar

Taco Salad Bowl

This is my own version of a taco salad ... and it's surprisingly healthy and delicious! This is our go-to meal when we're short on time. It's also very filling.

• 2 whole wheat tortillas
• 3 C romaine lettuce, shredded
• 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 C salsa
• 2 tsp Ranch dressing
• 1/4 C cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1/8 tsp chicken bouillon

Heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute garlic and onion until they begin to brown. Stir in black beans and chicken bouillon and cook until thoroughly heated.

Press each tortilla into a large cereal or soup bowl. Add 1 1/2 C lettuce to each bowl. Split the beans, onion and garlic between the two bowls. Top with cheese, avocado, tomato, salsa and ranch.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 570 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 635 Calories from Fat 278

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 30.9g 48%

Saturated Fat 6.5g 32%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 16mg 5%

Sodium 1212mg 50%

Total Carbohydrates 80.0g 27%

Dietary Fiber 22.5g 90%

Sugars 7.6g

Protein 23.6g

Vitamin A 21% • Vitamin C 34% Calcium 30% • Iron 40%

Nutrition Grade B

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Low in cholesterol
• High in dietary fiber