Finding Healthy w/ Friends

It's hard traveling and always finding good, healthy, wholesome foods.  Surprisingly most Americans don't care about the food they ingest on a daily basis, and obesity continues to plague our society.  More on that another day...

Right now I want to praise my friends who do seek health, and who help me out by finding things that we can all eat and enjoy together!  Recently in our travels we were in Texas and we stayed with Jordan's good friends from high school who have now become my good friends.  (Seriously, they're awesome!)  Brooksie contacted me before we got in to town and wanted to plan out some meals.  She ran some ideas by me, and then asked if I had any input.  That totally made my day that she would be so kind and considerate, and I was pumped for us to share a kitchen together.

So here's my favorite meal from the week:

Asian Noodle Salad

She discovered the recipe from Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman and it is definitely one to add to the books!  My goodness.  The dressing used on this salad is absolutely to die for.  I couldn't get over how good this meal was, and I wanted to eat it for days.  And I did because it made so much!  You have to include this into your next meal plan.  I promise, you won't regret it.  

Recipe:

Ingredients

• SALAD INGREDIENTS:
• 1 package Linguine Noodles, Cooked, Rinsed, And Cooled
• ½ heads Sliced Napa Cabbage, Or More To Taste
• ½ heads Sliced Purple Cabbage, Or More To Taste
• ½ bags Baby Spinach, Or More To Taste
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Sliced Thin
• 1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper, Sliced Thin
• 1 whole Orange Bell Pepper, Thinly Sliced
• 1 bag Bean Sprouts (also Called Mung Bean Sprouts)
• Chopped Cilantro, Up To 1 Bunch, To Taste
• 3 whole Scallions, Sliced
• 3 whole Cucumbers Peeled And Sliced
• 1 can (about 10 Oz.) Whole Cashews, Lightly Toasted In Skillet
• _____
• FOR THE DRESSING:
• 1 whole Lime, Juiced
• 8 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 8 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons (up To 3 Tablespoons) Sesame Oil
• ⅓ cups Brown Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Fresh Ginger Chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic Chopped
• 2 whole Hot Peppers Or Jalapenos, Chopped
• Chopped Cilantro

Preparation Instructions

Mix salad ingredients together. Whisk dressing ingredients together and pour over salad. Mix with tongs or hands and serve on a platter.

Note: dressing keeps for up to three days before serving, without cilantro.

And there you have it!  Easy peasy!

It's amazing what friends can do!