It’s Friday. You’re at the end of your week. Maybe you’re at the end of your rope…
I don’t know about you, but by Friday I am tired of cooking. I am ready for the weekend, ready to relax, ready for a little more fun and a little less work.
“I work so hard; I live so fast.” – Josh Wilson, Before the Morning
I’ll also admit I am trying to be present, to enjoy each moment of each day of each stage that I am in, but that’s often easier said than done. Yet even as I type these words, Needtobreathe reminds me:
“Ain’t no gift like the present tense.”
So while we are trying to be present, trying to enjoy this day for all it has to offer, for all God has to show us, how about a quick, easy, healthy, and festive fall salad for your Friday!
fall fig salad
I love Trader Joes. I spend about half what I would at Whole Foods (granted, they don’t have every item I might need, but I try to do the bulk of my grocery shopping there). And I love how festive they are in the fall with all their specials and promotions… And so much pumpkin!
Trader Joe’s Fig Butter is a great way to add some fall flavor to spice up a simple salad. And now that I just mentioned it, you could totally use Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter in place of the fig butter if that strikes your fall fancy!
Okay, for the salad: All you need (and all of this can be bought at Trader Joes!)
- lettuce (whatever kind you like)
- grilled chicken (I had some left over, but you could even get Trader Joe’s brand “just chicken strips”)
- dried cranberries (Trader Joes has great organic dried cranberries)
- figs
- avocado
And for the dressing?
- Olive oil
- Lime
- Trader Joes Fig Butter
- Trader Joes 21 seasoning
All you do:
- Throw your salad fixins into/onto a plate/bowl (dice your figs)
- Take a separate smaller dish/bowl and just eyeball the dressing fixins (obviously slice and squeeze your lime); toss with a fork
- Drizzle dressing over salad
Sit down. Slow down. Savor this salad. Savor this day. And savor this season.
Whether you’re going out for a dinner date tonight or have plans for pizza and wine on the couch with a friend (guys, don’t think we don’t know that applies to you, too!), this salad will tide you over without spoiling a “better” meal to come. Yet it’s so delicious, hopefully it will help you enjoy the present moment in spite of anticipation for what’s to come.
“I recognized that by rushing through life, I’d been subtly devaluing those around me and the experiences I was involved in…” – Priscilla Shirer
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” – Psalm 34:8
“In the stillness you are there.” – Chris Tomlin, In The Secret
Happy and healthy fall, y’all.
