Make life easier and prepare these easy, healthy salads ahead of time!
Ok, I will admit I was hesitant about this whole mason jar salad trend. I just didn’t get it. What’s the point in putting a whole salad in a mason jar? And wouldn’t it be hard to eat out of a narrow mason jar? That’s when I learned that you don’t actually eat it out of the jar, you just store it there. AHA! Now THAT makes sense!
Well, when I visited the ALDI Test Kitchen in Chicago last month, I was part of the “Build A Better Salad Challenge” using mason jars and lots of healthy ingredients. I was like a deer in head lights. I had no clue where to begin.
That’s when I learned that there is a method to this mason jar craze. You start at the bottom and put the dressing there. Next, you add some hard vegetables that won’t get soggy laying in the dressing. You know, this is where my red bell peppers were. Next, you add soft fruits and vegetables (avocados and berries). Then we layer protein, like hard boiled eggs, chicken and beans. Last, you add your greens and of course I couldn’t resist adding chia seeds on top!
I decided to just make a salad that I would want to eat. A nice big, healthy salad that’s packed with flavor. We all created our favorite salads and Tara Gidus, R.D. and Chef Brigitte Nguyen were the judges. I never thought I had a chance. But will get back to the competition in a bit.
Before we created these salads, we tried lots of healthy snacks from ALDI exclusive brands. Check this out…
We didn’t try them all, but we tried a bunch of them! We started with a taste test of ALDI Premium Orange Juice and the major competitor. I chose the ALDI brand! We did many other taste tests and they we were lucky enough to enjoy some delicious food.
Look at these!
Chef Brigitte made us these delicious Sweet Potato Patties (upper right hand corner on the board). They were packed with flavor and protein! Then on the bottom left, Chef Brigitte made us Tuna Hummus Stuffed Peppers (in the most adorable little tiny peppers!) And last, we had a yummy Shrimp Quinoa dish. Full disclosure I did not eat the shrimp but the quinoa was phenomenal!
Then above it to the left was this delicious and super easy Ranch Dip and then my favorite, a Tropical Chai Pudding!
In between trying all of these delicious foods, Tara Gidus, R.D., who co-hosts national television shows and is the Registered Dietician for Orlando Magic basketball team as well as Run Disney, shared an informative presentation on how to make healthy snack choices, eating fiber rich carbs at each meal and how to properly stay hydrated. These were so up my alley!
I love that Tara called snacks “the bridge to the next meal”, meaning that they aren’t supposed to fill you up, but simply tide you over until your next meal. Tara also shared some of her favorite (and mine too!) low glycemic snacks (meaning that they don’t spike your blood sugar levels too high after eating). These were Greek yogurt and berries, frozen grapes and carrots and hummus. Just like I tell my clients, these should only bee 100-200 calories per snack.
Next we talked about how important it is to eat fiber rich carbohydrates with each meal. Not only do they improve blood sugar levels, but they are a great source of energy. Some sources are brown rice, 100% whole wheat pasta, quinoa and beans. All of which I love! Tara’s talk was super informative and she offered some useful tips.
Then we were lucky enough to test out some of their products and actually had “taste tests” to see which ones we preferred, ALDI brand or a major competitor. It was so interesting! Most of the time I chose the ALDI exclusive-brand product and then they would show us how much less expensive they were. Check out these crackers…
These gluten-free crackers are similar to popular ones out in the big grocery stores. But get this, they are only $1.49! That is so crazy inexpensive and they tasted great too!
Let’s get back to that salad.
So, there was a competition for best healthy salad and guess who won?
ME! I am not exactly sure how I won (and this isn’t the best picture of me) but I was excited to win!
Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad
Ingredients
- For the dressing:
- 4 tablespoons Carlini Olive Oil
- 4 tablespoons Specially Selected Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 small clove garlic crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon Simply Nature Organic Wildflower Honey
- 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill Essentials Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill Essentials Pepper
- 2 tablespoons Southern Grove Chia Seeds
- For the salad:
- 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
- 1/4 avocado chopped
- 1/2 cup mixed berries
- 1 hard boiled GoldHen Large Egg chopped
- 1 ounce Kirkwood Chicken chopped
- 1/4 cup Dakota's Pride Great Northern White beans
- 2 cups SimplyNature Organic Baby spinach
- Southern Grove Chia seeds for topping
Instructions
-
Prepare dressing by mixing all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
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Pour into mason jar.
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Layer ingredients in order written above starting with red bell pepper right after dressing.
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Store in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours until ready to eat!
I bet you are wondering what I won for the salad competition? I won ALDI gift certficates and guess what? I am giving away another $50 ALDI gift certificate TODAY! All you have to do is comment here and tell me where the closest ALDI store is to you! GOOD LUCK! Sorry but the giveaway is CLOSED! Thanks to all that entered!
Congrats on winning! the salad looks delicious!
Unfortunately, I don’t have an ALDI here near me in CA, but my brother back home in SC does..I’d gift it to him for stuff for his 1st grandkid that is on the way!:)
Thanks for the chance!!
Joey J.
Oh that’s exciting! Good luck Joey (and your brother!)
Wow your salad is beautiful. I’m on a 5-day clean eating and exercise challenge. Perfect timing!! Thankfully there is an Aldi in my town! Woot Woot
Thank you Rhadonda! Good luck 🙂
Ok – great salad, but I love the shirt you have on in the picture. Where?
Oh thank you Joan! It’s from Anthropologie, but I bought it maybe 5 years ago 🙂
The closest Aldi is only a couple miles from me- I’m lucky. It’s one of my favorite stores and I love that they’re expanding their selection of healthy food options.
You are lucky Jessica! I love their healthy food options too!
I have an Aldi about five minutes down the road from my house and I shop there all the time! The very best prices.
That’s awesome you have one so close Andria! Good luck!
I love aldi’s! The closest one to me is in florissant mo!
Thanks Kim and GOOD LUCK!
How great that you won the salad competition! I really enjoy your recipes. We are very lucky to have an Aldi in our town (Lehighton, PA) – I often say I don’t know how we kept to our budget before Aldi. Their products are very high quality, too!
Thank you so much Stacey! And I agree, I love the quality of Aldi’s products and of course their prices!
I’ve been so perplexed by the salad in the jar concept but you’ve swayed me now- Especially with the addition of berries- Yum!
Trust me Arman, I was hesitant too! Now I love them 🙂
Okay, adorable salads!!
This salad sounds amazing. I have yet to use the mason jar method but I know it’s happening soon.
I love making salads in mason jars! They’re so easy to prepare and have ready in my fridge! I can just grab one and off to work I go!
I need to start making these more often Angie!
I love how quick and easy this is!
Thank you!
My ALDI is just a couple miles away. I’m very blessed.
You really are Pam! Thanks for stopping by!
Congrats on winning!! I have to also admit that I Never knew that this mason jar salad trend was all about but now it all makes sense! This is a gorgeous looking salad.
Thank you Ashley!
I forgot that you won the mason jar contest while we were there Lauren! Such a fun trip. Great post!
It was so great meeting you Ally!
Congratulations on winning the salad competition! So sweet of you to give the certificate away to your readers 🙂
Thank you Meriem! It was so nice to meet you!!
I love this beautiful salad — and of COURSE you deserved to win! So many good things packed into that jar!!!
Love this salad – I did not understand the mason jar salad trend either so thanks for explaining it so well and creating a gorgeous version of it!
WOW this recipe looks fantastic and I cant wait to try it!! So glad you won the competition too 🙂
Aldi’s is great, hope I win the certificate,. Shopping there is fun.
6810 S 27th Street
Oak Creek. WI 53154
I’m new to the mason jar salads and I love them! Yours looks delicious! Love my ALDI!
Thank you Sara!
Congrats on your salad, love the mason jar look!! I’ve been cooking since I was 7 yes7, and love it from Greek food to American and then to any desert you can think of, one my favorite is a three layer cheese cake and no not s graham cracker crust!! Have fun and enjoy! Love your page
Wow that is impressive Leah, since 7 years old?! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Congratulations ..your salad looks amazing..I’m going to give it a try.. what an awesome way to pack lunch for on the go…. I love Aldis ..we now have two and the closest is about 15mins to get to..I’d say 10-15 miles away .. I love in the country.. best of luck to you and I’d love to win aldi certificate for help in feeding my family of 5..:)
Thanks Holly! And I apologize but the giveaway is over. Thank you for stopping by!
Great post, salads are the best light weight food and are healthy and tasty at the same especially which consist of the olives. Everyone should have salad for better control over nutrients