I got a brand spankin’ new camera and I’m FAH-REAKING out. !!!
It’s been sitting in a box in my room staring at me with those sad little puppy eyes since graduation. I decided that I wouldn’t let myself play with it until after I passed the RD exam since I desperately needed to focus on studying. So why the new photography gear? Well, other than the fact that I’m weirdly obsessed with food and taking pictures of food, I also really, really, really want to take my blog to the next level. And let’s be real…you and you and you and you all eat with your peepers. I swear, those paleo pancakes could taste like eggy cardboard but as long as the gorgeous pictures make you drool, all is well in the blog world! Sad but true, my friends. Now that I’m back from Europe, I’m more ready than ever to make this bloggy boo the best in can be, starting with the pics!
Better pictures. Better ingredients. Papa John’s.
But really, though. Did I mention that we ate Papa John’s pizza at 2am in Ireland no less than a week ago? It was a proud, proud moment. We yelled at the European boys about their yucky cigarette habit while stuffing our faces with mediocre American pizza. It was tragic and oh so beautiful.
I mean I don’t know what’s better, this toasty cheesy bowl of salad greatness or the fact that I can finally actually make out the little balls of quinoa in the uber clear pictures! I always thought my pictures were okay, but seeing what I can do with a legit camera before even editing is just leaps and bounds above what my good old iPhone is capable of.
I still know nothing about this camera. Thank God I have some fabulous friends (ahem Davida and Autumn) who can give me tutorials! For now, all you get is close up pictures of blueberry salad in yo face.
Today’s theme is all about clarity. Lettuce clear our bodies with salad greens because all we’ve (I’ve) eaten in the past few weeks are baguettes the size of my arm. Lettuce take allllll the clear pictures– ones that I don’t have to spend half my day editing. Lettuce plant face into a punnet of blueberries to boost our brain power. Major antioxidants are going on in this ensalada, people.
Clear your mind and bod and most importantly, clear your plate! This salad makes that pretty damn easy.
Fork to face and repeat.
- ¾ cup blueberries
- 3½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp pure maple syrup
- Dash of salt
- Heaping ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 4 cups mixed greens (arugula would be good too!)
- ½ cup cooked quinoa
- ⅓ of a red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 3-4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
- Salt and pepper
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Place pecans on a baking sheet and roast for 6-8 minutes, or until light brown and toasty.
- To assemble the salad, toss together greens, quinoa, onion, blueberries, goat cheese and pecans. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with dressing and serve.
This is my kind of salad. Blueberries, pecans and goats cheese – in love.
Pictures look beautiful 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Holiday and Technology Break
Thanks, doll! I’ve been all over the fruity salads lately.
That is the only reason I’m pretending to be besties with Davs…..to take advantage of her…..photography skills.
I don’t really like quinoa that much but I’d call it my fav for the goats cheese
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Niki Failed Paleo- Week 1
SAMESIES. Goat cheese all day err day (minus the keen-wa).
I’ve always thought you take the best damn iPhone photos around, but you are going to have a blast with your new camera. You probably already have it off of auto mode because you are a super star! 😉 (That took me like, 2 years or something crazy, by the way….)
I could not love the ingredients in this salad more! Blueberries+goat cheese+PECANS! (why don’t I use pecans more??)+quinoa? I’m in! Can’t wait to throw this one together for a perfect lunch!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} recently posted…Summer Squash Noodle Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Hahah thanks, Maryea! I am experimenting with manual–you would laugh if you saw my photo set up! Now I just really need to delve into photo shop…
Eeeeek I love this. This could easily become my newest salad obsession. I can see it now. Salad for days. With bloobs. Love your papa john’s ingredient. Also I’ve been obsessed with goat cheese like I want to adopt a goat just to have goat cheese at my disposal (also goats are pretty cute if they’re little… do miniature goats make cheese?).
Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted…Being Okay With Being Single [Guest Post]
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Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted…Being Okay With Being Single [Guest Post]
Salad for days with bloobs–amen, sister! If adopting a mini goat means infinite goat cheese, I’m SO in!
I love salads like this, especially when there is goat cheese involved!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted…A Long Overdue Update
Agreed, my friend!
yayy for the new camera..and this salad is calling me name.
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted…Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles (Vegan)
I’m inserting all of the party emojis riiiiiight here! I’m so happy for you and your new acquisition! You’re going to be attached to that camera like it’s the only thing you’ve ever owned. I swear…life…changer!!
The Poppa John’s thing…True story: When I was in interlaken, Switzerland, some gals from my hostel and I went to Hooters (HOOTERS!!) and ordered “nachos”, which consisted of a basket of Dorritos with a side dish of salsa. This is how I learned to not seek American food in Europe.
I’m SO happy you’re home, my dear! I’ve been enjoying all your photos. And this salad?! Stuffitinmyface!
Julia recently posted…Boozy Roasted Cherry Dark Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream (vegan)
OMG….doritos?! That’s insane! Not even any fake nacho cheese or anything?! FAIL. Thanks for the sweet camera words! I may just be recruiting your for advice in the near future 🙂
Beautiful photos!! Davs has the best photography tips… loveee her. I pinned this recipe based on name and initial photo along, but how can you go wrong with blueberries, pecans, quinoa and goat cheese? Answer, you can’t.
Cassie recently posted…Guest Posting at Nutty For Life
You legit can’t go wrong with goat cheese. Ever.
I read every word of this post! You defy all odds in this crazy blog world, great writing AND great pictures. W-I-N-N-I-N-G.
Shall we discuss the time I cried because after a night at a Berlin club we RAN to McDs only to discover we got there before it opened. We sat on the steps from 5-6am just so I could get some french fries. Oh so shameful. I need to eat this salad just to make up for it.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven recently posted…25 Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes in Under 30 Minutes!
Stawwwwwppppp. But OMG. That’s a beyond epic story! I like you even more now and I didn’t think that was even possible.
Loving your pictures with the new camera! You have so much self-discipline to wait until after your exam to play with it 🙂 I don’t see how this salad could get any better… all my favorite salad things!
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} recently posted…Stuffed Avocados with Crunchy Asian Cabbage Slaw
ALLLLLLL the best salad things 🙂
Look at youuuu and your gorgeous pictures! You’re trying to tell me that you only just started practicing with your fancy new cam?! Then I can’t even imagine how good you’re going to be in a couple of months! And heck.freaking.YES to blueberries in ALL things 😀
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #88 .
Awww thanks honey buns! I cant wait to keep practicing!
These pictures look great! I’m having the same problems with my blog – it’s hard to take it to the next level when I’m taking pictures with a point and shoot camera. I’ve been trying to use my DLSR camera (a hand me down from my dad) more, but I’m finding it really hard. Looks like you’re a natural though!!
Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Wheat berry salad with tomatoes and basil
Thanks girl!! It just takes lots of practice 🙂
New cameras are the BEST! Like, the best. Sometimes I think my camera is my BFF. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I cook and take photos and all is right in the world. Congrats on your new toy!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) recently posted…Happy Weight Series:Improving Body Confidence
Thanks a bunch, Alex! I seriously want t sit around and play with it all day long.
I just found this blog and this is my second recipe! I loved the kale quinoa salad. Unfortunatly I was forced to modify as my darling children ate every last blueberry. Nonetheless I used strawberries and it was delicious. So glad I found you and looking forward to making my next dish!
Love your modifications!