Fresh Spring Nicoise Salad 

The mere thought of spring is inspiration enough to start eating lighter foods. Let's kick off the season with a salad that eats like a

meal! Sliced potatoes, green beans, hard boiled eggs and tuna start it off, followed by my famous lemon/dill dressing.

Salad

1 large head of Romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

4 medium gold or red potatoes. boiled and sliced 

4 hard boiled eggs, quartered 

1 sliced vine-ripened tomato

20 Kalamata olives, sliced in half

1/2 lb green beans, blanched

2 cans no-salt tuna fish, strained and flaked 

*Bring eggs to boil in cold water. Once boiling, remove from heat and cover, let sit for 15 minutes, then run under cold water. Wait 5 minutes before peeling.

*Boil potatoes 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.

*Boil green beans 3 minutes. Remove and drop in ice bath.

Jill's Famous Lemon Dill Dressing

1 lemon, well juiced                             1/4 tsp honey 

1 heaping tsp dijon mustard                1/2 tsp dried dill 

1/4c white balsamic vinegar                 1/8 tsp xanthum gum 

2 T olive oil

1/4 tsp salt 

*Combine all ingredients EXCEPT for xanthum gum. Sprinkle xanthum over top of dressing and whisk well to thicken. More may be added for desired consistency. 

Toss lettuce in dressing, reserving some to drizzle over top. Arrange all topping and finish with more dressing and frsh ground pepper. 

Your Fitness Routine and Vacation?   

Spring is high time for vacations. Does your fitness routine come with you on vacation, or do you convince yourself it's a great time to take a break? Unless you've been training like an Olympic athlete for the past series of months, chance are you may still want to keep your routine in place while on holiday. It's tough enough to transition back into our normal routine after being away. Keeping our fitness in check may help with the transition AND help to keep your immune system high. Follow these easy steps to help stay motivated.  

1. Plan an active vacation: A day of biking along the beach or hiking in a nearby State Park. Research the opportunities your spot has to offer. Enjoy the scenery on your feet, not just from the car! 
2. Consider the benefits to your vacation diet: You know you eat better when you're staying active!! With all the temptations around on vacation, you'll be more apt to keep your nutrition in check with daily exercise.
3. Do it early and just do it!: Wake up and go. Grab your shoes and hit the road for a power walk or run. Locate a coffee shop 2 miles away and make it your morning reward. You'll be more likely to do it in the morning, and guaranteed you won't be disappointed you did.  
4. Give yourself a vacation exercise goal: You don't necessarily have to stick with your exact routine, as something is better than nothing.  However, shoot for at least 50% of your normal routine. 
5. Use vacation as an excuse to try something new: Have you always wanted to try hot yoga, but didn't have the time? Have you wanted to learn to surf, but don't have the ocean accessible? Vacation is the perfect time to cross off some bucket list items, and get some great exercise in the meantime.
6. Book hotels with an exercise facility or a gym nearby: Do your research, then do your time. If you're vacationing with the family, trade off mornings with your spouse so each of you can enjoy some solo exercise time. Watch the news from the treadmill!