Lunch today was a hit that eventually turned into a miss.
I made myself a large salad topped with a pouch of salmon, fresh celery, cucumber, mushrooms and salsa.
The salmon was great on its own, as was the salsa.
I bought the White Diamond salsa earlier this week at Publix when I saw that it was buy-one-get-one-free. It claimed to be mild, restaurant-style salsa and looked fantastic. (I can’t wait to use it to make my favorite two-ingredient crock pot salsa chicken!)
I loved the salsa straight out of the container and thought it would make a yummy salad topper. It wasn’t until I was about three-quarters of the way through my salad that I realized that the salmon + salsa combination is not a winning one for me.
I finished my salad, but I think I’ll reserve salsa for salads topped with beans, corn, chicken or turkey.
As I was prepping my salad, I polished off the remaining barley I had stored in the fridge.
(There was more than that left, but I didn’t remember to snap a picture until the last two bites.)
I think I may cook up another batch of barley this evening because I’ve really enjoyed having it on hand. It’s a very versatile grain and delicious to boot!
A Sucker for Surveys
Yesterday Ashley tagged me in a survey that’s popping up on a bunch of blogs and since I’m a sucker for surveys, you know I had to participate! I changed the format a bit, neglecting to share 11 random facts about me because I have a hard time coming up with one fun fact about myself whenever I’m supposed to share an interesting fact with a group. I always draw a blank!
Instead, I answered the questions Ashley included at the end of the survey since guidance and I get along much better than freestyle fact sharing.
I’ve also posted a few of the questions below for you guys to answer as well since I always love learning more about you!
1. Would you rather be an Olympic athlete or win American Idol?
An Olympic athlete, for sure. I really have no desire to be incredibly famous and think Olympic athletes are badass and seem to fly under the fame radar in most cases. I was a diver in high school and think it would be amazing to be an Olympic-caliber diver.
2. If you could live in any US city, which would it be?
I am not sure exactly which city, but I would love to live in North Carolina.
3. What was the first blog you ever read?
4. Would you rather bungee jump or sky dive?
Sky dive. Or sit at home on my couch and be safe. 
5. What was your favorite CD in 7th grade?
Probably La Bouche or Alanis Morissette. Still love ‘em!
6. What is your favorite movie?
Father of the Bride… hence why my dad gave me a pair of wedding sneakers before our big day.
7. Mac or PC?
PC.
8. If you could fly anywhere in the world, free of cost, where would you go?
Australia.
9. Who was your first kiss?
My friend Ryan during my freshman year of high school while “studying” for World Geography. It was a one-time thing and we’re still good friends to this day. He even came to our wedding!
(He’s on the far right above. Totally embarrassing him right now. )
10. Sandwich or salad?
Sandwich.
11. Country music or rap?
Country, baby. Yeehaw! Unless I’m working out, in which case I’d say old-school rap.
Questions for YOU
- Would you rather be an Olympic athlete or win American Idol?
- If you could live in any U.S. city, which would it be?
- Who was your first kiss and how old were you? Are you still friends?
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My sister in law is an Olympic athlete and travels the world and it seems like an amazing job! If I could live anywhere I would probably go back to NYC although there are so many places I would love to live/try out (Austin, DC, San Fran).
Ha, love that Olympic picture!! I would rather be an Olympic athlete over American Idol. Most AIs don’t go on to do much, anyway! If I could live anywhere it would be New York so that I could see all the Broadway shows I wanted. And first kiss…sort of embarrassed to admit this but it was my sophomore year of college. Late bloomer, lol. We’re not friends, but if I ran into him I would still say hi.
I don’t what city exactly, but I would love to live in a quant, small town where everyone knows each other and I can walk everyhwere : ) And I think I’d rather be an Olympic athlete.
I am doing my first giveaway for thinkThin on my blog tomorrow and wondered if you could maybe mention it to your reader? Just thought I’d ask! Thanks!
So cute that your first kiss came from a Ryan and your last kiss will be coming from another Ryan too, seeing as you got him for life! 🙂
Salsa and salmon doesn’t sound too appetizing to me either! But like I always say…I’ll try anything once! 🙂
Though I’m obsessed with living in Chicago, I could definitely handle San Diego or La Jolla, CA. My first kiss? Oh lord don’t remind me…I was 14, on my friend’s basement couch, he was into theater. Enough said.
I’d live in Hawaii for sure. I’d be an Olympic athlete (prob figure skating or gymnastics). And my first kiss was when I was in grade school…..so early to remember!
I too am very picky about where and when I eat salsa–haha! Fish and spicy salsa don’t always agree…
Oh I’ve so been there with the salad thing, not the exact ingredients but definitely where you’ve had too perfectly yummy food items and then you simply try to put them together and it’s just not a go. Not terrible but not the tasty treat you were hoping for either.
As for the shoes, that is the cutest thing ever :-D!
Would you rather be an Olympic athlete or win American Idol? American Idol- I can’t sing and always wish that I could!!
If you could live in any U.S. city, which would it be?- I live in Santa Barbara, Ca now, which is pretty much a dream. I’d like to have a second home in Kauai, HI, though.
Who was your first kiss and how old were you? Are you still friends?- I kissed Rusty, my major crush, on New Years Eve when I was 15 (I was a late bloomer!). I haven’t seen/talked to him in several years, but I just had the most out-of-the-blue dream about him the other night! 🙂
I idolized Olympic gymnasts when I was younger and always dreamt of being one. I even read Dominique Moceanu’s autobiography for a school project!
I’m a warm weather girl, so I’d love to be able to call a place like Florida my home 🙂 or a city in California, or Hawaii…
My first kiss was with my next door neighbor. I can’t even remember how old we were. Last I heard, he got kicked out of the Air Force Academy for drugs. Not to mention, my high school prom date just got charged with a DUI. Wow, I clearly picked winners! I swear they weren’t trouble back in the day. Ha.
1. Olympic Athlete. I have never been athletically gifted, and I think it would be fun to win a medal.
2. Florida. No specific city I just like the fact that it stays fairly warm all year, and that I have family and friends throughout the state.
3. Manny age 14. We are still friends but I haven’t seen him in years since we live much farther away now.
I find it funny that you live in FL and would pick NC to live in, and that I live in NC and would pick FL.
I’m not the biggest fan of salsa and salmon either 🙂
I would like to be an olympic athelete that could sing!!
My first kiss was in the 6th grade and I don’t remember the boys name1~!!
I love fresh restaurant salsa like that….I can not for the life of me find a jar brand I really like! Too bad that combo was a no go!
And if I could live anywhere in the U.S. definitely somewhere warm……I am from Wisconsin and hate the winters!
Definitely Olympic athlete! Track..baby!! I would want to be a world class sprinter…400 meters!
1. American Idol–I am a passionate, yet HORRIBLE singer. It’d be cool to have my ambition match my talent for ONCE.
2. Istanbul — where I live now…i totally seized that one!
3. ugh too awkward to recount.
1. Olympic Athlete for sure!
2. I live in Austin and think it’s the greatest city ever…not sure I’d want to live anywhere else right now.
3. My first kiss was also named Ryan, haha. But he was my 8th grade boyfriend and cant even remember the last time we spoke!
Side note: My favorite movie is also Father of the Bride and I didnt follow your blog at the time of you getting married, so when I clicked on the link today that led to your wedding sneakers I totally teared up. So great!
1. Olympic athlete fa sho! That would be awesome!
2. I love both Chicago and New York, but I think I could do somewhere nice like San Diego, as well.
3. My first kiss wasn’t until my Freshman year of college!…at a random party, with this random guy, and no we are not still friends.
I hate it when one ingredient ruins an entire salad! I’m super picky about my salsa, so I can relate. What a bummer! Also, you’ve inspired me to add barley to my shopping list. I’ve been meaning to try to cook it at home for awhile now…that and wheat berries!
I’d love to be an olympic skiier!!!
I LOVE the FOB movies. My sisters and I can pretty much quote every line from both of them. 🙂 as for your questions to us: 1) Olympic athlete hands down. I swam competitively through college and always thought the olympics would be so cool (didn’t know you dived by the way!! So cool! 🙂 ). Although I would probably rather ski or snowboard in the olympics than swim if we’re talking about dreamin’ here 😉 2) US city would probably be NYC and I’m living here now! 1.5 years in, in fact. 3) First kiss was also freshmen year of HS-we don’t talk anymore though. I love getting to know people questions!
An Olympic medal as it would mean I was in some sense/form of shape/physical fitness!
I would live in Seattle!! (Runner up is Brooklyn – only if I had a great salary to afford to live in a half decent place!)
First guy I kissed kissed me … He was icky. I was 13. (He was 16) He was later arrested for kiddie porn and being a “bad coach” (aka molesting his child athletes … Eeeeeeek)
hilarious! when i first read “salsa and salmon” together, i thought that was a very interesting combination, but ya never know, cuz sometimes those combos work! but not this time i guess 🙂 they can’t all be winners! haha
Yay for Australia! From your Aussie fan
I can’t deny it. I’d definitely rather be an American Idol though I want the body of an Olympic athlete.
I lived in Asheville, North Carolina for 6 years. You’d love it. I would live in Austin, Texas, but I’d probably have to live there before I say that right? I love Atlanta, GA and considered moving there too. Or San Francisco, but that’s too hip for me.
My first kiss was when I was 12 and it was some random guy.
yuck salmon salas sounds horrible
try salmon and cream cheese/dill
p.s. love the survey. happy friday!
Oooh, salsa is my favorite salad dressing…but definitely doesn’t go well with salmon 🙂
I still absolutely LOVE that your Dad gave you those shoes before your wedding. I think it is one of the sweetest gifts I have ever seen.
My first kiss was in 8th grade and now I’m out of college and we are still best friends! It’s always a good laugh to talk about that kiss.
Would you rather be an Olympic athlete or win American Idol? – I would NEVER be either, lol. But I agree with you and I’ll say athlete.
If you could live in any U.S. city, which would it be? – I really like my hometown. I was born and raised here. I may travel all around, but I never want to leave Oregon.
Who was your first kiss and how old were you? Are you still friends? – Okay, now I’m going to sound SUPER lame, but I was 18.5 when I had my first kiss. And it wasn’t even going to happen then, but I finally went out on a date with a guy and I think I blurted out “aren’t you going to kiss me?” at the end. He turned out to be a major jerk too. I should have just kept waiting!
North Carolina does seem like a cool place to live. It’s beautiful. I’m thinking about going to college there actually–probably Wake Forest or UNC Chapel Hill, or maybe Duke. Haven’t been to any of those yet though!
I LOVE FATHER OF THE BRIDE. Do you watch it like every other month when it’s on ABC Family too?
Also agree with the sandwich over salad. I can’t go a day without eating bread.
literally laughed out loud to the diver with your face on it 🙂
OMG I just tried the White Diamond Salsa! Too Yummy! Not with Salmon of course. 🙂 I think I found a new favorite Thanks for the Heads up. Oh and for anyone who’s looking its in the produce…
All you need to make music is a computer and a beat making program.
DUBturbo covers all genres you can think of such as rap,
hip hop, reggae, rock, metal, and more. If you haven’t started using samples in your music yet, then maybe you would like to start.