mandarin almond salad with a sweet vinaigrette [recipe]

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It's a new year and with the new year comes reflections and goals.  I'm not going to say that my resolution for 2015 is to eat healthier because resolutions have such a negative connotation.  Instead I create goals.  This year my goal is to definitely be a healthier person.

I love salads and I love sweet fruit.  Today I'm sharing with you one of my favorite salads.  I'm making it low-cal by substituting the sugar in the vinaigrette with Truvia Baking Blend sweetener.  I chose the baking blend Truvia because it has the consistency of sugar.  Truvia Baking Blend has 75% fewer calories than sugar.  You can also use Truvia Natural Sweetener which is a finer consistency and is a zero calorie sweetener!  If you'd like to try a sample of Truvia before purchasing visit Truvia http://truvia.com/freesample.

I drink a lot of coffee.  Probably too much... (is a full pot a day too much? haha!)  Another goal for 2015 that I have is to drink more water and substitute a lot of my coffee consumption with Green Tea.  Green Tea has a lot of health benefits.  My favorite Green Tea is by Bigelow.  I'm really enjoying having a hot cup of Green Tea in the morning lightly sweetened with Truvia.  

I purchased my Truvia at Target.  You can find it in the baking isle with the oils and sugars.  You can save 10% on your purchase of any package of Truvia Natural Sweetener, Truvia Baking Blend, or Truvia Brown Sugar with Target Cartwheel.  Cartwheel is a fantastic way to save money at Target!  If you're not signed up you can do so at http://cartwheel.target.com or download the Cartwheel mobile app!  Whenever I shop at Target, I pull up Cartwheel on my phone before I enter the store.  

I also picked up my Bigelow Green Tea at Target.  You can find it in the tea & coffee section.  I love the large selection of Bigelow tea.  They have a wide variety of teas.  You can get a coupon for .55 off at http://www.thecouponbooksavings.com/.

||Ingredients||

1 Tbsp of Truvia Sweetener: I chose the baking blend

1 can of Mandarin Oranges

1/2 red onion diced

1/2 c slivered almonds

1/4 c of real bacon bits

1/2 c white vinegar

1 c olive or vegetable oil

lettuce of your choice: I used organic butter lettuce

This recipe makes enough to feed several people.  We often make it and take it to pot lucks.  You can add more or less of the bacon bits, almonds, or onion depending on your taste preference.

Mix your oil, vinegar, and Truvia together.  You can use a salad dressing blender like I did, or you can just use a bowl and whisk with a fork.  You want the Truvia to dissolve completely into the oil & vinegar.

In a large bowl, mix all of your ingredients together.  Dish it up and drizzle on your Truvia vinaigrette.  I recommend brewing up some Bigelow Green Tea to have with your salad.  Bigelow Green Tea is refreshing and compliments the salad beautifully!  Of course you can enjoy your Bigelow Green warm, but I like iced tea with my meals.  I love this salad as a side dish to a meal or alone for a light meal.

What are your goals for the new year?

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