"Mangocado" Ribbon Salad! GF, V, SCD & Paleo!

Hey Happy Tummies!!

I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, I promise!

Things have just been suuuuuper busy around here! I’m actually writing a book!! :D

I won’t get into too much detail, but I’ve just been devoting all my spare time to working on that…soooo that’s why I’ve been a bit absent.

So let’s just dive right back in, shall we!?

I’ve been to Sundance, Florida, and Cincinnati since I’ve last seen you lovelies. Sooo, I think I’ll just do a quick recap.

So Sundance. I go every year with my family to do some skiing, spa-ing, and of course, taking in some great films!

I had a fantastic time. It was especially fun this year because my little niece was with us! She brings so much joy and life to our family. What. A. Cutie.

I thought I’d share some highlights.

Let’s start with the Spa:)

We went to the Spa at the Stein Eriksen Lodge. It was just phenomenal. If you’ve never treated yourself to a trip to the spa, consider this your personal invitation!

It was so beautiful. The “relaxation room” had a roaring stone and wood fireplace with sweeping views of the mountain. Rustically fabulous. And there were all different kinds of hot teas and little nibbles to enjoy while you wait for your massage.

What. A. Treat.

Afterwards, my sister-in-laws and my mom and I went to the Stein’s restaurant and had cocktails and fondue. :D

Next: the Skiing.

What can I say, Deer Valley really is the best place to ski. They’re one of the only ski resorts that don’t allow snow boarders! It’s a very relaxed and tranquil atmosphere. We skied for 5 days. Incredible.

Now for the best part: the DINING!

My goodness, where to begin? Probably my favorite place we ate was at the Seafood Buffet. 

First, let me preface this by saying that my family consists of “big eaters:” I’ve got 2 older brothers and a dad, who are all over 6 feet, athletic, and fit as a whistle. Park City’s restaurants, although fabulous and 5 star, leave them still hungry. And there’s nothing more frustrating to the menfolk than paying out the nose for an itty bitty amount of food, and then leaving hungry. Plus, my diet is rather particular, so I end up getting basically a boring salad with oil and vinegar. No thanks. SOOO, my family has discovered the Seafood Buffet. 

It is amazing. Now, you’re probably thinking about a Golden Corral….nope! This is a gourmet buffet. It’s at midmountain, and every evening the ski resort transforms the lodge into a 5 star restaurant brimming with fresh seafood, sushi, salads, and desserts. Yes, your eyes are not tricking you, that is a buffet of fresh king crab legs! WOW!

I mean, that is a VAT of CLARIFIED BUTTER, people. 

But what my family loves best about this place is that it is nearly ALL gluten free! There were only one or two sauces that weren’t gluten free. So we were in Heaven.

My favorite dishes were the gorgeous salad with pecans and cranberries, the seared-to-order ahi tuna, and of course, the king crab legs. It was the dinner that dreams are made of :) hehe

We also saw some great films and did some shopping...for crazy sunglasses :)

Alright, that’s enough about Sundance. Onto today's recipe!

Guys, hang onto your hats, because this is a winner!

Allow me to present my latest obsession. Literally, you guys, I eat this all. the. time.

Introducing my “Mangocado” Ribbon Salad!

(See what I did there??) Mango + Avocado = Mangocado  Hey hey hey!

OK, I’m a nerd, moving on.

But seriously this was so delicious and healthy. Ribbons of carrots and crunchy veggies, smothered in a sweet and creamy dressing. A perfect ten.

Here’s what you need: (Serves 2)

Salad:

3 carrots, spiralized. (I used multicolored carrots – orange, yellow, and purple)
1 zucchini, spiralized
1 red pepper, sliced thin
1 cucumber, spiralized

Garnish:

3 Tbsp fresh cilantro, minced

pistachios

Creamy Dressing:
1 Avocado
1 Mango
Juice of ½ a lime

2 tsp fresh grated ginger

This recipe couldn’t be easier. Cut your veggies into ribbons, using either a spiralizer, mandolin, potato peeler, or sharp knife. I used a spiralizer. Put them in a large bowl.

Place your dressing ingredients into the food processor. Process until smooth. It will be thick.

Toss your ribbons with the dressing. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and pistachios.

Devour.

My goodness, you guys. This. Dish. Rocks. You see, I’m kinda a stickler for salad dressings. I guess you could say, I’m a snob. Because, I don’t like when they add artificial this and presevative-laden that to it. I just like real ingredients – things I’m able to pronounce. Well, let me tell you, this dressing couldn’t get any more wholesome if you tried!

It is so incredible. Rich. Thick. Creamy. Buttery. Sweet. Gingery. I could go on and on. I seriously could probably drink it, to be honest! But this dressing, smothered over the cold, crunchy veggies was just aweeesomeee! And then the salty crunch of the pistachios and the bright, fresh kick of cilantro at the end really put it over the top.

And the colors! My, oh my. It was like spring had sprung on my plate. The orange and purple and green and yellow. It was just so pretty. I knew, just from looking at it, that my taste buds were in for a treat.

Make this dish. You will become a believer of the dream team: Mango and Avocado. Or as I like to refer to them: Combo Dombo – Combination Domination.

See ya tomorrow!