White Bean Tuna Salad

After a Labor Day weekend filled with many indulgences, I decided it was time to crack down on my diet and detox. Yes, I ate pizza and chick fila three times this weekend, drank way too much wine, and gained three pounds(yikes!). At the beginning of the week I normally try to make some sort of salad to have for my lunches during the week. Saves me time with the little one not having to cook or put together a lunch. On Monday, I made this tuna and white bean salad. I have actually made this before, but not since I lived in Charlotte so it has been awhile. The salad was just as good as I remembered it. It is so easy to make and really tastes even better the next day after the flavors have seeped in. It is such a healthy salad, no cheese or dressing, so very diet friendly. If you don't like tuna I think you could substitute canned salmon and this would still be great! I highly recommend you try out this salad, you will have to restrain yourself not to eat the whole bowl.

I would also like to point out, why is it so darn hard to take appetizing pictures of food?? I know my camera sucks big time but this salad honestly looked so much better in person! I don't understand how the peeps at Food and Wine and Bon Appetit get such gorgeous looking pictures of food. Anyways, don't judge my recipes by my poor quality pictures!

WHITE BEAN TUNA SALAD

INGREDIENTS
2 (6-ounce) cans dark meat tuna, packed in olive oil
2 (15-ounce) cans cannelini white beans, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup small capers, nonpareil in brine, drained and rinsed
6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 cups fresh arugula
6 fresh basil leaves

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, add the tuna, reserving the olive oil in a separate small bowl. Break tuna into bite-size pieces with a large fork. Add the beans and capers. Into the bowl of olive oil, add the red wine vinegar. You should have 1 part vinegar to 2 parts oil - add more extra-virgin olive oil if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Pour dressing on the tuna, bean and caper mixture and allow the flavors to infuse while slicing the vegetables. Add the onion and tomatoes to tuna mixture and toss gently.
Place the arugula on large decorative platter and top with tuna mixture. Tear fresh basil leaves over the top and serve immediately

**I used the white albacore tuna packed in water and then just used my own olive oil to make the vinaigrette. I also added more basil than called for because we had an abundance on our basil plant that was about to die. I also didn't use the arugula.**


Print this recipe HERE

Daily Diet + Exercise Plan + Workout Gear

Today I wanted to share a little bit about my current diet and work out plan.  I am always on a mission to tone up and get fit and I feel like I finally have a good routine down.  I am 36 and since I am most likely done having babies I really want to try and be in the best shape I can.  

My goal is to feel good in a bikini next Summer.  I always wear one pieces because I feel too uncomfortable about my body in a two piece and I want to change that.  I am not getting any younger so I want to proudly rock a two piece while I can. 

I recently started doing some one on one training twice a week and I swear 3 weeks in and I can already see small results.  I reached out to my barre teacher Ashley Morris (at Pivotal Fitness) about training me one on one.   She has an amazing body and I love her classes.  They are not typical barre and really challenge you in a good way.   I knew she would hold me accountable and help me see the results I wanted.  If you live locally and are interested in training with her you can email her at chucktownfitchick@gmail.com.  She is amazing and trust me her body is insane- major goals. 

Ashley wanted me to have 5 set workout days.  Some weeks I only make 4 days but 5 is always my goal.  I prefer to knock them out during the week so I can relax on the weekend.  I always workout from 8:30-9:30.  I take Sterling to school around 7 come home and change and get Frances ready for school then head to the gym.  Her school doesn't start til 9:45 so she comes to the gym nursery with me.  That was a huge reason why I joined this gym because of child care.  I am the type of person where if I don't work out first thing in the morning I will make excuses, so I like to get my workouts done early.  Now that I have been going more often I feel like my body actually craves gym time.  I feel so much better on my gym days.  

This is my current schedule:

MONDAY- 1 hour barre class

TUESDAY- 1 hour training session

WEDNESDAY- Red Zone class - this is a boot camp similar to orange theory lots of cardio and circuits

THURSDAY- 1 hour barre or yoga

FRIDAY - 1 hour training session

For our training sessions we do mainly weights and ab work.  I really didn't lift any weights prior to this so I feel like I am starting to get more definition.  We focus all over the body and do leg work, arms, butt and abs.  Either before or after we train she has me to the stair mill for 15 minutes at between a 5-7 pace.  That machine is the devil.  I hate it and I am always so sweaty afterwards but it burns a lot of calories in a short amount of time. 

After 6 weeks I will give you guys an update.  We did some initial measurements and I will be curious to see the results.  So far I have lost 3 pounds and I am feeling more toned, my stomach also feels flatter.  

D I E T 

As far as my diet goes for the most part I eat fairly healthy.   I have really tried to cut out processed foods.  This is really hard for me because I love crackers, gold fish, cereal, if its a snack food and processed you name it and I used to snack on it.   I am getting used to it though and don't crave that stuff like I used to.  On the weekends I give myself a little more leeway.  I am not super strict, I love food so if I have a dinner out I am going to indulge and eat what I want.  

Here is a sample daily diet of what I eat.  Keep in mind I am not a nutritionist this is just me trying to eat healthy and feel good.  Everyone has different bodies and body types so you gotta do what works for you! 

B R E A K F A S T 

I always start the day with hot lemon water.  Followed by one cup black decaf coffee.  My breakfast is usually PB on whole grain toast and a little yogurt. I have been too burned out on eggs to eat them. Ashley said the complex carbs of the multigrain bread and the protein from the yogurt were a good morning combo to eat before I work out.  Since I work out from 8:30-9:30 I usually eat breakfast around 7:30.

After I work out I usually hit up Starbucks.  Probably a bad treat but I love it,  They just opened a drive through Starbucks beside my gym and it is bad news.  I usually get a tall decaf almond milk latte.  I also like a non fat green tea latte.   I have mentioned this before but after I had Frances I gave up most caffeine.  It was making me feel jittery and anxious and I feel so much better without it but I do still love my coffee.  

L U N C H 

I usually try and prep a few salads to have on hand for my lunch during the week although I typically eat lunch out at least one day a week with friends.

This week was No Mayo Broccoli Salad + White Bean Salad

The week before was Greek Salad + Couscous.

Tuna + White Bean Salad and Hummus is another go to lunch.

If I do eat lunch out I try and do a salad.  This week I ate at Taco Boy and had the Chicken Salad.

D I N N E R 

Dinner is a little more of a wild card.  I have been trying to cook healthier on a whole.  A few recent dinners I have had the past few weeks.  

Arugula + Crispy Prosciutto + Blue Cheese + Figs + Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Chopped Kale Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

S N A C K S 

I honestly don't snack much.  If I do it is string cheese, olives or nuts.  

A L C O H O L + B E V E R A G E S 

Yes,  I still have alcohol.  I would rather cut back on calories during the day to allow for a glass or two of wine at night.  As far as other beverages go I only drink water, sparkling water or unsweet tea during the day.  

F A V O R I T E  W O R K O U T  G E A R

Nikes

I bought these Nikes over the Summer and love them.  They are the TR 6 OC Training ones.  They are light weight and work perfectly for the exercises I have been doing. 

I have this black color, they are 20% off right now.

30% here in several colors

My two favorite workout pants are both high waisted.  After two kids I need all the help I can get sucking it in.  I highly recommend both of these.  Sizing wise I wear a small in the Zella ones and a 6 in the Lululemon ones.  

Zella High Waisted  | in a full length version

Lululemon High Rise Pants

These are a bit more expensive but I promise you worth every penny.  These make me feel like a million bucks when I have them on,  The material is fantastic and they really suck you in and are so flattering.

Sculpt Tank

I love this top because it is not too fitted and it has the cutest back.  I own this in a few colors.  

I am wearing it here in navy., paired with the black lulu pants and nikes above. 

Side Slit Tank

I have mentioned before but I prefer tops that are not super fitted when I workout.  I love this style.  The cotton is so soft, I usually wear this for barre classes.

Also in pink, black and white

Twist Front Tee

This is great to toss on over any workout tank.  It is so soft too!  I have the black but I am thinking of getting another color. 

Define Jacket

This is my favorite jacket to toss on when it is cold.  I find it is super flattering.  I am wearing a size 6. 

Yoga Mat

This was a Christmas gift last year and I love it!  I like to bring my own mat for barre and yoga.

Also available in several other patterns HERE

Wild Salmon + White Bean Salad

This meal came about this week as a way to clean out our pantry.  I am trying hard not to go to the grocery store everyday to save money and work with what we have on hand.  This salad knocked my socks off, I loved it.  It was so fresh and light. Plus it took less than 10 minutes to make.   I used canned  Wild Alaskan Salmon, which I love, but if you don't like Salmon you could sub tuna or if you want it totally vegetarian you could add Cauliflower or another type of bean to hearty it up.  I assembled it and then just tossed together right before dinner.  

Enjoy!

|| W I L D  S A L M O N + W H I T E  B E A N  S A L A D ||

- 1 can Wild Alaskan Salmon (make sure it is the boneless kind)

- 1 can Great White Northern Beans (drained and rinsed)

- 1/2 cup diced cherry tomatoes

- 2 sliced green onions

- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

2 tablespoons capers 

|| M U S T A R D   V I N I A G R E T T E ||

- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

- 2-3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

- 1/4 cup olive oil

- salt and pepper

Mix together dressing and set aside.  Assemble Salad.  Add as much or as little dressing as you like.  Best served at room temperature.

Thoughts For Thursday

Lots of random stuff today:)

I started some one on one training at the gym this week.  In addition to my regular classes I am going to do 2 1 hour training sessions each week.  My goal is to firm and tone up and to be able to wear a 2 piece next Summer.  I always feel more comfortable in one pieces and want to feel that way in a bikini as well.   We took some initial measurements so in about 4 weeks I will try and share what we have been doing and if it works!

This workout tank is a favorite style of mine because it is not fitted- the back is super cute too!  

Tank | Leggings | Shoes

Yesterday I took the kids to the Legare Pumpkin Farm on John's Island.  I had not been to this one before.  The kids loved it, they were able to go in the pumpkin patch and pick their own pumpkins, do a hayride and then play on a playground there.  

I promise Frances had fun contrary to this face.

The pigs chasing the hayride kind of freaked me out.  I just kept thinking about bacon and how they were mad I ate it!

We brought Sterling's friend Oliver with us.  Such Cuties.

I am wearing the tee I mentioned Tuesday.

Tee Shirt | Necklace | Jeans | Sunglasses

Lunch this week : Tuna + White Bean Salad and Hummus.

I just got two new cookbooks to add to my ever growing collection and both are awesome.  I own every single Ina Garten cookbook and I can promise you her recipes never disappoint.   Skinny Taste is a new find,  I have made several recipes of hers and they are always easy and tasty.

Cooking for Jeffery | Skinny Taste

I bought this green blouse a few months ago and it sold out quickly but is now back in stock.

I am wearing a size small.  

Peplum Blouse 

I have been in the mood to bake this week and made Smitten Kitchen's Pumpkin Muffins.  They are always a hit. They are especially great drizzled with honey.

A recent outfit picked out by Frances Moon.  I have stopped trying to argue with her and just let her rock what she wants to.

Fur vest | Tutu | Shoes

Loft is having a major sweater sale and 3 of my favorites are part of it. 

Vest- now only $35

I can't tell you how often I wear this vest.  It is not super cold in Charleston yet so I just toss it on over a tee shirt.  My mom and sister ordered it too they loved mine so much.  I am wearing a small.

also comes in gray.

Rib Trim Sweater- now $27

This comes in several other colors but I am sucker for blush.  I am wearing a size small. 

Cowl Neck Tunic- now $29

I am wearing a small in this also.  It is super soft.  

I frequently get asked about my favorite wines and this rose is hands down one of my favorites and only $10!

Have a great Thursday:0  This made me chuckle!