I got these in the mail last week from Earthbound Farm.
As a lover of greens, this was a BIG deal. Organic, too!
The funny thing is, usually I’m super anal picky about my salad ingredients. 99% of the time I prefer making my own and I definitely shy away from conventional dressings.
But I guess that makes Earthbound Farm’s powermeals the exception.
The salad comes with a packet of mix-ins separate from the lettuce…which (as you can see) are all individually wrapped.
Since I had made enchiladas the previous night, I decided to have a mexi-themed salad alongside it. Enter tomatillo black bean protein energy powermeal.
From left to right: sunflower seeds, black bean & corn mix, 5 grain corn strips, and tomatillo soy cilantro dressing.
I didn’t even bother fancying it up in a bowl, I just added everything to the plastic tub it came in…
Shake ‘n bake baby.
Like I said before, it’s really not like me to embrace processed dressings and toppings, but I just decided to give Earthbound Farm a chance to show me what they got goin’ on.
Winner!
I was so pleased with the combo of everything. All the components were delicious, especially the dressing! The subtle flavors added – but didn’t overpower – the rest of the salad and the ratio of ingredients was perfect.
I don’t care that the term “powermeal” is a bit gimmicky. I don’t care that I didn’t make the dressing myself . I don’t care that the corn tortilla strips are basically glorified tortilla chips. I don’t care that the black bean mix is little more than an upgraded salsa.
What I care about is how delicious it was. And how it took 2 minutes to “make.” And how the entire salad was considered one serving. And how it was vegan and gluten free. And how it was packed with fiber and protein and healthy fats and didn’t cause me any GI distress.
I will definitely be adding these to my grocery list more regularly. And you should too. It’s effortless deliciousness.
Have you ever bought all-in-one salad mixes? What did you think?
I’ve bought salads, but never salad mixes. Maybe that’s something to add to my NaNeFoMo bucket list???
I don’t really like the idea of prepackaged salads for a couple reasons. 1. It’s way cheaper to make your own at the beginning of the week for grab and go, and 2. I don’t like the environmental impact!
Oh how I wish they sold these over here! I love making my own salads though, it’s so much more fun + better to customise your own.
This looks like quite a tasty salad kit!
I only have one experience buying one of those things–in high school I bought a chicken caesar kit and opened it up to find lettuce that was slightly wilted with brown edges, the rubberiest chicken ever, and some sort of substance that I would hardly call cheese. I have never bought anything of the sort since!!
I definitely prefer making my own salads and mixing and matching my toppings!
We have nothing so amazing as those salads in the UK, but there is a local Deli that does a gorgeous hummus/olive/sun-dried tomato salad that I’m pretty much addicted to. I’ve just finished one right now, as it happens. I really should make my own, but somehow they just don’t taste the same (even if it’s psychosomatic!)
That’s great that they’ve got your seal of approval! They look awesome for people w/ little time to make stuff like that on their own.
dang i need to get up on those. they look awesome!
I’ve never bought the prepackaged salad kits just because I’ve never seen an organic one. All of the ones I’ve seen seem to have kind of sketchy ingredients–especially in the dressing! I will have to keep my eyes peeled for these! 🙂
No fair! You’re showing pictures of those enchiladas again and see no recipe. You tease 🙂
Those salads sound really cool. I, too, don’t like pre-made stuff when it comes to salads especially given all the packaging involved but these sound really good when in a pinch. How is it that you have such a crazy busy schedule and yet you’re still able to pack and bring all your lunches from home? That rocks!
That salad looks delicious. I am going to have to look for that at my grocery stores…
I’ve never seen these before! They look amazing. I never buy pre-packaged salad mixes because I always wind up just using the lettuce and tossing the ready-made toppings. But, that definitely wouldn’t be the case with these!
I’ll have to keep an eye out for them. 🙂
I haven’t seen these! I always like to have one or two convenience items on hand for those occasions that I just can’t get it together in the morning. This looks like a great option — so glad you posted about it!
Wow. That is VERY cool. Have not seen these yet!
Oh wow, that tomatillo dressing sounds awesome! I’ve never tried any of the premade salad mixes before…like you, I tend to be pretty anal about my add-ins…as in I like a little salad with my toppings! 😉
I am definitely a fan of anything that makes meals easier! Do you know how much they generally run?
I kinda love bagged salads, as silly as that is. I love how all the ingredients go together so well, and the prep is so easy. These look great and I love that they are organic.
nah, not into buying packaged stuff… too much plastic and the varieties available are very very average here.
Ooooh this looks SUPER convenient!! Wonder how much they cost. If I could buy these things at BJs….I think I would be ONE happy girl.
It’s funny, I saw those in the store but got confused because I couldn’t figure out where the add in’s were. I thought it was just overpriced lettuce!
Looks like a great grab when I forget to pack my lunch!
that was my only complaint with the product actually. soooo much plastic!
i dont know actually. next time im at the store ill check to let you know.
for me, its worth the time commitment.
recipe is coming soon! promise 🙂
i feel the same way though…there are salads at whole foods that i KNOW i could make but for some reason mine dont taste as good even with all the same ingreds. its missing some element…like magic.
ew. that would prob ruin it for me too…
i agree, the amount of plastic wrap was obscene – it was the one negative thing i have to say about the product.
interesting. Im not a fan of odd ingredients in my salad. Or dressing really. I think it would be neat if they made ones that already had chopped veggies in it. Maybe some steamed/roasted squash. That would be exciting.
Those power meals look incredible! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
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