Fig, goat cheese + asparagus salad

It’s dance week at work. I always get so excited for dance week because we offer extra classes, taught by professional choreographers and dancers that come stay at the resort, and have a little recital so the guests can perform what they’ve learned. The dance fitness instructors always do a number, too, (this time it’s hip hop!) and usually a Zumba dance. 

Since the Pilot was home this morning, I got to go in for a hip hop class and it was amaaaazing.

Hip hop

Gotta love an early morning booty shake and fun workout.

Since it’s dance week, I’ll be practicing the instructor dances during our lunch breaks and have to be extra prepared with what I bring in to eat. We’ll be moving a lot and chances are that I won’t be able to rush home if I’m hungry or forget something.

Liv and I finally made a TJs stop,

Flowers 4

(weekly flowers)

and I was really excited to use these beautiful organic figs:

Figs

Figs have been pretty new to me since I started blogging. I always knew about (and loved) Fig Newtons and dried figs but didn’t taste a fresh fig for the first time until recently. They have a rich, sweet taste, but I’ve found they go bad quickly and that I still can’t really tell how fresh they are when I buy them. (It’s kind of like an eggplant.. I inspect it and make sure there are no bruises or weird spots, but other than that, I have no idea what I’m doing.)

Figs 2

My first thought was to bust out some raw fig tarts, but since I’ve done that already, I thought I’d incorporate them as a sweet addition to my favorite lunch staple: salad.

Figs 5

I quartered them and baked with chopped asparagus, sea salt and olive oil, at 375* for 20 minutes,

Figs 3

added some greens, goat cheese, balsamic…

Figs 4

Fresh figs alone are amazing, but heated up? Like candy.

I packed up a version with quinoa to take for lunch tomorrow. Packed snacks plan:

breakfast cookie

smoothie

pack of deli meat

an apple

I hope you’re having a wonderful night! Off to film this week’s Tabata video.

See ya in the morning.

xoxo

Gina

New on the Family page: Thoughts from the week + an easy, mess-free art idea

Something to read: Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect. <– an incredible read, especially if, like me, it’s something you’ve dealt with <3

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42 Comments

  1. Leslie W on August 21, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    It was Zumba night here, and the instructors let me take a shot at leading. I’m getting antsy to get certified. Was really fun! I still haven’t had figs. They look so good! Dance Week? How can that be bad? 😀

  2. Sarah on August 21, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    I made fig salad tonight as well! It was my first time making it and holy guacamole it was delish! I got my recipe from Iowa girl eats…http://iowagirleats.com/2012/08/14/fig-frico-prosciutto-salad/
    I like your spin on it and will def. be trying soon:)

    Glad you found your doggie!

  3. Angela on August 21, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    I just grilled my first eggplant tonight. After looking at recipes I settled for a quick staple. Slice eggplant and put in ziploc, add EVOO, salt and pepper and grill about 7 min each side. Easy-peesie and delish:)

    • Fitnessista on August 22, 2012 at 1:06 am

      that sounds wonderful- i love eggplant

  4. Sarabell on August 21, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    Gina, have you ever heard of Bountiful Baskets? I used to live in Flagstaff and Prescott AZ so I know Arizona does it. Basically, you sign up for a basket (about a laundry basket size) of fruits and vegetables (they offer conventional and organic) and get a great variety of produce, always WAY more than you could get in the store for the same price. I think I once got figs, back when the only vegetable I knew was broccoliandcheese (it’s a green vegetable with a strange yellow goop slopped on top) but thought they were plums than had gone bad and threw them out!
    Any ways, I learn all kinds of new produce through them and absolutely love them so thought I’d tell you about them since you reminded me of it!

    • Fitnessista on August 22, 2012 at 1:06 am

      thank you, i haven’t! i’ll look into it now

  5. Natalie @ FreshLifeFindings on August 21, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    I have yet to try figs! They are so pretty 🙂 I love hip hop classes! Dancing to upbeat music is always the best cardio 🙂

  6. Ashley on August 21, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    Buying figs tomorrow for one of the doughnut-book recipes. Accompanied by goat cheese… 🙂

    • Fitnessista on August 22, 2012 at 1:05 am

      wait, what did you say? you need a taste tester?! ohhh ok!

  7. Marissa@ohhhsolovely on August 21, 2012 at 10:41 pm

    i absolutely love figs & have gotten them quite a few times this summer! there are a couple of posts on my blog involving figs.

  8. Lacey @ Life Hands You Limes on August 21, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    mmmm I love figs!! The best way I use to tell if they are ripe or not is by feeling them. The heavier they are, and squishier (in a juicy way, not a pillow-y way) then generally the riper and sweeter they are. Also, mission black figs tend to be the sweetest (IMO). I may or may not have been known to empty a basket of figs at whole foods and then re-fill it with the ripest ones I can find from the other baskets 😉

  9. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles on August 21, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    I’ve never tried a fresh fig before – this seems like an awesome way to introduce myself to one!

  10. Averie @ Averie Cooks on August 21, 2012 at 11:32 pm

    figs are like beets to me – when roasted they just get sweeter and even more amazing – like nature’s candy!

    and like eggplant or watermelon, figuring out how ripe (or not) they are – is always a little mystery to me too.

  11. Irene on August 21, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    You are spot on with your link and thoughts today Gina! The article on perfectionism was exactly what I need to read tonight. Thank you! PS: if you figs look like they are about to turn on you, dry them and make another salad with pecans or walnuts, goat cheese, greens and balsamic vinaigrette. A local restaurant in my town serves that salad (I add chicken to make it a meal) and it is so good!

    • Fitnessista on August 22, 2012 at 1:03 am

      amazing- that sounds soooo good!

  12. Jaime on August 21, 2012 at 11:49 pm

    Try this: grill halved figs, and put on a piece of fancy toast with goat cheese and a little drizzle of honey

    • Fitnessista on August 22, 2012 at 1:02 am

      dude. i’m on it.

  13. Bella on August 22, 2012 at 1:15 am

    Figs are a favorite of mine, and I grew up eating them, but I like your spin on them with this salad. I’m wondering what other combination could be used instead of asparagus, since it’s not in season right now. Maybe just arugula or something like that?

    • Fitnessista on August 22, 2012 at 1:28 am

      arugula would be lovely

  14. Michelle @ Eat Move Balance on August 22, 2012 at 5:09 am

    I never know how to use figs! I always see them at the store, pick ’em up, think they feel funny, and put them back! lol. maybe I’ll give it try this week. 🙂

  15. Bek @ Crave on August 22, 2012 at 5:15 am

    I’ve never tried a fig before! What fruit does it remind you of in terms or taste and texture?

  16. Jeni on August 22, 2012 at 6:59 am

    That article was so great! Thanks for linking to it. I am so guilty of constantly striving for perfection, and it’s so true what it says- my very favorite people in this world are beautifully and unabashedly flawed!

  17. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness on August 22, 2012 at 7:19 am

    That salad looks amazing! I’ve never tried a fig before but I’m thinking I need to get on that!

  18. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on August 22, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Haha figs are a mystery to me too! Also I hate how they’re so hard to find around my neck of the woods. I’ve only seen them in my grocery store once this summer! 😛

  19. Kristen on August 22, 2012 at 7:38 am

    My parents have a fig tree and just over the weekend I went to visit them. I was so excited about the figs only to find out that my dad had just given away two buckets of them the day before! NOOO!!!
    I was so very sad 🙁
    I enjoy putting them on homemade pizza: Very light sauce of garlic, evoo, and butter + precuto + sliced figs + goat cheese. Top with fresh arugala. Very yummy!

  20. Anne on August 22, 2012 at 8:05 am

    Figs are newer to me too but immediately became one of my top 10 favorite foods!

    There are seriously few things better than grilled figs with a balsamic reduction, so good!

    Now if only they werent so expensive!

  21. Shelly on August 22, 2012 at 8:31 am

    I love figs! Try stuffing them with goat cheese, drizzling with olive oil, putting them on skewers, and grilling them for a few minutes to get the cheese all melty. It’s amazing!

  22. Chelsea @ Dine & Dash Diaries on August 22, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Jealous! The TJs in Des Moines was out of figs last night. PS – Have you seen Iowa Girl Eats’ fig salad?

    http://iowagirleats.com/2012/08/14/fig-frico-prosciutto-salad/

    The Frico looks interesting!

  23. Rachel @ The Mallory Report on August 22, 2012 at 9:32 am

    That salad looks great! I just recently started trying figs (in forms other than Fig Newtons) too. My husband and I were on vacation in Ocracoke Island, NC, last weekend and there is a retired woman there who collects figs from the entire island to make fig cakes (they’re kind of like spice cakes) and preserves to sell throughout the year. Definitely not as healthy as the salad that you made, but they were delicious!

  24. Ali @ Peaches and Football on August 22, 2012 at 9:48 am

    I’ve never bought figs before – haven’t ever even seen them in the grocery store. They are one of the fruits (like pomegranates) that never make their way around here. One day though 🙂

  25. Danielle on August 22, 2012 at 9:59 am

    have you tried this date shake? http://lainbloom.blogspot.com/2011/09/webisode-date-shake.html, I bet you would be able to sub the dates for your fresh figs with an equally delicious outcome!! 🙂

    • Britt on August 22, 2012 at 6:58 pm

      I really want to try this!!!! I am allergic to dates but I might substitute the dates with figs!

  26. Chelsa on August 22, 2012 at 10:20 am

    I am so looking for figs at the grocery store today. I never ever see fresh ones but maybe I’ll get lucky.

  27. Jennifer on August 22, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Yum! That salad looks sooooo good!

  28. Rachel on August 22, 2012 at 11:14 am

    I’ve actually never had a fig, this salad looks good!

  29. Paige @ Your Trainer Paige on August 22, 2012 at 11:18 am

    Figs and goat cheese are a match made in heaven, right? 🙂
    Have a good dance week! Sounds like some fun!

  30. Liz @ Southern Charm on August 22, 2012 at 11:23 am

    NEVER thought to heat up figs. I have to try this … tonight!

  31. Beverly Aragon on August 22, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    Holy yum! That salad looks amazing.

  32. Ando on August 22, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    I really love this blog! And holy hot fig salad, it looks delish! xo!

  33. Britt on August 22, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Just found out that I have something to do EVERY zumba night this week!!!!!!!!!! I am so dissapointed! My next zumba night is Friday and I was just asked to go bowling that night! I can’t say no to bowling because I want to go to Zumba! But with my group of friends we almost always get a game of frisbe goin in the parking lot. So that should be a good workout as I try not to hit cars and try to hit my friends! (we are teenagers. what do you expect!)

  34. Diana on August 22, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Figs are one of my favorite fruits. This salad looks delicious!

  35. Gina @HealthLoveandChocolate on August 23, 2012 at 12:29 am

    This salad looks so good! Figs and goat cheese are a great combo. I definitely felt the same way when I first discovered fresh figs a couple years ago, they really do taste like candy!

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