Orzo Salad with Mushrooms and Feta

Maybe it's because it is summertime, but for whatever reason I have been craving pasta salad lately.

 Unfortunately, pasta isn't the lowest calorie dish.  The other week for lunch I decided to make a pasta salad with a combination or orzo and chopped, steamed cauliflower.  It gave me enough pasta to satisfy my craving, and the cauliflower gave it the added bulk, without the calories.  Feta cheese and sauteed baby bella mushrooms provided the protein, while cucumbers and green pepper provided the crunch.





Orzo Salad with Mushrooms and Feta

4 oz orzo pasta
1 pound cauliflower florets, steamed and chopped
1 cucumber seeded and chopped
1 green bell pepper seeded and chopped
8 oz baby bella mushrooms
4 Tablespoons Feta cheese
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette (I used Ken's)

Cook pasta according to package directions and steam cauliflower until tender.

While they are cooking heat the olive oil in a skillet and saute the mushrooms.  When mushrooms, cauliflower and pasta are cooked and allowed to cool, combine all of the ingredients except the Feta cheese.  I ended up using 4 Tablespoons of the vinaigrette, but you can use more.  Top with Feta cheese.

Summer Dresses - Halter Swing Dress

With the weight loss (which is a post for another day), I can finally wear dresses confidently.  So this year I been on the lookout for nice summery dresses.  One of the styles that I'm really liking is the Swing Dress, especially ones that are a halter bodice.

One of the things that is great about this style of dress is that it can be casual pared with a flat or even flip flops, it can be dressy with heals, and with the addition of a cardigan, it would be great for the office.

The other great thing about these dresses is that you can find them at various price points.

I came across this one at Anthropologie.  I really love the color of it.

Anthropologie Swiss Dot Halter Dress

Another one that I like, and actually the one that I bought is this one from Old Navy.

Old Navy Halter Swing Dress for Women

It's very similar to the first one, but at a much better price, which is great if you want to shop the trend, but don't have a huge budget to work with.