Happy New Year!
I hope you got to kick off 2013 with good food, great company and a bit of movement.
It was a rainy day here, but that didn’t stop my buddy May and I from meeting up. We kicked off the 5 by the 5th Virtual Run series by doing our 5k as the tempo portion of our run. Just 12 days until marathon day… but who’s counting. 
I loved the tweets, Facebook photos, Instagram pics, and messages from many of you as you kicked off the series as well. I love the range of participants- walkers, new runners, seasoned and competitive runners… and I’m excited to see the progress throughout these next few months.
It’s Wednesday, so I’m linking up again with Jenn for What I ate Wednesday: New Year’s day edition, as well as Munchkin Meals with Brittany on Thursday (L will be 3 in a few weeks!).
Because of the rain, we had a lazy day at home. We spent the day cleaning up Christmas decorations and preparing dinner for friends. Daddy was in charge of breakfast while I went running, and we all had quick, easy lunches.
[Breakfast: Oats with blueberries, pears and chia for everyone; 2nd Breakfast for me: Scrambled eggs with feta and avocado; Lunch: Toast "pizza" for L, Avocado Tuna Salad over greens for me + Kombucha (my first!); Snack: Cashews and raisins + dark chocolate chips, clementine+ string cheese for L]
The Avocado Tuna Salad is something I’ve been making a lot lately. In place of mayo, I mash avocado and add a splash of lemon juice. I think it’s even better than the traditional version, and really simple. It makes 2-3 servings, but you could easily double the recipe for more.
Avocado Tuna Salad (print recipe)
- 1 can tuna, preferably unsalted
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 1 stalk celery, diced finely
- 1 scallion, diced (optional)
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, or about 1/2 small lemon
- salt, pepper and paprika to taste
Mash the avocado in a bowl, then add all ingredients and combine. Serve on bread, lettuce, crackers or as a dip for veggies.
Both of our families traditionally serve pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s day, and we have continued this tradition the last few years. We also had potatoes with parsley (un-pictured), salad with pomegranate dressing, and hummus and crudites. Our friends brought a cheese platter and chocolates for dessert.
L picked at the pork, had a few cherry tomatoes, red beets and avocado pieces, and couldn’t wait for a chance to have dessert! We let her have a chocolate, and she had a few crackers as well. She rarely asks for milk anymore these days, but will occasionally have some after nap around 3:30pm.
It was a delicious way to begin 2013!
Do you have traditional foods that you eat on New Year’s Day? Did you squeeze in a workout to kick off 2013?
I haven’t established any NY traditions yet! But sleeping 14 hours was pretty wonderful. I was informed that lentils are an Italian New Year’s food like black eyed peas – which sounds awesome to me since I am not a fan of them! I am soooo trying the avocado tuna salad. I LOVE tuna, but hate that mayo/miracle whip is so fattening. Thanks!
beka @ rebecca roams recently posted..Being anti-resolution + 2013 Goals
Sleeping 14 hours sounds amazing! I’ve never been a big mayo person, but the avocado version is yummy!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Going to try your tuna salad with avacado! Thanks for sharing!
Great! You’re very welcome!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
OOOOH.
I can not stand mayo.
never thought of using the avocado instead!!!
Miz recently posted..The secret to YOUR 2013 success.
I had almost the EXACT same salad yesterday, except I did it with chicken and I mixed the avocado with some Greek and smoked paprika. Love that creaminess! Your NYE salad looks good too with all those pomegranate arils and beets. Happy 2013!
I thought about adding little yogurt to it as well, might try that next time.
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
That salad looks yummy. We don’t ever do anything traditional. If we remember, we’ll pick up some black-eyed peas and I’ll do something with those.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..My Word – Change
I forgot about black-eyed peas but saw lots of posts about it today! Maybe we’ll try that next year…
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Yum, I have been mowing down on some avocados lately! Yay for ringing in 2013 with a run that tackled 2 virtual races!
Kat recently posted..Take me to Sugar Rehab!
I love that about living in the south- plentiful, amazing avocados!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
No traditional foods or traditions at all for New Year’s Day …although, we all pretty much were couch potatoes for most of the day so it has me thinking that I should start a new tradition that involves NOT watching TV on New Year’s …and NO electronic toys too..SHOOT..now, I have to wait a year to try that out! ha!
Hmm, that’s not a bad idea! We were mostly tv-free, but did allow L a short show during the second half of dinner while we chatted with our (child-less) friends!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
I love the idea of using avocado with tuna. I think I know what my lunch will be today!
I can’t believe your marathon is so soon. Wow! You are going to have a great one.
misszippy recently posted..Let’s get this party started
I can’t believe it either… I go through waves of fear and confidence. Working on building confidence this week, I know I need to be mentally strong to carry me through!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
that avocado tuna salad looks so tasty, i love all the colors.
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..Jam on Your Wednesday
My hubs actually started putting avocado and tuna together all on his own. Very proud of him for that!
Getting my 5 in tomorrow!
Awesome! It’s a yummy combo, not sure why I hadn’t thought of it sooner.
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
I love the idea of using avocado to bring together everything in tuna salad. Brilliant! We spent the day cleaning up Christmas decorations too and lunch at a friend’s house – bagels and lox. Typical New York, huh? I can’t believe your marathon is so soon!! You are going to do so great.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Jumpstarting the New Year
I wish I’d tried the avocado combo sooner! It hit the spot. Yes- the marathon is right around the corner. Eeek!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
i do the same! in fact, just made avo tuna cakes for dinner. Cheap, easy, healthy!
p.s.
Houston marathon is almost here! yay!
lindsay recently posted..Past Year to New Year
Yum! That’s a great dinner idea. Love the flavor combo. And yes, it’s so close. Yikes!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
No workout for me yesterday, but I had done a track workout the day before, so I earned my day of rest, and enjoyed laying low with the boys : ) The avacado tuna salad sounds so good!
Michelle recently posted..A Glance Back, and So Much To Look Forward To
I love those earned days of rest.
Great job kicking off RLRF! I didn’t get in nearly all of their track workouts, but loved having it as a guide.
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
I love how the typically tuna salad doesn’t include MAYO anymore!! This recipe looks phenomenal, mmm I think I may want to try it for lunch today!
GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted..It’s time to get SMART in the New Year
Thanks, Gigi! I’ve never been a mayo fan, and there are so many other fun flavor combination possibilities!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Okay, definitely trying your tuna salad! I don’t know why I haven’t ever thought to mix in avocado before, but that sounds brilliantly divine!!! No special New Year’s meals (we went with pizza) but I did get a lower body weight lifting session in to start 2013 with a burn!
Rachel B @ Busy Mama Fitness recently posted..3 Exercises to Tone Your Abs
I know- I was feeling so creative as I started mashing it in, even though I’m sure it’s been done before. But it was an exciting discovery for me.
Nice job on the weights!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Yup! Same tradition of pork and sauerkraut on NYD! It was so good, too!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted..Buddha’s Hand
Yay!! Our was good, too… I’ve been craving meat lately even though I’m mostly vegetarian, and INN has helped me realize I should listen to my cravings.
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
I love traditions, and am very fond of coming up with my own. My husband and I are both of Irish descent so I make Irish Soda bread and bake a coin into it… the person who gets the coin is supposed to have good luck all year (Adapted from the greek bread and tradition of Vassilopita) Happy New Year! Thank you so much for all of the amazing information you sent me. You’re the best!!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Looking Back and Looking Forward… The Art of Transition
So creative- I love that idea! And you’re so welcome- happy to help more any way I can.
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Happy New Year Laura! That tuna looks amazing as usual. Gosh that marathon is just around the corner. I’ve been wanting to do the black eyed pea thing for New Years but never plan in advance then can’t find them in the store. Ha! Maybe next year!
Marcia recently posted..Vacation Tidbits and a Winner
I don’t know if I’ve ever made black-eyed peas, but I might have to try them next year, too!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
I love the substitution of avocado for mayo in the tuna salad! I’m going to have to try that out next time I have tuna salad sandwiches. The salad with the pomegranate dressing looks so good – I could dive right into it! Happy New Year!
Thanks, Ali! Yes- the pork was bland-looking (though tasty) so I was determined to make a very colorful salad!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
I think I’m going to have to try avocado tuna salad! They always talk about it in an ad on the radio and I do love avocados.
Sarah S @RunningOnWords recently posted..2012, now with (some) new pictures
Yes, you should! I wish I would have tried it sooner.
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
That tuna salad sounds delicious as I love avocado!
My family always did black-eyed peas for the new year when I was growing up. However, my husband doesn’t like them so some years I do them for myself for lunch and some years (like this one) I’m not organized because of holiday traveling.
Raquelita recently posted..2013 Goals
I don’t know if I’ve ever had black-eyed peas, can you believe it?! Gotta try them.
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
I have to try the avocado tuna salad. Looks so good!
AmyC recently posted..Review: PV.Body December
That avocadao tuna salad looks amazing!!! Great job on kicking off the new year with a great run! Happy New year!!!
Mindy @Road Runner Girl recently posted..Resolution Run 2013!
I love lemon and a little garlic salt on Avocado! Sooo good!
Great recipe
Kierston recently posted..It’s A New Year!
Mashed avocado instead of mayo – what a great idea! I’m sure there’s another great use for that we haven’t thought of yet.
I kicked off the new year with my first brick of the season. Many more to come!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Scenes from Staycation & New Year Eve {WIAW}
Yes, what isn’t avocado good in?
Awesome job on your brick!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Mmmm, pork and sauerkraut … in my family we call it Schweinebrauten und wir essen es mit Blaukrat. I’m Bavarian so we usually do a red cabbage
The tuna-avocado mix sounds good, I may just have to try that. Happy New Year!
Christina recently posted..Runner’s Radar: Brooks PureFlow 2 vs Newton Gravity
I had my first run of the new year today and it was awesome. Got in 6 good miles.
I can’t believe that your marathon is so close! It just seems like you were pondering registering a couple of days ago. Very excited for you!
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Recap of 2012 goals and goals for 2013
Yum! Avocado in the tuna looks so good! I hate mayo and usually just use greek yogurt but avocado sounds awesome! Growing up, on New Years day we would have Tamales or Black Eyed Peas. Last year we did a tamale dinner at our house but skipped that this year and just did appetizers.
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome recently posted..2013 Goals
Oh my goodness I could roll in that cheese platter. We had cabbage, on fish tacos, and black eyed peas. Way to get all your runs in. Doing my 5 by the 5th tomorrow as a 5 miler. Excited.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted..2013 Goals – Healthy Eating
Your avocado tuna salad looks so delicious! I love tuna but I always forget about using it. Thanks for the reminder! We don’t have any traditional foods that we eat on New Year’s Day, just something fun that we don’t make often, as well as a good dessert! Happy New Year!
Melissa @ Fit ‘n’ Well Mommy recently posted..Holiday Recap and Happy New Year!
Mental note to stop reading your blog pre-dinner! Everything looks sooooo good. Great meal idea and I love the idea of tuna and avocado together. Definitely one for me to try!
I too am going to use my 5bythe5th for my tempos and hopefully make some improvements with my tempo times over the 5 months… well thats the goal anyway!
Good luck for final race preps. You will do an amazing job and I can’t wait to read about it! :=)
Jenelle @ MummyLovesToRun recently posted..Unambitious in 2013
I’m doing something similar with my 5bythe5th, at least for now. Post marathon, maybe I’ll try “racing” them. Thanks for the best wishes for race day!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Mmmm, I like tuna and hummus. I bet tuna and avocado is another great combo!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Eating In
We always do black eyed peas on New Years day. I added greens a few years back, as I read that ‘beans and greens’ is supposed to bring luck and wealth, and, yes, I’ll take both. One of these years it’s going to work.
I’ve made a similar salad with chickpeas and avocado. I saw a Pinterest egg salad with avocado that’s on my ‘to make’ list too.
Happy New Years Laura! I haven’t been the best commenter (or blogger) lately, but I read each of your posts. Your blogging motivation and general all around motivation is inspiring.
Michelle {lively kitchen} recently posted..Goals for the Year
Hey friend! No worries… I can’t do it all, either.
Always nice to hear from you!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
We don’t have traditional foods for New Year’s Day. Just whatever we can put together after dragging our lazy butts out of bed. I love the look of those beets. Enjoy the marathon! Maybe enjoy is the wrong word…
Joann @ Woman in Real Life recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday…with another owl mug
Haha! Yes, I’m getting nervous that I won’t “enjoy” the process, but hopefully the race day endorphins and energy will make it a pleasant experience.
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
I never thought to use avocado in place of mayo in tuna, but it sounds delish! I’m definitely going to try it!
Heather @ What Does She Do All Day? recently posted..Munchkin Meals: Snacks
I did manage to squeeze a workout in! The fact that we were staying with friends and I had someone to run with helped! Happy New Year!
Elizabeth @ My Neon Running Shoes recently posted..I’m nervous to tell you this. But I value honesty.
I have been wanting to try the avocado tuna thing since I heard a commercial for it on the radio – sounds even more delicious in your recipe. Best of luck with your marathon! I commend you for being able to train with a young one at home!
You’re the second person who mentioned that commercial… I knew I couldn’t be the first person to combine these!
Thanks for the marathon encouragement. It keeps me happy and sane!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Wow! Great salad idea! I’ve been eating pre-made Tuna salads from a can (spanish salad, thai salad etc) and have been looking for a new alternative bc I’m so bored with my usual lunchs – thanks for the idea and recipe!
Great job with your run, Laura! So close to the marathon
We ran a 7.5 mile race on New Year’s day, so I added up my splits and counted the first 5 miles toward the virtual run.
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..FRS Healthy Performance Review
Perfect! I did something similar. Glad you can join in, Jamie!
Laura recently posted..New Year’s WIAW + Avocado Tuna Salad
Yum! I will have to try that tuna salad.
Coco recently posted..Getting Back On Track With Simple Daily Goals
Recipe looks & sounds delish! Way to get in your runs! This weather has been gloomy and awful! Right? Come on Sunshine!!
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