Mc Donald’s Asian Salad – A Healthier Balanced Fast Food Meal Option for Summer #McDSalad

Disclosure: As a McCafe Mom, my children and I were invited to a Pop Up Yoga event in Somers Point NJ sponsored by McDonald’s.  I received a gift card, swag,  attended a complimentary yoga class and enjoyed a complimentary lunch which included a McDonald’s Asian Salad.  All opinions are my own.

My goal in the summer is to plan plenty of family fun and activities that will keep the kids busy, active and engaged.  Because of this, our summer schedule gets pretty hectic and requires a lot of scheduled time for swim practices in the morning and swim meets at night.  To help keep my life balanced, I also try my best to schedule time for myself to head to the gym while the kids are at practice or take walks with my family at night after the sun goes down.

Living summer constantly on the go, I am always looking for healthier, balanced fast food options that I can grab and go and take along to swim meets, long days at the pool, picnics and day trips.  My newest obsession is McDonald’s Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken and Low Fat sesame Ginger dressing.  Made of a mix of delicious greens such as baby kale, crisp chopped romaine and  baby spinach combined with red bell pepper pieces, edamame, snow peas and mandarin oranges, this delicious salad is topped with a premium chicken breast filet (in your choice of crispy or grilled).  It is accompanied by a small packet of sliced almonds – which adds a delicious crunch and a single serve packet of of Newman’s Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing, adding a delicious, slightly spicy twist to the mix.  (If you are not a fan of the spicy, the low fat balsamic vinaigrette also pairs well). At just 410 calories for a grilled chicken version with almonds and dressing, it makes for a delicious, healthy and filling lunch that you can feel good about eating while on the go.  On days that I am feeling extra hungry, I have found that adding a fruit & yogurt parfait along with the salad or as a later snack, is perfect for keeping me fuller longer between meals.

Photo credit Amanda Swiger, of Swiger Photography

My kids and I had the privilege of attending a pop up yoga event last week at McDonald’s in Somers Point NJ.  Co-hosted by Hummingbird Yoga and Jersey Family Fun, the event inspired our family to try out a yoga class and get a taste of the new re-launch of the Asian Chicken Salad.

Ronald McDonald himself was in attendance and even joined us for the yoga class.

Photo credit Amanda Swiger, of Swiger Photography 

Even before the class started, Ronald was encouraging the kids to be active while playing soccer with them.  My kids absolutely loved hanging out with him!

 

I was so impressed that my daughter enjoyed the class as much as I did.  Yoga is much harder than it may appear.  I was so impressed by the amount of work dedicated to core as well as the amount of leg strength and balance needed to hold the poses.  I think I may add a yoga class to my regular gym routine to shake things up a bit.

Photo credit Amanda Swiger, of Swiger Photography

By the end of the class, I was feeling relaxed and refreshed – and hungry for a yummy, balanced lunch.
The kids noshed on Happy Meals complete with Minion branded GoGurt tubes and sliced apples.

While I sat and munched away on my delicious, crisp and refreshing Asian salad with grilled chicken.

Photo credit Amanda Swiger, of Swiger Photography

I have since ordered this salad three times!  I am absolutely “Lovin’ it”!
Many thanks to McDonald’s for introducing me to another healthy option I can feel good about when I am pressed for time.

Thank you to Hummingbird Yoga for encouraging me to try a new class that I had no idea I would enjoy so much

Photo credit Amanda Swiger, of Swiger Photography

And lastly, thank you to my blogging buddies, Jennifer Auer of Jersey Family Fun and Jennifer Oxenford of PhillyFun4Kids for joining my kids and I after the event for some relaxation and fun at Somers Point Beach (which by the way is absolutely adorable, clean, convenient and much less overwhelming with kids than the larger beach) as well as Ocean City Boardwalk. I cannot think of better places to have spent the day walking around, swimming and enjoying the beauty of the Jersey shore (aka my happy place).

 Photo credit Jennifer Oxenford, PhillyFun4Kids

New and healthier options on the go make me even more excited to plan more day trips with my family this summer!  Have you tried the McDonald’s Asian Salad yet?  What did you think?