Grilled Avocado Mango Shrimp Salad
Enjoy a beautiful and healthy Grilled Avocado Mango Shrimp Salad for a summer meal, or a delicious side dish or appetizer platter for a party!
Friends, on a gorgeous summer’s morning—crisp, sunny, breezy—the kind of day that makes you so grateful to be alive, I have a secret to share with you.
Grilled vegetable salad
Not only have we been enjoy amazing, healthy meals this summer (with a few desserts here and there), we’re eating a lot of salads. This Grilled Avocado Mango Shrimp Salad is my new favorite, but last year we loved Summer Orzo Salad with Garbanzo Beans and Summer Berry Almond Spinach Salad!
Eating healthier has meant way less fast food. I’m not sure what got into Paul and me, but when we moved over here, we’d go into town (about 15 miles into town) and we’d swing by a (shh-h-h-h …. Wendy’s) burger place for a small burger. We’d never indulge in the giant ones, but let’s just say it was a bad habit.
I’m happy to say that we’ve only had 1 small Wendy’s burger in 2018. HA! The cat is out of the bag.
I’m a cross fitter now
Not really, though. What I really wanted to share is that I’m starting my 4th month of CrossFit. Yup, I converted to a great way to have discipline with weights and exercise. I love our “box” here in our small town, no idea what you mean by a “box” and I’ve met the nicest people. I also feel great, and try to go 4 days a week with another close friend in town.
(Above, this past weekend hiking the Tam-a-lau Trail at Cove Palisades State Park with 2 of my best friends. The trail overlooks the Deschutes and the Crooked River, another beautiful “must-do” hike in Oregon!)
Want to know a few things about CrossFit?
So from one 55-year-old to possibly another, here are a few things I learned:
1. Workouts are able to be modified according to your fitness level. (Thank goodness!) And your instructor will help you!
2. Plan to sweat because you’ll be doing a lot of free weights and squats! What I love is that you focus on being strong and not skinny. No diets involved.
3. You’ll never get bored because there is a new workout every day (WOD = Workout of the Day). I love not knowing because I can’t talk myself out of going.
4. A “box” is a workout gym. And everyone is so nice and encouraging.
5. You always have to listen to your body and to notice if anything hurts or feels strained, both of which are signs you might need to change the exercise. BIG KEY to success. Because we all know, if you over-do and get injured, then you lose traction.
So far, no injuries for me, because I’m taking it slow.
Turning 55 this year
Turning 55 this year made me want to get stronger physically (I had some back habits, though I was disciplined to go to the gym and do cardio). It’s true, your body does get in a rut. You need to change up your exercise plan often.
It’s not easy to start a completely new exercise routine–it really takes courage! We’re all familiar with this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face … You must do the thing you cannot do.”
Reluctantly (actually kicking and screaming), I decided to take the plunge and do something completely foreign to me.
I’m so glad I did. No, I will not be showing before and after pictures (come on, I’m 55!), and I do not even weigh myself. I’ve just done this for strength, toning, and guess what? Sleeping better at night! It’s been fabulous!
Grilled Avocado Mango Shrimp Salad
So … it’s salad season because it’s summer, but we’re also cutting out the carbs and sugar (when we can), enjoying delicious summer salads.
This time, the veggies and fruit are grilled: Grilled Avocado Mango Shrimp Salad.
How pretty is this?
We devoured this in no time! It’s great for an appetizer platter, too!
PS. Paul and I did go to Dairy Queen the other night (first time in 2 years since we’ve lived here) and we shared a small Blizzard. It was heavenly! :)
Get the Recipe:
Grilled Avocado Mango Shrimp Salad
Ingredients
- Shrimp and Marinade: 20 shrimp, tails on
- 1 Tbsp thai chile paste
- 1 Tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 1 juiced lime
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Skewers for shrimp
- Veggies and Fruit to Grill: 5-6 cocktail cucumbers, only veggie that is not grilled
- 1 large mango, cut into 1 inch thick strips
- 2 jalapenos, cut int half with seeds removed
- 3 medium zucchini, cut into 1 inch thick rounds
- 2 avocados, cut into quarters
- Avocado oil to coat veggies and fruit
- Basil, lime, and mint to garnish
Instructions
- Heat grill with medium high heat.
- While grill preheats, cut veggies and fruit into about 1 inch thick pieces, cut the avocados into quarters, and then—in separate bowls—coat everything in avocado oil, salt, and pepper—the oil will allow for grill marks to appear.
- Grill the zucchini for about 1-2 minutes each side, grill avocado pieces for 3-4 minutes, grill jalapeños for 2-3 minutes each side, and grill shrimp for about 3 minutes total.
- Cut jalapeño into smaller segments.
- Layer fruit, veggies, and shrimp on a large platter, and serve with fresh chopped mint and basil.
More summer salad recipes: Summer Corn Salad [Spend with Pennies], Green Bean Summer Salad with Italian Sausage, Olives, and Basil Vinaigrette [Kalyn’s Kitchen], and Thai Summer Salad [RecipeGirl].
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
This salad is so beautiful! Good for you for making exercise a priority, it’s such a mood lifter and so important as we get older.
This looks so yummy! We have a young friend who is very serious about cross fit…I think I could enjoy it too but there’s really not a place close enough to go, and the nagging pains make me nervous, BUT I definitely agree about getting out of a rut. I’m in one now and need to get out, though the break I’ve taken (partially from throwing my back out, and just not doing anything) has helped the pain in my knee ease up so I’m hopeful I can jump back into regular exercise.
congratulations on your exercise and healthy eating habits and thank you for this recipe, great flavors in the marinade and great ingredients in the salad!
Hi! I am 77 years of age and started cross fit last winter. I modified everything at first but built up so I could do all the fitness without the changes. Demanding, but with your lovely, delicious recipes it is all a win- win. Thank you, a faithful follower, Donna Parks.