How to Make Salads More Exciting

Green leafy vegetables are among the healthiest foods for us.  They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and phyto-chemicals.  And dark green leafy vegetables have more protein per calorie than sirloin steak!

Eating salads can help you lose weight and achieve superior health.  But how much?  From what I’ve read and learned, I believe we should be striving for about one pound of salad (or other raw green veggies) per day, minimum.  This isn’t easy (especially in a large family) unless you get creative.

So here are some quick, easy, and wholesome ideas to help you make your salads more enjoyable:

• Add fresh fruits.  Strawberries (organic), blueberries, clementine oranges, pears, apples, etc. add a delicious sweetness on salads.
• Add ground nuts.  Walnuts, almonds, etc.  add a tasty crunch to any salad.
• Add ground flax seed.  Adds a unique flavor that is very healthy (contains omega-3 fatty acid and lignans) and a vegetarian alternative to popular fish oils.
• Add leftover cooked vegetables from the day before.  What a great way to use day-old peas, corn, carrots, etc.
• Add salsa, beans, and sprinkle in some corn chips for a southwestern salad.
• Experiment with the large variety of leafy green vegetables available.  Don’t just stick with iceberg or romaine lettuce.  Be adventurous… you will be pleasantly surprised at the variety of tastes and textures you’ll find.
• Use a variety of vinegars for homemade dressings.  I prefer white wine, red wine, and apple cider vinegars.
• Try different varieties of spices and herbs.  Try basil, thyme, granulated garlic, oregano, pepper, and chives.  For something different, try cilantro, rosemary, mint, cinnamon, curry, or cumin.
• If one day you find that you’re tired of the prep work for a big salad, then drink it!  Click on this link for my wholesome veggie juice recipe.