5 Exciting Salads

I've been on a weight-loss trip since January, and I'm doing pretty well.  Even when I'm not losing weight every day, simply eating healthier makes me feel better.  I strongly encourage all of you ladies to start taking better care of your bodies.  Try not to fill your tummies with too much trash.  I've been eating tons of salads lately, and I keep hearing people tell me that they'd get sick of salads if they ate them every day.  Not true. 

I recently challenged myself to come up with 5 different salads from the ingredients I had on hand.  They've all been amazing, and I wanted to share!  If you go grocery shopping this weekend, I encourage you ALL to search for some versatile vegetables like kale, tomatoes, carrots, etc.  Look for vegetables that you are likely to eat raw and cook with.  I hope that even if you wouldn't enjoy a salad made exactly like these, you can at least use some of my little ideas for some inspiration to get you eating healthier!  =) 

Robust Italian Salad

Iceberg Lettuce (with Shredded Carrots and Purple Cabbage)

Diced Yellow Onion

Diced Carrot

Diced Grape Tomatoes
Parmesan Cheese Crumbles

Oregano

Basil

Garlic & Wine Seasoning {from The Melting Pot}

Robusto Italian Salad Dressing by Wishbone Lite

Tangy Citrus Kale Salad
Kale
Diced  1/2 of a Orange Bell Pepper
Broccoli
Diced Celery
Homemade Salad Dressing 
{1 cup Balsamic Vinegar, 1/2 cup Trop 50 Orange Juice,  1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 Cutie, Basil}

Turkey Tikka Indian Salad
Spinach
Fresh Mango, cubed
Leftover Turkey Tikka {Chicken Tikka recipes used on Turkey Breasts}
Crumbled Naan
Grape Tomatoes
Baby Carrots
Yellow Onion
Almonds
Paprika
Crushed Red Pepper
Cinnamon


Fruit & Nut Salad
Kale
Pink Lady Apple, Diced
Gedesa (Yellow Plum), Diced
Cutie
Peach, Diced
Blackberries
Almonds
Dried Mixed Berries
Tomato Basil Feta Cheese Crumbles

Sauteed Salad
Kale
Diced Onion
Grape Tomatoes
lightly sauteed in Lite Cooking Creme
Topped With:  Tomato Basil Feta Cheese Crumbles

Things I Learned:

--- Use different types of lettuce to avoid getting tired of eating  "the same ol' thing"

--- Don't be afraid to SEASON your salads to get the flavors you desire!  It's crazy that this is just now occurring to me.  I season everything...but I've never thought to season my salads.  Don't be afraid to add oregano to your Italian salad or sesame seeds to your oriental salad.  :)  Salads do not have to be tame.   

--- It's so easy to make your own salad dressings!  And if you let it all soak for a few days, it'll taste even better!  I would never eat oranges soaked in balsamic vinegar by themselves, but in salad they were delicious!

--- Incorporate leftovers into your salads.  You don't have to sacrifice flavor when you're eating a salad.  Mix it up by mimicking different spices, flavors, textures, and ingredients.  You should never have to choose between last night's healthy entree and today's crispy, fiber-full salad.  Two birds.  One stone.  You are welcome.   =)

I won't be listing this on my [Create] tab..so if you want to be able to find this later...Pin it!  =)


Have a GREAT weekend!