My name is Christy, but my friends and family refer to me as the "salad queen". I love to excercise and eat healthy, but sometimes I start to run out of ideas or meals to make. One thing that is typically on the "eating healthy" list is salads, but who wants to eat the same boring salad all the time with the typical iceberg, tomatoes, cucumbers and croutons. Boring!! So I decided a long time ago that the only way to not get tired of eating salads is to find ways to create beautiful, delicious and nutritious salads to eat.
For breakfast in the mornings, I always start my day with a nice fruit salad filled with berries, melons, apples, oranges, bananas, or whatever fruit is in season and in my fridge. For lunch or dinner I enjoy having a salad, typically greek salads, asian salads, pasta salads, fresh veggie salads, mexican salads (black beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes, yum) the possiblilites are endless. A favorite of my husband is a salad that I make with organic field greens, sliced apples, sliced strawberries, dried cranberries, nut mixture of almonds, walnuts, pecans, red onion, goat cheese(for a vegan option leave off the cheese) and top with a rasberry vinegar dressing.
It is really all about being creative and being willing to try new foods. I like to put a twist on the typical salad by adding as many different types of fruits, nuts, legumes, herbs, fresh organic greens and topping it off with an interesting homemade dressing. I get so excited when I visit the local farmers markets on the weekends because I start thinking about all the fresh salads I can make, juices, and meals all of the fresh produce. At the farmers market I love to pick up organic lettuce, sprouts, beets(yellow, purple, and pink), purple and yellow cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, all organic and fresh. When making a salad, I always try to add create a rainbow of colors with the the fruits and veggies and to add in protein I like to top my salad with lentils, edamame, chickpeas, quinoa. If made the right way(ie. without smothering it in fattening, heavy dressings-such as ranch and bluecheese), they are full of vitamins, nutrients, fiber and water, so they will help you stay full longer. Keep it simple on the dressings, usually just some olive oil and lemon can add just the right touch. If you are concerned with not having time to make a salad, try cleaning and preparing your lettuce ahead of time and store in a large baggy(romaine is better for this, field greens tend to wilt when left wet and stored). Cut up your tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, celery and other veggies and store in an airtight container along with beans of your choice(I like black beans and red beans) so all of your toppings are ready to go whenever you are hungry. So show me how creative you can be and suprise your friends and family with salad that looks like it was made by a chef. Post pics and share with me your favorite salad recipes. For more healthy living tips and recipes visit my Healthy Living with Christy facebook page and LIKE if you like.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Healthy-Living-with-Christy-Christina-Harris-Limon/167928309989213?ref=tn_tnmn
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| Fresh Fruit salad with a side of chia seeds and nuts |
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| Farmers Market Salad |
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| Greek Pasta Salad |
