Salad Basics

I personally think that salads are the best options for lunch. Not only are they super easy, but you can also put anything in them and they're super healthy! Why bog your stomach down with food that will leave your body begging for a nap? It takes 5 minutes or less for me to throw a salad together in the morning. And of course my tastes are different than yours, go ahead and add those onions if you'd like!

Here are my salad basics:

• Salad greens - anything with spinach and other green leaves is great. NOT ICEBERG LETTUCE.
• Cherry or Grape Tomatoes - so easy, wash 'em and throw 'em in!
• Craisins - I like sweet things, so clearly these are my staples!
• Feta cheese - I prefer goat cheese, but feta is cheaper. Gives it a nice flavor.

Other items I'll put in there:

• Chicken - of course, so easy and delicious.
• Other veggies: Sugar Snap Peas, Broccoli, carrots, cucumbers
• Fruit: Strawberries, Blueberries, raspberries
• Nuts: Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts

Dressings:
I like lighter dressings, but some of you might like ranch. Have at it and pour it on! These are some of my favorites. Again, I like sweet things so I enjoy the fruit vinaigrette varieties.

• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Pomegranate Vinaigrette
• Italian (if there's nothing else)
• Healthiest option: Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, and Pepper 

I haven't tried the olive oil with fruit yet, so that might be interesting, but if I have a basic salad, here is what I do:

• Put dry ingredients in plastic carry container.
• Add pepper to your liking
• Add just a few drops of balsamic vinegar - that stuff is strong and will go a long way
• Add olive oil until greens are wet. I add a little at a time, put the cover on, and shake the salad to mix everything up.

 It also helps to dispense the oil and vinegar from things like this:
or 

Happy Salad Eating!