If you are anything like me, you may like the idea of eating salads… they’re healthy, have lots of great nutrients, are quick to throw together and very portable. But, if you are anything like me, you don’t actually find a typically salad to be very filling and satisfying. Here are some tricks I’ve learned that will make your salads tastier, more balanced and more satisfying:
- Start with a grain base. I like the following options:
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Lentils
They are easy to prepare, and can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.
2. Add fresh leafy greens:
- Spinach
- Mixed field greens
- Kale
- Lettuce
3. Toss in some veggies… the more variety, the better:
- Peppers
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes (okay, I know, technically a fruit)
- Zucchini
- Sweet potato
- Celery
- Etc
4. Time for some healthy fats:
- Avocado
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Olive oil
5. Flavour it:
- Sea salt and pepper
- Balsamic vinaigrette
- Herbs like basil, cilantro etc
Throw everything together, take a pretty picture, and you are ready to go! If I am taking this as a travel lunch or dinner, I would leave the greens at the top, and bring the dressing (if using dressing) on the side. Pro tip: cut up a bunch of stuff and cook some grains at the beginning of the week, and then you can mix and match as you go throughout the week!
Yoga With Nicole Allison 