Friday, March 25, 2011

i don't like salad... but i'm trying

I'm not really a salad girl. I've never been one to order up a big salad as my dinner. I've even been known to order a taco salad... without the lettuce. Yes, I do realize that lettuce is the main component of a salad... but have you had those taco bowls?? I mean, I would eat cereal out of those things.

But back to the subject at hand... salad. I have recently realized that it is really just iceberg lettuce that I don't like... and I'm totally okay with spinach and spring mixes. So I'm trying some new stuff out... I'm in Spring Salad Training, if you will. Not because I want to be super healthy or anything, but because I've actually found a few that I enjoy. Trust me... if you saw the salads that I put together... they would not be called salads... so not healthy.

Here is my most recent favorite... a simple blue cheese salad. Yum.

I start with the essentials... baby spring mix, a tomato, a sweet yellow onion, a cucumber, blue cheese crumbles, and Litehouse Chunky Blue Cheese dressing.

If I wanted to be super healthy I would stop here. You know, just the veggies and a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles.

Yeah right. My salad is not complete until I pour on the dressing...

On extra special days, I will add a left over Chick-fil-a chicken strip. Now that makes a good salad.

What about you? Do you have any salad favorites? Anything I should try for Spring Salad Training?

14 comments:

Danielle said...

I love salads but I have a hard time getting full on one. I have to have a good crunch ratio in there and then there has to be a little cheese (goat is my favorite) and a simple vinaigrette.

Shari said...

I also am not a huge fan of iceberg lettuce. Spinach is the way to go and is so much better for you! Try putting pasta noodles on top, this is one of my favorite salad toppings. They take the place of croutons, and make it a little more exciting to eat. :)

mleslie43 said...

Iceberg lettuce has absolutely no nutritional value anyway... so good for you for going for the spinach and the spring mix! Those are my favorites too! Try the spring mix, tomatoes, sweet onion and a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar sprinkled with season salt...yum! Plus healthy!

The enchanted home said...

I am OK with salad as an appetizer, but hello as a meal? No thanks, my eyes go straight to the pastas, burgers, whatever...meals of substance, in my book.....a salad doesn't cut it as a main meal!!!!! However on occasion when I am trying to "be good' (and it doesn't happen often enough) my favorite salad is loaded with tons of field greens (never yucky iceberg) lots of veges, tons of grilled chicken, tortilla strips, black beans, tons of monterey cheese and a lime cilantro dressing.....it really is quite good and fililng because of the chicken and cheese. But thats only once in a while..and even then I still miss a "real meal"...haha.

Liz said...

I'm with you. I've always said that salas ARE NOT meals. I can eat them as a side, but other than that I can't eat them as a meal. I only do spinach now and it has made a difference.

MarieElizabeth said...

My view of salad is so much more than just lettuce (and spring mix is good). I put in meat, cheese, assorted veggies (not just the one or 2 some places give you),and nuts, berries, or seeds. Makes them interesting, more filling, and different every time. Just some thoughts for you spring training!

Stacie Jean said...

Mmmm. Go you...on your salad efforts.

Unknown said...

I don't like iceberg either (who does??), but I'm a salad girl, so I'll eat it if I must.
My favorite salad is romaine or spinach leaves, with cut up some strawberries, grapes, and maybe a mandarin orange, sprinkled with almonds, and then topped with some EVOO and balsamic vinegar. Delicious! I also bought a raspberry vinegarette recently that is to die for on this salad. Try it! If you like fruit, you'll inhale it, I'm sure of it!

Shaelyne Meadows said...

Oh! I have a terrific recipe - so healthy and so tasty!

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2853

Except don't use kale. It's just gross. Use spinach instead

Shaelyne Meadows said...

Hmmm, that didn't work like I hoped. Anyway look up Kale Waldorf Salad recipe on the Whole Foods website. Seriously. It's good. Even Kyle likes it.

Anonymous said...

hhhm - I'm kind-of a salad fanatic. :/
Whenever I have berries around I'll add them to some spinach, cheese, maybe some kind of bean (pinto, chick-peas, white or red) and a bit of ranch. I love the sweetness berries bring to all the tart greeneryCheesyRanch goodness. :D

Flossie said...

I actually really like salads. But mine probably aren't healthy salads either. I put a little bit of everything on them...except peppers or onions. Sorry, no can do.

I really like pears and feta cheese. It's a great combo! Or try grilled chicken, mandarin oranges and strawberries on a salad for a light dinner. (Great with poppey seed dressing!)

Carolyn said...

Try one with apples and cranberries...yum, yum!!

Garretts said...

i agree with flossie...my fav spinach/mixed green salad has manadarin oranges, strawberries and feta with a creamy poppyseed dressing.

i love craisins and bleu cheese crumbles on just about any salad and if you like a little crunch can i recommend some glazed pecans? yummm!