The Beauty of a Big Ol' Salad

I tend to have just about the same thing every single day.  A Big Ol' Salad.  I say I have the same thing but one of the beauties of a Big Ol' Salad is that it is NEVER the same.There are so many other great things about having one of these EVERY SINGLE DAY!Here are a few:If you have a Big Ol' Salad you know that at least one meal will be full of good stuff for you.  (That is as long as you don't go all hog wild and cover it with grated cheese, croutons, fattening dressing and all of the other unhealthy stuff that take away all the goodness of this super good meal)You can make your Big Ol' Salad just like you like it.Do you like crunchy?  Personally, I do.  So I make sure to add a few sunflower seeds, almond slivers or chopped nuts for crunch.  Another crunchy item is shaved brussel sprouts or sliced radishes.  I have to have some crunch in my salad.Do you like spicy?  Add some sliced pepperoncini, banana peppers, black pepper or spicy dressing.Sweet?  Add a handful of blueberries, peeled clementine slices, sliced strawberries, kiwi or other sweet fresh fruit.  Dried cranberries or other dried berries also do the trick.Like it creamy?  Forget that load of cheese or fattening dressing and add avocado.  You get the consistency of cheese with all the gloriousness of a true healthy fat.  (Keeps you satiated!)Need some protein?  Well, then just add it!  I seem to always have some leftover chicken, flank steak or salmon to top on my salad.  Sometimes when we cook I know we are cooking a little too much, but know that's just more for me for the rest of the week!Tired of the same salad with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers?  I would be too!  That's just your own fault.  Get creative.  Add in good leafy, colorful greens like  kale, arugula, radicchio, romaine, you name it.  The base of greens really helps the taste, texture and nutritional value of your Big Ol' Salad.It's a great way to get rid of leftovers.  I am all for throwing most anything in and on my Big Ol' Salad.  Hummus, feta cheese, olives, leftover roasted vegetables, cauliflower rice, chickpeas, Kimchi, sauerkraut, eggs (boiled or cooked), any and all raw vegetable that is taking space in the crisper, black beans, pico de gallo, edamame, etc.  It all works I promise.So, forget being bored at lunch or at any meal.  I'm sure you have the fixings on hand for a wonderful, nutritious, and creative meal.I am excited about a new project I am working on - Mindful Meal Plans - and one of the staples in the meal planning will be adding a Big Ol' Salad to your day!  Try to add this one healthy meal to your day.  I'm off to get creative myself.Enjoy Your Day!