How to sex up your salad

Okay - this is not bedroom talk here people! I'm referring to the everyday lunch salad we all seem to struggle with to enjoy on a daily or 3xWeek basis. Eating healthy isn't easy for anyone so let's try and make the stigma of the "diet salad" turn into "look how amazingly fabulous my lunch salad is and I wouldn't trade it for your burrito with extra cheese if you begged on you knees" type of salad. Seriously, if you have something that is sexy, then you wouldn't trade it for anything - right??

Anyways, so what I am referring to is the question of what can I bring to work on a daily basis that is easy to pack, store, and makes a filling and delicious meal with easy to little prep in my office kitchen? I tend to shop based on what is on sale and/or whether I make it to the farmers market or not that week. You have got to switch it up or you will get bored and cheat with a burger and extra large fries. Mix it up and you will always have something to look forward to.

Here is a list of fresh yummy salad ingredients you can mix and match to satisfy what you happen to have in your fridge that week. Make sure you always keep it different and in season - eat more fruit in the summer and more root veggies in the winter. Eating local and in season will keep your body in balance and in tune with what is the freshest and best for your body.

Here are some veggie mixes that will keep it interesting every day of the week:

Mix and Match - #1 more to come...

Roman Lettuce - Chop and use as your base ingredient - 2 Cup +

Protein Additions - 1/2 - 1  Cup:
* Deli or left over grilled chicken
* Deli or left over turkey
* 1 can tuna or left over white fish
* Deli or left over ham
* 5-6 Slices of deli salami quartered 

Veggie Additions - 1/2 - 1 Cup:
* Fresh/Frozen/Left over corn
* Fresh/Frozen/Left over peas
* Fresh/Frozen/Left over green beans
* 1/2 Avocado 
* Whole/sliced black olives- 1 small can
* Grilled/roasted baby carrots (roast carrots @ 375 degrees for 15 - 20 min with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and a drizzle of EVOO) - cut into bite sizes pieces and chill before adding to salad

Crunchy Additions
* Baked pita chips crumbled into bite sized pieces
* Crumbled oyster crackers - you get the crunch of a crouton but 0 fat
* Baked soy beans - Trader Joe's has the best
* Crumbled turkey bacon

Dressing Options
* Fat free/low fat ranch - or the real stuff if you prefer
* Italian Dressing
* Balsamic garlic dressing
              - 1/4 C balsamic vinegar, 2 garlic cloves chopped, 1/2 C fat free sour cream, salt and pepper. Whisk ingredients and drizzle in EVOO slowly until you get the consistency you prefer your dressing

Mix and match as many ingredients as you have in your fridge and this should get you through the week with out having to repeat "another boring salad" ever again.

Be healthy and enjoy :)