Lets talk Salads

I need to eat more Salads, I need to be satisfied eating a salad and I need my salad life to have V-A-R-I-E-T-Y! I have really been on a roll with switching it up and keeping it fresh. I am the definition of a "flexitarian" so some of my salads are vegetarian and could easily be vegan with a substitution and some I will throw chicken on - it really all depends on how I am feeling.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Spinach + Cottage Cheese + Berry

This super colorful salad is vegetarian, the dressing I use is a little sweet and pulls all the flavors together. I used blueberries here but have also substituted with strawberries which is just as good. You could replace or remove the cottage cheese to make it vegan. Here's how I made it:

- Spinach, 2-3 cups

- Cottage Cheese, 1/2 cup

- Baby Tomatoes, sliced in half, desired amount

- Avocado, half diced

- Blueberries, 1/2 cup

- Pumpkin Seeds, 2 Tbl

- Sunflower Seeds, 2 Tbl

- Dressing: Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette

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Greek Salad + Falafel + Tzatziki

This salad is loaded with your classic Greek favorites, and satisfies your urge to eat endless pitas and hummus without all the extra carbs. Again, this salad is vegetarian and could be vegan by removing or replacing the tzatziki. I buy a boxed falafel mix from Trader Joes, super easy to make. I also made a lemon vinaigrette dressing and tzatziki from scratch, not trying to be fancy just happened to have everything necessary to do so at home. Here's how I made it:

- Romaine Lettuce, 2-3 cups

- Shredded Carrots, handful

- Diced Tomatoes, desired amount

- Diced Cucumbers

- Diced Red Onions

- Olives (optional)

- Dressing: Lemon Vinaigrette (lightly drizzled over salad before topping w/ Falafel & Tzatziki)

add cooked Falafel balls, quartered (3-4 balls)

top with Tzatziki sauce, 1/2 cup

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Quarantine Cesar Salad

All these creations have come from quarantine, but none better than this Cesar Salad. I am not kidding when I tell you I am eating this salad twice week, easy! It's simple, easy, delicious, nutritious, and best of all pairs with my favorite Pinot Grigio just perfectly! Here's how I make it:

- Romaine Lettuce, 2-3 cups

- Baby Tomatoes, 1/3 cup

- Avocado, half, sliced

- Parmesan Cheese, 1/4 cup, fresh grated or shaved

- Lemon, quarter, squeezed

- Grilled Chicken, 4 oz. chopped

- Croutons, 1/3 cup

- Dressing: Bolthouse Creamy Cesar

Once the salad is constructed, before adding the Cesar dressing, squeeze the lemon over top, toss a little, then add the dressing. Get a good knife and fork and chop chop the salad all together to mix everything up. Every bite is a delight! Pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine & enjoy - I love my Pinot Grigio with this one!

Three great salads to try next time you need to spice up your salad game!

Enjoy!