yum.

(Dinner from last week: Trader Joe’s Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup with toast and creme fraiche +  healthy salad)

I’ve been enjoying fabulous salads at home lately and I felt the need to share with you all how to step up your salad game. I broke it down into steps so that you too can enjoy a wonderful (nutrient packed) salad at home. After all, we’re all trying to eat a little healthier since it’s the new year right? Enjoy! (if food or healthy food isn’t your thing just click “outfits” over there —> for your fashion pleasure).

1. Use spinach or mixed greens: Romaine is great, it has that crunch that makes every mouth happy but you could be getting more nutrients from your salad if you switch out the base (Romaine) for Spinach, Kale or a mixed green salad. Any dark leafy green with “veins” in is packed with iron and vitamins which makes it worth eating.

2. Add Micro Greens: I just recently discovered micro greens. I’ve had them at all the restaurants I eat at but I had no idea you could get them at a groccery store and more importantly how to use them. Turns out you can put them on literally anything (eggs, salads, soups, juice them etc.). Micro greens have more nutrition than regular greens which makes it totally worth it to add to your salad. They also add a subtle flavor and texture which steps it up a notch.

3. Add fresh fruit: I always like to add pear, apples or blueberries to my salad. It brings cool, fresh and sweet notes to your salad and of course….is super good for you. Generally you’re supposed to have 2 servings of fruit a day and this can count as one.

4. Add dried fruit: Dried fruit is also really good for you providing fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients. It’s a tad bit sweeter than fresh fruit adding another level of flavor and texture.

5. Add nuts: My personal fave are almonds. I like adding slivered almonds for texture and crunch. They also are a great source of Vitamin E and Calcium. Pecans and walnuts are also great. All are heart healthy.

6. Add Cheese: This isn’t the healthiest part but it makes for a good salad. My favorite is Gorgonzola to give it a kick. You can also add mozzarella, Feta or blue cheese. The sharpness of the cheese cuts through the sweet flavors to balance it all out.

I also always add green onions to my salad to give it some more flavor. I generally make my own dressing as well because who wants all of the sugar and preservatives of the packaged kind? I make a big batch and keep it in the fridge for multiple use. Here is my recipe (which now I use rice wine vinegar instead of lemon) and here is another recipe in which I got my inspiration from. Happy salad making!