I thought I would write a post about SALAD, ‘cuz I love it!

YUM!

It’s such a healthy diet powerhouse!  It’s super healthy, low in calories, versatile, goes with anything, and is a great way to eat tons of veggies!

However, I don’t know about you, but when I make salads at home, they only last a day or two before they turn grody and wilted.

So, I came up with a “system” that helps to keep my salads yummy, fresh and plentiful!  It’s not rocket science, but I thought I’d share it with you nonetheless.

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K, so I LOVE to buy my salad greens at Costco….they are always crisp, fresh and cheap!  Yay.  I buy the big ‘ol pack of Romaine lettuce hearts…it’s like $3.50 or so for 6!

I also buy the big ‘ol box of baby spinach (perfect for protein shakes and omelets too!)

I usually chop up two or three Romaine hearts at a time and keep them in a big ziploc bag in the crisper drawer.

I love it because I can use the lettuce for sandwiches, tacos, or whip up a quick salad in a hurry.  AND, when I do make a salad, I chop the toppings up and keep them in separate containers.

That way, I can use the toppings on salad, sandwiches or just eat them by themselves.  Everything stays so much fresher this way and I get through it all before it dies!

YAY!

So, here are some pics….

My chopped Romaine Lettuce

My salad toppings: cucumbers, tomatoes, apples and sugar free candied pecans.

My compiled salad with a side of homemade pizza.

K, that’s just one example.

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Oh, and FYI, here’s how to make the candied nuts.

You can use any kind of nut you like and you can use real sugar if you prefer.  Whatever you want….

Sugar Free Candied Nuts

I used raw pecans from Costco and Splenda.

In a pan on the stovetop, put in a 1/4 cup or so of Splenda.

 

Add the nuts (I used about a cup). Mix it up and cook over medium high heat.

The sweetener will eventually begin to melt (about 5-7 minutes) and will coat the nuts. Keep cooking until most of the sweetener is melted.

Then you just lay it out on a plate to cool and you’re done!

So easy…and yummy!

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Here are some of my favorite salads…

• The one above: candied nuts with a fruit (apple, strawberries or grapes) and whatever other veggies I have on hand.
• Greek Salad: tomatoes, black olives, cucumber and feta cheese (this one has hard boiled eggs too!)

• Chef Salad: hard boiled eggs, ham or turkey, and whatever veggies I have on hand.
• Taco Salad: taco meat, refried beans, tomatoes, salsa, lite sour cream, cottage cheese, a little shredded cheddar and whatever else.

• Tuna Salad: tuna mixed with lite mayo and pickles atop a bed of lettuce

Those are probably my favs, but I also love to make a “clean out the fridge” salad sometimes too!

Oh, and here’s a tip….if your lettuce is a little wilted, throw it in a bowl of ice water for about 10 minutes or so (I do this while I’m chopping toppings.)

Drain the ice water and your lettuce will be fresh, chilled and crisp!

YUM!

So, eat up!