The Keys to a SUPER AWESOME SALAD!

A sure way to make sure that you have yummy salads!

Include the following:

3 types of lettuce (I usually buy the Spring Mix) cut into smaller pieces

4-5 more vegetables- Cut into VARIOUS sizes and textures. This keeps all the good stuff from falling to the bottom.

Example: Carrot Ribbons, round Cucumbers, half cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered broccoli florets.

1- onion- watch the amount depending on the strength of the onion. Purple onions or Green onions are my favorite.

1-2 fruit (This adds juice so that you don't have to have as much dressing.)
Example: avocado, mango, peach, strawberry, capers, mandarin oranges, olives, grapes, raisins, dried apricots

1- cheese (This will add a boldness to the salad.)
Example: Parmesan, Feta, Goat, etc

1- fresh herb- not too much (This adds a freshness to the salad)
Example: cilantro (my favorite,) basil, mint, parsley, thyme, oregano

1- Nut or seed (try flavored nuts as well.)
Example: raw walnuts, raw almond slivers, raw pecans, candied nuts, roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flavored seeds.

1- Good CRUNCH- croutons, Chinese noodles, crackers on the side, toasted baguette, tortilla strips,etc. Not more than a few.

My favorite combinations thus far:

1. various veggies, tomatoes, avacado, raisins, diced green onions, fresh shredded parmesan, cilantro chili lime pumpkin seeds, with teaspoon of a dressing that I made out of lemon juice, cilantro, mint, parsley, olive oil.

2. various veggies, mango, asagio cheese, cilantro, avacado, tomato, purple onion, tortilla strips. salsa dressing

3. various veggies, ribbon Parmesan, capers, croutons, walnuts, basil, avacado, purple onion slivers, green olives. white balsamic dressing

Get creative! Try new things! Watch the dressing- you'll find that you really don't need a lot MAYBE 2 TSP