May 22, 2018

Happy National Salad Month!

Hi! I’m Haley and this summer I’ll be interning with DinnerTime. I am extremely excited to learn about all things food, especially since I am a rising senior in college and am now faced with answering the classic question: What’s for dinner? More often than not, my roommates and I end up throwing a salad together for dinner, and gather around the small table in our apartment to vent about our days. Like many people, such as Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec, I occasionally think of salad as just rabbit food, but it doesn’t have to be that way!

While I was once not so fond of salads and turned my nose up at the idea of having so many vegetables in one space, college has changed me. I have found that salad is the perfect meal to grab on the go when I’m in a rush and need something quick, and healthy, before heading off to the library. I’ve also come to realize something even better: Salads can consist of more than merely greens, like lettuce and spinach! I can have a salad featuring other vegetables like artichokes, cucumbers, or even black beans. As a college student on a tight budget, I don’t have the ability to go to restaurants to try the newest trends revolving around the world of salad (and trust me, there are a lot). So instead, I continually put my mediocre cooking skills to the test and bring out my salad bowl.

Try being your own salad guru in the comfort of your own home! Salad allows you to truly tap into your creative side, as there are no rules when it comes to building this plate. You can mix and match different fruits, vegetables, meats and dressings; so don’t be shy! If you’re feeling daring, maybe throw in some nuts or seeds for that extra crunch and perhaps toss in some…QUINOA!

While we may be excited about incorporating more adventurous foods into our salads, we should be mindful of the kids too. Like my mom always tried to do with me, encourage them to try new veggies! Let them help you make the salad because that way, they know exactly what’s going into the dish and will be more likely to join the clean-plate club. There are no wrong answers, so have fun with it!

Here’s a fun joke to get the party started:

“Why did the tomato turn red?” — “It saw the salad dressing!”

8 Things I Like to Throw Into a Salad…Recipes Included:

1. Nuts (almonds, cashews), seeds (flax): healthy nutrients that add a crunch!
2. Fruit/Dried Fruit: a flavorful kick to any salad, but be aware of added sugars.  
3. Quinoa: protein rich, easy to freeze and use when needed!
4. Meats/Seafood (chicken, steak, tuna, salmon): stocked with protein and packed with other vitamins.
5. Hard-boiled eggs: heart healthy snack as well as salad topper!
6. Pasta: low in sodium and cholesterol free!
7. Cheese: calcium rich and perfect for any salad.
8. Fresh herbs: the ultimate taste enhancer!  

 Submitted by Haley York, DinnerTime Intern

Here are a few of my personal faves!

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