Six Ways to Spruce Up Your Salad

May 7, 2008

salad.jpgTired of eating the same salad, day after day? You can cure the salad blues by experimenting with new and exciting ingredients. Here are six ways you can spruce up your salad:

  • Try a darker, more nutrient-dense green (such as baby spinach, arugula, or a spring mix) over your usual iceberg lettuce.
  • Opt for squash, eggplant, artichoke, and zucchini grilled with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil, instead of (or in addition to) more traditional ingredients, like tomatoes and cucumbers.
  • Try avocado or olives for a touch of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
  • Toss in grilled chicken, salmon, tuna, shrimp, or even tofu, for some satisfying lean protein.
  • Top with pecans, sunflower seeds, or another more exotic nut, instead of white-bread, buttery croutons.
  • Make your own salad dressing with an extra-virgin olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Store-bought dressings are fine, too, as long as they don’t contain more than 3 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving.

    • Source: South Beach Diet (www.southbeachdiet.com

    Written by Glenny's · Filed Under Diet Tips, What's New | 2 Comments 

    Featured Health Food: Spinach

    May 7, 2008

    spinach.jpgThough not guaranteed to give you super strength, spinach is rich in many nutrients, including beta-carotene, folic acid, magnesium, and vitamin K. Spinach is abundantly available year-round but is at its peak in the spring.

    Try it raw and tossed with chopped egg, crumbled turkey bacon, and vinaigrette; steamed or sautéed with garlic and extra-virgin olive oil as a side dish; or as part of a stir-fry made with skinless chicken breast or lean beef.

    Buying: Fresh spinach can be purchased either loose or in bags. It’s easier to judge the quality of loose spinach, but the bags are a boon when it comes to convenience. Look for green, undamaged leaves and avoid those with yellow spots, wilted parts, or a sour smell. Leaves with thinner stems will typically be sweeter tasting and more tender.

    Storing: Spinach can be stored in its original bag in the refrigerator for three to four days. To prevent wilting, spinach should not be washed before storing.

    Preparing: Before cooking, wash spinach carefully — the leaves tend to gather grit. Some bags come prewashed, but rinse them again. To clean properly, drop spinach leaves in a colander and rinse with cool water, stirring gently with your hands. Then spin the leaves in a salad spinner or dry them with a paper towel. While spinach makes a delicious salad base, some of the nutrients are better absorbed when cooked. Therefore, you should try preparing it both raw and cooked.

    Source: SouthBeachDiet.com

    Written by Glenny's · Filed Under Diet Tips, What's New | Leave a Comment 

    The Pizza Diet

    May 7, 2008

    pizzadiet.gif
    “I had some luck with the Pizza Diet. I lost four inches off the roof of my mouth!”

    Written by Glenny's · Filed Under Daily Cartoon | 6 Comments 

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