I’m not gonna say I’m CELEB famous for my salads, but … I’m pretty damn close. My salads are requested from coast to coast, born in Aspen, created currently in SoCal, spreading across the continent to D.C. and beyond. Here’s how to make the magic.
All sourced at Trader Joe’s:
Kale $2
Spinach $2
Cabbage $1.50
Brussels sprouts $2
Super 8 Veggie mix $2
Parmesan/Romano blend $4
No sugar added dried bing cherries ($)
Raw sunflower seeds $3 (should last 2 weeks at 5 salads/week)
Raw pumpkin seeds $6 (should last 3 weeks)
Avocado oil (Costco, $12 for a big bottle)
Citrus (squeeze of lime or lemon)
Protein – varies
I host a Sunday-night-salad-assembly-line and make 5 salads for the week at once. If I end up with a client lunch or some other lunch plans, I just scored a pre-made dinner salad! I combine all the ingredients, then chop the salad—this mixes all the ingredients. Because I just use oil for dressing, they stay good all week.
Now obviously you need protein in a salad this size, or despite all the fiber you’ll still be hungry quickly. Most often, I hard-boil a dozen eggs at the beginning of the week and toss those in, but I’m also partial to applegate turkey chopped up, leftover whatever protein I had for dinner (chicken or fish, yum), or even tuna salad—if I’m not planning on eating at my desk.
And in a pinch, I’ll just drink a protein shake (aka protein + water) with lunch.
One of my secrets for not getting bored of this salad is to mix it up. Sometimes I didn’t make it to TJ’s and use Sprouts veggies. Or I bought the nice Costco 7 Superfoods salad mix (their berries have added sugar tho). Or I tore up some leafy kale my own self. I’ve definitely thrown some crazy things in there. I’ll regularly rotate through: chickpeas, dried chickpeas, kelp noodles, berries (fresh instead of dried), pomegranate seeds, mozzarella (instead of parm), random cheese I had on hand, different nuts, leftover roasted or grilled veggies, whatever. The salad is a base.
I’ve also added flax from LuckyVitamin’s new LuckyRoots line of superfoods—it adds a nuttiness without a lot of texture and helps keeps me full all afternoon. #LuckyAmbassador
The best thing about lunch salads is that they’re energizing! No noon food comas here, baby. I also tackle much of my daily greens in one sitting, so if dinner isn’t on point (or I don’t eat it at all), I don’t worry too much.
So now you have my secrets, faux celebs. Go forth and salad!