When You're Really Feeling Shut In...

One of the main things that I try to do while navigating inconvenient or seasonal disturbances is by keeping healthy oxidant-loaded fruits and nuts on hand.  There's nothing like an overloaded carb diet without much "sunshine" to totally kill your metabolism and state of mind.  

Here's one easy to prepare salad that will leave you with a refreshed immune system and light on the waistline but heavy on flavor:

Jen's Diversity Salad Immune-Boost

Spinach, Spring Greens, or Butter Lettuce Mix

Handful of blueberries (organic preferred)

6 large strawberries, sliced

Walnuts, pecans, almonds (sliced in bags are perfect) appx. 2 T per salad

Feta or shred cheese (good with mozzarella or provolone as well)

Your favorite dressing (I like dill yogurt with this salad but most people prefer balsamic vinaigrette)

Rotisserie chicken breast (I place a half breast to the side of the salad, rather than shredding the chicken and mixing in)

Sliced salad olives, if desired (I use pimento-stuffed sliced olives even if I am using fruit; this adds zip and diversity)

Croutons and/or Naan bread

A 3T dollop of hummus (Boar's Head Pine Nut is my choice, but Sabra will do)

Instructions:

On a full-sized plate, layer your greens.  Follow by sprinkling feta or shredded cheese (1/4 cup is a normal serving) over the greens.  Then add your blueberries and strawberries, followed by your nuts of choice.  I like to put my dressing in a tiny cup to the side of the salad.  To really doll this salad up restaurant-style, add croutons and a dollop of hummus to the side.  If you're super-hungry, add a warm toasted Naan bread in pizza slices on a smaller plate.  Delicious with the hummus.  

My recommended drink with this salad is a zippy raspberry lemonade (yes, I use Crystal Light and I add a maraschino cherry and about a tablespoon of sweet cherry juice, which totally kills the no-sugar idea, but delicious).  

This salad will almost keep the doctor away and certainly is a healthy alternative to a Big Mac for lunch.  Keep it simple and it is a habit you'll be able to keep.