One of the main we’re all trying to eat healthier is too get more energy and feel better. Hopefully last week you were able to start adding more water to your daily routine. This week let’s add salads!

The great thing about salads is they can be a varied as your imagination, and the contents of your fridge. The first place salads can veer off the healthy path is with the dressing. Susan over at Fat Free vegan has a list of dressing recipes that are great tasting, and low fat or fat free. How does Non-Fat Basil Balsamic Dressing, Easy Strawberry Jalapeño Dressing, or Rodeo Ranch Dressing sound to you?

As a base you will want some kind of green, but from there the sky’s the limit. Have leftovers from last night? If you have chili, make a taco salad. Be creative.

Try one of these as a base for your salad:

• arugula
• romaine
• heirloom lettuces like deer’s tongue or speckled lettuce
• spinach

Then add from this list:

• a handful of nuts
• dried cranberries
• fresh strawberries
• fresh blueberries
• goat cheese crumbles

More goodies:

• hard boiled egg
• left over protein from dinner
• leftover cooked veggies
• shredded and chopped raw veggies
• olives
• marinated artichoke hearts

If you are in a hurry, or just don’t have anything in your fridge to top your lettuce, go to your local salad bar and fill a container with shredded beets, carrots, and your favorite chopped veggies. Use these all week to top your lettuce with no work at all!

Tags: arugula, blueberries, healthy eating, nuts, salad, spinach lettuce