Fresh Healthy Salad For The Summer Time!

The summer time always makes me want to eat healthy. The heat plays a huge factor–I have cravings for salads and fruits. Because of this, I figured I would share with you some of my favorite add-ons you can use as dressing and toppings on your salad to add an extra kick in your step and make it filling. I am going to share with you my favorite ingredients to make the perfect summertime salad. Very easy to do and delicious.

Bye Bye Lettuce, Hello Spinach!

Instead of the basic base of lettuce for your salad, try spinach. When I was a child, I really disliked spinach, I think it was partly because I associated it with the gross looking canned kind you see on Popeye. Spinach is very high in iron and calcium. If you are a vegetarian then spinach should become your new best friend. Iron is usually the number one vitamin that vegetarians are lacking because it is largely found in meat. Also, calcium is very important for the health of your bones. The warm weather is also very dehydrating and tiring so it’s good to feel light and weightless. So, for your salad, add the nutritious value of spinach.

No Need for Tomatoes, Think Strawberries!

Substitute tomatoes for strawberries. Since strawberries are sweeter, I find that they complement the spinach base better. Strawberries are also a great source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is incredible for the skin because it kills its bacteria and also helps brighten and even skin tone. Its antioxidant character is also great for the body because it helps the body with its necessary enzymatic reactions. Vitamin C is also needed for the production of collagen. Lack of collagen will cause your skin to produce more visible brown spots directly connected with aging. Collagen is necessary for the anti aging properties and preservation of the body’s youth.

Walnuts on Top!

Walnuts have high levels of antioxidants. They also have been proven to increase fat oxidation and reduce carbohydrate oxidation. This means that they will help fill you up while at the same time making sure that you are digesting your food properly. Walnuts improve the use of body fat, making them a healthy and light add on to a salad. It also doesn’t hurt that they are delicious. It is best to keep the walnuts raw because roasting them takes away some of their antioxidant values.

Bonjour Brie Cheese!

Brie is made from whole or semi skimmed milk. It adds an exquisite flavor and it’s a nice change from the regular cheese you find on a salad. The French love eating this for breakfast, but I simply enjoy it any time of day. Brie is light and rich in flavor. Meaning, it doesn’t weigh down the meal but it is rich in flavor and ties the whole salad together.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing!

Best and final add-on to your salad. The mixture of olive oil and vinegar is perfect because it gives the salad the spice it needs and the benefits. Olive oil is great for the skin because of it’s strengthening values. but it is also wonderful because of it properties to displaces Omega 6 Fatty Acids. This means that olive oil has the ability to build a balanced Omega 6 fatty acid content. Olive oil is also known to lover blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

So what do you think of my choice of meal this season? I love this salad because every ingredient has its incredible benefit for the body. Summer is all about putting your best food forward, so make sure you are being taken care of, from the inside and out.