Lisa’s Super Salad

Makes 2 servings

Salads, and what yo u dress them with, are full of wonderful, nutritional ingredients that are vital to a healthy body. This recipe is a guide, but think about using up the odds and ends in the fridge. If you don’t have exactly what’s on the list, improvise! You could add some dinner leftovers, a can of chick peas, cooked lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, or beans for a protein punch.

These ingredients are basically the majority of my daily salad base. It is one of the ways you can get in most of your healthy, energizing whole foods daily. The toppings and protein choices may change but it will give you a consistent start to your lunch or dinner planning.

Make extra (keep avocados, onions, tomato’s, and dressing to the side and add in when ready to eat). Leave it in a covered storage bowl for another lunch or meal prep

 Ingredients: 

• 4-6 cups fresh salad greens like romaine, butter lettuce, red-leaf lettuce, arugula, spinach, kale etc …chop it and mix it up! 

• 1/2 avocado, peeled and diced (or use the whole avocado if you like!) 

• 1/2 (or more) tomato, diced OR hand full chopped cherry tomatoes

• 1/2 medium cucumber, chopped into bite-size pieces

• Handful or two of shredded red and green cabbage (about ½-1 cup) 

• 1/2 carrot, chopped or grated

• 3-4 chopped fresh basil sprigs

• 1-2 celery stalks chopped

• 4-5 chopped fresh cilantro sprigs

• ¼-1/2 cup chopped red onion or scallions

• Micro greens and or sprouts of your choice ( I love crunchy pea sprouts) 

• 1 teaspoon hemp seeds (optional) 

• 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds or almonds (spread on a baking sheet and roast at 300 for just a few minutes, they toast fast so keep an eye on them!) OR use them raw.

To Prepare:

• Get a big salad bowl with lots of room. Add the lettuce, arugula, kale, tomato, and cucumber, celery, and whatever other veggies you’re playing with.

• Top with the micro greens, sprouts, avocado, carrot shavings, and herbs.

• Sprinkle with the seeds and nuts.

• Lightly salt & pepper if you like.

• Add in all your goodies (Plant Protein source, grains or other veg) Drizzle the dressing directly onto the salad and toss. Your super salad is ready for you!

Buckwheat Asian Salad with Peanut Sauce

A wheat-free pasta alternative

Ingredients

• 8oz package of 100% buckwheat noodles ( read the ingredients, many that say buckwheat are not GF. You can also use rice noodles )

• 1/2 red pepper julienned

• 1 cup shredded Napa cabbage and purple cabbage

• 1/2 zucchini julienned

• 1 cup chopped romaine hearts

• 1/4 cup sunflower sprouts

• 2 tbsp. of toasted sesame seeds

• 1 scallion

• 1 tbsp of chopped parsley

• 1/4 cup dried seaweed (wakame or hijiki) Soak in HOT tap water (optional)

Peanut Sauce

1/4 cup of peanut butter

3 tbsp of rice vinegar

2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or GF tamari

1/2 tsp sriracha

1/2 tsp grated ginger

1/4 tsp maple syrup

1-3 tbsp water

Whisk together PB, vinegar, tamari, and maple syrup. Whisk in water slowly to the consistency you would like.

Optional: 1/2 tsp of toasted tsesame oil and/ or 1 garlic clove grated

Instructions

• Cook the noodles according to package. Do not over cook.

• Strain and rinse with cool water.

• Dry seaweed gently on a paper towel and add to noodles.

• Toss noodles, peppers, zucchini, cabbage, and romaine with desired amount of peanut sauce.

• Top with sunflower sprouts and sesame seeds, parsley, and scallions.

Quick "Out The Door" Breakfast Options

Here are some options for when you're having one of those days where you need something to grab and go!

• One piece of whole grain/sprouted grain or gluten free toast with 1/2 mashed avocado and sprinkle of chia/sesame seeds, or red chili flakes.
•  Organic brown rice cake with nut butter (and banana)
•  Low sugar non-dairy yogurt (coconut/ almond) with berries and nuts/seeds mixed in.
•  Banana (celery, carrot) with smear of nut butter.
•  A wrap with sliced avocado, tomatoes, onions and sprouts and a side fresh greens. You can also put some tofu scramble in your wrap (or lettuce cup)
•  Cooked Sweet Potato w/ avocado or almond/ peanut butter 
•  A green juice or a smoothie ( 90% veg/ 10% fruit)  in a “to-go ” thermos.
• In a glass jar with a lid place 1/2 cup of raw quick oats w/ 3/4 cup of almond milk, touch of maple syrup, fresh berries, a few nuts ( or a tsp of nut butter) and cover with lid.  On the go soaked oats!