coconutprincess

You can learn to eat just about anything! Can't believe someone would ask why eat salad if you don't like them.

Anyways.... I have 2 salads a day, but I'll just list my favorites. You can also find recipes on pinterest.
Spinach, no sugar added mandarin oranges (I eat 1/2 serving for 20 kcal), dates (I use 1/4 serving for about 35 kcal), craisins (1/4 serving for another 50 kcal). I normally use makoto ginger dressing which has 80 kcal in 2 TBSP - but I only need 1 TBSP b/c I just dip the fork in. However, I recently discovered flavored balsamic vinegars, so I have been using those more (hardly any sodium and as far as I can tell only about 10 kcal/TBSP). I go to a specialty store in my town to buy different kinds of vinegar - honey ginger, strawberry, raspberry, pumpkin are among my favorite flavors. I have also used Ken's healthy options oil and vinegar and Olive Garden's italian dressing -- again I usually stick to 1 TBSP and I have a fairly large salad.
Another salad involves spinach, pears (cooked if I have the time) and pecans (toasted). I also like to throw some apples on spinach. I don't do cheese or creamy dressings, so that saves calories.
My evening salad is usually spinach w/ cucumbers and banana peppers and tomatoes.
I plan to try an asian slaw salad next week.
I usually start my meal w/ a large salad to help fill me up and get my nutrients. I really think it has made a big difference and highly recommend it. It cuts down on the need for other higher calorie foods as it takes extra time which allows your brain to get the "i'm starting to feel full" signal. It makes your meal last longer.

I'm a big fan of making a what I call spicy mexican salad: lettuce, onion (sometimes leeks instead), green peppers, bell peppers of another color are the base. Instead of dressing I use salsa - but I thin it out with the juice from a jar of jalapenos and blend smooth. I add other things I have them on hand and they fit into my calorie budget: ground beef, chicken, cheese, black olives, corn, beans.

I can't find the exact recipe now, but here is a warm salad-like recipe I really liked. Low fat, but hearty feeling. I can't remember the exact the measurements, so you'll have to experiment.

- Saute sliced portabella mushrooms and red onions in a little olive oil.
- add little black pepper, 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar and some soy sauce (maybe a tablespoon or two) to taste
- cook a few more minutes
- pour over greens (spinach, arugula, lettuce, etc.) and sliced red peppers.

Very similar to this:
http://shinjitefood.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/portobello-mushroom-salad-with-balsamic-soy-sauce-dressing/


Other than that, I love everything from Mark Bittman. See this link for salad and dressing recipes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/dining/22mlist.html?em

A friend sent me a picture of some food this morning on FB. It was eggs cooked in bell pepper rings. I made it right away. I always cook my eggs in coconut oil because it makes them lighter. Most coconut oil is tasteless but Trader Joes (and I love that place) but theirs have a coconut smell and taste. I sauteed some spinach around it and it was great. A great alternate to frying eggs in a piece of bread with a hole in it, Being in a ring made it easier to flip and I got some vegetables in first thing in the morning.