Spring is here! While you are spring cleaning the house, why not spring clean your body? If you are looking for unique weight loss solutions, here are a few springtime salads that will please not only your body, but your palate!
Springtime Spinach Salad
Ingredients
2 eggs
5 cupsfresh spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
1/2 cupsliced fresh mushrooms
1 cupsliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cupthinly sliced onion
1kiwi, sliced
1/2mandarin orange, peeled and segmented
1/4 cupketchup
1/4 cupwater
1/4 cupolive oil
1/4 cupbrown sugar
2 tablespoonscider vinegar
1/2 teaspoonspicy brown mustard
1 dashgarlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 cupseasoned croutons
Directions
Place the eggs in a saucepan with enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover, and let eggs stand in hot water for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from hot water and cool. Peel, chop, and set aside.
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium high heat until crisp and evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss together the eggs, bacon, spinach, mushrooms, strawberries, onion, kiwi, and orange.
In a separate bowl, mix the ketchup, water, olive oil, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and brown mustard. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad mixture, and top the salad with croutons.
Watermelon, Heirloom Tomato, and Feta Salad
Ingredients
2 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh herbs
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 heirloom tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 cup (1-inch) cubed red seedless watermelon
1 cup (1-inch) cubed seeded yellow watermelon
1/4 cup vertically sliced red onion
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions
Whisk together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.
Add tomato, watermelon, and onion; toss to coat.
Sprinkle with cheese; toss gently.
Grilled Salmon-and-Asparagus Salad
Ingredients
1 (1 1/2-pound) salmon fillet or 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
1 pound asparagus spears
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
8 cups arugula
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Directions
Brush salmon and toss asparagus with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill salmon over medium-high heat (350° to 400°)
for 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.
Grill asparagus, turning occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes or until tender.
Divide arugula evenly among 4 plates; top with flaked salmon, asparagus, and tomatoes. Serve with vinaigrette
Grilled Salmon-and-Asparagus Salad
Ingredients
1 (1 1/2-pound) salmon fillet or 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
1 pound asparagus spears
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
8 cups arugula
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Directions
Brush salmon and toss asparagus with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill salmon over medium-high heat (350° to 400°)
for 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.
Grill asparagus, turning occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes or until tender.
Divide arugula evenly among 4 plates; top with flaked salmon, asparagus, and tomatoes. Serve with vinaigrette
Mint-Lime Spring Green Fruit Salad
Ingredients
1 avocado, diced
1 green apple, sliced thin, dime-sized slices
1 lime, squeezed (add a touch of zest too if you’d like)