What is a big salad? Why does it have to be big? How do l make a big salad? Do l need a big bowl? What would l put in a big salad? Will l be able to eat it all?

So many questions to address before we even start. 

Eating a wholefoods based diet is supported by food planning. For me this requires the preparation of a BIG salad usually twice a week. This enables me to have a fresh salad on hand at all times. Eating raw foods is wonderful for your overall health, supports satiety and digestion.

I usually base my salads on a green such as spinach or cabbage (either red or green). From there l just add my favourite ingredients. Some times it is more green than others, and then when l use beetroot as one example there is a colour explosion.

Fresh herbs from the garden can add a lovely element to the salad. I like to use flat leaf parsley and sometimes mint. Some of my favourite vegetables are daikon, celery, carrot, fennel and capsicum. Try to use seasonal vegetables and the freshest ones possible so the salad keeps well.

I have a really big bowl that l use to mix my salads. As the volume goes down after a day or so l transfer it to a smaller bowl or container. Sometimes l drain off the extra liquid at this step. The salad can be served at any meal and is so handy to have in the fridge.

I often add nuts and seeds to the salads. Usually l choose walnuts, flaked almonds, pumpkin seeds or slivered almonds. I dress the salad with a mix of cold pressed olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon/lime juice, sea salt and black pepper. I mix it in a small glass and blend it with a hand mixer before adding it to the salad.

Mostly the salads keep really well. After a few days if l have some leftover and l want a new salad l use the remainder in an omelette. It is a very economical way to meal prep. I also mostly use my food processor to make the salads but if it is greens based l will sometimes cut and grate the vegetables the old fashioned way. I find the cabbage is sliced beautifully in the food processor and it is so quick.

Experiment with your salads. How big the salad is will depend on the size of your family. I encourage you to eat as much salad as you can as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Buy seasonal and organic vegetables where possible and spend some time thinking about the ingredients that will work well together. It can take time to get used to eating salads. Chewing is important and the dressing can really make a difference to the flavour.

Eat well, Live well and Be well.