What's in your salad?

Following my recent episode with being sick and having had extremely reduced immunity, my goal while doing grocery is nutrition nutrition nutrition + a few sweet treats which usually includes a few ounces of dark chocolate. 

Ever since my brother re-introduced me to cherry tomatoes I have been captivated by them. They're now a must-buy-item on my weekly grocery list. Date-sized, adorned in bright red and they pop in your mouth when you eat them whole - What's not to like them? Sure consuming an extreme amount might be dangerous to health. 

Over my Christmas holiday, we'd cook food some days and order on other days. One of the meals that stayed on my mind ever since then is the diced chicken salad. Why diced? Coz almost all chopped items in the salad are dice sized. 

One of the reasons I love making my diced salad is that it's so easy and quick. Maybe sometimes cutting into the feta could get messy but I've learnt that the colder my feta is, the easier it is to cut into it. 

It's like I've made it my personal goal to eat salad at least 5 times a week. When I taste something good, I like to introduce it into my buying list, bring it into my kitchen and add my flavour and sizzle to it. 

Usually, my diced salad has 250gms cherry tomatoes, 1 long cucumber and 400 gms feta cheese diced. Sometimes 100 gm black pitted olives.

My brother's version has 500gms of cajun spiced cooked diced chicken. The only reason I do not include it in mine is that chicken takes at least 10-12 minutes to cook. In my pan, probably longer. 

Having thoroughly enjoyed making my salad consistently for almost 2 months now, a couple of days ago I thought - I'd like to add some more fiber to my daily intake. Hmmmm... Let's add some nuts and seeds. Consequently, today's version contains a handful of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. the combination of it all is just the pure sweet taste of healthy food and the check box ticked with fiber. 

In the country I previously lived I had a really good friend who wanted to lose weight. Like most of us do at some point in life. She was also my co-worker and I'd see her eating salad for lunch maybe 3 times a week. But on her cheat day, she'd eat the most fat-rich food you can imagine. Often I'd make fun of her saying - how do you expect to lose weight if you overdo the richness on your cheat days? Sometimes I'd ask her  - Have you seen a cow? All it eats is greens. Does it look slim? Heck no! As she'd try to smack me with her look I'd laugh in my chair. That was then. If you're wondering are she and me still friends - Oh totally yes. Even with seas apart, she's a dear friend who holds a sure place in my heart. 

Now I've surely come to love and appreciate the nutritious value of a salad and its unending list of health and skin benefits. The next time I make a salad I'm gonna try adding walnuts and celery stalk. It brings a distinct taste that distinguishes it from my usual diced salad. How do you feel about salad? Do you consider it as a chore that facilitates good health? Or do you revel in its luscious texture and colours? Has my post made you smile thinking about your bond with eating a salad? Have I encouraged you to add the ingredients to your upcoming grocery list? maybe you have some easy and quick salad recipes you'd like to share with me and the readers? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Happy eating and remember to keep a close watch on the nutrition value of your food items.