This Big Salad Feeds Me 4 Days a Week

Inspired by Elaine, ofc

I cannot be the only person obsessed with a big salad. Your big bowl, tons of veg, and croutons, and goodies. And (gasp) RANCH DRESSING. A delight! A delight I tell you. This salad warmly says, 'You’re welcome here,' to anyone who eats it.

Lo's Big Salad

I like to food prep on Sundays for my big salad, and I eat this thing for lunch at least 4 days a week. When I get too lazy to make it, I’ll order something similar from a salad bar in town.

It’s a good mix of protein (about 15-16 grams) to give you the boost you need during the day, so much fiber for great poops and energy and clear skin, carbs bc brain fuel, plus fun old school ingredients that make eating a salad 4 days a week actually joyful. I bring it to work or eat it when I WFH on the zooms.

I don’t put any meat on this salad; I get the protein from 2 hard boiled eggs and a handful of edamame beans. I’ve been a bit turned off by chicken on my salad lately. I don’t know why. Just am. So I found protein alternatives I’ve been enjoying a lot lately. The ingredient combo below is my favorite I’ve tried yet. It gives modern Americana, like the salads of our youth but with some upgrades here and there.

Here’s what you’ll need to make Lo’s Big Salad (sharing ingredients in the amount I throw in - approximately - for one salad):

Ingredients

• 2 cups of chopped romaine lettuce (I prefer organic for all lettuce but eating any lettuce, organic or not, is better than nothing)

• handful of croutons (as many as you like really, I’m not scared of carbs and they make eating a salad often joyful instead of … too … salad-y)

• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds

• 1/4 avocado, sliced

• handful of steamed broccoli (cooled in the fridge)

• handful of diced carrots

• 1 jalapeno, diced

• handful of sliced mushrooms

• handful of chopped red cabbage

• 3 tablespoons of edamame (protein)

• 2 hard-boiled eggs, cut into small pieces (protein)

• 1 tablespoon grated cheddar cheese

• 1 tablespoon bacon bits (not the classic kind, I make bacon and crunch it up)

• 2 tablespoons ranch dressing (not from the bottle, I use the Hidden Valley dry packet and make it at home with milk+mayo)

Directions

1. When you’re doing prep, wash, chop and dry everything veggie related

2. Steam your broccoli, run it under cold water, and then stick it in the fridge

3. Cook up your bacon however you like til its crunchy and crumbly, then pound it into bacon bits

4. Make your ranch dressing using the dry packet, milk, mayo, or make your own custom herby dressing (I’ll post this recipe soon)

5. Hard boil your eggs, and boil your edamame.

6. Once everything is ready to go combine into a BIG BOWL, add your dressing, and enjoy Lo’s Big Salad.

As I mentioned, this combo of ingredients is my absolute fave. It reminds me of my youth, but it hits nutritional goals to stay in homeostasis during the workday so I can get to the end of my workday without feeling tired or cranky.

What are you fave ingredients for Big Salad? I’d love to try. Let me know in the comments.

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