Salad Meals

I really didn't even want to put the word "salad" in the title of this post because it's such a cliche word.  I think the 90's (maybe the 80's- i was a fetus) gave this word a bad name.  I swear I can remember thinking as a young child, "eat a salad, lose weight." Sad.  What's even more crazy sad is real people thinking "as long as there is lettuce somewhere in there, it's healthy."  No, silly-pants, tons of cheese and meat and bacon and a cup of blue cheese dressing on lettuce is not healthy.  And the whole connotation that goes along with a lady saying, "i'll just have a salad" is silly.  Salads can be meals, people, delicious, healthy filling meals.  So, while I continue to think of a better name for salads, enjoy some of my favorite lettuce concoctions below.  Also, I'm not putting dressing suggestions, but think healthy people, extra-virgin olive oil, other oils and vinegars, or, simply, a mashed-up avocado.
I always start with romaine or romaine hearts or other combos of crunchy lettuces. I like crunch. And I despise baby lettuces. Except baby spinach. I don't know why, but most baby lettuces make me want to vomit.  I'm being dramatic.
And then, depending on how I'm feeling that day, I add the following combos (or sub-combos):

1. Tex-Mex

Black Beans (drained and rinsed) or Warm Refried Beans (some find this weird. I find it amazing)

a smidgen of pepper jack

Tomatoes

Black Olives

White Onions

Green Bell Pepper

Your favorite homemade salsa

Jalapenos

Avocado

Spritz of Lime

2. Grainy (in the good way)

Chilled (or Warm) Plain Cous Cous (or other grain you like)

Grape tomatoes

Red, orange, or yellow bell pepper

Peas

a smidgen of feta

Little Lemon Juice

3. Fruity

(Start with Spinach here)

Strawberries

Blueberries

really, any berries

Green apple

Oranges are delish, too

4. Intense Flavors (use a toothbrush after this one, folks)

Kalamata Olives

Green Olives

Red Onion

Bell Pepper

Artichokes

Bean Sprouts

5. Summer

Quinoa

Green Beans

Asparagus

Corn

Shrimp

Spritz of Lemon