Warm Up to Salads!

Theres something about a hot meal and its ability to make you feel satisfied. Maybe thats why when we think of having salads, some of us, not all, feel like it's "just a salad". I happen to be one of those "a little from column A, a little from column B" type of people. I love salads - I have them everyday, usually multiple times a day. They are quick, nutrient packed, inexpensive and easy to take on the go. However, I also quite enjoy a meal that warms my belly and my soul. So, what to do?

Simple answer is: Warm Salads.

Before you turn away from this idea, hear me out. You don't have to warm up everything, just the parts you would eat warm with say, a stir-fry or a toasted panini. My salads combine all sorts of different types of foods: beans, spinach, quinoa, mushrooms, cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, avocado, peppers, tofu, lentils.. you get the point. Many of these ingredients are great by themselves and are even better when they have just been cooked.

The road to satiety...

In this order, put the following ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl ( a big bowl - this salad is some serious chow)

3 cups of spinach

1 cup of roasted broccoli

1 cup of roasted cauliflower

80 g of roasted sweet potato

1 cup of black beans

Heat up these ingredients on high for about 1 minute 25 seconds, then add

1/2 cup cucumber

1/4 of a large red pepper

1 tbsp of pumpkin seeds

drizzle some alfalfa sprouts - as many as you like - you can't go overboard with the goodness of sprouts

swirl about a tbsp of sweet with heat mustard (PC brand or other)

Macros: Protein: Cals: 474 Protein: 30g, Carb: 80g Fat: 6g, Fibre: 26g (literally your entire days with of fibre) and to top it off, this hot babe is 33% of your daily recommendation of iron! The other micronutrients are insane in this salad but I won't get into that list! As you can see this is a perfect post-workout meal - I even bundle it up and throw it in my gym bag - its still good by the time you are done - unlike some cold salads who are known for their sogginess.

Hint: I generally have cauliflower, broccoli, and sweet potatoes roasted and ready to go in my fridge at all times. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. The potatoes take the longest.

Furthermore, sweet with heat mustard is a good alternative to often fatty, oily, calorie-dense salad dressings - and it adds a nice punch!

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