Salad? REALLY? But I'm not a FAN of salads....sigh....

Hey y'all!  I haven't posted recipes in ages.  I haven't done alot of stuff in ages.  My body has been on strike, so my "cooking" has consisted of warming up something out of a box or can.  Obviously, all that cheap eating and being stuck in bed has caused my already ample physique to expand.  Ugh!  Yep.  I've gained weight, and feel horrible!  So, I've challenged myself to replace one meal a day with a salad.  No, I'm not starving myself.  I'm trying to cook real food (even though boxed meals are so much CHEAPER and EASIER!!!!)  I'm trying to make breakfast my biggest meal of the day, and all cooked from scratch.  I am still eating out once in a while, still indulging in a doughnut now and then, and still drinking sweet tea.  I'm just trying to be a little healthier.

Now, back to these salads.  I'm not a fan.  Truly.  Salads have never been my go to meal.  It's not something I crave, love, or really care to eat.  For years, my version of a salad was lettuce, ranch dressing, and croutons or crackers.  I've had salads I like.  Some I love, even.  However, not something I want to eat every day.  Nonetheless, I need to eat cleaner.  I need to feel better!  Less processed foods, less junk, less starch, more wholesome goodness.  My sister gave me a salad zinger for Christmas.  The sample dressings looked so yummy...but who needs dressing without salad?  So, here goes!  30 whole days of salad!  I'm challenging myself to make it a little different every day.  I get bored easily and hate eating the same thing.  You will see lots of the same ingredients, just put together in different ways.

Here's my challenge to you!  Experiment!  Mix up something completely unexpected and see how it turns out.  They may not all be winners, but you can figure out what you like.  Have fun with your food.  If you, too, want to eat a little cleaner, feel a little better, and get a little adventurous with your eating, make your own 30 day salad challenge!  Here we go!  Let's get cooking!

Salad:
Chopped baby spinach
Small avocado
Mango
Sunflower seeds
A sprinkling of pink Himalayan salt

About a tablespoon of dressing:
lemon juice
rice vinegar
olive oil

I can't say that I've had these flavors together before, and really didn't know how it would work out.  It was wonderful!  It is very fresh and refreshing.  The sweetness of the mango offsets the tang of the salad dressing.  I used the dressing very sparingly because I didn't want it to overpower the avocado.  The lemon juice helps keep the avocado from turning so quickly.  Definitely a winner!!!!