3 Delicious Salad Recipes That Are Anything But Traditional

Lettuce, croutons and a bit of vinaigrette are the components of a standard salad. Although they're certainly attractive ingredients, the combination can get boring at times. You still want a healthy salad at dinnertime so think outside of the box. There are some delicious salad recipes that aren't full of the standard items. Get excited about your next meal by trying these top three recipes that sparkle with flavor. 

1. A Cool Trio

Forgo the lettuce by sticking to the cooler vegetables in the produce aisle. Collect ripe tomatoes, avocados and cucumbers. Chop these items into uniform chunks. Ideally, make them small enough for easy chewing during your meal. Toss the ingredients together until there's a little bit of each item in every bite.

Your choice of salad dressing is up to you at this point. Some people like to drizzle a chipotle ranch onto the salad for a Hispanic twist on the ingredients. You're welcome to maintain the ingredients' integrity by using only oil and vinegar across them as well.

A simpler choice of dressing is a squirt of lime and salt. The lime's acidity brings out a liveliness in the vegetables and fruits. It also reduces the chances of the avocado turning brown between your meal preparation and enjoying the dish. Don't salt the ingredients too heavily either. You still want to taste the subtle flavors found only in nature. 

2. Make it a Sandwich

If you're a fan of the BLT or bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich, you're in for a thrilling meal when you turn it into a salad. Chop up romaine lettuce into bite-size chunks. Pull out some canned corn. Drain it, and sprinkle the kernels onto the lettuce. Add chopped tomatoes and avocados to the mix as well. In essence, picture the ingredients on your sandwich but just in chopped form.

Instead of bread holding your sandwich together, toss a few croutons onto that salad. The best part is adding the bacon to the mixture. Cook your bacon until it's thoroughly warmed and browned. Break apart the pieces, and add them to your salad.

Mustard and mayonnaise are normal accompaniments to a BLT sandwich, but not for these salad recipes. Consider a lime vinaigrette or ranch sauce. You might choose a honey Dijon as a unique alternative. Experiment with the dressings so that you're always thrilled with a BLT salad whenever you're in the mood. 

3. Berries to the Rescue

Salads don't have to be savory by nature. Think of the sweet side of life. Berries come in many shapes and sizes. Try a mixture of three or more types. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are interesting choices for a salad. Chop up any large berries so that they match the size of your smallest ingredient, such as the blueberries. 

Chop up some mint, and mix it into the berries. Drizzle lemon juice and honey onto the berries. Serve this dish immediately for the best flavor. The antioxidants and vitamins within the berries are perfect accompaniments to a healthy lifestyle. Eat this salad at any meal, including breakfast. The natural sugars give you some energy for the day ahead.

As you grow into retirement, you have more time than ever to devote to healthy living. Experiment with your own salad recipes because an imaginative mind can create a superb meal. Enjoy your salad on the side or as an entree. Regardless of your arrangement, healthy eating only supports a long retirement for you and the entire family.

Why Is Greek Yogurt So Delicious?

What Is Greek Yogurt?

When you are shopping at a supermarket, there are several varieties of yogurt, including Greek yogurt. This type of yogurt is strained with filtering devices to remove the whey. This process leads to a thicker yogurt that still has a distinctive flavor. Some Greek yogurt manufacturers also add powdered milk, butterfat or other ingredients to this food to give it a thicker texture. A processing plant may boil milk to reduce its moisture content in order to make a thick variety of Greek yogurt. 

Greek Yogurt Contains Less Lactose and Sugar 

There are several additional benefits from Greek yogurt, including a reduction in its lactose. Many individuals are sensitive to lactose, leading to digestive problems or intestinal distress, so they are eager to buy a yogurt that contains less of this ingredient. The straining process will also reduce the yogurt’s sugar content, but some food manufacturers add sugar to certain types of Greek yogurt. 

You Can Use Greek Yogurt As a Substitute Ingredient

It is possible to use Greek yogurt as a substitute ingredient in some recipes that require sour cream. Some varieties of Greek yogurt have reduced amounts of fat, making it an excellent substitute when someone is on a diet. With its lower amount of lactose, anyone who is sensitive to this type of sugar is still able to prepare her favorite recipes. The removal of the whey from this type of yogurt leads to a richer consistency that you might enjoy, and food manufacturers typically add fruit or vanilla to the Greek yogurt products. 

Greek Yogurt Has Less Whey Protein 

Some individuals are also sensitive to whey protein, making it impossible to consume regular types of yogurt. Whey protein can cause an assortment of health problems, including: 

• Liver damage
• Kidney dysfunction
• Osteoporosis 
• Risk of diabetes mellitus
• Headaches
• Higher cholesterol levels
• Abnormal heart rhythms 
• Acid reflux

If you can’t consume high levels of whey, then Greek yogurt is a great option to ingest protein, calcium and iron. In addition, Greek yogurt contains probiotics that can improve the health of your digestive tract. Probiotics are helpful bacteria that can increase the health of your immune system to prevent foodborne illnesses, urinary tract infections and inflammatory bowel disease.