Red, White & Blue Salad

Eating healthy doesn't have to be bland or boring.

For years salads have gotten a bad wrap. They've been seen as boring and a punishing meal on the road to healthier living.

But salads can be FUN!

And this Red White & Blue Salad proves it. It's simple yet hearty with spinach, colorful berries, watermelon, feta and walnuts. And when you combine these ingredients, you not only get the benefit of balanced nutrition, which leaves you feeling satiated, you have a variety of fun colors, flavors, and textures that increase feelings of meal satisfaction!

Did you know... spinach is a dark leafy green loaded with all sorts of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, E and K, vitamins B2 and B6, calcium, potassium, folate, magnesium, iron and even protein! And eating a serving of dark leafy greens each day has been shown to carry a variety of health benefits, such as reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. All pretty great reasons to dig into a hearty salad, am I right?

Ingredients

• 4 C lettuce greens

• 1/2 C blueberries

• 1/3 C raspberries

• 1 C strawberries, sliced

• 1/3 C fat free feta cheese, crumbled

• 1/4 C finely chopped walnuts (optional)

• 2-3 Tbsp. light raspberry vinaigrette (I like Annie's organic dressing line)

Directions

1. If not using pre-rinsed salad greens, rinse and pat dry your baby greens and place in a large bowl.

2. Rinse and prepare fruit to add to the bowl.

3. Add crumbled feta cheese and walnuts and gently toss.

4. Serve with light raspberry vinaigrette (or other light vinaigrette of choosing)

Want to add more variety to this simple salad?

Here are some easy ideas:

• Sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds

• Raspberries, watermelon, blackberries

• Homemade croutons or tortilla strips

Eat and Enjoy!

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