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 baby spinach leaves

• 1/2 C blueberries

• 1 C strawberries, sliced

• 1 C watermelon, cubed

• 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)

Directions

1. Rinse and pat dry baby spinach leaves and place in a large bowl.

2. Rinse and prepare fruit to add to spinach.

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

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

Such a simple recipe why not channel your creative side and try adding a few other ingredients for variety too?! Some ideas to get you started are sliced almonds, raspberries, a variety of dark leafy greens, fat free gorgonzola, homemade croutons, etc., is your mouth watering yet?

Eat and Enjoy!

Are you ready to ditch boring diets forever and create healthy, balanced, and sustainable food habits for lasting weight loss? Join me inside my FREE women's only Facebook group: Slim & Trim with Coach Mindy. It's for women who are ready to achieve weight loss the smart way by creating simple, realistic and FUN habits that help them live healthier, happier and become the best version of themselves!