Yummy Salad Jars

I live my life by checklists.

For many years I even have to check off that I’ve dropped off the kids at school because I like checklists so much.

And one of the things on this week’s checklist is to have healthy, delicious foods ready to go at a moment’s notice because I believe it’s easier for you to eat healthy no matter what…..at least it is when you are prepared.

With that in mind, one of the meals I prepped ahead of time are these gorgeous (and delicious) salad-in-a-jar lunches. Following the Adrenal Reset Diet, you only need 1/2 cup of carbs for a lunch serving. So all of these contain the proper amount of carbs (chickpeas/garbanzo beans), fats (dressing and nuts), and most have shredded chicken as the protein (see shredded chicken recipe HERE).  And you can add as many unlimited foods as you would like.

If done properly, these can last 3-4 days. But Dr. Christianson suggests eating them in 1-2 days. Make sure the greens are washed and DRIED thoroughly before putting them into the jars.

This is the order you want to put everything in so it stays fresh and doesn’t get soggy:

1. Dressing (2 tablespoons) *Or you can leave the dressing out and wait until you are ready to eat it and then add it to your salad.
2. Tomatoes (grape or cherry tomatoes work well)
3. Chickpeas (½ cup)
4. Roasted red peppers – unlimited
5. Olives (2 large or 3 small)
6. Arugula & spinach (unlimited)
7. Chicken (4-6 oz)
8. Walnuts (crumble 3 or 4 – and use a little less dressing so you don’t get more fats than necessary)

Have fun and get creative with ingredients. If you want to use rice or potato instead of chickpeas, go for it (boiled, then chilled fingerling potatoes are a great source of resistant starch – Read More on RS HERE.

These are great for days when you don’t feel like cooking, or bring them to the office. Part of the joy of eating food is to use to make it pretty. The more colors you use, the prettier they will look. The prettier your food is, the more appetizing it is to you. Play with other ingredients and have fun! Make sure you have protein, carbs, fats, and unlimited foods and you will have a lunch that is satisfying and delicious.

Enjoy!

Kirin Christianson