Healthy Eating Series: Salads can make you can look like this too

In an effort to keep things interesting, I've decided to add a new bi-weekly feature to the blog. So today is the start of my new "Healthy Eating" series. The idea is to provide some eye candy along with a recipe for something healthy and good-for-you too.

Like most people from Palm Springs and San Diego, I try to spend as much time living outdoors. Salads are the perfect choice for lunch poolside or on the patio. Try this salad- I recommend buying organic vegetables, you'll be surprised how much more flavor they have.

MEDITERRANEAN CHOPPED SALAD
This is one of my favorite salads and is also good with grilled fish or chicken. Use fresh, organic ripe tomatoes, it provides some fiber and a healthy dose of vitamin C too. Prep Time: 20 minutes- Makes 4 servings, 3/4 cup each

2 medium organic tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 medium head organic romaine lettuce
1 cup diced seedless organic cucumber (1/4 medium)
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin organic olive oil
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, scallions, parsley, olives, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl; toss gently to mix. Serve within 1 hour.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 113 calories; 10 g fat (1 g sat, 8 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 328 mg sodium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (40% daily value), Vitamin A (15% dv).0 Carbohydrate Servings

-Rick Rockhill