Summer Salad Recipes Stay Healthy This Summer with Delicious Salads! | |  Get ahead with your healthy eating plans this year, with some easy-to-make salads that will easily become your favorite meal. Salads are a great way to make the most of the season's freshest veggies, and you'll be getting those oh-so-important greens in the process!
Creativity and a taste for adventure are all that's needed to enjoy lunch or dinner like the your favorite celeb; if you wonder how they stay so slim and trim, it's good to know that most of them are getting their daily dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from tasty salad creations. Whether you're a culinary whiz, or prefer a more simple cooking style, here are some great summer salads to boost your health and energy into high gear! (Each recipe makes 4 servings, so be ready to share your creative concoctions!) | | Summer Salad #1: Mediterranean Medley - 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 1 avocado, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 package crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup canned garbanzo beans, drained
- ½ cup chopped red onions
- ¾ cup balsamic dressing of your choice
Combine all ingredients except dressing in large salad bowl. Refrigerate covered. Add vinaigrette dressing before serving, and garnish with large tomato wedges. | 
| Health Benefits: Romaine lettuce is one of the healthiest lettuce variations available, filled with essential vitamins and minerals. Avocado will give your diet a healthy source of fat, while the tomatoes are bursting with antioxidants for healthy skin! Choose low-fat feta cheese if you're watching those calories. | 
| Summer Salad #2: Chicken-Mango-Avocado Salad - 1 bag baby spinach leaves, rinsed
- 1 large mango, peeled and sliced
- 1 avocado, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 2 cups cooked chicken strips
- 1 cup raspberry vinaigrette dressing
Combine the spinach, mango, avocado, tomatoes, and onion in large bowl. Add half the vinaigrette dressing and set aside. Top each salad with chicken, and serve immediately. | Health Benefits: You'll get some healthy protein from the grilled chicken strips, and spinach is a great iron source! Tomatoes and avocado will give you an added serving of veggies. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or early dinner. Summer Salad #3: Fruits of the Season Salad - 1 bag mixed greens
- 1 cup strawberries, chopped
- 1 cup mandarin oranges
- ½ cup artichoke hearts, chopped and drained
- 1 cup asparagus spears, steamed and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 2 cups cubed tofu or grilled chicken strips
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
Mix together all ingredients in large salad bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and add salt and pepper to taste. | 
| Health Benefits: Incorporating some fresh fruit in this salad will boost those antioxidants to the max, and add some sweetness to the mix. Other additions will up your fiber intake for the day, and you can add some extra nourishment with chicken strips or tofu cubes for a complete meal!
Stylish Salad Accessories Get ready to gear up for summer with some healthy, vibrant additions to your diet. Not only will you boost your mood and energy, but introducing some new flavors and combinations can give you some new meals to look forward to! Don't forget to serve up your dazzling creations with the latest kitchenware and dining accessories. DivaVillage.com loves the Spanish-influenced serving bowl by La Tienda and Condiment Serving Set by MetroMarket - perfect to store and serve your favorite dressings!
| Condiment Serving Set by MetroMarket | LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE! | | | | | Also Try... | | | | | | Article Written By: Sabah Karimi writes on healthy living, fashion, beauty trends, and more for DivaVillage. She enjoys making simple and diet-friendly meals regularly, and believes variety is the spice of life! |
