What's in a salad?

I have been trying to eat more vegetables. period.
Many of you know that I LOVE the book, Original Fast Foods. You can buy it HERE!

It was probably the best 20 $ I ever spent and has really helped me have the courage to eat a plant-based diet. The author, Jim Simmons has a fascinating story about how he recovered from 11 years of sickness by eating this way. There is soo much truth to what he says in his book and the information on his website (click "HERE" above to be taken there).

Anyway, I wanted to post some info on why eating more veggies is important and crucial for healthy living:

"The facts are in and there is no argument by leading authorities that the dietary key to achieving ideal body weight and to living long is to eat your vegetables! Per calorie, no other foods deliver quite the nutritional bang for the buck. And at about only 60 calories per pound, you can fill up your plate several times a day without ever eating too many vegetables. Enjoy them freely and abundantly for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even between meals!

Use fresh whole seasonal fruits to satisfy your sweet tooth, as needed to avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners! As you center eating around whole vegetables and fruits, other food choices, such as grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and animal -based foods (not more than 10% a day) become healthful complimentary additions to meals, rather than becoming unhealthful through over-consumption.

Adequate vegetable intake is one of the primary factors for overcoming insulin resistance. Problems associated with insulin resistance: Heart Disease, Obesity, Poor eyesight, neuropath, organ damage, amputations, degenerative diseases and accelerated aging.

By consuming adequate intake of vegetables during each meal, you slow down the absorption of the meal into your bloodstream, and by doing this....you create a much more even and steady flow of required and healthful carbohydrates into the bloodstream. By consuming sufficient vegetable, you help to satisfy your appetite naturally without feeling the need for overt fats. Your body can convert the plant-based omega-3s to meet your needs for essential fats properly.....Your body can maintain adequate levels of essential fats, without adding extra fats."

So, a plant based diet that is supplemented with fruit, legumes and some quality grains is really the way to go. Use seeds, nuts and even avocados sparingly.

There is much more information on the Simmon's website and I hope you will take some time to check it out.

Here is my salad from lunch:

1 head of romaine

a few handfuls of mixed greens

chopped carrots and cucumbers

lightly steamed organic green beans

a small portion of sprouted brown rice

1/2 c. sprouted black beans

1/8 C. avocado

balsamic vinaigrette.

(this salad looks smaller than it actually is..it takes a long time to eat and then you won't be hungy for ever! Try mixing in different beans, different greens and veggies too keep it interesting!)