Awesome Summertime Salad and Vinaigrette

Here is a great summer salad recipe. Feel free to add or omit any ingredients you'd like. I make this and then refrigerate it for my lunches for several days so I don't have to think about what I'll have for lunch (or a quick dinner: just add cheese or grilled fish or chicken for a really filling meal). I just reach into the fridge and presto! I already have lunch. It's also great to have it ready-to-go so I don't fall victim to waist-ruining fatty foods - as we all do now and then.

Summertime Salad:
8 Cups Baby Spinach/1 Head Romaine (Cos) Lettuce, Rinsed and Patted Dry
1-14-oz Can Organic Chickpeas, Drained and Rinsed
1/2 English Cucumber, Sliced
4 Large Stuffer Mushrooms, sliced
2 Ribs Celery, Sliced
2 Medium Carrots, Peeled and Chopped into Coins
1/2 Sweet Onion, Chopped
1 Tomato, Chopped
1/2 Red/Orange/Yellow/Green Pepper, Chopped
Optional ingredients:
Crumbled Soy/Low Fat/Goat Cheese
Grilled Chicken/Fish/Firm Tofu or Canned Tuna, Drained
Toasted Seeds or Nuts
Chopped, Pitted Olives
Hard Boiled Eggs, Sliced
Homemade Croutons

Put all ingredients in a large bowl, toss and serve! Also great as a starter course to more calorie-intense foods as you'll fill up on the fiber and water-rich veggies and only eat what you should of the higher calorie main course

Great Vinaigrette:
1/4 Cup Brown Rice Vinegar
1/4 Cup Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp EACH Fresh Chopped Basil, Parsley and Oregano (For Dried Herbs, add 1/2 this amount)
1/2 tsp EACH Onion Powder, Garlic Powder (not Salt)
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Pinch of Sea Salt (Optional)

Combine all ingredients in a resealable container, shake well and serve over salads. Also good as a mild meat rub.

Enjoy!
Meghann