more greens, please

The inspiration for more greens, please comes from a Trader Joe’s salad.  Specifically, a Trader Joe’s chicken Caesar salad.

Let me elaborate.  One day at lunch in high school, I noticed one of my friends eating a bowl of bright green lettuce, with what looked like chicken, and some sort of sauce.  I asked, “Hey, what is that?”  She replied, with a puzzled expression, “A chicken Caesar salad from TJ’s silly.  Do you want a bite?”  I took a bite and boom – I was in love – with a salad.

I rushed home that afternoon from school, eager to tell my mom all about this mysterious bowl of green lettuce, chicken, and sauce I had eaten that day.  Upon finding my mom in the kitchen I exclaimed, “Mom! I tried this salad thing today from Trader Joe’s. It was delicious! Do you have time tonight to go with me and buy more from the store?”

Shock.  That was the look on my mom’s face.  Pure shock.

My mom was stunned by this question because, well, at the time I was both a picky and unhealthy eater.  I loved Chicken Mcnuggets, french fries, hamburgers (plain, mind you), buttered pasta , popcorn…and the list goes on.  My parents tried for years and years to get me to eat more nutritious foods, but I stood firm in my picky ways.  Until the Trader Joe’s chicken Caesar salad.

While it took time and effort to completely change my eating habits and lifestyle, I am so glad I did. By becoming more conscious of what I put into my body, I was able to feel and see an improvement in my energy level, body image and sense of self.

Now, back to More Greens, Please and its inspiration and purpose.  I found that after “discovering” that magical salad, my mind and body kept craving more “greens.”  Of course, it didn’t have to be a green vegetable in the literal sense, but after experiencing the impact of a nutrient-rich diet, my focus became on ditching the junk for healthy alternatives.  So, for the purposes of this blog, a “green” will represent a nutritional ingredient.  My site will focus on providing readers with a variety of nutritious, delicious and simple recipes with the hope that, if not already, your mind and body will say, “more greens, please” too.

Katy

P.S. In case you’re concerned, there will be a variety of recipes on this blog, not just ones for chicken Caesar salad.  However, there will be one for how to “lighten up” Caesar salad dressing, so stay tuned!