As spring forges ahead and the temperatures heat up here in Southern California, I find salads are the way to go for a quick and healthy meal. Eating more plants is the simplest and most effective way to improve your health. Those who eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables have lowered risk of chronic disease, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and even some types of cancer. Vegetables increase your fiber intake, vitamin and mineral intake, and increase the amount of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in your diet. You’ll increase your good gut bacteria, improve detoxification, and improve your energy levels, skin health, and immunity, among many other benefits.

The following salads are some of my favorite combinations of vegetables, plant based protein and healthy fats that will nourish you and leave you feeling satisfied.

I think we can all agree that eating well is important to our health. Extremely important. But sometimes just as important as what you eat, is how you eat. Most of us don't put a lot of thought into it, we just get the food in our body and move on. However a lot of digestive complaints, and subsequent health issues, stem from improper digestion caused by the way we eat.

Our bodies do a lot of work when we consume food. They release hormones, secrete enzymes, move muscles, and communicate to other cells to digest the food, assimilate nutrients, and store energy from our meal. All of this happens without any conscious participation from us. This happens thanks to the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS has three branches, enteric, sympathetic, and parasympathetic. We won't get into the enteric nervous system now, but its also really important for digestion.

health education

7 Satisfying Vegan Salads

Mindful Eating