Written by Sylvia Geiger MS, RD, CD, Price Chopper Community Nutritionist

When it’s too hot to cook—it’s time to get out of the kitchen!  Hot summer days have me pouring through recipe ideas that minimize my kitchen time.  Salads are a refreshing and usually low calorie way to put a marvelous meal on the table without slaving over a hot stove. Salads are also a fantastic way to eat more vegetables and follow the new MyPlate recommendation of filling half your plate with fruits & vegetables.  They are perfect make-it-ahead meals that you can just pull out of the fridge when hunger strikes.  I like to keep some made-up salads front and center in my fridge in anticipation of the daily refrain “Mom- what’s there to eat?”   Just fold them into a wrap or pita with a slice of tomato and —Voila! It’s meal or hearty snack.

Here are some delicious easy salads to have on hand.

Egg Salad

Peared_Chicken_Salad

Chicken Waldorf Salad

Zesty Ham Salad

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

7 Reasons to Eat More Salads

1. Most salads include plenty of lettuce, spinach or kale.  Aside from being low calorie, these greens have many nutrients. Did you know that 2 cups of raw spinach leaves has almost 100% of your need for vitamin A? Or that Kale is chocked full of both vitamins A  & K?
2. Salads are easy and convenient- if you are crunched for time, try the pre-washed & pre-cut veggie bags found in the produce aisle.
3. Adding fruits—what ever is in season—makes a salad more kid friendly.
4. All fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals that have known health benefits, so enjoy your favorite and try some new ones. For example…
5. Lycopene, found in carrots, tomatoes, and watermelon may help protect skin from UV radiation damage.
6. New research shows that Sulforaphane, a component of broccoli, cauliflower and kale helps prevent cancer because it selectively targets & kills cancer cells.
7. Potassium, found in potatoes (both white & sweet), tomatoes and beans is important in healthy blood pressure.

For more ideas on ways to include more veggies, fruits and salads go to http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

Recipe Ideas using this week’s sale items

All main ingredients are on sale

Arugula Strawberry Salad

Bean & Tomato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette

Grilled Steak with Fresh Corn Salad

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Feta Cheese Dressing

Thai Beef Salad

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We’re creating our own spontaneous “holiday” this summer in order to celebrate love! Roses are traditionally thought to be a symbol synonymous with romance and love. For one week (7/31/2011-8/6/2011), we are selling a dozen roses for $19.99. But that’s not all! When you purchase a dozen roses, you will also get $0.50 off per gallon of gas! In celebration, share with us a story about a random act of love you have been surprised with! Pick up a dozen roses for someone you truly appreciate. Not only will you benefit in savings, but it will also give you the opportunity to create new happy memories with someone you love! We want to hear your love-filled stories and we’d love to help you create a new one!