#DailySalad
Struggling for years to get my boys to eat their vegetables, I’m not really sure when the effort lessened. I noticed when we were traveling, the boys enjoyed the tiny salads served on the side in restaurants. Sometimes they seemed to be made up of dressing, croutons and lettuce – in that order – but the boys enjoyed them and I didn’t protest. At least they started to “think” they liked salads. Little by little, with constant offerings always at the dinner table, they began to nibble away on a variety of vegetables.
It wasn’t until they were homeschooling full time, that the #dailysalad became a ritual. Once they grew out of wanting everything separated out and covered in dressing, I was pleasantly surprised at their willingness to eat a heaping plate of veggies.
Over the course of the year, I saw obvious improvements in their health. The boys felt it too. If they were traveling or went without their daily salad, they would remark about not feeling as well.
It’s such a relief to not have to sneak vegetables into my cooking anymore. I don’t worry about breakfast or dinner as their daily salads pack a whopping 6-8 servings of vegetables into them in one meal.
When asked the trick to getting kids to eat salad, they both agree that it’s variety; the addition of interesting meats and cheeses, along with home made salad dressing that is healthy enough to drench.
As I make dinner each night, I often set aside a portion or two of the meat in the meal to top onto salads the next day. Be it teriyaki venison, thinly sliced wild turkey, bear sausage, salmon or bacon; it keeps the #dailysalad interesting, and saves money. I’ve even gone as far as cutting up leftover pizza making my own “Pizza Croutons” like the salad below.
Once in a while, I will treat them to deli meat or giant home made croutons. Even chopping the vegetables in a different way each day makes things more interesting as does trying different types of lettuce.
Don’t give up hope if you don’t have a house full of veggie-lovers. Just find out what they are willing to try and be creative with presentation and keep putting them on the plate. Keep asking them what they want to try and load up on what you know they like.
Here are a few of our creations along with two of my homemade ranch-style dressing recipes. For best results, blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender. Thin if necessary with milk or water. Keep refrigerated and shake well before each use.
RANCH-STYLE DRESSING #1
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
- Salt & pepper to taste
RANCH-STYLE DRESSING #2 (This version is a little healthier than #1)
- 3/4 cottage cheese
- 3/4 greek or plain yogurt
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
- Salt & pepper to taste
RANCH-STYLE DRESSING #3 (This is another very healthy option.)
- 1/2 cup water
- I 16-ounce container cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon Brewers yeast
- 1 tablespoon soy or Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
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