Challenge Proposal. Are you up for it?

Spring arrived not too long ago and Summer is soon approaching….don’t you think it’s about time for something new and fresh? I sure do.

I propose new challenge. Well, it’s not really new, I’m just revamping an old challenge. Say “Hello again” to the Salad Challenge, the sequel. I had such a great feeling after completing it the last time that I feel it’s good for another try. This time there are a few rules to it.

Each participant must have at least 1 salad a day for 2 weeks. Based on the criteria below. The salad would most likely be a meal, depending on your normal caloric needs.

Anyone and everyone from the I-love-salad-type of eater to I-hate veggies-type of eater is eligible to participant. Just shoot me an email at chhaylengtouch@gmail.com or comment on this post letting me know you’d like to opt in.

This challenge is great for those of you who are trying to lose weight, find inspiration, are stuck in a rut, or just want to show your creativity.

Let me also just say that this challenge is not about restricting yourself from the foods you love. You know how I feel about diets. (ack!). This challenge is about preparing healthy meals for yourself.

You’ll be committed for 2 weeks of healthy eating and there’s a possibility of an award at the end other than feeling great, of course.

Now, let’s jump in.

There are 5 components to the salads in this challenge. They must include:

Components	Examples
1. at least 1 cup (2 handfuls) of raw green leafy vegetables	Kale, Lettuce, Arugula, Collards, Escarole, Spinach, Swiss chard
2. at least 1 handful or one serving of 1 other vegetable of different color	red onion, radishes, beets, red/yellow bell peppers
3. a source of protein, pick your amount	Legumes, Tofu, Tempeh, Eggs
4. Dressing is optional	I usually prefer mine w/o it. I like to taste the nutty-ness of the greens I’m eating. I know it sounds really weird. Try it sometime you might like it also.
5. Here’s the fun one: Maximum a handful or one serving of something else  you’re feeling at the moment that doesn’t fit into the criteria above	dried fruits, nuts, fresh fruit, more different vegetables (not leafy i.e. broccoli),  chocolate chips/carob chips or even potato chips

What do ya say? Up for 2 weeks of filling your tummy with gut moving (~~~eww~~~) greens?

Last day to sign up: Saturday, April 11th, 2009

Challenge begins: Sunday, April 12th, 2009

My lunch today is a great example of what salads for this challenge should look like.

• • 2 handfuls of mixed greens,
  • 1 orange bell pepper chopped (from yesterday),
  • 1 handful of garbanzo beans,
  • Balsamic vinaigrette dressing,
  • ~1 Tbsp. of toasted pine nuts,
  • 1 orange sliced