Want help making the delicious salad meals we present on NaturaLife?
The truth is that they are all very easy to prepare. Most of the meals you see can be ready to eat in under ten minutes, with a bit of planning and practice.
Just as important, all of the meals on NaturaLife are consistent with the science of Natural Eating, the first of four natural health techniques from HumanaNatura’s comprehensive Natural Health System. So, all of the meals you see are not just delicious and easy to prepare, they are naturally healthy too!
Here’s a quick summary of how healthy and satisfying salad meals are created the HumanaNatura way:
Tools
Though elaborate salad meals can be made using a variety of culinary techniques, almost all of the meals we present can be prepared quite simply. If you have a kitchen and the following tools, you can begin making delicious and healthy salad meals today:
- Non-stick sauté pan or wok
- Wooden spatula
- Olive oil
- Seasonings
- Lettuce spinner
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Salad vinegar or dressing
Techniques
With a few simple techniques and a little practice, you soon can be enjoying delicious, attractive, and health-optimizing salad meals, prepared in minutes each day:
- Wash, spin-dry, and refrigerate your lettuce in advance
- Cook your protein while you prepare your salad
- Cook via your pan or wok on medium to medium-high heat
- When cooking, start with oil and seasoning
- When the seasoning moves in the warming oil, add your protein
- Move and turn the protein so it does not stick and cooks evenly
- Add any veggies to your sauté based on their cooking time
- Cook the protein and any veggies until done, but not overdone
- Let the cooked portion of your meal cool for a few minutes
- Combine your salad base with your cooked food
- Arrange, garnish, dress, and serve your salad meal
Seasonings
Seasonings or spices can vary based on taste, local availability, and cost. In general, if the seasonings you use taste good and are affordable, you have succeeded. In the HumanaNatura approach, seasonings are used in two ways: 1) to flavor your cooked protein and veggies as described above, and 2) to garnish your salad prior to serving. Definitely experiment with different types and mixes of seasonings. To get started, you might begin with some of the following spices, which are available at most grocery stores:
- Parsley
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Red pepper
- Coriander
- Marjoram
- Minced garlic
- Lemon rind
- Turmeric
- Ginger
Please note that salt is not used as a seasoning in HumanaNatura’s system of Natural Eating.
A Few Tips
People who eat the HumanaNatura way soon learn to prepare delicious meals quickly and expertly, and also how different this way is from traditional nutritional approaches. To help you get started on the path of making salad meals your everyday form of eating, here are a few helpful tips:
- Plate selection – use smaller (~25cm or 10 inch) plates with fairly high sides, or a plateful of food will be too large and unwieldy to manage
- Bite-sized food – cut, chop, or slice everything so it is ready and easy to enjoy at the table…cutting bulky protein foods and veggies prior cooking also reduces needed cooking time and energy use
- Learn not to burn – beautifully cooked food is your goal…so keep food moving regularly when cooking to prevent sticking and burning, and also watch for smoking oil – a sign your pan is too hot
- The thin line – between well-seasoned and over-seasoned…if you err on the side of less seasoning at first, you will soon gain confidence and learn how to mix spicy flavors creatively, interestingly, and harmoniously
- Salad dressings – can be as simple as olive oil and a bit of salad vinegar, or can involve more substantial dressings, but always avoid dressings containing hydrogenated oils and other ingredients you don’t recognize
More Info
If you would like more information or added inspiration to eat more optimally everyday, you can start with HumanaNatura’s popular article Perfect Salad Meals.
To learn even more about the science and principles underlying our new approach to natural nutrition, go to the Natural Eating section of HumanaNatura’s Personal Health Program.
We always encourage your questions. comments, and suggestions about healthy eating via our Ask Us page.
Enjoy, and discover the power and pleasure of natural eating!
