I was never really a salad person. Growing up, a salad was iceberg lettuce out of a bag with matchstick carrots and those weird purple cabbage pieces. No wonder I didn’t want to eat a salad.

The truth is that salads can be absolutely delicious! Start with a lettuce base (romaine, spinach or arugula are my favorite). Then add yummy toppings to accessorize the salad and VIOLA! You have yourself something that isn’t boring or bland.

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that those accessories aren’t all created equal though. So you need to be thoughtful about what the best toppings are that will fuel your body in the best way possible and still taste yummy.

This Shrimp Cobb Salad is a perfect example of using the toppings to make something truly delicious. I try to make sure I have a lean protein source and healthy fats in each salad.

For this specific salad I baked my shrimp on a sheet pan in the oven and used Jane’s Crazy Salt and Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Seasoning on it. Then added a hard boiled egg, 2 slices of no-sugar added bacon, blue cheese, and half an avocado.

Other topping options that would taste great:
– cherry/grape tomatoes
– red onions
– black beans
– grilled corn/corn on the cob sliced down

I went with a store bought Gorgonzola Pear dressing and it tasted amazing. You can go with a standard blue cheese dressing or even a lighter vinaigrette. The dressing can make a big difference if it’s a healthy salad or not, so choose wisely.