tip o' the day.

My very good friend Carmen reminded me yesterday why I loooove soup and salad! Having a big, veggie filled salad (go easy on the toppings) or a low-fat, low-sodium soup before a meal saves calories and helps you stay thin!

For a salad, I recommend using dark veggies to get the most nutrition out of it. Forget the iceberg lettuce, ya'll. Try baby spinach and arugala mixed with a handful of dried cranberries, sliced almonds, canned corn (no salt added), edamame (Trader Joes carries pre-shelled if you're short on time), and a tablespoon of all-natural feta cheese. I also add Morning Star veggie chicken slices. Be careful with dressings, though as they often carry a ton of calories. My favorite is plain ol' Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.

For soups, of course homemade is your best bet. Pick a lazy Sunday and make a big pot of veggie or bean soup. I often throw some dry beans, veggies and vegetable broth in the Crock-Pot before I go to work (on low) and I have soup ready when I get home.

If you're in a lazy mood, buy canned soups with as little ingredients as possible. The ingredients list should contain organic veggies, and little to no preservatives. My favorite brand is Amy's canned soups, which come in many varieties (I've been eating Lentil and "No-Chicken Soup--fantastic). The closer to homemade the soup is, the better it will taste. Amy's is $2.79 a can, but really, its wayyy cheaper than paying $7 for a bowl of crappy soup from Panera or Cosi. Feel free to add a few whole-grain crackers on the side with some all-natural cheddar cheese. Yummm.

Happy (healthy) eating!!