SALAD! Doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? But I’ve found that the more I eat them, the healthier I feel,…really! And now I really look forward to my salads, although I haven’t quite screamed for one yet. 
I’m fortunate that I work in an environment of caring and giving people. In fact, at times, they give TOO MUCH. i.e. warm chocolate chip cookies, jars of candy, fresh out of the oven garlic bread sticks, donuts, strudel, the list goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on…I think you get my point.
So when it comes to will power, I’m a bit….shall we say, challenged. That’s why this blog and my renewed sense-of-self are so important to me. A support system is KEY when it comes to transforming your life. That’s pretty big stuff when you think about it, so it’s not going to be a cake walk…sorry for the analogy. Here at work, Tom (Overlie) is my ”support buddy”. He gingerly calls me out on eating a piece of candy and yet encourages me when I’m doing well. And it’s great that he’s a healthy eater. For example, take a look at this salad HE made.
Doesn’t this look delicious? He tends to come with a gorgeous, yes gorgeous, salad almost every day. That’s how I started getting hooked on them – and loving them! I asked him his secret of coming up with something different and so tasty nearly every day. He generally uses “leftovers”. Potatoes, fruit, beans, veggies, and of course the protein of the day which generally is grilled chicken. He says it has to have a lot of variety and apparently isn’t a big fan of the “wimpy” salad. He also adds chopped nuts, sometimes toasted nuts like, almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower, etc. I asked if I could share his homemade salad dressing, and after a little coaxing, I got it out of him – kind of. He starts with a good quality balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Adds a dash of Dijon mustard (to your liking),…a little honey, salt and pepper and fresh chopped herbs…and it’s GREAT! Adds just enough “oomph” to the salad while also allowing you to savor the flavor of everything in it!
And check this out…if this isn’t incentive to realize the benefits of eathing healthy…nothing will be!
Mr. KTTC America!
Other things you could add: Boiled eggs, raisins, dried cherries, avocados, cooked noodles, pears, apples, blueberries, strawberries or mandarin oranges with thinly sliced onions. (yummy, especially with spinach leaves), mushrooms, asparagus, beans, peas, corn, red/green/yellow peppers sliced thin, tomatoes, crumbled or strips of bacon (BLT salad), ham, turkey, shrimp and I really loved rare steak sliced thinly with just a few spinkles of blue cheese or goat cheese – only a little pine nuts, crumbled peanuts (just a few tablespoons). Really, the list is endless. Get creative and share more ideas with me here…and who knows, maybe we’ll all be screaming for salad in no time at all!
My KTTC “Salad Ingredient” Contributors
Thanks to my Contributing Editors (from left to right): Jared Ransom/Reporter, Stephen Rydberg/Producer, Nicole Goodrich/Reporter, Donnie Forti/Content Manager, Tim Strauss/Director, Ben Chambers/my TV son AND Producer! 
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This post was written by rwolfram@kttc.com on January 24, 2013
Wow, those salads sound delicious. You should post recipes of his on the site. Maybe we could all use some tips to get healthy in the new year! Couldn’t you do a “Health Blog?”
I have never done “blogs” before, but your goal to be a healthier you is one I can relate to. Not sure if these are private or not so I am a little hesitant. I too am trying to get healthier and we share a lot of the same interests, decorating, gardening, styles, etc.
A little about myself. I am 56, almost fifty seven. The past year and a half have been very challenging for me healthwise, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in Sept. 2011. I started out very overweight. I am still not were I want to be, but lost approx. 60lbs through chemo, surgery, and radiation. My risk is high of a recurrance, so anything I can do to get healthier-weight, diet, fitness are all going to help keep my risks lower. I have been doing the indo-row class at the Dan Abrams center. What is great about this workout is that it is a non-impact cardio workout. If done properly is not hard on back or arms since your legs should be doing most of the work. I have had fewer backpains since doing this. I was also diagnosed as Type 2 diabetic at the same time as I was diagnosed with cancer so it was a double challenge to get blood sugar under control while going through treatment. Happily, blood sugar is well under control, with me now taking oral meds instead of insulin injections. As I have dropped these 60lbs, I have needed less medication for this! Want to lose at least another 50 lbs, and as my wellness coach says, small steps at a time. Currently working on getting more servings of vegetables in my diet. Always looking for low carb vegetable soup recipes. They are a good “filler”! I try to eat that first with my meals. Hope some of this is helpful. Wishing you the best in your quest for better health. Pam Fullem
I posted Pam’s story above because it’s so inspirational. Pam, you’re a fighter and I’ll be praying for your continued determination, commitment and health! I think once you get the type of news you received, something inside just clicks. You know: This is it. I HAVE to do this, I have no choice. You’re chosing to LIVE! Every step, every sit up, every move you make towards your goal is a step towards a better, healthier and happier YOU! For everyone else, don’t put off YOU for too long. As with Pam, it will catch up to you one way or the other. Keep on keepin’ on and as always, keep me posted!
Inspiring story from a viewer sent to my email and I wanted to share here:
I joined an on line walking program called vaporwire.net I needed to purchase a fitbit which can be done from vaporwire and the set up was so easy. It downloads all of my steps during the day and gives me a daily report on how I am doing. I don’t need to enter ANY THING expect log on each morning. They have fun challenges and rewards that you can win. Since July I have lost 15 lbs and all I have done is walk!! My coworkers have joined in the fun and we have a great time. It may not work for everyone, but it does for me. Your goal is to get 10,000 steps in day, I am not walking 15,000 each day and sometimes 20K!! Going to the gym is not for me, but this is something I can do in my home and walk on the Douglas Trails which are great!
It is for all age groups, I am 60 and feel wonderful!! Thanks Candace McBroom
ROBIN:
, towards a healthier you!
Wow, that is so wonderful, Candace! Congratulations on taking steps, LITERALLY
And what a great idea…I think it’s so important that people find something that works for them – our nutrition, health and exercise plan has to be one we can easily incorporate into our personal lifestyles.
Keep up the good work and continue inspiring so many people by example.
Robin
Thanks for being so open and honest. YOU made me feel so much better tonight!
I’m so happy you’re enjoying my posts, Tracy! Thank you for commenting!