When people ask me how to get started on eating healthy, one of my top suggestions is to get creative with your salads. You can turn a simple lettuce salad into a gourmet experience by adding the right ingredients. Here are some of my favorites:

• Flavorful, satisfying dressings
• Marinated sun-dried tomatoes
• Croutons
• Sautéed/breaded mushrooms
• Dollop of tapenade
• Roasted red peppers
• Artichoke hearts
• Hearts of palm
• Fresh-baked tortillas, pita bread, or crostini torn into bite-size pieces
• Caramelized onions (see below)
• Dried fruit
• Tofu feta
• Sunflower or buckwheat sprouts
• Beans such as garbanzo, kidn...