A Timeless Salad

Salads: A Timeless Art Form That Helps Us Live Better Lives

By Jonathan Lorentzen

Salads are more than just a collection of greens, vegetables, and fruits. They are a timeless art form that has been a staple in the human diet for centuries. The benefits of consuming salads are numerous, and they go beyond just their physical health benefits.

From a biological perspective, salads are essential to our lives as omnivores. Our ancestors were hunters and gatherers, and their diets consisted of a wide range of food items, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meats. Salads are a perfect reflection of this ancestral diet and are a way to connect with our origins.

In contemporary times, salads have become an increasingly important part of our diets. With the rise of fast and processed foods, salads offer a healthy and refreshing alternative. They are a great source of essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are important for our health and well-being.

In addition to the physical benefits, salads are also a great way to improve our mental health. Preparing and consuming a salad can be an enjoyable and meditative experience. Eating a well-balanced salad can help us feel good and nourish physically and mentally.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that salads are also a timeless art form. How we prepare, present and consume them has changed throughout history, but the essence of salads remains the same.

My Salad Making Process

My salads always start with the best ingredients available. Prepared step by step with care.

1. Greens cut, washed, spun/dried, (look into local and seasonal greens)

2. Build your dressing by adding olive oil, lemon, salt, and any sauce or vinaigrette you like around the sides of your bowl (so many options here; I keep yogurt on hand or fruit mustards.). Don't overdo anything. You can always add more seasoning.

3. Add greens and fold them gently against the sides of the bowl (do not stir the greens to keep them from being crushed ) once you see an even coating. Taste and add whatever you feel is missing, like salt or lemon juice.

4. Place salad into serving bowls

5. Use the same bowl to dress any fruit or vegetables you want (for example, apples, pears, cucumbers, beets, radishes) in olive oil, lemon, salt, and any sauces or vinaigrette you like. Taste for quality assurance, then set it onto your salads.

6. The texture is a significant factor in salads, so use toasted seeds, nuts, or crushed chips/crackers as your "croutons" You can also save old bread, cut it and sautee it in a pan with a high-heat oil (I prefer rice bran oil) This can be prepared and set in your pantry in advanced. I always keep crunchy salad toppings ready in my pantry.

7. You have to do a little salad dance... REMEMBER NOT TO SKIP THIS STEP!

Salads are more than just a collection of greens and vegetables. They are an essential part of our lives, helping us to connect with our ancestral origins, improve our physical and mental health, and enjoy the timeless art form that is the salad. So, go ahead and make yourself a salad today and start living a better life!