That Salad Lady

31/08/2026

I've never believed healthy eating has to mean eating the same "perfect" meal every day.

Give me a framework and some flexibility.

That's really the idea behind Build Your Bowl®.

These four mason jar salads all look completely different, but they were built using the same basic approach: plenty of vegetables, a source of protein, fiber-rich carbs, healthy fats and, most importantly, enough flavor to make me actually want to eat them.

That last part matters 😄

Because a healthy meal isn't very useful if it doesn't fit your tastes, your schedule or your real life.

Some weeks I prep jars. Sometimes I build a big bowl. Sometimes I use whatever is already sitting in the refrigerator and make it work.

The goal isn't perfection. It's having enough structure that putting together a balanced meal gets easier over time.

That's what I wanted The Build Your Bowl Salad Cookbook to help people do.

Different ingredients. Different combinations. Same basic framework.

And yes, these are all going in the fridge 🥗

17/08/2026

Leafy greens are obviously right up my alley 🥗 But there's a lot more to them than deciding which one is "healthiest."

I recently contributed to this piece in The Guardian exploring the science and practical considerations surrounding leafy greens—from nutrient density and variety to food safety, freshness, storage and what happens between the grocery store and the bowl.

That broader perspective is a big part of how I think about healthy eating. The science matters, but so does the context in which we actually choose, prepare, store and eat food.

I’m grateful to Adrienne Matei for including my perspective in such a thoughtful and practical piece, and especially excited that this marks my first contribution to The Guardian.

Read the full article ⬇

https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/aug/14/iceberg-romaine-kale-healthy-salad-cyclospora

If you’re trying to meet your daily serving of 2.5 cups of vegetables, you might have some questions

08/08/2026

7 days. 7 bowls. One simple framework 🥗

That's the idea behind my Build Your Bowl® 7-Day Reset Guide—helping you move beyond simply following recipes and learn how to build balanced, satisfying meals you actually enjoy.

Because once you understand the framework, the possibilities are endless.

Build. Nourish. Repeat.

🍴 Which bowl would you try first?

05/08/2026

Mindful grocery shopping starts long before you get to the kitchen 🛒

One of the principles I emphasize in The Build Your Bowl® Salad Cookbook is shopping with intention. Instead of filling your cart with random items, think about the meals you want to prepare and the foods you know your household will actually use.

Yes...that really is 40 pounds of apples 🍏😄 They may seem like a lot, but they’re a staple in my household, so I buy them accordingly. The same goes for the watermelon and everything else in this haul.

Mindful grocery shopping isn’t about buying more or buying less. It’s about buying with purpose. When you shop with a plan, you’re more likely to reduce food waste, stretch your grocery budget and make healthy eating easier throughout the week 🥗

03/08/2026

Happy National Watermelon Day 🍉

Watermelon may be the star of summer, but it’s also one of my favorite ingredients for building balanced, satisfying salads.

One of my favorite combinations is this Watermelon & Roasted Beet Salad from The Build Your Bowl® Salad Cookbook. Sweet watermelon, earthy roasted beets, peppery greens, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts and fresh herbs come together with a bright herb-infused lemon vinaigrette for a bowl that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful.

One of the things I love most about this recipe is the contrast. Sweet and savory. Creamy and crunchy. Bright and earthy. Every ingredient has a purpose, and together they create a salad that’s satisfying enough to be a meal.

Whether you’re celebrating National Watermelon Day today or simply looking for a fresh way to enjoy watermelon this season, I hope this bowl inspires you to think beyond fruit salad 🥗

02/08/2026

Most of us know to wash apples, cucumbers and lettuce before eating them—but watermelon often gets overlooked 🍉

Even if you don't plan to eat the green outer skin, it's still important to wash the outside before cutting into a watermelon.

As your knife passes through the outside, it can transfer dirt and microorganisms from the surface into the edible flesh. A quick rinse under cool running water, followed by a gentle scrub with your hands or a clean produce brush, is a simple step that helps reduce that risk. Dry the watermelon with a clean towel before slicing.

Yesterday, I shared my Famous Dave's®-Inspired Sweet & Spicy Watermelon Rind Pickles. Whether you're saving the rind for pickling or simply enjoying the fruit, washing the outside first is a smart habit worth adopting.

With National Watermelon Day tomorrow, consider this your friendly reminder to give your watermelon a quick wash before you cut into it. It's a small step that can make a meaningful difference.

01/08/2026

You know how you get a flavor stuck in your head?

That’s exactly what happened here. I couldn’t stop thinking about the sweet-and-tangy flavor of Famous Daves’s Sweet ‘N Spicy Pickles, so I challenged myself to recreate it using watermelon rind.

After a little experimenting, I finally landed on a version with the sweetness, tanginess, a hint of spice and all the crunch I was hoping for.

It’s also a great reminder that watermelon rind is completely edible—and perfect for pickling instead of tossing.

With National Watermelon Day just a couple of days away, it’s the perfect reminder that sometimes the parts we throw away still have something delicious to offer 🍉🥒

30/07/2026

Sometimes the best meals aren’t the ones you plan. They’re the ones inspired by what’s fresh and in season 🌿

My neighbor always tells me to help myself to the tomatoes whenever she leaves town, and I never pass up the opportunity. There’s nothing quite like a sweet, juicy, garden-grown tomato at its peak 🍅

Today’s lunch came together with fresh basil, mozzarella, a drizzle of olive oil, and my homemade one-ingredient balsamic glaze. Simple ingredients. Big flavor. Exactly what I was craving 🥗

Do you have a favorite way to enjoy fresh summer tomatoes ♥️

30/07/2026

Before this day ends, I have to celebrate a milestone that's close to my heart.

Happy Book Anniversary to The Build Your Bowl Salad Cookbook 📖

Bringing this book to life was truly a labor of love. Every recipe, every page and every lesson was created with one goal in mind: to help people build flavorful, nourishing meals with confidence 🥗

Thank you to everyone who has welcomed this cookbook into your kitchen, cooked the recipes and supported this journey. It means more than I can express.

Here's to another year of building better bowls—and healthier lives—one meal at a time 💚

16/07/2026

Not every bowl is a salad 💚

This Savory Sesame Bowl is one of the recipes from my Build Your Bowl® 7-Day Reset Guide. Built with colorful vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and a simple sesame-ginger dressing, it’s a nourishing meal that’s just as satisfying as any salad.

One of the things I love most about the Build Your Bowl® approach is its flexibility. Whether you’re in the mood for a warm bowl or a fresh salad, the goal is the same: build your meal around wholesome, balanced ingredients that work for you.

Would you reach for a warm bowl or a salad today 🥣🥗