When we are trying to detox, lose weight or give our systems a break- salads tend to be on the top of the list of things to consume. However, eating a salad that is healthy, satisfying and one that doesn’t derail you from your weight loss efforts is crucial. A salad should first consist of organic, pesticide- free greens like rocket, spinach, lettuce or romaine. The protein is key for promoting satiety, helping with muscle repair . For that you can choose from tofu, eggs, roast chicken, fish or turkey. The other ingredients should be nutrient -dense, like nuts, avocado, seeds to boost your Omega- 3 resources, fight inflammation and help with satiety. Remember to put as many vibrant, coloured leaves and veggies to get all your trace minerals, antioxidants and micro-nutrients from beetroot, spinach, kale, mushrooms, eggplant, among others. Lastly, the dressing shouldn’t be a heavy store-bought high calorie with added fat, sodium and sugars. What works is balsamic vinegar and olive oil or apple cider vinegar or a yoghurt- based marinade or dressing. If you pay attention to these steps and ingredients- you’ve got yourself the perfect salad that will fill you up without bloating you and setting you back in your fitness goals.
Gurgaon based initiative, Salad Days was launched in the market in Feb, 2014. Founded by Varun Madan and Kunal Gangwani, graduates from XLRI, Jamshedpur. They believed that healthy food in India was difficult to source or acquire. Salad Days attempted to change the notion that all salads are bland and tasteless but satisfying, wholesome and delicious. The menu consists of legume based salads, fruit salads, chicken and seafood salads and a range of cold-pressed juices. All the produce that goes into the ingredients comes from premium suppliers, the leafy greens are organic and the juices are free from sugars, additives or chemicals.
In addition to a comprehensive salad menu, they have also introduced 5 cold pressed juices. Made from organic, pesticide -free produce and premium fruits. All the juices are rich sources of antioxidants, trace minerals and vitamins. Unlike other juices that are proponents of the juice-fast or juice- cleanse, the philosophy at salad says is to consume your juices in addition to your salads. They do provide your body with a powerhouse of immune-boosting nutrients and minerals. The juices can be identified based on their colours and are called G 01 (Green), R 01 (Red), Y 01(Yellow), C 01 (Crimson) and O 01 (Orange). Free from any added sugars or chemicals, these juices can help with sluggish metabolisms, boost the immune system, hydrate the body and improve the skin’s appearance.
I ordered salad days for lunch one afternoon and my order consisted of the following-
Seafood salad (Rs 299/-): a subtle preparation of basa and prawns marinated in paprika, lemon, garlic served with a side of greens and in a tart vinaigrette based dressing. Eating seafood in the monsoon particularly in Delhi comes with it own set of apprehensions but my fears were put to rest when I tasted how fresh and succulent the seafood was. Appropriately portioned, served with dressing on the side- the salad was a healthy alternative to the cobb or grilled chicken. My friend and I couldn’t stop until we were more than halfway through the salad.
Pomegranate nutty salad (Rs 249/) – a crunchy salad made with fresh organic greens, walnuts, seeds, pomegranate and a tart dressing with parmesan, Cajun spices, olive oil and freshly squeezed lime. I would’ve liked a little bit of protein in this one because on its own it wasn’t satisfying enough and would leave me hungry in a few hours.
Roasted chicken salad (Rs 249/-) pan- grilled chicken with organic greens, iceberg lettuce, olives in a slightly sweet Dijon mustard vinaigrette. The chicken bits were pan fried to perfection and the greens were fresh, crisp and not wilting when they arrived. I tried a wee bit of the Dijon mustard vinaigrette which helped offset the bitterness from the greens and cut the acidity from the olives.
And now for the cold-pressed juices- Rs 149/- each +taxes
Red 2- watermelon, chia seeds, basil and mint
I love my smoothies and juices with chia because I love the consistency and the texture of the seeds. The watermelon, basil and mint made it a refreshing choice, rich in potassium and perfect for hydrating your body on a hot day. I would’ve liked for it to have a little ginger or a little more mint or basil for that punch but it was pretty delicious nonetheless.
Green 1- apple, cucumber, celery and spinach. This green juice wasn’t too bitter and acidic like the other monster green juices I prepare on my own. Luckily, despite being a green juice, the spinach, celery and cucumber weren’t overpowering the rest of the juice but you could taste the veggie goodness. The apple lent a sweetness, which made it quite delicious. This was my favourite juice out of the lot.
Crimson 1- apple, beetroot, carrot and ginger. This standard ABC cold pressed juice with a shot of ginger is great for your eyesight as it is rich in antioxidants, caretonoids and perfect for detoxifying a sluggish liver after a heavy weekend.
Verdict- affordable, convenient and easy to order- Salad Days can be ordered for lunch at office or for dinner by the telly over the weekend. We recommend the roast chicken salad and the seafood salad and can’t wait to try their variations with legumes. The best part- in the winter 30% of the produce comes straight from the salad days farms.
Quick Notes->
Coldpressed juices are Rs149++
Salads are about Rs 250++
http://www.saladdays.co/
https://www.facebook.com/saladdays.co
T: 9643 800 901/02/03
E: hello@saladdays.co
Twitter- @saladdaysco
