Refreshing, crisp, delicious…salads can be spectacular and they are an especially delightful meal or side during our season that sizzle. Here are a few salad ideas to invigorate your summer:

For a fortifying meal with plenty of superfood nutrients to get you to liven up your step, you may want to try a power salad. Power salads can be concocted from any of your favorite dark leafy greens, like kale, tender baby spinach and Swiss chard. Add protein packed beans of any kind from black, to pinto or even chickpeas. Then jazz things up with avocado slices for healthy fat. Grilled chicken pieces or shrimp are also great additions, and cashews or sunflower seeds can add even more protein as well as texture for a nice crunch!

If you’re looking for a side salad with more pizzazz than a plain garden salad, go Greek with romaine lettuce, juicy ripe tomatoes of any type, banana pepper rings, red onion slices, feta, kalamata olives and diced cucumber for a refreshing crunch…with Greek dressing of course.

You know what is also a crowd-pleaser come summer? Salads including your favorite fruits, that’s what! Imagine soft butter lettuce leaves with anything from berries to orange or apple slices and a light lemony vinaigrette.

Alright, let’s turn toward exotic. That’s right! Take a walk on the wild side and try adding something very different to your salad. Have you ever tried marinated hearts of palm? Believe it or not, watermelon pairs wonderfully with arugula. Or try adding kimchi for a Korean kick or goat cheese and dried fruit for Mediterranean flair.