I have probably mentioned before – when we are developing recipes in the Real Simple test kitchen we tend to do a lot of eating, and more eating. and even more eating!

Some days it’s hot dogs for breakfast and lunch. Other days it’s chicken cooked up a million different ways. I am not complaining—I love my job and especially (you guessed it) eating. While hot dogs are one of my favorites (summer by the grill with a margarita— what could be better!) they don’t really make for a well-balanced diet.

So I have decided to make a conscious effort to eat a healthy salad everyday for lunch. And since I know that the RS readers look for well-balanced, healthful, nutritious, and tasty recipes I figured I would do a little blog series and share these lunches with you. They won’t be recipes per say, more ideas for interesting flavor combos or simple a mix of what I had in the fridge.

Here is the first one -

• quinoa
• spinach
• peas
• chopped avocado
• chopped grapefruit
• thinly sliced shallot
• pistachios
• a little feta
• lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper for dressing

This was tangy but also rich from the avocado. Had a nice crunch from the pistachios, and a bit of salt from the feta.

Let me know what you eat for lunch. Are salads a staple? Sandwiches?