From Sound Dietitians, a partner of the Verdant Health Commission

It’s my favorite time of year! Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and the air is endlessly fragrant. All of the lively blooms and colors have inspired me to try new ways to create vibrant, nutrient-packed lunches. Herein lies my newest effort: quick, easy and fun salad in a jar! This hot trend is a great way to decrease meal prep time and ensure that you eat a hearty serving or three of spring’s finest greens. Plus, preparing and storing your meal in a jar makes transport easy and keeps veggies crispy.

With about 30 minutes of prep time, one whole week of salads in a jar will be ready to go! At mealtime, just pour out one salad jar into a bowl and lunch is served! Hint: For all ingredients to successfully exit the jar and enter the bowl, you might need to vigorously shake or tap the jar.

Getting Started

You can use any type of canning jar. However, I prefer the wide-mouth, quart-sized Mason jars for a large opening through which to pack in extra veggies and leafy greens.

View the rest of the blog post from April, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with Sound Dietitians, for a step-by-step guide to stacking your salad — including ideas for ingredients to add and when to layer them — on the Sound Dietitians blog: http://www.sounddietitians.com/sound-dietitians-blog/eat-your-veggies-salad-in-a-jar