We’ve finally cracked through the other side of winter and into sunny Spring. Apparently so anyway. And apparently we’re going to have a warmer than average season. Well prove it Melbourne, I say! Needless to say, it will eventually start warming up and the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables will change and we can start to get excited about salads.

Yep, I said excited and salad in the same sentence! But you don’t make friends with salad you say. Or the only salad you will eat is one where you go buy the salad ingredients, throw them in the bin, cook a steak and eat that instead. I’ve heard it all before and I challenge you to try harder, get more creative, get a hold of some delicious fresh produce and you will definitely make friends with a salad like mine! So lets pack away those trusty slow cookers that have been the back bone of our winter food prep and get to your local farmers market for some delicious new season veggies and fresh meat and seafood and get creating some delicious salads that will excite even the biggest of carnivores.

Firstly, get it out of your head that salad is a few bits of soggy lettuce and tomato.  If you’re reading this you are probably into training of some variety so lets start with a yummy, solid base to help fill you up and fuel your training. Couscous – giant or regular, quinoa, barley, freekeh, sweet or regular potato –mashed, smashed, baked or homemade crispy chippies or rice in all the colours of the rainbow – red, black, brown, wild or white for great energy conversion for training. Then add some fresh spring fruits and vegetables. The more the merrier. Aim for all the colours of the rainbow and some.

Adding extra vegetables will not only help fill you up without overloading on extra calories but will also help to provide you with lots of essential viatmins, minerals and nutrients to help support a healthy lifestyle.  Then we get on to the fun part – the protein! This can come in the form of red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu and the list goes on. If you’re a big steak fan try a warm steak salad with as many greens as you like and roasted mixed capsicums and mushrooms with crispy garlic and rosemary baked sweet potato chips as a base. Basically steak and chips right!

A favourite summery go to of mine is a smashed garlic sweet potato base with spinach and sautéed veg topped with grilled marinated kangaroo steak and fresh blueberries for a sweet and tangy finish. Add a little white rice if it’s to be a pre or post training meal and your energy requirements are sorted.

Get to your local farmers market. Aim to buy sustainable and ethical produce. Buy and support local and you will not only get better value and better quality produce, but you will also be helping local families stay in business that have been going for years.

I’m not big on dressings, I’m big on making delicious meals that have great flavor without loading them up with unnecessary extras. A drizzle of flaxseed oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice can do the trick if your tastebuds need it slightly jazzed up.  Or some avocado, a sprinkle of fetta or some greek yoghurt and lemon can add a bit of creamy goodness.

I’m also not about pushing particular diets or fads, I’m about moderation, food for fuel and for enjoyment and choosing a wide variety of foods to nourish and support your energy needs and a healthy lifestyle (and obviously to promote getting those mad gains!). Also, a disclaimer, I don’t pretend to be qualified in all things food, I am forever learning and just love to eat, cook, share and eat it some more. I get a lot of my foodspiration, knowledge and learnings from my amazing sister who is qualified– karenhillnutrition.com.au, and specializes in sport nutrition, so I would direct you to speak with her if you have more specific queries or food related needs.

Otherwise, get yourself out to the markets, get creative, get cooking and bring me in a taste of your amazing spring creations! Or you can just share ideas with us in the comments if you accidentally ate it all it was so good!