No Excuses Salad

Most of us probably don't eat enough green vegetables, and we always seem to have an excuse why we aren't able to work more of them into our meals.

I am especially guilty of this, so in an attempt to eat more greens I adapted an old favorite (the 7 layer salad) to be just a little healthier and make enough salad in a few minutes to last the entire week.

No Excuses 7 Layer Salad
16-ounces baby spinach
1 large white onion, finely chopped
1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
12-ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 (16-ounce) bags frozen peas
1 ¼ cups mayonnaise
3 ½ to 4 tablespoons sugar, to taste
½ cup freshly grated parmesan
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)

Place the spinach into a large bowl and bruise leaves with your hands or a wooden spoon. Layer the onion, green bell pepper, crumbled bacon, and frozen peas on top of the spinach. Mix the mayonnaise with the sugar and spread on top of the peas. Layer the parmesan and cheddar cheese next.

Cover salad and refrigerate for 24-48 hours, stir the salad and serve.

Don't be afraid of the bacon, mayonnaise and cheese that goes into this, remember, you are putting in a pound of spinach and you need the fat to help absorb all of those nutrients. Plus, this salad will probably be eaten in place of something less healthy for you.