Wellness Wednesday: The Salad Club

A healthy lifestyle can be a hard thing to achieve all on your lonesome, especially at lunch time during the work week. Stress and little time can cause us to make the easy decision to just grab something unhealthy, we later regret. A team of Project Directors here at FINE decided to stop the cycle of unhealthy eating by banding together to create the FINE Salad Club. I sat down with a couple of the leading members, Carin and Stephanie, to ask how this club was formed and learn more about how others in the office scene can make it work.

How did the salad collaboration come about?

Carin: A group of us decided that we eat salad on our own and we should start making salad together. It's a healthy and affordable solution for lunches and it's fun to do together.

Stephanie: Yeah, It all kinda started one day when I was really slammed with work, and Carin offered to make me a salad with ingredients she had in the fridge. Then, one day I decided to make her one to return the favor, while Devon was making a salad for herself. And we thought, wouldn't it be smart to purchase all of the ingredients, and then just share them? It'll take up less space in the refrigerator and will be very cost effective.

What are the requirements/ how does one get involved?

C: No requirements. We shop on Monday, sometimes together, sometimes one person goes and the rest chip in for what was spent. We all note any restrictions we have and work to accommodate one another.

S: Anyone can join - we're nice!

What kind of salads do you make? Is there a lot of variety or do you keep it simple?

C: For the salad club to be successful people can't be hungry after they eat, we try to fluff our salads with proteins to help fill us up while keeping the salads healthy.

S: We tend to stick to similar basic ingredients, but switch it up from time to time with different forms of protein, seasonal fruit, etc.

What's a typical grocery list for success?

C: Two different types of lettuce (arugula and cabbage or Spring mix and Spinach), Peppers, Cucumbers, Onion, Broccoli, Peach, Blue cheese or Goat cheese, Beets, Corn, Nuts, Avocado

S: Mixed greens, tomatoes, beets, cabbage, hard boiled eggs, fruit (strawberries, apple, etc.), goat cheese, bell peppers, avocado. Depending on the week, the cost can range from $5-$15 per person. For the whole week!

How has this helped your productivity/life at the office?

C: When someone is busy then the other members make them salad which is a nice bonus :) We shop and "cook" together which is fun.

S: Sometimes, PDs don't have time to even think about lunch, let alone go buy something or make it. So, there are times when our comrades whip up a salad for themselves - and for us - and we all return the favor when needed. Every once in a while, we all stand around, chopping and prepping, and it's nice to take a break and just catch up.

Anything else you'd like to highlight?

C: Again, It comes out to be less than $10/person/week even if we include all of the ingredients above. That aint bad.

[caption id="attachment_14845" align="aligncenter" width="615"] A finished salad![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_14848" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Devon and Carin get the party started.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_14846" align="aligncenter" width="615"] A close up of all the good stuff.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_14847" align="aligncenter" width="484"] All set up for success[/caption]