That Salad Lady

7 days. 7 bowls. One simple framework 🥗

That's the idea behind my Build Your Bowl® 7-Day Reset Guide—helping you move beyond simply following recipes and learn how to build balanced, satisfying meals you actually enjoy.

Because once you understand the framework, the possibilities are endless.

Build. Nourish. Repeat.

🍴 Which bowl would you try first?

Mindful grocery shopping starts long before you get to the kitchen 🛒

One of the principles I emphasize in The Build Your Bowl® Salad Cookbook is shopping with intention. Instead of filling your cart with random items, think about the meals you want to prepare and the foods you know your household will actually use.

Yes...that really is 40 pounds of apples 🍏😄 They may seem like a lot, but they’re a staple in my household, so I buy them accordingly. The same goes for the watermelon and everything else in this haul.

Mindful grocery shopping isn’t about buying more or buying less. It’s about buying with purpose. When you shop with a plan, you’re more likely to reduce food waste, stretch your grocery budget and make healthy eating easier throughout the week 🥗

Happy National Watermelon Day 🍉

Watermelon may be the star of summer, but it’s also one of my favorite ingredients for building balanced, satisfying salads.

One of my favorite combinations is this Watermelon & Roasted Beet Salad from The Build Your Bowl® Salad Cookbook. Sweet watermelon, earthy roasted beets, peppery greens, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts and fresh herbs come together with a bright herb-infused lemon vinaigrette for a bowl that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful.

One of the things I love most about this recipe is the contrast. Sweet and savory. Creamy and crunchy. Bright and earthy. Every ingredient has a purpose, and together they create a salad that’s satisfying enough to be a meal.

Whether you’re celebrating National Watermelon Day today or simply looking for a fresh way to enjoy watermelon this season, I hope this bowl inspires you to think beyond fruit salad 🥗

Most of us know to wash apples, cucumbers and lettuce before eating them—but watermelon often gets overlooked 🍉

Even if you don't plan to eat the green outer skin, it's still important to wash the outside before cutting into a watermelon.

As your knife passes through the outside, it can transfer dirt and microorganisms from the surface into the edible flesh. A quick rinse under cool running water, followed by a gentle scrub with your hands or a clean produce brush, is a simple step that helps reduce that risk. Dry the watermelon with a clean towel before slicing.

Yesterday, I shared my Famous Dave's®-Inspired Sweet & Spicy Watermelon Rind Pickles. Whether you're saving the rind for pickling or simply enjoying the fruit, washing the outside first is a smart habit worth adopting.

With National Watermelon Day tomorrow, consider this your friendly reminder to give your watermelon a quick wash before you cut into it. It's a small step that can make a meaningful difference.

You know how you get a flavor stuck in your head?

That’s exactly what happened here. I couldn’t stop thinking about the sweet-and-tangy flavor of Famous Daves’s Sweet ‘N Spicy Pickles, so I challenged myself to recreate it using watermelon rind.

After a little experimenting, I finally landed on a version with the sweetness, tanginess, a hint of spice and all the crunch I was hoping for.

It’s also a great reminder that watermelon rind is completely edible—and perfect for pickling instead of tossing.

With National Watermelon Day just a couple of days away, it’s the perfect reminder that sometimes the parts we throw away still have something delicious to offer 🍉🥒

Sometimes the best meals aren’t the ones you plan. They’re the ones inspired by what’s fresh and in season 🌿

My neighbor always tells me to help myself to the tomatoes whenever she leaves town, and I never pass up the opportunity. There’s nothing quite like a sweet, juicy, garden-grown tomato at its peak 🍅

Today’s lunch came together with fresh basil, mozzarella, a drizzle of olive oil, and my homemade one-ingredient balsamic glaze. Simple ingredients. Big flavor. Exactly what I was craving 🥗

Do you have a favorite way to enjoy fresh summer tomatoes ♥️

Not every bowl is a salad 💚

This Savory Sesame Bowl is one of the recipes from my Build Your Bowl® 7-Day Reset Guide. Built with colorful vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and a simple sesame-ginger dressing, it’s a nourishing meal that’s just as satisfying as any salad.

One of the things I love most about the Build Your Bowl® approach is its flexibility. Whether you’re in the mood for a warm bowl or a fresh salad, the goal is the same: build your meal around wholesome, balanced ingredients that work for you.

Would you reach for a warm bowl or a salad today 🥣🥗