I know, it is just easier to eat junk food right now. You are stuck inside, things are kind of boring, your stress level is high and you just want to forget about veggies and eat your damn feelings, thank you very much. But there are alternatives!

Here are some great salads that can be just as comforting as your standard junk food, and you get the bonus of some much needed nutrients so you can leave some of the guilt behind and pull these out of the fridge for a snack instead!

Here are two of my favorite salads that can be thrown together and chucked into the fridge to grab and go when the mood strikes. They are just as good as a side dish for dinner, as they are for a midday snack.

Eat your fruits and veggies

Assemble your crew:

1 bag of baby spinach- washed and patted dry

6 slices bacon

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c sugar 2 Tbsp flour 2/3 c water 2/3 c apple cider vinegar

1 cup halved strawberries

1 cup whole blackberries

1/2 toasted whole almonds

Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked pepper to taste

Create delicious spinach:

In a large skillet over medium heat cook bacon slices until crispy, remove from drippings with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate, keep drippings warm in skillet over low heat.

In a medium bowl, combine the egg, sugar, flour, water, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well and add to skillet with bacon fat. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 4-5 minutes or until dressing thickens and is hot and bubbly. Crumble bacon and add to skillet. Mix well, and as much as you want to please don't put your face down to get smell, that vinegar will clear your sinuses **I make mistakes so you don't have to!**

Trick your tastebuds into thinking it is summer!

A variety of baby tomatoes, tossed with a sharp and lemony garlic vinaigrette and some fresh mozzarella is exactly the thing you need right now to remind you summer is coming, this too shall pass, and the cure for all things that ails us, can in fact be a little bit of fresh and milky mozz!

Assemble your crew:

4 cups of various mini heirloom or rainbow tomatoes, halved (you can usually buy these already mixed in a container at the grocery store)

1 8 oz container of Bocconcini Mozzarella Balls

5-6 large fresh basil leaves

4 Cloves Garlic- finely minced

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 cup EVOO

Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper to taste

Make the dressing!

In a large bowl, combine the garlic, mustard, and vinegar. Whisk well, Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly until the dressing thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Make a happy family:

Toss into the bowl of dressing (I told you to use a large bowl!) the tomatoes, and cheese balls, loosely tear the basil leaves and throw these in now too. Gently stir to combine, and let this hang out in the fridge and act as an antidepressant. Anytime you need a bit of a boost, have a bite, straight from the fridge. If the weather is nice, grill some meat, serve this alongside, accept accolades from the family unit.

Thanks for hanging out in the Ginger Kitchen. Hang in there, stay safe, and eat something really delicious today.