Celebrate National Nutrition Month At An Upstate Salad-In-A-Jar Party
March is National Nutrition Month and what better way to celebrate than to attend a Salad-In-A-Jar Party.
These fun group activities are taking the Upstate by storm, with two events happening this week in Greenville and Spartanburg. Hosted by Greenville Natural Health, the free parties are a fun way of learning about and supporting good nutritional health, says Greenville Natural Health owner Dr. Marina Ponton.
“We started hosting salad-in-a-jar-parties a few months ago and attendance grows with each one,” Ponton said. “We have great conversation, we learn a lot, and the best part is that we leave with prepared salads to eat the rest of the week.”
Here’s how it works.
Attendees are asked to each bring four quart-sized jars (wide-mouthed mason jars are the easiest) and two salad items that are already cleaned, chopped and ready to use. Greenville Natural Health asks its attendees to email what they’re bringing to ensure a variety to share with fellow party goers.
Topping ideas include but are not limited to: Beans (black, garbanzo, etc.), cucumbers, shredded carrots, dried fruit, grape tomatoes, sweet peppers, nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.), red cabbage, grilled chicken, hard boiled eggs, broccoli, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, avocado, quinoa, blueberries, olives and sliced radishes. For these items and more, check out an Ingles store near you.
Once at the party, attendees build their salads layer-by layer:
1. Dressing. The first layer when building your salad in a jar is the dressing. A salad-in-a-jar party is a great place to pick up new dressing recipes, Ponton says.
2. Hearty Bits. The next layer includes hard chopped vegetables or beans such as black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, carrots, cucumbers, celery or beets.
3. Lighter Bits. The next layer includes lighter ingredients such as tomatoes, strawberries, corn, peas, bell peppers, mandarin oranges or mushrooms.
4. Additional Toppings. This layer can include nuts, grains seeds or and fresh herbs.
5. Greens. The last layer is the greens.
Now that you know how it works, make plans to attend:
Salad-In-A-Jar Party
Thursday, March 14
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Palmetto Olive Oil Co.
2243 Augusta Street, Greenville SC 29605
With produce donated by Tyger River Farms.
Salad-In-A-Jar Party & Tower Garden Show
Sunday, March 17
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Blue Moon Specialty Foods
130 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Sunday’s party will include a Tower Garden Show and presentation on how to grow your own organic fruits and vegetables on your patio or deck. A vertical, aeroponic growing system, a Tower Garden
allows you to grow up to 20 vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers in less than three square feet—inside or out.
For more information on attending a free Salad-In-A-Jar Party, email info@greenvillenaturalhealth.com.
