The best things in life are.... raw?

Nights, lately, I've been eating quite light. Mainly because I'm trying to drop a few pounds, but also because, sometimes, a salad just sounds so darned good (or I can't be bothered to break out the pans). I get very disappointed with restaurant salads because they are always so boring, so non-descript and with cheap ingredients. It doesn't take much to make a delicious salad, a few simple high quality ingredients thrown together and you're done!

Case in point:

I even took this picture with my iPhone to add to the theme of simplicity (read: laziness) of this post. But what we have here is this:

• organic mixed greens: There are only a few things that I insist must be organic, greens being one of those things. I find many salad greens to be bitter (another reason why I'm heavy on the acid/sweet component in my salads), but organic greens are less so. Maybe because I'm a PTC taster? Who knows.
• cherry tomatoes: It has been alleged that I have eaten an entire carton in one sitting. I cannot confirm nor deny this.
• goat cheese: creamy, tangy, delicious and should be served on almost everything.
• glazed pecans: You could make these yourself (and I have, for Christmas gifts) or you could check out your grocery store's bulk section for already glazed pecans. Since I put these on all my salads (as well as on top of desserts), I prefer to buy them already made (harder on the wallet, easier on the clock).
• extra-virgin olive oil: Don't listen to Rachel Ray. If you're using "EVOO" to cook with, then you're just wasting your money. Buy a nice extra-virgin olive oil strictly for putting on salads, dipping with bread, etc. Buy a cheap olive oil (but NOT pomace) for all your sauteeing needs.
• balsamic vinegar: Again, something you want to spend a good bit of money on. I buy a nice 10-year-old balsamic (the longer it's aged, the sweeter it is). I put it on all salads, as well as broiled vegetables. I also hear it's good on strawberries.

Simple, easy, delicious. No cooking involved. Sometimes it's all you need.