This lentil salad, obviously has as its shining ingredient - lentils.

Lentils pack in 18 grams of protein per cup. I'm always looking for ways to add more protein to my diet, since the amount we eat is so critical for muscle synthesis. They are also a great source of soluble fiber which helps decrease LDL and total cholesterol.

Lentils also provide iron, although plant sources of iron are harder for us to absorb. This is where lemon enters the picture. The Vitamin C in lemon helps us absorb iron in plant foods.

We’re headed into the heart of summer, and with that comes an abundance of fresh produce. The peak of freshness equates to the most remarkable tastes. And there is nothing better than local.

But sometimes we can get a little stuck figuring out what to do with it all…