This simple dish is more than just a salad, it’s a complete healthy balanced meal. It’s also one of the most filling salads imaginable because it’s rich in both protein and fiber (protein is very satiating, and fiber is very filling).

We experienced just how satisfying this salad is when we had it for lunch the other day with a little crusty bread. Between lunch and dinner we usually have some sort of afternoon snack like nuts or chopped fruit — but neither of us had anything to eat until we had a late dinner that night. And we both remarked on how full we’d felt throughout the day.

This salad also makes a tasty and very nourishing sandwich filling. To make a wrap simply spread a little hummus on some flatbread (such as a tortilla), add a couple of tablespoons of the salad down the center and roll up. Alternatively, cut a pita bread in half, spread the inside of each pocket with hummus, then spoon in the salad.

This salad is so versatile you can even heat it up, toss it through pasta, and serve it with a sprinkling of Parmesan. And of course you can simply serve it as a side salad.

Here’s the recipe.

Apolo Ohno is a world-class short track speed skater, and the most-decorated American winter Olympian ever — winning a total of eight medals so far (including two golds). But for an elite athlete, he hasn’t always eaten the best diet, often gobbling up ice cream and fast food.

But Ohno recently decided to take a more serious approach to his diet.

For over 15 weeks he’s been following a way of eating rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, rice, pasta, and seaweed (that’s right, virtually identical to a MediterrAsian way of eating), and according to Sports Illustrated, he’s now in the best shape of his life.

Not only has his weight dropped from 159 pounds to 144, he’s also lowered his body fat from 10% to 2%. And remarkably his single-leg squats have progressed from 225 pounds each at the start of the 15-week cycle to 400 pounds.

All very impressive stuff! And it’s great to see that he did it without having to rely on some high-tech new eating approach. It just goes to show that the same age-old way of eating that keeps everyday folks fit and healthy can also be used by even the most elite athletes for improving performance.

And speaking of the effectiveness of a MediterrAsian way of eating, there’s an article that’s recently been published on the Voice of America website called “What the World’s Healthiest People Eat.â€�

Not surprisingly the experts interviewed for the article mainly recommend eating Asian and Mediterranean foods for achieving optimal health and a long life. Sounds like very sensible advice to me!

To read the full article click here.