Can't Stop Eating Salad

This is THE best salad ever! So yummy, my husband and I will eat the whole thing in one sitting. It's a great addition to any meal. Now first you will need to make the Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette that I posted already but with 1 tsp dry basil instead of fresh basil and blend it, setting it aside for later. Now, wash and cut a head of lettuce of your choice. Peel and slice 2 carrots and 1 cucumber. Wash and slice 2 ribs of celery. Slice half a can of organic olives. In a small pan over medium heat lightly toast a cup of pecans then set aside for 5 minutes to let them cool. Now in a nice bowl toss all the ingredients, then add 1/2 c of dressing and toss. Now add a can (strained) of mandarin oranges, 4-5 dates cut into pieces, and a handful of raisins, cranberries or dried cherries. Toss salad gently so you don't mash the oranges. add a little more dressing if you want. Then cut an avocado in half, remove the seed, and with a butter knife - slice the avocado and scoop out and fan them onto the side of the bowl (OR) you can just cut up avocado and gently incorporate into the salad. I added some sunflower shoots for added loveliness.