Lettuce (whole head)

Storage: Wrap the entire head in a paper towel, place in a plastic bag, and store in the fridge. Pull off leaves or cut off chunks of lettuce as you need them, rewrap remaining lettuce in paper towel and return to plastic bag.

Preparation: Cut off the knob of a step, tear off any brown leaves/parts. .Fill a large bowl or salad spinner with cold water, add lettuce, and swish it around to remove sand and dirt. Wait a minute to let the sediment settle to the bottom, then pull out the lettuce, dump the water, and repeat until the lettuce is clean. Dry thoroughly by rolling with towels. Remove the tough stem before use.

Taste: Mild, fresh

Nutritional Benefits: Lettuce’s vitamin C and beta-carotene work together to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol to prevent the build up of plaque. Romaine lettuce’s calories are also 20 percent protein, and romaine is very low in calories. Additionally, the minerals in lettuce help remove toxins and keep your acid/alkaline balance in order.