Do you know that good health cannot be bought? Many people possess money but poor health. Countless millions live with good health and own little money. Being svelte, healthy,wealthy and wise demands more than going to bed early and rising early. Although many books and articles entice consumers with alluring promises, lifestyle capsulizes a major factor in good health. On a scale of one to ten, where would you place your lifestyle?

For some individuals, diet stands out as synonymous with lifestyle. Some people, because of disease, live on a restricted diet. Like a prisoner of fate, they are confined to a list of eat this or refrain from eating that food. Life consists of choices. Some are compulsory while others are options. The quality of life depends on which ones you choose. A recent meal, which included an inexpensive tantalizing tomato salad, forced me to think about benefits that life offers everyone.

Most of the entire salad came from the back yard! Cultivating vegetables year round has become easier with technology. Have you heard about the tabletop garden? No doubt you have seen the infomercial on television. The idea works for I have tried the herb garden. But, it does not suit my lifestyle. A friend planted the same herbs in several containers.They grew faster and more abundantly! He used less water and electricity.Of course having a garden demands knowledge of pest control. Have you seen the upside down tomato plants advertised on television? That creative option is the sluice gate for a flood of innovative ideas. Any product that meets a need, is reasonably price and functional has the potential for sale. Those who have no space or desire for a vegetable garden can purchase the ingredients for the salad from a supermarket or farmer's market.

In our backyard, the tomatoes are not staked in a traditional manner. They climb a tepee shaped stalk and are allowed to run wild.Of course ties are used where needed for restraint. As seedlings, they are watered by hand; and as they grow, they benefit from watering with a hose as well as a sprinkler system. Although some tomatoes are grown in large containers, the majority are placed into the ground. These fruits benefit from the tropical sun, grow big and ripen naturally. Since the tomatoes we grow are not mass produced for a demanding market, they can be picked in time to provide a fresh salad.

Onion,sweet peppers, celery,lady finger and goat peppers are grown in the back yard too. The lady finger is grown in a thirty gallon container and produces an abundant harvest. The goat pepper and sweet pepper trees, though not very tall, provide giant vegetables.Each salad ingredient possesses a distinct flavour and adds valuable nutrition to the salad.

A tomato salad forms the basis for other creative endeavours. The basic ingredients include tomatoes - one for each salad eater- onion, sweet pepper, celery,sweet pepper and hot pepper. Since a salad reveals the taste of the one who prepares it, no hard and fast rules exist. Someone who loves onion may include more onion and less celery or sweet pepper. The main point to remember in salad preparation is proportions. A salad which will be served to children should not include hot peppers - especially lady finger or goat pepper. Even some adults cannot stomach hot pepper no matter how mild.

Preparation of the salad begins with the assembling and washing of the ingredients and tool. A clean sharp knife, cutting board and bowl are essential. Dice the tomatoes and chop the other ingredients until they are fine. Goat pepper and lady finger demand a well ventilated area. They are hot, hot, hot! The size of the pepper will determine the intensity of the heat. A lime,lemon or a sour orange- which forms the stock base for citrus - adds a distinctive flavour. Salt and any other seasoning can be added to provide a personal flair. Salad preparation is an art' and it is based on what ingredients are available. Fifty chefs who are given the same ingredients can be expected to provide a salad with their unique signature.

The tomato salad is a basis for conch, tuna, fish, beef, pork,lamb and vegetarian skallop salad. Some additional ingredients- mayonnaise for the tuna salad for example- and relish will transform a plain tomato salad into a scrumptious meal. This inexpensive salad- prepared in your own kitchen with ingredients from your own backyard- provides a tantalizing and healthy treat especially on hot, summer days. Tired of tossed salads? Then toss it and try a svelte, healthy tomato salad!