Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Left: If you are a fish lover then this yummy escoveitched fish salad is a lovely treat. Right: Dig into this tasty Oriental beef salad packed with lots of goodies, pasta, corn, carrots, lettuce, cantaloupe and the 'divine' sweet potato salad garnished with tomato and onion.

Who says eating healthy has to be boring or expensive?Imagine having a healthy yet scrumptious salad that is cost-effective. Joan Stone offers the ideal tasty alternative meal (Just Salads), to the routine rice and peas and chicken.

Creating these mouth-watering treats was an idea Stone toyed with for a while. "My friends who are health-conscious had a problem finding healthy lunches, encouraged me to go into the salad business. Therefore, I tried it for a while and now the word has been getting around," she said.

Experimenting with food

Jerk chicken is a favourite dish, so when combined with the salad, it's absolutely divine. - Photos by Nashauna Drummond

Stone's love for cooking and experimenting with food drives her to do what she does best. Her business is called 'Just Salads' and as the name states, she offers a wide variety of salads from chicken, beef, to shrimp done in a variety of ways. They are made from fresh produce every day and cater to everyone's needs. Whether you are diabetic, dieting or just want to eat healthy, then a Just Salads' creation is the ideal meal for you. She also does vegetarian and garden salads on request.

Stone notes that the recent rise in food prices has definitely dealt her a few blows. She said the good thing is that there is a lot of local produce now available in the market. However, the approaching hurricane season accompanied by heavy rains will pose a problem.

All salads are made to your specification; whether from raw vegetables or mixed with pasta and fruits. Also, she adds a sweet potato salad with raisins topped with cinnamon powder that is absolutely delectable.

Prices range from $500 to $650 plus delivery charge.

Orders should be made daily by 9:00 a.m. or the day before. For more information call: 809-7719/ 978-0682 or e-mail: justsalads@cwjamaica.com.

Try this exciting grilled shrimp salad, courtesy of Just Salads by Joan Stone.