Pear, Cured Ham & Walnut Salad

Walnuts are one of the best food sources for melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body clock for a better night's sleep. Give your walnuts a sprinkle of apple pie spice (optional) for a warm accent to a fresh and crunchy lunchtime salad.

Since the ingredients in this salad are so delicious, a simple lemon and olive oil dressing work best; a heavy dressing would mask the flavors. This pear salad can also be served without the cheese on top and would be a delicious but even lighter first course.

You can use almost any lettuce for this pear salad. Pick what you like best, anything from spicy arugula or watercress to mild butter lettuce.

The same goes for the pears: Bosc, Bartlett, Anjou or Comice would all be great choices.