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Hey Adam,

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I’m not a regular Costco shopper—but every once in a while, I find myself wandering through the concrete aisles, seduced by pallets of protein bars and 5-pound bags of trail mix I have no business owning.

And then... there’s the lettuce.

You know the one. The massive tub of spring mix that looks like it could serve as the centerpiece at a vegan wedding. Or the six-pack of romaine hearts that practically begs, “Buy me and become your best self.”

I always pause. I picture myself chopping, tossing, drizzling vinaigrette like a lifestyle blogger. And once in a while, I give in.

But here’s what really happens:
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I come home with the big tub.
I feel very responsible.

And then I spend the entire week playing Salad MacGyver—trying to make that lettuce into something exciting before it wilts into a soggy regret puddle.

Lettuce with olive oil and nuts. Lettuce with eggs. Lettuce with... desperation.

It’s not that I don’t like salad. It’s just that eating the same thing over and over feels like a chore—even when it’s technically “healthy.”

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And the thing is—I know I’m not alone.

So many people trying to protect their kidneys end up doing the exact same thing:

They find a meal that feels “safe” and repeat it endlessly—not because they love it, but because they’re unsure what else is OK.

We see this all the time:
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