If you are familiar with the content we post, then you know we laugh at the idea of a salad being a simple side dish. We direct the spotlight on the salad, allowing it to take center stage as the main course. You just need to pack it with plenty of cruciferous and colorful vegetables, heart-healthy nuts, savory beans, avocados, berries, and, most importantly, an incredible dressing. 

Make It Colorful

In order to make the perfect salad, you want to include as many nutrient-dense, filling ingredients as possible. If you can make it as colorful as possible, that is a bonus. The reason you want to include colorful foods, such as blueberries, purple cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, or bell peppers, is to diversify your antioxidant intake. This relates back to the concept of “eating the rainbow.” Eating this way not only ensures that you eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables, but also that you eat as many vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients as possible. Continue reading to learn about other tips to make a great post-holiday detox salad. 

Start With The Greens

Greens will form the base of your salad, but you don’t have to be traditional with your choice of leaves. Some people enjoy crispy romaine, while others prefer the diversity of spring mixed greens. Kale makes for an excellent salad base, so long as you remove the thick stems and chop it finely. Arugula is a great choice if you water a peppery base, and shredded Brussels sprouts or cabbage work well as bases for slaws. The point is that green vegetables are some of the healthiest foods on the planet! Some people abide by the phrase, “The more you eat green, the more you get lean.”

Don’t Be Afraid Of Onions

Onions, garlic, and other members of the allium family, exhibit unique flavor profiles. They have a strong bite, but a lot of health benefits come with that intensity. For example, onions exhibit impressive anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties because of their sulfide compounds. The same compounds that make your eyes tear up benefit your health! If you need to tame the intensity of onions, soak them in a little sea salt and lemon/lime juice. You can also crush up fresh garlic to incorporate into your salad dressing. Fun fact: crushing the garlic actually releases the health properties!

Bring Legumes To The Party

Legumes are naturally rich in fiber and protein, two things that help fill you up. When you add them to salads, they add a starchy creaminess that is very hard to replicate. In fact, you keep aiming for black beans, kidney beans, or garbanzo beans bite after bite! Most beans are naturally rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, in addition to resistant starch. Plus, several studies found that they exhibit anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Dress For Success

Before you dig into your big bowl of greens, colorful vegetables and fruits, onions, and legumes, you need a proper dressing. You can go with a simple vinaigrette using olive oil, your favorite vinegar, and sea salt and pepper, or you can blend several ingredients into a dressing. If you prefer creamy dressings, consider blending avocado, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, and salt and pepper. Once your dressing is ready to go, drizzle it over your salad, toss to coat all the ingredients, and serve. When ready to eat, you can top with some almonds, walnuts, cashews, or other nuts and seeds of your choice. 

We regularly publish salad recipes on our website. If you need inspiration, you can click here to view all of our salad recipes. It’s a useful resource that can help you if you’re ever in a pinch.

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Welcome back to our kitchen! Today, we’re making a refreshing raw vegan apple cider vinaigrette that’s not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. Apple cider vinegar can aid digestion, support weight loss, and help regulate blood sugar levels.

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Sometimes, folks, we have to make salads a little heartier and less cleanse-approved. That’s exactly what we’ve done for this roasted chickpea fall salad. Besides the stunning and vibrant colors, this salad offers a variety of textures from the kale, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, and roasted chickpeas. Top it with creamy avocado and chewy dried cranberries and this salad is next level. It is perfect as a vegan entree or festive fall side dish. It is fully of autumnal flavors that everyone will want more of after the first bite.

The great thing about a hearty salad like this is that they hold up for several hours, making it a great potluck salad. Kale is very sturdy, but make sure to chop it finely to help break down the fibrous texture. Additionally, remove the thick kale stems, or you’ll end up with bitter bites in every forkful of salad. If you prefer arugula or cabbage, then you can use those greens instead. With your base prepped, you can build your salad with the other featured ingredients. You’ll have to roast the chickpeas first, but if you are short on time, you can cook them in the pan. Just make sure to season them liberally, because that way they end up tasting like croutons, only more delicious.

There are a lot of savory flavors in this fall salad, but the pomegranates and dried cranberries offer freshness and tartness. Pomegranates also offer lots of antioxidants, which work to fight free radicals in the body. The subtle tartness of the pomegranate arils go great with the apple cider vinaigrette, which brings a little life and vibrance to the creamy avocado cubes. You also have the freedom add walnuts if you want, but the pumpkin seeds offer healthy fats, texture, and protein.

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Although the famous saying is, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” many people take apples for granted. They are available year round, so why are they so special during fall? Depending on the variety, of which there are more than 2,500, apple season ranges from late July through early November. Gala, McIntosh, and Macoun varieties are ready in September, while other varieties like Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Fuji are ripe in October. 

Nutrition Facts

On average, a medium apple contains 72 calories, three grams of fiber, and 11% of your recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C. Apples are also rich in a variety of flavonoids, including quercetin and phloridzin. Through various studies, researchers identified that these plant compounds help fight against heart disease and certain types of cancer. Apples are also rich in beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant that is primarily concentrated in apple peels. Finally, apples contain phytochemicals that give them their anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. That makes these fall fruits an excellent on-the-go snack or addition to recipes. 

Nothing beats a crisp apple that bursts with juicy flavor, especially if you can pick it fresh from an apple orchard during fall. But apples are so much more than just a healthy snack! Use them in the following eight recipes and let us know how you like them in the comments below. 

Cranberry Apple Pecan Smoothie

Another delicious smoothie that you should try this fall! This cranberry apple pecan smoothie embraces the sweet and spicy flavors of the season.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Carrot Mango Apple Smoothie
With Chia Seeds

Get your daily dose of vitamins A & C, fiber, omega-3s, and more when you drink this carrot mango apple smoothie with chia seeds.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Apple Pie Energy Balls

You can have your snack and enjoy it guilt-free now that you have these apple pie energy balls. It’s like dessert in healthy snack form!

Click here to make the recipe.

Avocado, Apple, And Walnut Endive Cups

You have to get creative on a raw vegan diet, and these avocado, apple, and walnut endive cups with a rustic dressing are truly to die for.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Kale Blueberry Apple Salad

This kale blueberry apple salad with pistachios is crunchy, slightly tangy, and comes together in about 10 or 15 minutes.

Click here to make the recipe.

Granny Smith Raw Vegan Applesauce

This healthy, raw vegan applesauce is made from Granny Smith apples and comes together in minutes in a food processor. It’s a great snack!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Apple & Brussels Sprouts Slaw

Brussels sprouts and apples are two of fall’s best produce items. Get ready to enjoy the ultimate fall slaw that’s nutty, sweet, and savory.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Apple Pie Chia Pudding

With the arrival of fall comes a lot of special seasonal dishes. If you love apple pie, then you are going to love this chia pudding!

Click here to make the recipe. 

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You may have heard of the FODMAP diet from a friend or article on a health website. This diet calls for people to eat foods low in FODMAP, certain sugars that cause intestinal discomfort. In theory, this diet should help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) figure out which foods are problematic and which foods reduce symptoms. Think of this diet as a temporary restrictive eating plan, almost like an elimination diet of sorts.

FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are short-chain carbs that the small intestine absorbs poorly. People with FODMAP sensitivity can experience cramping, diarrhea, stomach bloating, constipation, or gas after eating high-FODMAP foods. In the case of this lemon vinaigrette, you can enjoy it without worrying about experiencing those symptoms. That is because all of the ingredients in this dressing are low FODMAP foods.

Because this lemon vinaigrette is very citrusy and acidic, we recommend serving it with salads that contain tomatoes, cucumber, romaine lettuce, or kale. If you are not cleansing, serve this dressing with your buddha bowl or pour it atop your quinoa. It can even be a great dressing to use for homemade tabbouleh or Italian pasta salad. Be mindful of the foods you eat with this, especially if you are monitoring your intake of these types of sugars, or if you have a digestive disorder.

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Homemade salad dressings are just the best! This vinaigrette, in particular, is vibrant in flavor and lightyears beyond any store bought variety. It is simple to make and provides a sweet and tangy flavor. You can use it in both sweet and savory applications. For example, you may pour it over a bowl of mixed greens and assorted veggies or a fresh bowl of fruit. It’s so flavorful, that you may just want to take a swig of it!

Poppy seeds do not typically make an appearance in our recipes. Some people only ever see these little seeds in lemon poppy muffins or almond poppy muffins. What purpose do they serve, though? First of all, they offer a subtle, crunchy texture and tiny pop in every bite. That makes for a pleasant contrast in every bite. Poppy seeds don’t have a strong flavor, but they do impart a subtle nuttiness, which complements the acidity of the orange and apple cider vinegar. Consuming poppy seeds, even in small amounts, can help increase your intake of iron, fiber, healthy fats, magnesium, and calcium.

Besides being visually stunning, this poppy seed vinaigrette is full of flavor. The brightness pairs beautifully with spinach, arugula, or mixed greens. You can also add mandarin oranges, strawberries, avocado, or peaches to the salad, as the dressing complements them. You can also use this dressing as a marinade, or you can drizzle it over roasted vegetables, just as long as you aren’t cleansing. We hope you like it!

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A lime vinaigrette goes great on a lot of Mexican-themed salads or bowls. Whether the base of your entree is a bed of leafy greens or quinoa and black beans, this dressing will wake up the ingredients. By that, we mean that the acidity of the lime juice and pungent nuttiness of the cumin make your bowl or salad come alive. Plus, you can easily whip up a batch of this dressing in a pinch; you just need the ingredients and a jar.

Unfortunately, you cannot rely on your blender to do the majority of the work for you when making this dressing. Well, you can if you want, but the dressing will turn a vibrant green. We prefer the different textures that this lime vinaigrette has, especially when you get some finely diced jalapeño and chopped cilantro in your salad bite. Don’t worry, though, this vinaigrette is far from the spiciest thing you’ll eat. Although there is some spice, the lime juice and maple syrup do a great job to cut the heat. After all, this dressing calls for the juice of three to four limes, so the flavor is quite zesty.

Once you prepare all of the ingredients, add all of them to a jar, seal the lid, and shake well to combine. Make sure to refrigerate for about 15 minutes before using for optimum flavor. Allowing the jalapeño and garlic to sit in the lime concoction helps to cut the spice of the jalapeño and the allium flavor of raw garlic. Just make sure to give the dressing a good shake before you dress your salads or bowls.

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This is an easy dressing that you’ll want to put on every salad. Although it has a spicy kick, this vinaigrette bursts with herbaceous, zesty flavors. And if there is one thing we know…it’s flavor. This vinaigrette is an unusual departure from the traditional dressings you know and love, but that is why we love it. We are of the mind that you need to experiment with as many flavors and foods as possible. So if you bought a jalapeño and can’t figure out how to use it, try this recipe. Plus, it works great as a dipping sauce or marinade!

When it comes to dressings, it is essential to know the foundation of what makes a great vinaigrette. Whether you make a classically simple variation or an exciting one like this, you will usually find similar ingredients in all recipes, most of which include:

• Olive oil: Any vinaigrette worth its salt will have a great oil that binds the ingredients together. You can use avocado oil or grapeseed oil, but olive oil is an excellent choice.
• Acid: Acid usually comes in the form of vinegar or citrus. Sometimes, you use a little of both, as is the case in this recipe.
• Salt and pepper: A must-have duo for dressings, plain and simple.
• Herbs: Fresh cilantro in a dressing is a game changer, but you usually see chives, parsley, basil, or oregano as common vinaigrette ingredients.
• Garlic or onions: Because raw garlic and onion have a strong flavor, use a light hand with these ingredients, so you don’t overwhelm the dressing. You can always use garlic powder or onion powder for a more mild flavor.

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Isn’t it wonderful when you have a bright and zesty dressing that you can whip up in a matter of minutes? It’s almost as though this dressing is a big dill! Cue knee-slapping dad to enter laughing. Yes, it’s the exact person you’re picturing. Anyways….Let’s get down to flavors.

A homemade vinaigrette is so much better than any store bought dressing you’ll purchase for many reasons. First off, store bought dressings don’t contain added sugars, hydrogenated oils, unhealthy fats, and other preservatives. Secondly, you can use ingredients that may go bad in the near future. That’s how we developed this vinaigrette recipe.

This is a super simple vinaigrette that has some texture. The reason for that is because you don’t blend the ingredients. If you prefer a smoother salad dressing, feel free to blend the ingredients, but sometimes it’s nice to have a chunky vinaigrette. You get a little crunch from the finely diced shallots and chopped dill. What’s great about it, besides the intoxicatingly delicious flavor, is that you can put it on more than just a salad. We really love this on a potato salad, but you can’t enjoy that if you’re still cleansing.

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Not only are homemade dressings like this pomegranate vinaigrette easy to make, but they are also much healthier and more tasty than bottled dressings. You can recreate any dressing you love with much healthier ingredients. No need for artificial dyes or flavors, processed ingredients, trans fats, or dairy products. This pomegranate vinaigrette comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients, so you only taste what you include in the recipe.

This dressing requires pomegranate juice, but most bottled pomegranate juice contains added sugars and is processed. You can easily make your own pomegranate juice by blending pomegranate arils. Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer and you have fresh pomegranate juice! You will need about one cup of pomegranate arils to achieve the amount of juice necessary for the vinaigrette. Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and offer a uniquely sweet-tart flavor. To enhance the sweetness, though, we included a touch of grade A maple syrup.

Pomegranate is a seasonal fruit during late fall and early winter. The sweet-tart flavor lends itself to salads that contain spinach, arugula, raw pecans, pears, berries, or raw walnuts. Even though this is a vinaigrette, there is no vinegar on the ingredient list. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and orange juice take the place of the vinegar, giving you that acidic not you crave from a vinaigrette dressing.

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