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I’m quite certain I’m not the first and definitely won’t be the last person blogging about a “detox” New Years recipe. After weeks of cookie consumption (which I fully support) I don’t blame you if your body is crying for vegetables. I know mine is.
My body is funny that way. It legitimately craves vegetables. Occasionally you might actually find me turning down cornbread and cake for kale and carrots.
Some of you may be trying out detox juice cleanses or starting out on a path to making healthier choices this year. I’ve done a juice cleanse before and I was a hangry monster. I don’t condone them though and kudos to you if you feel like they work. It’s just not my cup of green juice. I do NOT however support fad diets. If you’re looking to lose weight or start eating healthier in 2014 please do not deprive yourself. Eat real food and enough of it.
I think a lot of people who make the resolution to “eat healthier” misconstrue healthy eating with eliminating food. Sure you can’t go binging on Big Macs daily, but I would love if people could focus on incorporating more nutritious foods rather than on what they shouldn’t be eating. I realize that what I’m promoting here is like trying to cure cancer (thank you diet industry for that…) so instead I’ve decided to start with just me.
I have one more resolution I did not include in yesterday’s list. I’ve made it my personal mission to eat at least one salad a day. Some days that might mean a large salad for lunch and other days a side salad with dinner. This is a choice of mine that makes me feel good at the end of the day. The best part about this is how creative you can get with salads. Ain’t got time for boring salads around here.
I would love if you guys decided to join me for the fun so why not start with this delicious Detox Kale Salad?
Detox Kale Salad
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Keywords: bake appetizer entree gluten-free vegan sweet potatoes kale
Ingredients (Yields: 4 large salads or 8 si)
- 4 oz baby kale
- 1 large sweet potato, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp coconut oil or olive oil (or spray of either)
- 6 hearts of palm, chopped
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (roasted or raw)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- For the dressing:
- 3 T balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 T dijon mustard
- 1.5 tsp honey
- 1 squirt of anchovy paste (optional)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Spray or drizzle sweet potatoes with oil of choice.
3. Roast for 15 mins. Remove from oven and flip over before roasting for another 10 mins.
4. Assemble kale, hearts of pal, pumpkin seeds and cranberries into a large salad bowl. Top with sweet potatoes once done roasting.
5. Whisk together dressing ingredients.
6. Toss salad and drizzle with enough dressing to coat.
Do you want to join me in eating a salad a day in 2014? How do you detox?
I’ve kind of given up on the whole extreme detox! I eat a pretty detox-friendly diet as it is… Why else would I do that if I can’t eat dessert once in awhile 😉 But I usually aim to eat a big salad everyday and this one is definitely going on my list!
Dijon is the best. So is kale! 🙂 This salad looks amazing and if my body were to ever crave veggies, this would be the salad. I already want it for breakfast (very weird!) and I think your fabulous photos have something to do with that! Yum!
I may have to start eating salads for breakfast if I want to be successful at this mission!
I love that you threw sweet potatoes in this.. I like salad but need some substance in there, I can’t do boring salads. I’ll definitely be trying to do a salad a day with you, during the week it’s alot easier for me. The weekends I usually slip up
Same here! I eat out way more on the weekends and when I’m out I tend to order a bit more extravagantly rather than ordering a salad. We’ll see how this goes!
I love everything about this salad…kale and sweet potatoes are such a great combination! Combined with coconut oil? Yes, I need this in my face pronto! Plus, can i just go off topic…I LOVE your wooden spoons!
Thank you!!! I stole them from my Mom haha
This? “I think a lot of people who make the resolution to “eat healthier” misconstrue healthy eating with eliminating food. Sure you can’t go binging on Big Macs daily, but I would love if people could focus on incorporating more nutritious foods rather than on what they shouldn’t be eating.” I wanted to stand up and clap! I could not agree more and I really, really hope that resonates with any of your readers who need to hear it. Also loving this salad and your salad-a-day mission.
Aw thanks girl!! Now if only people would actually listen!
I’m a veggie craver too, and you better believe I’m craving the green stuff after the Christmas cookie coma I was in over the holidays. The only thing is… I’m not a fan of kale 😯 Granted, I only gave it one shot and it was a BAD experience so my views might be a little tainted, but for now I’ll stick to my baby spinach and baby greens.
I love your salad goal!! And with a fabulous kale salad like this hanging around, I feel like that will be pretty easy to achieve. This is totally craveable!
I totally agree that the key to healthy eating is to make most of your eats wholesome and nutritious, not just dieting.
This sounds like an absolutely delicious salad— especially that dressing! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Davida! 🙂
I don’t believe in cleanses either – I need to chew!
This salad sounds delicious! I love any type of roasted veggie (tomatoes, carrots, butternut squash) in salad like that! I haven’t tried sweet potato in there, but why not?! I am with you, once I’ve gone on a binge of junk, all my body needs is some veggies. Just like I try to eat a little junk when I want it, if my body wants veggies, heck yes I’m going for it!