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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?Â
I’m not one for detoxing or “cleansing” per se, but like you, I’m striving to simply add more nutritious foods into my diet every day. I don’t think I could do a salad a day (I prefer my veggies hot in the winter), but kudos to you! this kale salad does look mighty delicious 🙂
I’m thinking of maybe including soup in my salad a day mission!
My body definitely craves some veggies after they lack from my diet… even if it’s just for a day! I don’t think I could do the juice detox either. I need to chew to feel satisfied! This salad look like absolute perfection! I’m totally with you on how salads should involve a bit of creativity. I think that’s why so many people turn their noses up at them – they picture a bowl of lettuce with a few shreds of carrots! I wouldn’t want that either, but something like this? Now that is what a salad should be! 🙂
I dont think people realize how much they’ll miss chewing until they go without out! It totally sucked. No more juice diets for me!
what a beautiful salad!
Ok, I love this recipe BECAUSE I am definitely salad challenged. Maybe I can get a few tips from you over the course of this year since you’ll be eating so many! Oh and P.S. I had the bessssst meatballs on New Years Eve for dinner, and I thought of you. Problem was, I also had a stomach bug on NYE and I couldn’t eat more than like one of them. Sad. You’ll just have to make me some the next time I see you!
Okay you need some better luck in 2014! I need some of yo balls in my life!
Salad looks great! I wish I craved more salads lately, but in the colder weather I just want hot food all the time. I will try hard to eat more salads though. I generally detox just with clean eating…no packaged/frozen/canned anything for the day and I feel better. Have a great day!
I think I should change the rule to include soups too!
I’ve made kale chips and thrown kale into green smoothies, but I haven’t yet added it to salads. I’m not sure I like it that much yet, haha.
I feel the same way about “dieting”. I’ve done a salad every day, and they’re just not my favorite veggie… but I eat veggies at every meal! That makes me feel awesome!
haha – so glad you are not a “hangry” monster anymore!
Am not a big fan of fads either – and definitely do understand the need to veggie-load from time to time – my craving hit pretty bad on the 31st – and I found myself in front of a hooge plate of broccoli and caramelized onions – mmm mmm mmm so good!
A salad a day sounds like an awesome plan!
That sounds perfect! Now I’m craving broccoli…oh how my cravings have changed!
I like the salad a day goal! I may have to join you on that one…although mine won’t include kale, because I’m not a fan :-S Buuut sub in baby spinach and I’m good!
Have you tried baby kale?? It’s much better than regular kale!
I love kale salads…LOVE! However, my husband can’t stand raw kale. One time he told me he felt like we were eating cow food. Don’t ask!