Hey there! Welcome to the new year!
I hope you are off to a fresh start and feeling great about any intentions that you have made for the year to come. A few things I am hoping to accomplish this year are sprucing up my backyard for outdoor movie parties, starting a legit herb garden, more ladies nights and of course having a healthy kickstart. Just like every other person I was totally a little indulgent over the last few holiday months, but I’m human so forgive me!
This Sunday, I actually buckled down and meal prepped some easy dinner and snack ideas to have on hand when I wanted to reach for the chocolate or chips. I have never been the standard “chicken, brown rice and veggies” when it comes to meal prep. There are seriously so many exciting different ways to eat a little healthier and sneak those superfoods in!
Today I’ve got a harvest apple quinoa salad for you guys that is packed full of nutrients but still tastes delicious! It’s one of those salads that have everything but the kitchen sink. Fruits, veggies, protein, healthy fats and carbs, you name it. When I’m trying to have a fresh start after a big holiday diet blowout I usually reduce my meat intake and pump up veggie meals. They always leave me feeling more focused and less of that “ugh I’m too full” feeling.
The base and green blend is made up of nutrient packed kale and crisp romaine for that salad crunch that we all know and love. For fruits I’ve got two kinds of apples, and avocado to give you a good dose of fiber for the day and keep you feeling full and content, longer!
I swapped out a traditional chicken or salmon breast for some tri-color quinoa! If you didn’t know, quinoa is one of the most protein rich vegetarian options you can go for! My favorite part of any salad is the crunch and sweetness thrown in! I’m a sucker for croutons but they can be full of fat and bad carbs so I used some walnuts and hemp seeds for that extra crunch! I also added in a few tart dried cherries because I love the texture and taste!
You guys, this salad’s got everything! It literally hits all of the textures and tastes buds that you want in a hearty, healthy meal. If you’re on the fence about making healthier foods at home, give this a try. I think you’re going to love it!
Harvest Apple Quinoa Kale Salad
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 1 head of Italian kale, roughly chopped
- .5 head of romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- .5 red apple, sliced
- .5 green apple, sliced
- .5 avocado, sliced
- 1 cups cooked tri color quinoa
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 handful of chopped walnuts
- 1 handful of tart dried cherries
- .5 cups gorgonzola crumbles (optional)
- Edible flowers (healthy eating can be pretty too!)
- For the Balsamic Dressing:
- .25 cups olive oil
- .25 cups apple cider vinegar
- Zest of a lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss kale with olive oil and lemon juice to tenderize.
- Add in romaine and toss well.
- Layer salad base with toppings.
- Pop the salad into the fridge for 10-15 minutes for ultimate crisp and freshness.
- Dressing: Whisk all ingredients together and add salt and pepper to preference. Usually ½ teaspoon of each will do.
Nutrition
