You don’t often read the words “winter” and “salad” together, but I’ll tell you this is the secret to staying happy and nourished all winter long. Raw vegetables are rich in enzymes and vitamins that are easy to absorb and make digestion a breeze. The secret is to include as many seasonal foods in those salads as possible – these are typically warming foods, which makes sense!
Sticking to seasonal vegetables for your winter salads can be challenging, but not impossible. For instance, both beets and kale are hearty winter vegetables that retain their tastiness and nutritional worth even through the winter months. Pair with that some healthy fats from avocado and vitamin C from fresh lemons and you’ve got yourself a salad fit for a queen in the middle of December!
Here’s my absolute favorite winter salad recipe:
Chopped Red Beet Salad
Serves 2
1 to 2 large beets, steamed (OR use BPA FREE canned beets in water)
1 bunch of kale, chopped
A handful of fresh basil leaves (OR 1 teaspoon dried basil)
1 avocado, chopped
1 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and black pepper to taste
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
Directions:
If using raw beets, place a large pot with an inch of water on the stove over high heat. Place a metal steam basket inside. Chop the beets into quarters and place in the steam basket. Cover and steam the beets for about 10 to 12 minutes until they can be easily pricked with a fork. Remove from heat and serve on top of the salad.
Add the kale, basil, avocado, lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt and black pepper to a large bowl. Use clean hands to massage the kale until all the ingredients are well mixed and the kale is wilted. Top with pumpkin seeds and beets. Enjoy!
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To Your Health,
Patti
