winter wilted kale salad

Did you have a weekend full with sub-par food choices like me?  If so, restart yourself with this wonderful Winter Wilted Kale Salad!

Winter Wilted Kale Salad with Dried Cranberries, Walnuts and a Dijon Vinaigrette ~vegan, gluten free~

We often think of detoxifying super foods as a summer thing…but, not kale!  Kale can be grown in almost any weather and is abundantly found in the winter months.  Pumped full with chlorophyl, B vitamins, vitamin C and antioxidants to keep you energized and nourished all-year-long.  Adding kale to your weekly dietary intake is another way to regularly detoxify using a whole-foods approach.

This recipe was inspired by a dinner out with friends a few weeks ago.  I ordered it as a starter, but I wish I ordered a double portion as an entrée instead!  I can’t get enough kale these days!  Sweet dried cranberries off set the tangy Dijon vinaigrette and walnuts are added for crunch.  Serve slightly warmed on cold days like these!

winter wilted kale salad
 
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makes 2 large or 4 small salads
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
  • 1 bunch kale (I used black kale), destemmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
  • dried cranberries
  • walnuts
  • For the vinaigrette:
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. In a large frying pan heat olive oil, add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes or until garlic is fragrant. Add kale and sauté until just wilted, not fully cooked. Remove from heat.
  2. To make vinaigrette: Whisk all ingredients together, add sea salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Add dried cranberries and walnuts to wilted kale, drizzle with desired amount of vinaigrette and serve warm.
  4. ~you may have left over vinaigrette to use later for another salad~

Winter Wilted Kale Salad with Dried Cranberries, Walnuts and a Dijon Vinaigrette ~vegan, gluten free~

dry skin brushing

Self-care is so important, especially during the stressful holiday season!

 Besides from eating a super healthy clean diet, another great way to take care of yourself is to dry skin brush.   Our skin is our largest organ and is a crucial part in eliminating the body of toxins, it’s also known as the “third kidney.”  Dry skin brushing circulates lymph fluid, increases energy, boosts our immune system and improves circulation.

Although I could not find scientific research done on the benefits of dry skin brushing, many have been using this technique for years.  There is no harm in skin brushing, quite the opposite!  It’s invigorating and has even been claimed to reduce cellulite!  You can usually find a dry skin brush at your local health food store.  Just make sure the brush is made with all natural bristles.  I try to dry skin brush at least three times per week and especially on days when I haven’t been very active.

dry-skin-brushing

How to Dry Skin Brush:

-Before you shower, start with the feet/ankles and work your way up the body using soft, circular movements.  Always brush inward towards the heart.  Use clockwise movements on the stomach.  Don’t rush, spend a solid five minutes or so to complete your whole body.

-When finished, take a shower.  Some recommend alternating between warm and cool water.

-If needed, moisturize after showering.  I use coconut oil blended with a few drops of pure lavender essential oil.

lavender

You’re giving so much to everyone else this holiday season, slow down and give yourself some love too!

superfoods smoothie

I’ve been a bit under the weather lately…possibly Lyme’s disease or possibly a superbug that I can’t shake.  Somedays I feel good, other days I feel as though I was plowed over by a Mac truck!  Either way, I need to boost my immune system big time!

This superfoods smoothie is just the way to do it!  My sister-in-law turned me onto wheat grass powder from a company named AmazingGrass.  I am a huge fan of this company and have used many of their products in the past, but somehow I overlooked simple old wheat grass powder!  Wheat Grass contains all essential animo acids, has a high alkalinity and contains phytonutrients and chlorophyll, all important for improved immune function and detoxification.

photo-43

I also used blueberries in this recipe for immune support.  Blueberries are a superfood all on their own!  They are an excellent source of flavonoids, especially anthocyanidins.  This component pushes blueberries to the top of the fruit and veggie line for antioxidant content.  Researchers have found this antioxidant to prevent against Alzheimer’s disease by reducing the amount of oxidative stress on the brain.

I had a professor in college that would tell his students to eat blueberries before big exams…I thought he was joking, but I guess not!

SuperFoods Smoothie

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 banana

1/2 cup baby spinach or baby kale

1 scoop wheat grass

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon hemp seeds

~Blend and Enjoy!~

superfoods smoothie ~vegan, gluten-free~

www.beginwithinnutrition.com