We all hear that old saying, “you are what you eat.” Yada yada, really? Now, this one I can relate to “Life expectancy would grow leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.” Thanks, Doug Larson you said it so eloquently. But here is one that made me think…
“Those who have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”
– Edward Stanley
Ouch.
Okay, so what does it take to eat healthily? Baby steps for one. Learned that the hard way myself. Also, learn to carve out more time in the kitchen. I realize we all have hectic lives and I am no slouch to a delicious meal, but I will say going at it the 80/20 way- eating healthy with little indulgences is not that difficult.
So, I am just throwing this out there for the sake of this new year, new you idea. Why not? Why not dig deep and give your body the nutrients for less inflammation, less brain fog, less chance for illness.
Your soul is rooting for you.
Our simple Soul Salad is packed with powerhouse foods that will sustain you and leave you craving for more.
See how special these ingredients are…
Chicken is protein packing a 23 grams per 3 oz portion, the size of the deck of cards.
Avocado is your creamy alternative to highly saturated fatty cheese. Avocado provides you with good fats that satiate you and are suitable for your central nervous system and brain, contain 8% of your daily fiber and less than one gram of sugar. They have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and are suitable for your heart.
Pomegranate Seeds are bursting with flavor, and a good source of vitamins C and K. Not only are they packed with antioxidants that improve healthy cell survival and induce cancer cell death and prevent tumor growth they are rich in fiber and aid in weight management.
Walnuts they look like little brains, don’t they? Often titled “brain food” a handful of these slightly toasted contains a very high content of omega-3 fatty acids that help support brain function.
Kale or not to Kale? I know. It’s a love-hate, kinda like broccoli. But once you discover how to fix it and give it at least a three-shot try, you might find you actually like it. One thing I can share is to strip the leaves off the stem, this will reduce any bitterness. There is so much that qualifies this as a superfood besides being super versatile. It has antioxidant nutrients, anti-inflammatory nutrients, and anti-cancer nutrients. It only takes 100 calories of kale to provide over 350 mg of the most basic omega-3 fatty acids.
Shallots are rich in flavonols and polyphenolic compounds. Shallots lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, manage diabetes, boosts circulation and digestion, and aids in weight loss efforts.
Olive Oil is beyond reasonable for you. Studies have shown that the fatty acids and antioxidants can aid in reducing the risk for heart disease. Nuff said for me.
Red Wine Vinegar helps the digestive process, allowing the body to absorb essential vitamins and minerals more efficiently. Plus, may prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.
Take your taste buds to a higher level!
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Soul Salad
- Yield: 1 Serving 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups lacinato kale, stems stripped and chopped
- 1 half avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (packaged seeds-POM’s)
- a handful of toasted walnut pieces
- 3 oz. grilled chicken breast, sliced
Dressing:
- 1 T. olive oil
- 2 tsp. red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp. of pomegranate juice from packaged seeds container
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Layer salad with above ingredients.
To make dressing I like to shake it all in a mason jar. A little arm work out for ya. Drizzle dressing and enjoy!
Live life and love your food!
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