Very Berry Vitality Vinaigrette (Fat-Free!)

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Dress me up.

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Dress me down.

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But don’t you dare dress me in artificial ingredients!

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There’s no way around it. It’s December 1st and the Christmas countdown has officially begun! That means the next four weeks will be full of good food, good company, and a little bit (a lot a bit?) of indulging. This also means that it’s SUPER important to be present–as in take a step back, re-focus your diet and get your body back on track when needed.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s perfectly healthy to splurge every now and then–but the real key is knowing when to listen to your body, say no, and pass on that second cookie (I know, I know, it’s hard!). And what better way to detox your body than by filling it up with fresh, healthy, colorful, and vitamin-rich ingredients!

 

That perfect get-your-body-back-on-track meal?…

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Salad, of course!

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Okay, so typically I try to stay away from the stereotypical “salad-loving-vegan” posts–mainly because people tend to think if you are vegan that’s all you CAN eat. Now, If  this blog teaches you anything at all, I hope it teaches you that this is SO not the case! (Just check out my recipe page). I will admit, however, that I do adore a good salad. To be quite honest, it’s my favorite meal. It may seem boring to some, but I could literally eat salad all day every day for the rest of my life.  No joke!

But just to be clear (before you go thinking I’m crazy), please note that my salads are not your typical salads. They’re more like 10-ingredient-throw-everything-you-have-in-your-refrigerator-in-the-bowl salads.Case in point… they’re HUGE! And lettuce is the least important ingredient. But no matter how fancy smancy your salad gets, you obviously can’t forget the most vital detail of all…

 

Salad dressing.

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This key component has the ability to make or break your salad. And I think we can all agree that there’s nothing worse than a fabulous salad that’s underdressed, overdressed, or dressed in something just plain awful. Now I have to admit, I spent many years avoiding oil-based dressings, sauces, or pretty much any condiment-like product containing fat at all costs. Instead, I chose fat-free or sugar-free versions thinking they were the healthier options. This couldn’t have been be further from the truth. In fact, these so-called “healthy” dressings are chock full of refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, corn-syrup, chemicals, and other processed ingredients. Kind of counterintuitive when the whole point of eating a salad is to fill up on fresh, natural, healthy ingredients and give your body a boost huh?

 

Thankfully, I came to realize that olive oil is not the devil. In fact, it’s SUPER healthy (in moderation of course)! But I do understand that every now and then (especially after a few days of splurging) it feels great to give your body a break and cut back a little on added fats while still amping your nutrient intake. So, that’s why I created my own version of a fat-free, refined-sugar free, and artificial-ingredient-free dressing that will wow your taste buds and revitalize your body. No guilt necessary! :)

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It’s both tart and sweet with just a hint of heat.

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An added bonus? It’s pretty too!

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Salad: Butter lettuce, avocado, sesame sticks, sliced apple, dried cranberries, and Very Berry Vitality Vinaigrette

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Very Berry Vitality Vinaigrette

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of mixed berries (fresh or frozen–I used frozen berries and thawed them in the microwave)
  • 1/3 cup of 100% orange juice (I used bottled but I think fresh would be even better!)
  • 2 tablespoons of 100% pure maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Optional: a squeeze of lemon
Directions:
  • Put everything in a blender (I used my Nutribullet) and blend until smooth.
  • Add salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
  • Drizzle over a healthy salad!
  • Store in the fridge for 4-5 days.
  • Note: You may prefer a sweeter dressing (I like mine a little on the tangy side) so feel free to add a tad more maple syrup if you prefer the taste.  
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Those holiday cookies ain’t got nothin’ on you now!

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Healthfully Yours,

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Ashley Michelle

 


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