Quinoa Kale Salad with Cilantro Balsamic Vinaigrette

Think salads are boring and tasteless? A pile of limpy lettuce dotted with sad tomato slices it a total drag, but this gluten-free and dairy-free salad is loaded with flavour and nutrition. Sweet, spicy, savory and just the right amount of tart and tangy.

These ingredients really pack a punch:

Quinoa: This gluten-free grain is a complete protein and a good source of fibere, both of which contribute to maintaining balanced blood sugar.

Kale: A leafy green superstar that’s high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer nutrients.

Avocado: An excellent source of healthy fats, including oleic acid. Oleic acid is rich in antioxidants that help remove toxins from the body, boost memory and immune function, and increases cardiovascular health.

Cranberries: Excellent for treating and preventing urinary tract infections. Cranberries are also high in antioxidants and aid in reducing inflammation in the stomach and large intestine.

Apples: These slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, allowing our blood sugar to stay more evenly balanced. Because of the pectin contained in the apples, they offer excellent cardiovascular benefits.  The pectin, a source of water soluble fibre, decreases the overall levels of cholesterol.

Almonds: Almonds maintain blood sugar balance and improve cardiovascular health because they are high in healthy fats.

Herbs and Spices: The herbs and spices used to create the dressing for this salad contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties.

This salad doesn’t sound boring, does it? Nope, I think not.