It’s been a while since I’ve done a challenge on the blog and as I mentioned last week I’ve had an idea cooking in my mind for a while now. In spirit of some friendly inspiration and accountability, I’m challenging myself and all of you lovely readers to enjoy one salad each and every day for the month of June.
I have a tendency to fall off the salad bandwagon, so this challenge is an effort to bring salads back into my life and amp up the veggies in my diet as summer approaches. And I hope you will be on board too! If you already do enjoy a salad each day, I challenge you to mix up your go-to salads using new ingredients, toppings, and dressings all month long.
The challenge kicks off on Friday June 1st, but I’m giving you a few days notice in case you want to prepare. Or start today! Fill the crisper. Hit up the farmer’s market. Sharpen your knives. And prepare yourself for renewed energy during the last month of spring.
Below are 6 reader favourite salads to get you started. I will be posting 5 other salad recipes shortly and hopefully a recap of my favourite easy homemade dressings for those of us who want to ditch the bottled stuff and try something new. A new salad recipe will also be featured on the blog each week during the challenge.
If you want to feel energized and balanced, this is the salad to start off with! It’s inspired by the Detox Salad at Whole Foods. I love it drizzled with a touch of maple syrup and sprinkle of cinnamon just before serving. You will never look at raw broccoli and cauliflower the same way again…trust me on this one.
2) Spring Salad with Strawberry Basil Lemon Dressing
A pretty salad to honour spring and use up all of those fresh strawberries! The dressing is made up of strawberries and basil, along with fresh lemon juice, a touch of olive oil, pure maple syrup, fine grain sea salt, & black pepper. It’s healthy and light, yet creamy and indulgent tasting. Pour it on top of mixed greens, chopped strawberries, and toasted coconut and slivered almonds for a healthy yet “fancy” salad.
Mmm…one of my favs! Light, fresh, filling, and easy to throw together for any long weekend gathering. The fresh corn lends a light sweetness to the zesty lime dressing. A generous dusting of salt and pepper before serving really makes everything come together. You can also make this the day before and let the flavours develop overnight in the fridge. Just throw it into a container and you’re good to go!
4) Red Quinoa and Black Bean Vegetable Salad
Extremely light, fresh, and packed with protein and healthy fats, this tangy cilantro and lime salad will have you dreaming of Summer.
5) Layered Salad with Orange-Ginger Dressing
Just like the Whole Foods layered salad, but now made in the comfort of your own home. With some advance prep work, you can enjoy this salad all week long. You can also layer it in a big glass bowl for a party or BBQ, or even quicker, just mix it all up together and pour on the dressing!
6) High Protein Almond Quinoa Berry Salad
Use this fun fruit salad as a side dish, breakfast, or even dessert! Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, almonds, and fluffy quinoa are mixed with a lovely maple-balsamic-lime dressing. This would make a great fruit salad to bring to a summer BBQ or gathering too.
Want to join me in this challenge?
There are many different ways you can participate…
– Leave a comment below and commit to the salad challenge! woot woot
– Blog about the challenge and post pics & recipes of your salads throughout the month of June.
– Tweet, Pin, and/or Instagram your salad creations using the hashtag: #saladaday
I’m in!!!
I need to be in. I WILL be in! A salad for lunch everyday will be my goal :) I’m a vegetarian who eats relatively well, but I know I need to up my vegetable intake. I write this as I’m waiting for water to boil for our trader joe’s organic macaroni and cheese lunch :p
salad a day – yes! Our garden lettuce is pretty much ready, so I’ll be good to go. Oh, and strawberry season just started, so I know what my go-to combination will be.
Thanks for the kick in the pants!
haha glad to hear that :) I tend to fall low on my veggie intake too.
I have very athletic children, weight trainers, sprinters, baseball players and they all want healthy food to eat. Thank you so much for the salad challenge, they all love your recipes!! All of their coaches, trainers, and teammates want to know, “where did you get that salad?” Best of all I am a vegan and am happy with their choices. Thank you so much for your recipes.
Thank you Lynn, that means so much to me!
Yahoo!! – healthy accountability as we head into the summer. Love it and I am definitely IN!
Count me in for the June Salad challenge! As the temperature rises, I find myself not really wanting to eat – everything just feels to “heavy” in my stomach. But I need to noursih my body, so salads are great way to get in my nutrition without being weighed down. I am already planning on making the detox salad to use for next week’s lunches.
You might be my hero if you can save salads for me…. I got so tired of them that I rarely eat them anymore, but I am definitely going to try your salad challenge and see if I can revive my love for them. These look great and I’m looking forward to trying them!
I’ve been on board with this the last couple of weeks already – I did some traveling recently where the food was basically meat (since I’m not veggie/vegan) and carbs. Delicious, yes, bu t since I got back I’ve been craving (and giving in to it) salads of all kinds, usually for lunch, sometimes dinner, and one memorable day included a breakfast salad. :)
The June salad challenge sounds awesome. :)
I’m in!
I’m in! I adore salads!
im so in!!!
i love when i find a great recipe online and realize i have all the ingredients already to make it! the detox salad should be happening in my kitchen in the next half hour, though i’m going to sub pumpkin seeds for the sunflower seeds.
I am trying to find some great salad ideas that are really kid friendly. My brood feel that a piece of iceberg lettuce is a salad! Count me in on making this mission my priority for my whole family! Thanks for the idea!
I’m in! And thanks for the awesome challenge to encourage getting more veggies in everyday. Now I just have to get my 3yr old to think this too! Since I thought your June Salad Challenge was such an encouraging idea I shared it with my moms group on our group Facebook page. Some of them want to get in on the challenge too! Here’s what our group is about: Capital District Foodie Tots is a group for families trying to get fresh, healthy meals on the table in today’s busy world. With an emphasis on farmers markets, vegan & vegetarian, and gluten-free cooking; Foodie Tots shares recipes & resources to make eating healthy and fun for the whole family. Foodie Tots also features recipes for getting kids into the kitchen, as kids who cook are more likely to eat a varied diet and maintain a lifelong interest in eating well. We also offer activity groups for members with common interests including Foodie Tots book club, cooking club, and a monthly Kid Food Swap. I’ll keep you posted on our salad challenge. Or should we submit things/ideas somewhere else?
Hey Josalyn! Thank you so much for sharing the challenge with your group. The group sounds fantastic by the way :) What a great idea! If you have any salads you can share them also on my facebook wall, where other readers will be able to see them. If I think of another way to share I will let you know!
Hi Angela! Thanks for the reply. I’m going to copy your response to our FB group page and encourage them to share ideas/pics on your page too. Every month we’ve been doing a Snack Mix-er (everyone brings a trail mix item to share) maybe I should also add a Salad Mix-er for the month of June in honor of your challenge! This might just be for the mommies. ;)
The salad mixer is a great idea, Josalyn!
This challenge is awesome! I’ve been wanting to make salads for lunch but I get so bored with the plain Jane salads (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, etc.) and the same old dressings. This will be a great way for me to try some new salads & make it fun!
I’m in! http://revitalizewithstefania.blogspot.com :)
I’m in! I’ve been in a bit of a food creativity and blogging rut lately. This should help!
I love salads even more than I love chocolate (and I do love chocolate), if that puts it into perspective. I look forward to your recipe ideas! Today I created a hearty salad to use the spinach and arugula in the garden, and it was darn good! http://cultivatejlcm.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/arugula-apple-wheatberry-salad/
Can’t wait. Just what I needed to get back on the salad for lunch every weekday. HOping for a green monster and salad each day, with a small break to eat up leftovers on the weekends.
PS you have been a God-send, my son has not been able to tolerate milk recently. I am constantly at your blog looking for recipes to help him adjust to his new life, and yet keep it healthy and full of nutrients for my growing boy. Thank you.
Aw thank you Michelle! I’m so glad to hear that the recipes are helping your son. :)
I’m in! I loved your Spring Salad with the Strawberry Lemon Basil Dressing. Can’t wait to try all the others!! I plan to blog about the challenge as well.
I’ve been eating a ton of salads lately, and am eagerly anticipating an influx of new recipes. Great idea!