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
Coincidentally, yesterday I decided to start doing just that! Having at least one salad a day. And getting back into more raw fruits and veggies. So, I guess I’m in by default ;)
I am definitely in for this challenge!! I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and am going to accept any challenge to help me eat more veggies and make his baby nice and plump with goodness!!!!! Expect Facebook pictures for #saladaday!!!
This is my first comment! I wanted to let you know that the timing of this challenge is perfect: I moved to a new city on Friday, start a new job on Tuesday, and — in the midst of all these changes — I’m hoping to adopt some healthier habits. Thanks for leading this challenge and for posting such inspiring entries!
Thank you Fern! Goodluck with all your life changes :)
This is the best idea. I was browsing for some new salad ideas today. I’m so excited!
Since the weather got warm, I’ve naturally been doing more salads (about every second day), but am so on board for the challenge of everyday!
I’m in! Thanks for posting the salad recipes. I’ve been in a serious salad rut!
no problem…I guess im not the only one!
What a great challenge! I need this, especially in June, cause the birthdays and celebrations just won’t stop for me. I can’t wait to get started. :)
I always TRY to get a salad a day, but it doesn’t necessarily happen, especially on the weekends. I’m in!
I am totally on board for salad month!! I have been doing salads pretty much daily, but they are boring and I’m almost sick of them – not all salads, just them! So I definitely will be incorporating some of these and expanding my horizon!!! Mixed greens are great, but even too much of them ain’t always a good thing lol
I’m so down for the challenge!!! I always do BORING salads with spinach/veggies/dressing and I like that your salads shown here aren’t just a lettuce and veggie salad like I do most days. I like the quinoa/black bean salad because I could use that for the whole meal. Awesome. :-)
I really want to do this … but I will need to constantly check in with your blog to remind me!! ;) Great idea!
Great idea. I am looking forward to the salad ideas and the pics and tasting all the different options.
i’m in!
I’m excited about new dressing ideas! My salad today has falafel with some veggies, a little hummus, dijon, and oil and cider vinegar. These definitely fill me up, but apart from this type of salad, I usually just do the standard veggies and oil and vinegar, and occasionally add some random leftovers. :) I’m looking forward to all your ideas!
All your salad recipes have been fabulous! We just made your long weekend grilled salad for the second time today and brought it to a family picnic. It was a huge hit! You make eating vegan so easy and delicious! Last night we had the veggie burgers followed by berry bliss oat bars for dessert. LOVE it all! Thanks for all the recipes you post! :)
Glad to hear that Lindsay!!
so doing this! and very excited it gives me a chance to try all the great salad recipes you and other bloggers have up! i have a salad everyday already but yess i need some spicing up!
im in too!
I am not sure if I have salad EVERY day, but pretty close to it, this will just make me check that I do! I’m looking forward to some yummy salad ideas from you :) I’m not very creative and end up eating the same salad for weeks on end. Not that I mind, when I find a combo I love, I’ll eat it forever, haha.
Fabulous! Your timing couldn’t be better. I’ve been eating black bean mango salad and a low fat Asian slaw for too a couple weeks. I need some new ideas.
Thanks for your take on the Whole Food layered salad. They have a fat-free kale one I wanted to try at home but never got around to it.
200% committed to this salad challenge!! :)