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
Oh yum! Count me in for sure!!! Great idea Ange :)
Great idea – I’m in! I love your salads. I’ve made the detox salad several times and have been dying to try your strawberry basil salad so perhaps I’ll kickoff the challenge with that.
I already eat a salad everyday, but I would love to join in on the challenge too. I will start by trying out some of your amazing salad recipes, and I am always on the lookout for new healthy homemade dressings. June is going to be a yummy month for salads!
I had this exact goal, to have a salad everyday starting June 1. This post was perfecting timing! Now I can commit and stay accountable :) I can’t wait to try that long weekend grilled salad!
I keep seeing things that I would like to do… feel like I can do fairly easily… but then I look around and say ‘but I have so much going on right now, can’t I challenge myself to do that later?”
But then it wouldn’t be so challenging! So you know what? You’re on! I love salads, eat them all the time anyway, and would be thrilled to have one every day. Plus, with the weather so hot and not wanting to cook, this really is perfect timing. I’ll do it! :D
I’m happy to hear that Willow. I can relate to putting things off ;)
This challenge is EXACTLY what I needed!! I fall off the salad bandwagon, too. This is the perfect way to get back on. I am totally in! I will be blogging about it and taking pics of my salads. Thanks for inspiring all of us! And I am going to try some of your lovely salads that you posted. Thank you, thank you!
I could definitely get on board with this! You’ve really got me craving salad now so that’s a good start!!
I’m also in for this challenge! What a great way to kick start the summer. I’m also looking forward to exploring some new salad options because I also get stuck in a monotonous salad rut. Thanks for creating this inspiring challenge!!
I am in, I really need more greens in my life, but I am telling you ahead of time that my salads won’t be all vegan! :)
I’m in!!!!
Challenge accepted, I love this idea and LOVE your top recipes! I am nearing the end of a 21 day juice fast so I’ll get a late start on June 4th but this is the perfect challenge to help keep me on the straight & narrow as I come off my fast!!!
Oh mama, I want that detox salad RIGHT NOW.
My daughter sends me recipes from your blog so often that I decided to explore your blog for myself. Your “eating story” was intriguing & I’d like to say congratulations for eating & exercising your way to health & fitness!! You look fab. Thanks, too, for the salad challenge.
Thank you Charlotte, Im glad you are enjoying the blog!
I’m a first time commenter and I’m so happy I found your blog Angela!
I cannot wait for a salad a day in June! I’m committed!
Lovelovelove this idea!
I’m in! And I’ve convinced a few downtown Toronto ladies to join the challenge too!
So excited!
(so many exclamation points!)
xx
-Amanda
The more the merrier! :)
Definitely In! :)
I love it! My husband and I eat lots of greens this time of year because of our CSA.
We have recently starting making the Weekend Glow Kale Salad with your Better-than- Bottled-Vinaigrette and it is a fabulous and fresh. I chop all the fixins and leave it in a tupperware, and then when I make my luch I massage the kale with the dressing. So wonderful!
Can’t wait to see what other salad ideas you come up with!
*I also wanted to say that I have gotten back into running, highly inspired by you :) Doing the Couch to 10K program on my iPhone and loving it. You are SUCH an inspiration!!
Goodluck with your Couch to 10k Ann! I hear they are great programs. :)
This is perfect timing–I found out I’m pregnant with my first over the weekend, and I’m trying to pack in as many vegetables as possible! :)
Angela, your awesomeness continues to amaze me!! I couldn’t figure out where I was off track but this post showed me that I abandoned my salad a day habit over the winter. It will be my pleasure to go along for the ride! Thank you once again for always inspring me. :-)
Count me in!