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 definitely ready for the challenge. It’s already so hot here in Texas all I want to eat is salad anyway.
Oh I bet its hot there right now…stay cool!
I just started my transition to vegan, told turkey from meat/dairy eater, and after my first month with out them, I don’t miss them and I feel amazing!!! Salad game face on, can’t wait to give this a try!
gooduck!
This salad challenge is a great idea! I love your salad recipes. I’m in!
Ooh I am nearly completing my own personal challenge of a Salad-a-Day May that I blogged about a while ago, and I am nearly done! I don’t know if I can carry it over to June – what I learned from the challenge is that I love salads and need to incorporate them more into my diet but having one every day got a bit of a chore by the end of the month! So I will take your delicious salad recipes and try to incorporate them into my life at least 4 times a week in June!
I really like this idea, and challenge, I cant wait to start, its great that other people want to do this.
Since I have been on the Eat to Live program I have been eating at least one salad a day but I think dressings are the key to keeping salads interesting and I am running out of ideas! So I look forward to your new recipes there. Can I make a request for some no-oil dressing options?
I made your veggie burgers this weekend for a couple of parties and I was impressed that many carnivores were not only willing to try them but very much enjoyed them! I did make a few adjustments…used 1/2 black beans and 1/2 brown lentils instead of all beans, reduced the breadcrumbs by 1/2 cup, and used walnuts instead of almonds, which gave a bit more crunch. Anyway, they went over great! Thank you!
I’m in! I was getting tired of my usual salad dressing (balsamic) – can’t wait to try some new dressings!!
I’m doing Ani Phyo’s raw foods fat blast for the next 15 days so I can’t imagine I won’t be in. I love salads in the summer. No need to heat up the apartment!
I’m in!!! Keep the fun, fresh ideas coming!!
I’m in! – I tend to make the same salads as well and appreciate these recipes. They have inspired me to be a bit more creative.
I am the only vegetarian in my household and after making dinner for hubby and sons, I almost always have a salad for dinner every night. However, it’s usually the same old, same old and I’m getting a little tired of it. I’m ready to try something new and your salads look absolutely scrumptious! I can’t wait to try them all! Thanks so much, Angela!
You must’ve been reading my mind, Angela – I was JUST thinking that I’ve not been eating the amount of veggies (or fruit) that I should lately – I seem to be on a carb kick. I love this challenge and hereby commit to it – viva la veggies!
http://pinterest.com/_jude/a-salad-a-day-june-2012/
followed you :)
I am a 68 yr old and you have inspired me to join this salad challenge as well as the new ab for June challenge.
wow go Addie!!! :) good for you
Great Challenge Angela- there are so many ways to create a delicious and healthy salad!
I started the challenge a little early. My goal is to eat a salad a day for lunch. I made the detox salad today and plan to eat it the rest of the week. Next week will be a new salad.
Thanks for the great idea!
I’m in too! Like so many others, I tend to make the same salads over and over but so enjoy fabulous salads I eat at the homes of friends and in restaurants. I’m off to make a salad right this minute! Great idea, this!
A salad a day sounds like a gr4eat idea!
I’m am going to try this too! Helps keep me motivated to eat more salad!
I made this salad yesterday and it was delicious! I tweaked slightly and added black olives and scallions to keep that tex-mex lime/cilantro vibe going. I just got my grill last week so I’ll be making this again soon. Yummy!