I am in love with beets lately! The dark red color gives it so many enriching health properties, so I made a quick salad that makes it easy to get an extra serving of beets.
Gluten-free, paleo, vegan, dairy-free, grain-free, nut-free, egg-free, and sugar-free.
Ingredients
- Salad:
- 1 large cooked beet
- 1 small orange
- 1/4 avocado
- 1/3 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 green onion
- 1 cup chopped kale
- Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon dill
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop beet, orange, and avocado into bite-sized pieces, and thinly slice green onion.
- Place chopped kale in a bowl and toss with green onion.
- Layer chopped beets, orange, avocado, and quinoa over kale.
- Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a separate mixing bowl and drizzle over salad.
- Enjoy all the tasty antioxidants!
This salad would also taste good with this orange-berry dressing recipe! Also, I bought these beets already cooked in a air-tight package from Costco-much easier to use than raw beets.
Health Benefits:
Beets: The rich red color of beets shows the wonderful antioxidant content that helps the body fight free radicals. They contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains L tryptophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, and they can lower your blood pressure.
Orange: The common benefit of this citrus, vitamin C, helps prevent cold and flu viruses. They are also good sources of beta-carotene, vitamin A and B, pectin, and potassium. An orange contains over 170 different phytonutrients and more than 60 flavonoids, many of which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and blood clot inhibiting properties.
Kale: This leafy green contains a whole host of nutrients to keep you healthy. One cup of kale contains 5 grams of fiber, 15% daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6, 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,020% of vitamin K. Kale is also rich in the eye-health promoting lutein and zeaxanthin compounds. It is also a great source of calcium, much better than any dairy product.
Avocado: Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats that help the skin stay clear and protect your brain. It is also a good source of the carotenoid lutein. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, two disabling age-related eye diseases. Avocado, like olive oil, is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer in numerous studies.
Quinoa: A superfood grain full of protein (8g protein per 1 cup), vitamins and minerals. High in manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, and fiber.
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