I have a confession to make… I'm kind of loving this whole yoga thing. I kind of used to chuckle at these intense yogis, but to tell you the truth I feel extremely fresh and liberated, not to mention strong. I got a month long unlimited membership to Pure Yoga in Ottawa and it's super duper awesome. It's all hot yoga, which took some heavy breathing and a huge water bottle to get used to, but I feel like I'm sweating out all life's problems (TMI??). The studio itself is great because it has so many classes a day, and lots of different styles and instructors, so you never get bored. All I can say is you better watch out or I'll be standing on my head before you know it. Or should I say sirsasana?To continue with my June theme of salads, here is a fantastic salad I had for dinner this evening. I wanted something quick and nutritious for after class, and this more than delivered! It is a power super salad, meaning it's packed with superfoods such as salmon, blueberries, walnuts, and spinach.
Kristine from the blog I got the recipe from says "Superfoods are foods that have many health benefits- for your heart, brain, and even mood. These foods are (obviously) unprocessed, and they offer health benefits such as reducing heart disease risk, lowering cholesterol, and even warding off cancer", I'm in!!!
Here are some benefits of these superstar ingredients:
Salmon - Jam packed with omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is great for decreasing your chances of having heart diseases. Salmon also helps with proper brain functioning and is a great source of vitamin A and C. PLUS it's my favourite fish!
Blueberries - These little devils are incredibly high in antioxidants. They help with memory preservation and lower inflammation. They also reduce cancer risks!
Walnuts - These nuts are at the top of their class, unlike many nuts, walnuts are rich in healthy fats. This means that they're know for weight management, cancer prevention, brain power, and the list goes on and on and on!
Spinach - This dark leafy green is a vegetable after my own heart! I have super (I mean SUPER) low iron so I try to sneak spinach in here and there and everywhere. Spinach is not only great for iron levels, skin, and hair, but it is also great for improving blood glucose levels in diabetics, lowering blood pressure, and lowering the risk of developing asthma.
Avocado - Oh baby! I love my avocados! And unlike many foods that I couldn't live without, avocados are good for your eyes, your heart, your cholesterol levels, your brain, your skin, your blood pressure, and yada yada yada… They're basically your best friend.
So I'll stop yapping and give you the recipe ;)
Super Power Salad with Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the salmon:
- 1 lb. fresh salmon, skin on
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. brown sugar
For the vinaigrette:
- 2 ½ tbsp. plain Greek yogurt
- 1 ½ tbsp. honey
- 1 ½ tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp. white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the salad:
- 8 cups baby spinach (or any leafy mix)
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and chopped
- 1 avocado, pitted and cut into cubes
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
Directions
Prepare the salmon:
✿ In a small bowl, stir together the chili powder and brown sugar. Rub over the top of the salmon.
✿ Heat a grill pan over medium heat and lightly spray with cooking spray. Place salmon in the pan, skin side down, and grill until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove to a clean plate to cool slightly.
Make the vinaigrette:
✿ Whisk together yogurt, honey, Dijon, and vinegar until smooth. Whisk in olive oil. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Assemble the salads:
✿ Place spinach bowls. Lightly drizzle with vinaigrette and gently toss to distribute. Top with red onion, walnuts, avocado, blueberries, and goat cheese. Break the salmon into bite-size pieces and arrange on salads. Drizzle salads with remaining vinaigrette and serve.
