This salad was inspired by a few things.
- My Love affair with Kale
- My friend Marika who changed the game with adding sweets to salads. I get it now.
- Simplicity
K, so the holidays are coming, and life is stressful right? Why make it more so? So NOW is the time when schedules get longer, immune system is faltering, and patience becomes shortened, to keep it simple, satisfying, and so so healthy.
This salad covers the basis. Health fats, some carbs, a touch of sweet to add to the savoury and some protein in the nuts. I honestly could eat this all day right now.
Savoury, salty, sweet, and sour. It kind of check off all the boxes in my recipe book
Why Eat This: Lets take a second and talk about some of the key players, let me break this down for ya…
Yams: you’re getting a health dose of vitamin C. Hello immune system
Kale: Well its one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. DO you need more than that? chuck the vitamins, eat some kale
Hemp Hearts: So rich in both omega 3’s and 6’s. Healthy fats are going to help lower inflammation. And to be honest, during the holidays more inflammation often occurs. Think more sugar, alcohol, and stress!
Nutritional Yeast: It has B12! Yup, plant powered people rejoice. You are getting your dose of this valuable vitamin, with the added benefit of it being a complete protein.
RECIPE
GFree, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free

INGREDIENTS
Salad
- 3 Large Handfuls of Mixed Greens
- 1 bunch of Kale
- 1 smal/med Yam
- 1/4 cup dried unsweetened cranberries
- few Tablespoons Hemp Hearts
- 1/2 cup Hazelnuts
My Favourite Parm (adapted from oh she glows)
- 1/3 cup cashews
- 2 Tbls Hemp Hearts
- 1 Tbls Coconut oil
- 2 Tbls Nutritional Yeast
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Himalayan Salt
Dressing
- Balsamic and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
METHOD
Prep : Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees. Cut your yam into bite sized cubes. Toss cubes with olive oil and bake until fork tender about 20-25 minutes. Then let cool.
Meanwhile…
With a handheld processor or food processor. Pulse all Parm ingredients until crumbly and incorporated. You may want to double the recipe and keep some aside for your next bowl of pasta.
Once yam is cooled enough to eat and not wilt your lettuce, toss all your salad ingredients with a healthy dose of balsamic and Evoo (extra virgin olive oil)
Then sprinkle your parm all over, and a few handfuls of hemp hearts.
mmmmmm. so. many. flavours. enjoy.

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