Refreshing Apple & Kale Power Salad topped with tart cherries, almonds, blue cheese, and perfectly dressed with apple maple vinaigrette!
It’s officially the holiday season and I’ve been smiling from ear to ear and ready to bust out the Christmas lights! I’m just kidding, but we have been blazing christmas tunes all weekend. The temps dropped on Friday night and we had a chilly weekend with highs in the low 60s! I think that officially put my into the holiday spirit.
We had friends over on Friday night for dinner and passed out candy & cheese to the trick or treaters. Thanks to Cabot, I had something healthy to give the kiddos and they loved it (especially the parents)!
No I wasn’t a smurf for Halloween but I did have on all blue so this wig that my bro acquired at work was fitting. I thought you might appreciate the pic.
Saturday, I had a conference call first thing and then we headed to the Farmer’s Market for a little breakfast and to met up with my brother and his girlfriend. We had such a fun time begin at home this weekend, we watched the Auburn/Ole Miss game that night. Our neighborhood is so fun this time of year and spending time together with no agenda is always refereeing.
It felt awesome to get an extra hour of sleep on Sunday. When we woke up Eric and I went for a brisk walk and hit up Starbucks because I was dying for my first red cup of the season! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. We went to church together and lunched at my brothers house, and I spent time doing blog work yesterday afternoon. My idea of the perfect weekend.
The cool weather was so addicting yesterday and we just want to be out in it as much as possible. We went on a mid afternoon and an evening walk together! 5 miles total! Boom.
So here’s what’s on the menu and workouts this week!
Monday
Beef & Butternut Squash Nachos + CrossFit
Tuesday
Dinner w Eric’s Sis + CrossFit
Wednesday
Stuffed Chicken Breasts w Brussels Sprouts + CrossFit
Thursday
Mushroom Burgers w Sweet Potato Fries + CrossFit & Flow Yoga
Friday
Date Night @ Magic Game + 60 min walk/run
PrintApple & Kale Power Salad
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Refreshing Apple & Kale Power Salad topped with tart cherries, almonds, blue cheese, and perfectly dressed with apple maple vinaigrette!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon 100% pure maple syrup
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups packed chopped kale, large stems removed
- 1 honeycrisp apple, diced
- 3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup dried tart cherries
Instructions
- In large bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper.
- Add kale to bowl, and massage kale with dressing to coat the leaves and begin to soften.
- Toss in apples, blue cheese, almonds, and tart cherries.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 283
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 416mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 16mg
Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!
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Stephanie at "Table for One" says
This salad looks too pretty to eat! It sounds so refreshing, and that dressing sounds divine! I love maple. I can’t wait to try this out.
Kristina LaRue says
Thanks Stephanie!! Hope you like it.. sometimes simple is best.
katie serbinski says
That salad looks delicious!! All of my favorite fall ingredients. PS. the blue wig pic is hilarious!!
Kristina LaRue says
hahaha– knew you’d like it!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
i’m actually jealous of anyone who went trick or treating at your place. And that salad- genius combination.
Kristina LaRue says
lol, because of the smurf costume or the cheese?
Emily @SinfulNutrition says
Yum! This salad looks delish! And guess who has a big bunch of kale to use up?! 🙂
Kristina LaRue says
LOL! Get your kale on!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
With the exception of blue cheese, I love everything about this salad! Love the addition of nuts and dried fruit 🙂
Kristina LaRue says
I’m a big blue cheese head.. but I can totally understand why not everyone is a fan. 🙂 Does feta make it betta in your book?
Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) says
This is my kind of salad with fruit, cheese, nuts and greens – yum!
Kristina LaRue says
THX Deanna!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says
This looks divine. I can’t get enough kale these days!
Kristina LaRue says
I add kale to everything… I mean, I hate to waste and it comes in such a BIG BAG! ya, know?
Alanna says
Love me a good kale salad! This looks so festive and delicious. I recently just got into the holiday spirit this weekend as the weather finally felt like fall. Love this time of year!!
Kristina LaRue says
YAY!!! holidays are around the corner.. let’s savor every second!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Beautiful!
Looks like a nice week plan!
Kristina LaRue says
Thanks girl! Off to a great start today.. just gotta stick with it (sometimes that can be tough)
Liz - Meal Makeover Mom says
What a gorgeous salad! I love every ingredient, though I’d probably serve it with goat cheese since I can’t eat blue cheese b/c of migraines. Boo hoo. Last week, I taught a food and nutrition class at a local preschool, and we made a “goat salad” with kale and goat cheese. The kids massaged the dressing into the salad, and it was the cutest thing EVER. And yes, they all washed their hands first. Great post! Can’t wait to pin this one 🙂
Kristina LaRue says
That sounds adorable Liz!! I love getting kids active in the kitchen, one day 🙂
Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen says
I got my kids cooking class to try kale too Liz! Once they were making it on their own, they were more willing to try it .. and liked it!
Kristina LaRue says
That’s awesome Julie! I love that you are teaching the little ones to cook too 🙂