Homemade balsamic vinaigrette & an anti-inflammatory salad
I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my early twenties and have suffered with chronic inflammation my whole adult life. After years and years of taking Ibuprofen and Aleve, I realized how detrimental these can be to my body, and decided to try to wean myself off of them.
Changing our diet to more whole foods, including extra fruits and vegetables, focusing specifically on those with anti-inflammatory properties made a world of difference. Fruits like dark cherries, blueberries, and strawberries are all beneficial, while veggies like kale, spinach and carrots as well as as pine nuts and almonds can boost your energy levels, suppress your appetite, and even help you sleep better at night. Cherries are packed with melatonin, and can give you a more restful night’s sleep if taken before bed.
I was able to completely get off of Ibuprofen for my arthritis pain by taking a turmeric supplement each day. HERE is the supplement I use each morning.
You can watch my video on Good Day Sacramento talking about anti-inflammatory foods and this salad by clicking the image below:
You can make an anti-inflammatory salad easily with any of the ingredients I listed above, but here is a tried-and-true recipe from our kitchen:
Few cups baby kale
Handful of blueberries
4-5 pitted dark cherries
3 TBSP sliced carrots
2 TBSP pine nuts or slivered almonds
Toss together and enjoy with my homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing below!
Servings |
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- 1 cup olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp raw honey
- 2 tsp mustard (if you're following AIP you can sub a small handful of arugula for added "bite" in the dressin!)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients
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- Combine all ingredients in blender and blend on low until well combined, then serve!
- Makes 4-5 servings.
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Ozzy says
Thanks for sharing! What is the shelf life?
Shanti Landon says
I would say 7-10 days in an airtight container in the fridge. =)
Jen says
Yummy! One for the recipe book.