Making your own dressing is so easy! And you can make weeks worth in just a few minutes. The store bought varieties are generally loaded with unhealthy oils (even the organic ones!), sugar, artificial flavours, and preservatives.
If you’re ready to make the change, here are some tips to keep your dressing as healthy as possible:
1) Use olive oil instead of vegetable oils such as canola and sunflower. These may be cheaper, but they are extremely unhealthy. Vegetable oil is a polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) which if consumed in excess causes inflammation. Plus most vegetable oil is genetically modified and likely rancid, due to its sensitivity to light and heat.
Chose extra virgin organic olive oil, but be sure it’s bottled in a dark glass container as it is also sensitive to light and heat. (So don’t store it right beside your stove!)
2) Use real unrefined sea salt, such as Himalayan or Celtic. Table salt contains anti-caking agents, and has been dyed and stripped of many of its minerals, which along with a healthy dose of sodium is necessary for good health.
3) Use lemon juice and apple cider vinegar more often than balsamic. I’m a big fan of balsamic vinegar, but it’s not nearly as beneficial as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, plus it contains some sugar. Apple cider vinegar helps regulate your body’s PH as well as help detoxification. Lemon juice is also great immune booster, is great for digestion, and contains a healthy dose of vitamin C.
4) Be creative! Olive oil, lemon juice, and salt are great, but can get a little boring every day. Try adding minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro and mint, spices such as cayenne or turmeric, or even a bit of raw honey. Fruits such as berries are also a great addition to a summer dressing!
Strawberry Dressing
10-12 organic strawberries
2 tbsp filtered water
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp sea salt
6 tbsp organic olive oil
1 tsp raw honeyPlace all ingredients in a glass measuring cup, blend with hand blender until well incorporated and creamy.
Enjoy!
