It’s all about dressing…

Of course when it comes to making an impression out in the world, what you wear can make all the difference, but I am talking food here.

Salads, to be exact.

Are you one of those people who takes time to put together a healthy salad full of wonderful healthy ingredients and then do you blow the whole “healthy” thing by pouring a bottled, processed salad dressing over the top?

Or do you even realize that the dose of dressing you poured over your carefully assembled bowl of veggies even makes a difference?

It does.

Do you know what’s IN that pre-made salad dressing? Take a look at your ingredients list (not the front of the label!) and do a little investigating… do you see soybean oil? Not good, very inflammatory to the body. How about Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)? Bad! How about corn syrup? A really-not-good-for-you genetically modified sugar. Caramel color? Bad again. Not to mention the level of sodium – sometimes as much as 500 mg of sodium for 2 Tablespoons of dressing. Really high, not to mention, who really uses only 2 Tablespoons of salad dressing? And don't get me started on the ingredients in ranch dressing (xanthan gum, modified food starch, propylene glycol)! Those are the regular versions… the light and fat free ones are worse.

Don’t sabotage your healthy eating efforts by choosing those types of salad dressings. Instead, make your own. All you need is a jar with a lid and a few simple ingredients. If you want to have a fancier container to mix it in, you can always get my favorite Oxo dressing shaker here. Below you will find three simple recipes for some of my favorite dressings.

Once you have your shaking container, you need a few basics... here are a few of my favorites:

And what to do when you are eating out? Ask for olive oil and vinegar and drizzle them on yourself. If you really must buy dressing in a bottle, there is only one I have found that passes my ‘clean eating test’ and that’s Tessemae’s. Short list of real ingredients you recognize and pronounce – nothing fake or mysterious.

So improve the way you dress your salad and give your health a boost at the same time. After all, you’re taking time to fill your body with yummy veggies, might as well give them a well-dressed send off.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil

¼ c. apple cider vinegar *

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

salt and pepper

Whisk all ingredients together until well combined

* can substitute balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar

Asian Flair Vinaigrette

1/3 cup grape seed oil (or avocado oil)

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

3 TBSP Bragg’s amino acids (or Tamari/Soy Sauce)

dash of toasted sesame oil

salt and pepper

Whisk ingredients together and adjust to taste preferences.

*optional: add a squeeze of lime juice or chopped ginger.

Add toasted sesame seeds to salad after tossing with dressing.

Almost Caesar Dressing

Adapted from Dr. Weil’s Heatlhy Kitchen Vegetarian Caesar

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 TBSP red wine vinegar

1 TBSP vegetarian Worcestershire sauce

3 TBSP Dijon mustard

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup grated packed Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more to taste)

1 teaspoon freshly groundblack pepper (or more to taste)

Combine all ingredients in glass jar or dressing shaker and shake until combined.