Friday, August 30, 2013

Healthy Vinaigrette


Healthy fats are a critical component of a wholesome diet. Traditional fats like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and pasture raised butter have been replaced with modern oils like canola, soybean and safflower. These oils are highly refined, processed and inflammatory. Our bodies don't have enzymes to breakdown these oils as they can not be made by the natural means of pressing, as with olive oil. I tell my clients, oils should come from naturally fatty, oily foods such as olives or coconut.

Unfortunately in today's grocery stores it's hard to come across food made with traditional ingredients. As I tour my clients through the health food stores they are appalled that nearly every salad dressing is made with some form of refined oils. And worse is that these oils are 'organic' which leads people to think they are healthy! I know it's confusing but don't be deceived by food labels, not everything labeled 'organic' is good for you. Canola, soybean, safflower, sunflower, peanut, and corn oils are all refined and contain high amounts of Omega 6 fatty acids that contribute to inflammation throughout the body. You most likely don't buy these or use them for cooking but they sneak they're way into your salad dressings, breads, crackers, cereals, granolas, tortillas, etc.! That's why I call them one of my 'Hidden Ingredients'. Beware of processed foods and always read ingredients!

But low and behold, there is one health food's company that makes their dressings with all the right ingredients! Bragg's Healthy Vinaigrette dressing is one of my all time favorites, made with extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey and spices. Their Ginger and Sesame is an excellent dressing as well, perfect for a Chinese chicken salad! The Braggberry and Hawaiian marinades are good choices as well, mixed with olive oil they make deliciously sweet dressings!And of course, you can always make your own dressing at home. My favorite home-made salad dressings is a Mustard Dill Vinaigrette that will spice up even the most boring of salad greens!

The Recipe
1/4C Rawapple cider vinegar 
3/4C Extravirgin olive oil
1T shallot
1t Dijon mustard
1T nutritional yeast
1 clove garlic
2t fresh dill or 1t dried
1t raw honey
Pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Blend all ingredients together! Refrigerate after using, the oil will separate and harden naturally, so take it out a half hour before using and shake well.

You can't have a healthy salad with a poor dressing so choose Bragg's or make this home-made Mustard Dill dressing! Be sure to schedule your personal Health Food Store Tour with Dani to learn all about the '4 Hidden Ingredients' and be sure they aren't sneaking they're way into your diet!

1 comment:

  1. You are so right, so difficult to find any product that's completely organic and healthy, best to just make your own. Thanks for the brand suggestion and the recipe, both very helpful.

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