Refreshing Apple & Kale Power Salad topped with tart cherries, almonds, blue cheese, and perfectly dressed with apple maple vinaigrette!
The holiday season is officially here and I’ve been in a cheerful mood, blasting festive tunes and enjoying the first cool weather of the season. Temperatures dropped on Friday, bringing crisp air and a cozy weekend that instantly put me in the holiday spirit.
Friday night we hosted friends for dinner and handed out treats to trick-or-treaters. Thanks to Cabot, I had a healthy option to share with the kids—and the parents appreciated it, too.
I didn’t dress as a smurf, but I did wear all blue that night, and my brother brought a silly blue wig that made the outfit complete. We had a laugh over the photo.
Saturday started with a conference call before we headed to the farmer’s market for breakfast. My brother and his girlfriend joined us, and we enjoyed wandering the stalls together. That evening we stayed in and watched the Auburn/Ole Miss game—there’s something special about quiet time at home, especially in a neighborhood that’s lively this time of year.
Sunday felt great with an extra hour of sleep. Eric and I went for a brisk walk, then stopped for Starbucks—my first red cup of the season. We attended church, had lunch at my brother’s house, and I spent the afternoon catching up on blog work. It was a perfectly balanced weekend.
The cool weather was irresistible, so we took two walks that day—one in the afternoon and another in the evening—for a total of five miles. It felt energizing to be outside so much.
Here’s what’s on the menu and our workouts this week:
Monday
Beef & Butternut Squash Nachos + CrossFit
Tuesday
Dinner with Eric’s sister + CrossFit
Wednesday
Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Brussels Sprouts + CrossFit
Thursday
Mushroom Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries + CrossFit & Flow Yoga
Friday
Date Night at the Magic Game + 60-minute walk/run
Apple & Kale Power Salad
- Author: Kristina LaRue
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4
Description
Refreshing Apple & Kale Power Salad topped with tart cherries, almonds, blue cheese, and finished with a bright apple-maple vinaigrette. Crisp apple, hearty kale, and tangy blue cheese create a satisfying salad perfect for seasonal meals or a simple weeknight side.
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 a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
- Add the chopped kale and massage it with the dressing until the leaves are evenly coated and begin to soften.
- Toss in the diced apple, crumbled blue cheese, sliced almonds, and dried tart cherries.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
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