Summer Berry Salad

Summer is here and it is HOT in South Carolina! During these hot months I like something fresh and light to eat. I made this for a 4th of July party and I just loved it. It had all the beautiful colors of red, white and blue. Of course this salad is good all Summer long. I always make sure I'm taking something healthy to any party or gathering so that I know I have a healthy option. In this case there was so much great food! Some healthy and some not but I was able to load my plate down with this salad and then splurge on a couple dishes that others brought. This salad would also be great for dinner by just adding a protein on top like grilled chicken or salmon.

So let's get to the recipe! It is so simple to make and doesn't take a lot of time in the kitchen. It's just as easy as throwing all the ingredients together and mixing them.

I used walnuts in the recipe but you can use whatever you like best. Pecans or slivered almond would work well too. I toasted my walnuts to really boost the flavor and bring it's natural nutty taste out. If you toast yours, you have to really pay attention to them because they will burn quickly! Put the oven on 350 and lay each walnut out on a single layer. Keep a close eye on them and bake for only 3-5 minutes until they begin to change color and get that natural aroma. It may take only 2 minutes depending on your oven. Just watch them closely.

Start with your spinach in a big bowl. Then add your strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Mix all together. Then add your avocado, feta and walnuts leaving some to top if off. Mix again and then top it with a few more berries, feta, walnuts & avocado to keep it looking beautiful. What a great combination these flavors make together.

Now for the strawberry dressing...

It always feels better eating my salads knowing I have a healthy dressing to top it with. This one is really easy to make. Just a few ingredients and a blender is all you need.

Cut and quarter 2 cups of strawberries and add to blender. Then add your avocado oil, ACV, maple syrup and salt and pepper and blend!

You can set dressing to the side to dress individual salads or dress the entire salad just before serving. I've found that dressing the salad just before serving it at large gatherings is best but if I'm just having for dinner at home I will dress individual salads so that the salad will last longer.

This is delicious, healthy and easy! I hope you're able to make it this Summer and share it with your friends and family! We had a great time with good company, food and fireworks this year. We love a big gathering and meeting new people. Thanks to some of our good friends for having us this year. We had close to 60 people with all the kids!

Good Friends celebrating the 4th!

My family!

INGREDIENTS

• One large bag of baby spinach

• 2 cups of quartered strawberries

• 1 package of fresh blueberries

• 1 package of fresh blackberries

• 1/2 cup of feta cheese

• 3/4 cup of walnuts

• 1 ripe avocado

Vinaigrette

• 2 cups of quartered strawberries

• 3 TBS of Avocado Oil

• 2 TBS of Apple Cider Vinegar

• 2-3 TBS of Maple Syrup (more or less for sweetness desired)

• Salt and Pepper to taste.

DIRECTIONS

Add spinach to large bowl and most of the berries. Then add feta, avocado and walnuts leaving some to top with the few left over berries.

For the vinaigrette, add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Add more or less of the maple syrup depending on sweetness desired and salt and pepper to your taste.

ENJOY! Feel free to share this on Facebook or with your friends.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”