Hi everyone, I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday so far! I am here with Sunday Salad number 3. Today I will be doing this segment a  bit differently. Instead of a salad I will be introducing you all to a great salad dressing, vegetable dip and all around happiness sauce. I made this dressing yesterday for my bridal shower and it was a huge hit. I loved all the oohs and ahs and the multiple guesses as to what the happiness sauce contained. I guess I didn’t get the memo that the bride-to-be doesn’t make any food because I made it all J but I don’t mind. I love food and I love sharing healthy, nutritious and most of all delicious food with others.

Since this recipe was a huge hit I will be sharing the secret below! Everyone enjoyed it and it prompted them to eat their vegetables, which is always a lovely side effect! This dressing is full of beautifying, energizing and nutritious ingredients but I will focus on the 2 main ones.

Star Ingredients:

Walnuts

Walnuts are amazing nuts. They contain the highest amount of omega-3 fats of any nuts in the perfect ratio of 4:1 omega-3 to omega-6 fats. Omega-3 fats help to reduce inflammation and keep your cellular membranes quite fluid. This fluidity is beneficial for cells to allow toxins out and to detoxify and allowing cells to absorb nutrients to remain or become more healthy and beautiful. This fluidity is also great for sperm health and mobility. SO make sure your man eats his omega-3s if you are in the baby making process.

Walnuts also contain a significant amount of vitamin E. This amazing antioxidant helps to protect the skin from harsh environmental conditions (think drying winter winds). Walnuts contain melatonin which is an important hormone that ensures we sleep well and also increases antioxidant activity.

Walnuts are a good source of copper and manganese which are two minerals that are important cofactors for enzymes such as superoxide dismutase which is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals within cells. This means less aging and damage to our cells and more health and vitality.

In addition, walnuts contain protein, fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Red Bell Peppers

Red bell peppers contain a very high amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C is one of the most widely used antioxidants in the body and used to neutralize free radicals. Vitamin C also helps to repair and regenerate collagen. Collagen is a protein that gives structure to our skin making it look more youthful. Vitamin C is destroyed by cooking and high heat so it is best to use bell peppers in their raw form. Blending them in this recipe liberates all the nutrition in them without destroying the precious vitamin C content.

Bell peppers are also full of silicon which is what gives their skin a natural sheen and shine. Silicon also allows us to have shiny hair, nails and smooth skin. Silicon is found in collagen and elastin, two proteins which keep our skin from sagging and make it look supple and youthful.

Be sure to choose red bell peppers as the yellow and green varieties are not mature. Bell peppers start off as green then turn yellow and then red. When they are red they contain more beauty nutrients than the green variety, which are immature.

The Happiness Sauce*

Ingredients: serves 4, please buy organic if possible

• 1 cup of walnuts soaked for 20 minutes
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• ½ tsp Himalayan pink salt
• ½ lemon squeezed
• 1 medjool date
• 1/8 tsp cayenne
• ½ tsp cumin

*Recipe inspired by Kimberly Snyder’s Muhammara Dip

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
2. Enjoy with salad or chopped vegetables or as a sauce in wraps!

~Michelle

Holistic Nutritionist.

~Michelle