Little Gem Lettuce

Little gem lettuce is an English heirloom variety of romaine lettuce! It has a similar flavor profile and crunch to romaine while being smaller and in my opinion, more fun to eat!

How To Make This Vegan Dilly Ranch Dressing

I love this simple dairy-free and vegan ranch dressing recipe. This salad dressing is made with just a few simple ingredients, fresh herbs and is a great creamy dressing. I also love that this dressing is made from cashews which packs protein, fiber and healthy fats to this salad! To make this dairy-free ranch dressing you’ll add 1 cup of raw cashews to a container (I like to use a mason jar like this one) and fill with filtered water. Cover and place in the refrigerator to soak overnight. In the morning, drain the water from the cashews and rinse them. Add the soaked cashews into a blender along with 3/4 to 1 cup of fresh, filtered water – less if you prefer a thicker dressing and more if you need the consistency to be thinner. Then add the garlic powder, onion powder and lemon juice. Blend on high until you get a smooth creamy consistency. Next add the herbs, salt and pepper and blend in a few short pulses to incorporate the herbs.

Little Gem Salad

To a plate or bowl add your little gem lettuce (I like a few handfuls!) and top with slices of cucumber, radish, olives and a generous drizzle of dilly ranch dressing. Sprinkle with hemp seeds (I love these!) and fresh dill, chives and parsley. Enjoy!

Healthy Recipes On Instagram

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @healthygrocerygirl

More Salad Recipes From The Blog!

Mandarin Orange Sesame Salad

Lemon Herb Pasta Salad

BBQ Chickpea Salad with Avocado Ranch

Creamy 3 Potato Salad

If you follow me on Instagram, you know we’ve been chatting about grocery budgets and meal planning! I shared with you that my goal this year is to grocery shop once a week and to meal plan for the entire month at once to help organize my shopping. Below is our January Family Dinners Meal Plan, I hope it gives your inspiration or ideas for what to cook for your family this month!

Many of you messaged me on Instagram after I shared my Power Bowls on IG Stories asking for the recipe, so here it is! I love this recipe for so many reasons. You’ll see from the recipe and photos in this post, I veered off the meal plan calendar just a bit this week adding in some yellow bell peppers and tomatoes and then no olives. While I don’t mind having so many repeat meals in the month as it does help make meal planning easy for me, switching up an ingredient or two can really help the meal not feel so redundant.

Besides tasting great, these Power Bowls are also so incredibly healthy and good for you too! I love that these bowls are packed with fiber. Fiber is important to support hormone health, gut health, bowel regularity and blood sugar levels.

Plant-Based Recipes For Kids

My kids eat the same dinners that we do, however, I’ll offer the dinner in a different way. For example from this meal on a plate I added black beans, potatoes, yellow bell pepper, avocado and then a little salad with the dressing my kids prefer. Both my kids like the ingredients separated versus in a big bowl, so they enjoy a deconstructed version of this power bowl!

How Does Fiber Support Gut Health

Consuming foods with fiber is important for gut health, bowel regularity and immune health! Did you know that 70% of your immune system is found in the walls of your gut? Eating a variety of plants, around 30 different plant foods per week, has been shown to feed good gut microbes and in turn support your immunity! Prebiotics found in plant foods feed your healthy gut bacteria, known as probiotics. These probiotics release short chain fatty acids (SCFA) into the body, which help regulate the function of immune cells!

I love that this Power Bowl recipe contains over 11 different plant-based foods in one meal (including the dressing!)

Health Benefits of Avocados

Avocados are an excellent source of potassium, antioxidant vitamin E, B vitamins (which give us energy), fiber and monounsaturated fat. Half of a medium avocado contains approximately 7 grams of fiber! Fiber is important for maintaining gut health. Optimal gut health is important to help lower your risk of inflammation.

Adding healthy fats to a meals such as avocado, is a great way to increase satiety (feeling full longer) and manage blood sugar levels which is important for energy and hormone health.

Health Benefits of Beans

Beans are a great way to consume plant-based protein. Research has shown that just 4 servings of beans per week can lower your rise of heart disease by 14% (1)! A plant-based diet rich in beans may also improve brain function (2). The long-loved Blue Zones populations, eat about 1 cup a day of beans. There are so many amazing benefits to consuming beans plus they are very budget-friendly.

Plant-Based Family Dinner Recipe: Power Bowls!

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Power Bowls

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato orange, yellow or purple
• 1 tbsp unrefined coconut oil
• 1-2 head romaine lettuce chopped
• 2 cups black beans drained & rinsed
• 1 mini cucumber sliced
• 1 avocado sliced
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
• 4 cooked beets sliced

Instructions

• Rinsed & scrub the sweet potato, cut away any bad spots. Chop and toss with coconut oil.
• Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit.
• Spread in a baking dish and roast in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes. Stirring twice.
• Turn the oven up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and roast for 15-20 minutes. Until the spuds are soft and the skin is crispy.
• Build your Power Bowl and top with dressing of choice, my go-to is our Cashew Caesar!

Notes

This recipe serves 4 people.

With a power bowl like this, the ingredient amounts are not important! You can add as much or as little of each item as your heart desires!

Dairy-Free Caesar Salad Dressing

This is my favorite dairy-free caesar dressing! It’s so flavorful, creamy and the cashews provide a healthy fat and fiber to this recipe. To note, this recipe only works with cashews, other nuts will not yield the same look, texture or flavor.

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Cashew Caesar

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cashews – soaked overnight drained & rinsed
• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon capers with water
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon liquid aminos
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch black pepper
• Pinch sea salt

Instructions

• Add everything to a high speed blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy.

Notes

1) Occasionally I will add a dash or two of nutritional yeast.

2) If you prefer a caesar with a kick (and immune boosting power) swap the garlic powder for a clove of raw garlic!

3) Quick soak the cashews with boiling water for just 30 minutes.

Plant-Based Program & Meal Plans

If you’re looking for more plant-based meal plans, check out the Plant-Based Program here! Included are meal plans with grocery shopping lists to make meal time and grocery shopping organized and easy. Learn more here!

Sources:

1: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/186/8/E252

2: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25961184/

Healthy Benefits of Ingredients

Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is an excellent source of manganese and a good source of riboflavin. Pure maple syrup is also a source of calcium, thiamin, potassium, and copper. One serving of pure maple syrup (2 tablespoons) contains 35% of the Daily Value of Manganese and 15% for Riboflavin. Scientists have also identified more than 67 different plant compounds, or polyphenols, nine of which are unique to pure maple syrup. One of these polyphenols, named Quebecol, naturally forms when the sap is boiled to produce maple syrup.

Beets

Beetroot can be roasted, juiced, blended and eaten raw (shredded)! Beets have a high water content, fiber and even some protein. Beets can also help improve your digestive health and have a number of anti-inflammatory properties from their pigments called betalains.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are high in dietary fiber, a one ounce (28-gram) serving contains 1.1 grams of fiber. A diet high in fiber can promote good digestive health. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in antioxidants, iron, zinc, magnesium and many other nutrients.

See below to view or print this recipe! If you make this salad, please share a photo on Instagram and tag me @HealthyGroceryGirl so I can easily find and like your creations! It’s so fun to connect with you and see what recipes you’re enjoying.

For more HGG recipe ideas you can also visit the HGG YouTube channel here! 

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Mandarin Squash Fall Salad

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 0

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

• 1 small kabocha squash
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for roasting squash
• 1 fennel bulb
• 2 cups arugula
• 1 cup chopped golden beets
• 3 tbsp pumpkin seeds

Dressing Ingredients

• 4 small Limoneira mandarin clementine oranges
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp diced fennel fronds
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ginger powder

Instructions

• Cut kabocha squash in half and then scoop out the seeds.
• Slice into ½ inch thick slices and brush with extra virgin olive oil.
• Roast in a preheated 425 degree Fahrenheit oven, 10 minutes each side.
• To make the salad dressing, cut 2 oranges in half and juice, add to a small jar with the olive oil.
• Finely dice fennel fronds and add ½ tablespoon of the fennel to the jar with the maple syrup, salt and ginger powder.
• Add a lid on the jar and shake, or whisk dressing together.
• Peel and segment remaining two oranges and thinly slice the fennel bulb.
• Toss arugula, fennel and dressing together.
• Serve on a platter topped with roasted squash, orange segments, beets and pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!

Enjoy More Salad Recipes Below!

Mandarin Orange Sesame Salad

Lemon Herb Pasta Salad

Brussels Sprouts Butternut Salad

This video was created for the Limoneira YouTube Channel! Megan Roosevelt, RDN is the Spokesperson for Limoneira. To see all our tips & videos makes sure to visit & subscribe to the Limoneira YouTube Channel! 

Have you ever read the salad dressing labels at the grocery store? Many of them are filled with unnecessary ingredients like added sugar, preservatives, and flavorings, just to name a new. Making your dressing at home is an easy way to keep your salad healthy, delicious and know exactly what you’re eating. This recipe is made with just a few ingredients and will hold up in your fridge for a few days!

Health Benefits of Pink Lemons

Heart Health

Some research studies have shown that the phytonutrients found in lemons may help lower cholesterol levels. These antioxidants properties may also help lower inflammation, which can correlate with chronic diseases such as heart disease.

Immune Health 

Did you know that lemons contain vitamin C? Vitamin C is important for severity and duration of sickness, such as the common cold. Along with supporting your immune system during sickness, vitamin C is also important for the healing process during stress and infection.

See below to view or print this recipe! If you make this poppy seed dressing, please share a photo on Instagram and tag me @HealthyGroceryGirl so I can easily find and like your creations! It’s so fun to connect with you and see what recipes you’re enjoying.

For more HGG recipe ideas you can also visit the HGG YouTube channel here! 

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Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

Servings 0

Author Healthy Grocery Girl

Ingredients

• 4 Limoneira pink lemons 1/2 cup juiced
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Instructions

• Juice your lemons to equal ½ cup.
• In a small blender or jar, add all the ingredients besides the poppy seeds.
• Blend until smooth.
• Add the poppy seeds and give a few quick pulses to combine.
• Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge and use within a few days.
• Enjoy!

If you love this recipe, see below for more delicious dressing recipes! As always all Healthy Grocery Girl recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free and predominantly plant-based.

Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

Honey Mustard Salad Dressing

Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing

This video was created for the Limoneira YouTube Channel! Megan Roosevelt, RDN is the Spokesperson for Limoneira. To see all our tips & videos makes sure to visit & subscribe to the Limoneira YouTube Channel! 

This recipe is made with a homemade dairy-free caesar dressing that is massaged into kale for the perfect creamy bite! It’s also topped with a vegan Brazil nut “parm” making it the ultimate caesar! Enjoy this salad as a side to any meal or add your favorite protein for a complete meal.

Health Benefits of Kale Caesar:

Kale

Kale is rich in vitamin K. This vitamin plays a critical role in helping with blood clotting through helping proteins bind with calcium. Just one single cup of kale goes beyond your daily vitamin K needs! Kale is also rich in fiber, which is great for your digestion and keeping your body feeling regular.

Lemon

Lemons are a great source of vitamin C! Vitamin C is critical for collagen synthesis, which is important for healthy skin and new cell growth. It also protects cells from free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells and may contribute to chronic disease.

Tahini

Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, making it a great source of healthy fat and protein! It also contains copper, which helps with iron absorption and regulating blood pressure.

See below to view or print this recipe! If you make this salad, please share a photo on Instagram and tag me @HealthyGroceryGirl so I can easily find and like your creations! It’s so fun to connect with you and see what recipes you’re enjoying.

For more HGG recipe ideas you can also visit the HGG YouTube channel here! 

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Vegan Lemon Kale Caesar

Servings 0

Author Healthy Grocery Girl

Ingredients

• 1 bunch lacinato kale
• 1 Limoneira lemon
• ½ cup avocado oil
• 6 roasted garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Brazil nut “parm”
• 1 avocado

Brazil Nut “Parm” Ingredients

• ¼ cup brazil nuts
• ¼ cup cashews
• ¼ cup hemp hearts
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

Instructions

• Add all Brazil nut “parm” ingredients into a food processor and pulse until crumbly mixture is formed. Set aside.
• Next, in a blender add zest from lemon, juice from lemon, roasted garlic, avocado oil and tahini. Blend until smooth, adding a splash of water if needed. Set aside.
• Wash and dry kale. Chop into small pieces and add into large salad bowl.
• Pour over dressing and massage into kale.
• Top with Brazil nut “parm” and avocado slices. Enjoy!

If you love this recipe, see below for more delicious salad recipes! As always all Healthy Grocery Girl recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free and predominantly plant-based.

Avocado Ranch Taco Salad

Orange Chickpea Salad Bites

Spring Nourish Salad

This video was created for the Limoneira YouTube Channel! Megan Roosevelt, RDN is the Spokesperson for Limoneira. To see all our tips & videos makes sure to visit & subscribe to the Limoneira YouTube Channel! 

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is made from finely cut cabbage that has been fermented. Sauerkraut has many health benefits including being a source of probiotics and vitamin K2. I love to add sauerkraut on top of salads! To reap the benefits of Sauerkraut try eating a little bit, such as 1 tablespoon, every day. You can make sauerkraut at home quite easily, but this is one of my favorite store-bought options! 

Salad Dressing 

Many Store-Bought Salad dressings contain processed vegetables oils, or high fructose corn syrup or are high in added sugar. When selecting a store-bought dressing, always read the ingredient lists and be aware of the type of oil, the amount of added sugar along with any ingredients you want to stay away from such as High Fructose Corn Syrup. Tessemaes is a brand of salad dressing we really love – all of their dressings use quality oils and contain either a low amount or no added sugar. 

Hummus

We eat hummus every day! Whether it’s making a hummus tortilla wrap for the kids, using it as a dip for snacking or even as a base for a creamy hummus salad dressing! Hummus is made from chickpeas and traditionally olive oil, lemon juice and perhaps garlic and onions. 

Nutritional Yeast

An underrated condiment, nutritional yeast is packed with nutrition and is vegan and gluten free. Nutrition yeast is a good source of B vitamins (B1, B2, B6 & B12). This is a great option to add a dairy-free “cheesy” flavor to your meals, just like this recipe on our blog… butternut mac and cheese sauce!

Mustard

Mustard is a very underrated condiment in my opinion! It’s low in calories, adds a lot of flavor, traditionally contains turmeric and can be used in some unexpected ways! For example, we like to add a tablespoon of mustard into our gut healthy soup which adds some great color and flavor.

Almond Butter

We are big nut butter fans whether it’s peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter and beyond. Today highlighting almond butter contains approximately 6 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons serving as well as fiber, healthy fats and vitamin E! Almond butter is great for sandwiches, on toast or to make your own sauces with this almond butter dipping sauce recipe which is on our blog here!

Tahini 

Tahini is made from sesame seeds! This protein packed spread is a great staple for homemade salad dressings such as this Lemon Tahini Dressing recipe!

Salsa

Salsa is an incredibly versatile condiment! Made from tomatoes, herbs and spices. It’s great on top of tacos, taco salad, nachos and mild salsa makes a great oil-free salad dressing option!

Coconut Liquid Aminos

If you love soy sauce, this is a great option! This is a salty, sweet and savory sauce made from the fermented sap of coconut palm and sea salt! It almost reminds me of teriyaki sauce in the consistency and flavor. 

Tomato Sauce

We eat pasta at least once a week and having a ready to go red sauce on hand is really helpful to make a fast dinner. Traditional red sauces however can be high in added sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. When shopping for tomato sauce – read the ingredient list and select one without a lot of added sugar and as minimal ingredients as possible – unless it’s packed with herbs and veggies! 

MORE KITCHEN STAPLES!

10 Healthy Freezer Staples

$25 Healthy Grocery Haul

Trader Joes Grocery Haul

Sprouts Farmer’s Market Grocery Haul

What’s In My Fridge | Video

SHARE WITH US YOUR FAVORITE HEALTHY CONDIMENTS!

If you make anything similar, we’d love to see! Tag us on Instagram @HealthyGroceryGirl

One thing I love about this salad is how quick & easy the dressing is to make. While store bought salad dressings are convenient, they are usually filled with processed ingredients and even added sugar. The dressing for this salad is made with just a simple ingredients you probably have around the house. Prep the dressing before hand for a quick grab-n-go recipe throughout the week! 

Salad Health Benefits:

Arugula

Arugula is packed with vitamin K. This nutrient is essential for bone health because it is needed for calcium absorption. It also contains about 90% water making it a fresh and hydrating green! 

Radishes

Radishes contain lots of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C! These antioxidants work to prevent cell damage of aging skin and plays a key role in collagen production. They are also high in folic acid, which is essential for fetal development during pregnancy. 

Cannellini Beans

One cup of cannellini beans contains approximately 15 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber! This plant powerhouse is great to add into soups, salads or stir fries to make a complete meal! These beans are also high in copper, which primarily is needed in energy production as well as iron metabolism!

See below to view or print this recipe! If you make this Lemon Radish Spring Salad, please share a photo on Instagram and tag me @HealthyGroceryGirl so I can easily find and like your creations! It’s so fun to connect with you and see what recipes you’re enjoying.

For more HGG recipe ideas you can also visit the HGG YouTube channel here! 

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Lemon Radish Spring Salad

Servings 0

Author Healthy Grocery Girl

Ingredients

• 1 Limoneira classic lemon
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
• 6 cups baby arugula
• 2 watermelon radishes sliced
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• 3 tablespoons goat cheese

Instructions

• Add arugula to a large bowl and add in juiced lemon, olive oil and sea salt. Mix to combine.
• Add in cannellini beans, pine nuts, sliced radish and goat cheese.
• Enjoy!

If you love this recipe, see below for more yummy and fresh salad recipes! As always all Healthy Grocery Girl recipes are gluten-free and predominantly plant-based. 

Roasted Lemon Chickpea Salad

Grilled Lemon Corn Salad

Super Crunch Salad

This video was created for the Limoneira YouTube Channel! Megan Roosevelt, RDN is the Spokesperson for Limoneira. To see all our tips & videos makes sure to visit & subscribe to the Limoneira YouTube Channel!  

We added quinoa, which gives this bowl more fiber and protein! Did you know that one cup of quinoa contains 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber? It’s also naturally gluten-free, making it a great alternative for those who cannot consume gluten!

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Harvest Bowl With Orange Vinaigrette

Servings 0

Author Healthy Grocery Girl

Ingredients

• ¼ cup navel orange juice freshly squeezed from Limoneira navel oranges
• 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed ginger root or ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
• 2 cups shredded brussels sprouts
• ½ cup dry quinoa
• 1 apple
• ½ cup pecans
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds

Instructions

• Cook quinoa according to directions.
• While quinoa cooks, make the dressing in a glass jar by adding orange juice, olive oil, champagne vinegar, sea salt, black pepper and ginger root. Whisk to combine.
• Chop your apple, add to a small bowl and squeeze 1 tablespoon orange juice on top. Stir to combine.
• Assemble your harvest bowl with brussels sprouts, chopped apple, cooked quinoa, pecans, dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds. Drizzle dressing over top and enjoy!

This video was created for the Limoneira YouTube Channel! Megan Roosevelt, RDN is the Spokesperson for Limoneira. To see all our tips & videos makes sure to visit & subscribe to the Limoneira YouTube Channel!  

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Brussels Sprouts Butternut Salad

Servings 0

Author Healthy Grocery Girl

Ingredients

• 1 Limoneira lemon
• 2 cups brussels sprouts
• 1/2 small butternut squash
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons dried cranberries
• 3 tablespoons sliced almonds
• 3 tablespoons pecans

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Peel and dice butternut squash into cubes. Add to a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, juice from lemon, mustard and maple syrup.
• Using a mandolin slicer, slice brussels sprouts.
• Once butternut squash is finished baking, in a large bowl add shaved brussels, squash, cranberries, almonds, pecans and dressing.

This video was created for the Limoneira YouTube Channel! Megan Roosevelt, RDN is the Spokesperson for Limoneira. To see all our tips & videos makes sure to visit & subscribe to the Limoneira YouTube Channel!  

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Grilled Orange Chicken Salad

Servings 0

Author Healthy Grocery Girl

Ingredients

• 1/2 Limoneira valencia orange sliced
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
• 10 asparagus spears
• 2 chicken breast sliced

Dressing

• 3 tablespoons Limoneira valencia orange juice
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons agave or honey

Instructions

• Add dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
• Pour half of dressing over chicken and let marinate for 30 minutes.
• Grill asparagus and chicken.
• Assemble salad with spinach, orange slices, sliced tomatoes, grilled asparagus and chicken.
• Drizzle dressing over salad and enjoy!

This video was created for the Limoneira YouTube Channel! Megan Roosevelt, RDN is the Spokesperson for Limoneira. To see all our tips & videos makes sure to visit & subscribe to the Limoneira YouTube Channel!