I rarely use oil in dressings anymore and that’s mostly because they are calorie dense and heavy on the digestion. I feel very strongly about using your calories wisely, and when you’re eating high raw (or all raw) it’s easy to consume thousands of calories in goodies and oil .. so use your calories wisely.
That being said, I actually haven’t weighed myself in several years nor do I actually count calories. I eat close to the Earth and follow my body’s cues. I know that when I eat too much fat I feel heavy and my digestion slows, but when I don’t eat enough my energy levels are low.
I have a very special relationship with my body, it seems. I know it well.
But this particular dressing is just so yummy that I love indulging in it every once in awhile. Like my own special treat for salads. Plus, it’s so easy to make your own dressings. In fact, I never buy store bought dressings. I refuse. It’s so much more cost efficient and healthy for you to just whip up your own within a matter of minutes. I promise.
.JPG)
Why would I avoid–at all costs–store bought dressing? First of all, most dressings are actually hidden sources of MSG. I’ve already talked a little bit about MSG and why I opt for my own homemade foods. But as a quick refresher, MSG is is pretty scary ingredient that can show up, legally, in many, many foods under the guise of “natural flavorings”, “spices”, “extract”, and “seasonings” … to name a few. Store bought salad dressings are some of the worst offenders in the MSG field. Also, store bought dressings just aren’t that tasty compared to the homemade stuff.
So why is MSG such a big deal? First of all, it is basically a flavor enhancer in order to compensate for the low quality products (aka low tasting threshold) that the food industry is pumping out at next-to-nothing costs. So they sprinkle a little MSG in the foods in order to make up for the lack of flavor (since otherwise you’d essentially be eating cardboard). The most common symptom of MSG consumption is chronic headaches (check here, too). I’ve mentioned before that my headaches disappeared once I went raw and I’m fairly certain this has something to do with it (along with the fact that I was eating foods that were feeding my brain …).
How is this happening? Well, MSG is basically causing excitatory responses in the neurotransmitters in your brain, in a very similar way that drugs do. The bummer about MSG is that, unlike drugs, it gives you the “hungover” side effects without an actual high. The most horrific detail of all is that MSG is very much present in infant formula. I cry a little bit when I think about this. But more on that another time …
.JPG)
Garlic Dill Dressing:
a recipe
1/2 cup olive oil
2 lemons, juiced
3 T apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 T scallions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
2 T fresh parsley, chopped
sea salt and ground pepper to taste
Put everything in your blender and blend until smooth. Adjust to your taste or for what you have on hand.
It’s so easy, quick, and fresh. It’s also so much better than store bought dressing that is loaded with preservatives and sugar. I also think it tastes a LOT better, but I could be biased … 😉
I dressed a salad with lettuce, spinach, cherry tomato halves, pumpkin seeds, shredded cabbage, a little bit of dried dill, and avocado. I served with a watermelon juice. For the juice I blended watermelon, lemon and coconut water and then strained through a mesh bag.
xo
Yum! This salad looks delicious! Avocado is always a must in my salads. 😉 I prefer to make my own salad dressing, too. it's WAY better than then trashy store bought ones. X
Agreed! And avocado is just one of those things that I think raw foodies can't live without 😉
This sounds perfect! I am so picky about my salad dressing, but I love garlic and dill. 🙂
Same here .. once you open up to the world of homemade dressings there is no turning back!! Glad you like it 🙂