Endive Salad

This endive salad is so easy it will have you coming back for more!

I made this salad with ingredients I had on hand that I knew would be a great way to cool down on a hot day.

This salad is also a great way to detox. It’s star ingredients include Brussels Sprouts, a cruciferous vegetable, and Belgian Endive, a member of the chicory family that is also comprised of bitter leafy greens.

I’m sure I have extolled the benefits of bitter greens before, they are probably the best protection we have against cancer. And yet, so few people eat them because of their bitter flavor.

An antioxidant on a mission to keep you healthy!

Endive, in particular, contains a flavonol called kaempferol which has been shown to inhibit cancer growth and spread in various cancers. It functions as an antioxidant by scavenging free radicals (molecules that damage our cells), and it also stimulates other antioxidant enzymes to work harder.

In addition to being anticancer, kaempferol can also prevent LDL fats from being oxidized, it has antiviral and antibacterial properties, and can reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

Don’t forget about the herbs!

The herbs in this salad are so important for health as well!

Cilantro, which also goes by Coriander in different parts of the world, has anticancer properties because it contains several antioxidants, can prevent inflammation, and reduce risk of obesity and diabetes.

Parsley is also a rich source of antioxidants and contains vitamins that prevent tumor formation and stimulate detoxification. Parsley protects our cells from free radical damage. Parsley reduces your risk of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and asthma.

Healthy fats make everything taste better.

In this salad I used avocado because I love the creamy taste of avocado.

Fats are becoming fashionable again, but not all fats are created equal.  Avocados are plant based sources of fat and so, do not contain cholesterol. That’s good for your heart and arteries. Avocados are a source of the good kind of fats we need, Omega-3 fatty acids. Avocados are loaded with vitamins and they help you stay full longer.

Olive oil is another healthy source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Olive oil is a mono-unsaturated oil which means it oxidizes slower than other oils. Eating good quality oils as part of a healthy diet means healthier cell membranes which means necessary nutrients can get into cells and unneeded waste materials can get out of the cells too.

I used lemon juice to lend more Vitamin C to my salad and also that beautiful, bright, acidic flavor. Vitamin C helps to increase absorption of other nutrients as well.

Kelp has a slightly salty taste since it is a sea vegetable, which helps me use less salt. It is also a major source of iodine which the thyroid needs to function properly. A healthy, well functioning thyroid means more energy, better sleep, and clearer thinking.

Finally, pumpkin seeds provide not only crunch, but also healthy fats and minerals. Pumpkin seeds contain a perfect combination of iron, copper, and zinc. All of these contribute to a healthy immune system. Pumpkin seeds are also high in magnesium and other minerals providing a calming effect on the nervous system and helping you relax.

Salads are easy to prepare and a great way to get lots of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients necessary for optimal health. There are no set rules for what can or can’t go into a salad. So, enjoy experimenting. You can’t go wrong!