Citrus Strawberry Avocado Kale Salad

Happy Monday! Today is one of those Mondays that will be hard for some, others will be looking for a reset, and then there are some of us like what game last night? Any way you look at this Citrus Strawberry Avocado Kale Salad is a perfect way to start the week for any and everyone! It’s even a great way to use up those avocados you might have picked up over the weekend when they were on sale.

I first made this Citrus Strawberry Avocado Kale Salad about a month ago. Switching up a couple of my favorite kale salads, adding in grapefruit, and playing with flavors. It’s one I’ve come back to and made many times since. Citrus is in season now and a great way to up the vitamin C. I’ve tried it with broiled and plain grapefruit and different kinds of oranges. If I make a broiled grapefruit for breakfast I’ll broil the whole thing and save half for this salad. If I have extra avocados that I need to be used up kale salads like this are one of the first things I go to for lunch and than avocado pesto for adding to dinners, or smashed avocado on toast. If you think you don’t like kale salads try it like this messaging avocado into the kale. It really softens it and gives it a buttery texture and so much flavor and is nothing like the harsh kale that it starts out like.

This is such a simple fresh salad that hits the spot. It’s versatile too so if I have red onion to use up I throw in a couple thin slices. If I’m in a berry mood I might add more. If I only have an orange and not a grapefruit or vice versa I just double up and make it with what I have. Although I really do like the combination of both. Sometimes I want more bite so I drizzle a little balsamic vinegar on top. It just always fits what I want and need and is really filling! This is one salad that I made a “big salad” and could not power through.

It’s packed with whole food nutrition and lots of vitamins and minerals. Kale is high in fiber, as well as anti-cancer chemicals and antioxidants, both of which help cleanse the body of harmful toxins. Kale is also packed with lots of vitamins and minerals (which also help promote detoxification) and is anti-inflammatory. While some people might think kale is so 2015 I’m still over here saying Kale Yeah and thinking what would life be without a good kale salad or smoothie! Strawberries are heart healthy (perfect for February) and are packed with vitamins, fiber, and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols, rich in antioxidants, and a good source of manganese and potassium. Did you know a serving of strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange? Oranges and grapefruits both rich in vitamin C are great for your immune system. Avocados are one of the few land plants that carry the fatty acid polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs). PFA’s have excellent anti-inflammatory benefits. Walnuts are the richest source of omega-3 fatty acids and also known to aid in reducing inflammation and aiding in recovery. Hemp seeds are an easily-digested complete protein and rich in Omega 3 & 6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Hemp seed contains chlorophyll and is a plentiful source of fiber and vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium. Again I’m not a doctor or a dietitian but I do my research and try to pack in as much nutrition into our food. Of course still in balance and enjoy life.

Just look at all this goodness!

While I’m not a football fan I did have nachos last night and if you saw on Instagram/ Instagram Stories we also made pasta from scratch this weekend that I enjoyed with homemade sourdough (yes I made it this time not the hubby, aka bread maker, and didn’t ruin the starter and made amazing bread) and wine. I also may have had French toast with Cinnamon Swirl Sourdough I also baked this weekend topped with caramelized bananas (oh yeah I posted it on Instagram so yes I did). So I’m ready for a nice big salad today and my barre! I’m thinking I will stop and pick up grapefruit after barre so I can make this Citrus Strawberry Avocado Kale Salad for lunch!

It’s also Meatless Monday, I hope you join Deborah and me and link up with your favorite creation below and are inspired by some of the link-ups below!

Citrus Strawberry Avocado Kale Salad
Makes 2 servings
4-6oz chopped kale, large stems removed
1/2-1 avocado
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 orange, used a Cara Cara
1/2 grapefruit, broiled with 1/2 tsp cinnamon and coconut palm sugar optional
4 large strawberries
1-2 TBSP hemp seeds (Navitas Naturals)
sea salt and pepper to taste

Turn broiler on if you want to broil your grapefruit, this is optional. If boiling your grapefruit cut in half horizontally and using a grapefruit knife run around the inside of segments. Sprinkle with cinnamon and coconut palm sugar and broil for 5 minutes or until top starts to get brown. Remove and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl message kale with 1/4 of an avocado and apple cider vinegar. Set aside while prepping the rest of the salad. Peel orange, and grapefruit if you are enjoy raw and cut segments in half. Or I like to cut in half and use a grapefruit knife to remove segments, or cut them out of their casings. You can also squeeze remaining juice from the citrus over your kale for an extra little boost of flavor. Wash strawberries, remove steams, and cut into quarters or halves. Cut remaining avocado into chunks. Assemble salad tossing fruit and kale together, adding avocado and carefully tossing, and sprinkling with hemp seeds. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with balsamic vinegar if desired. Enjoy!

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Spreading the Meatless Monday love I’m also linking up with  Running on Happy and The Fit Foodie Mama.