The Sophie Salad

When I was a college student, every Sunday we held girl’s night in the corridor. We’d discuss the weekend - who went where, with who, and other very important girl stuff! After sharing stories of food, wine, and worse … we’d promise ourselves - and each other, “this week I’m GOING to be healthy”. There’d be wild proclamations of, “I’m just craving a really delicious, fresh salad, instead of the mass produced, unhealthy food here at college … and, “I swear I’d be 3 kilo’s lighter if I was home eating mums cooking!”

My friend Sophie would always talk about her mum’s salad, as if it were the holy grail of all salads! “Georgie, you HAVE to make this salad! It’s A-mazing! Its packed full of vegetables! It has toasted coconut and almonds, and the most healthy, and delicious avocado dressing!” So … finally I made the salad (with a few tweaks of my own) and I’m telling you guys - you ALL have to make this salad! It’s A-mazing!!

Of course, it requires diligence to eat healthy food every day, and ideally, 7 small meals per day. However, if you take some time to prepare good food, you’ll be healthier, and happier. In fact, 1 bowl of the Sophie Salad, and next thing you know, you’ll find yourself on a yoga mat in the crow position - because you’re now a clean eating yoga instructor, duh?!!

Ingredients

2 cups baby spinach

2 cups rocket

1 cup finely sliced kale (green or purple)

1 medium cucumber, finely chopped

1 large carrot, finely chopped

2 baby beetroot, cooked, finely chopped

1 small yellow capsicum, finely chopped

½ bunch mint, leaves removed

½ bunch coriander, leaves removed

4 tbsp. roughly chopped almonds

4 tbsp. shredded coconut, lightly toasted

Avocado dressing:

1 ripe avocado, flesh removed

1 lemon, juice of

3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp. honey

Pinch of sea salt

Method

1.    Combine your salad ingredients in a large bowl and gently toss

2.    To make salad dressing combine all ingredients in a small food processor or nutri-bullet and blitz until smooth

3.   Pour over the salad and gently toss until salad is coated evenly