If you’ve been into fitness long enough or even recently joined a gym, then protein is one of those things you’ve heard about. Protein is important in body building, but besides protein being the building block of muscles, it is also essential for brain function, it stabilizes your blood sugar levels, improve your ability to learn and concentrate, reduce brain fog, boost your energy levels, support your muscles and bones and support the absorption of important nutrients (more about protein here).

Foods that comprise the protein group are highly satiating which is why incorporating protein in your diet will help you maintain and lose weight.

So, if you’re looking for a natural way to get in more protein or looking for more yummy salads then try these. Best thing is, they can all be done in 10-25 minutes!

Recipes Courtesy of Peggie Exume of itsveggiepeggy

Pesto Salad


Photo By Peggy-Ernestine Exume

SALAD INGREDIENTS

Arrange the kale, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, peas, avocado, and pine nuts in a bowl then add the savory pesto dressing et voilà! Major YUM! .

RAW VEGAN PESTO RECIPE (by @minimalistbaker)
[Ingredients]
2 cups fresh basil
3 Tbsp pine nuts
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3-4 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
2-3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3-6 Tbsp water (plus more as needed)
[Directions]
1️To a food processor or small blender, add the basil, nuts, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and sea salt and blend/mix on high until a loose paste forms.
2️Add olive oil a little at a time Then add 1 Tbsp water at a time until the desired consistency is reached – a thick but pourable sauce. (If avoiding oil altogether, sub the oil with vegetable broth or just use all water.)
3️Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, salt for overall flavor, nuts for nuttiness, garlic for bite / zing, or lemon juice for acidity.

Protein Power Salad With Tahini Garlic Sauce

Photo by Peggy-Ernestine Exume

SALAD INGREDIENTS

(From top to bottom)
1- Mushrooms (raw)
2- Bean sprouts
3- Broccolini (lightly steamed)
4- Corn (raw)
5- Cherry tomatoes
6- Chick peas (toasted with sriracha and garlic sauce)
7- Edamame (steamed)
8- Collard greens (chopped and massage in @tessemaes Lemon & Garlic marinade)  TAHINI-GARLIC SAUCE
– 1/2 cup of raw tahini – 1/4th tsp sea salt (or more)
– 1/4th tsp garlic powder (or more)
– 1/4 cup warm water, (or more as needed)
– juice from 1/4 slice lemon
INSTRUCTIONS: Whisk all ingredients together until you get the dressing consistency you desire. ENJOY!

Spicy Thai Salad with Spicy Thai Dressing


Photo By Peggy-Ernestine Exume

SALAD INGREDIENTS
-1 cup red cabbage
-1 cup red bell peppers
-1 cup orange bell pepper
-1 cup shredded carrots
-1 cup edamame (cooked)
-1/3 cup scallions
-2 cups kale (finely chopped in food processor)
-1 cup cilantro
-1 jalapeño, sliced thin
-1 cup organic broccoli slaw (I purchased mine at Trader Joe’s) -Black sesame seeds (optional)

SPICY THAI DRESSING
Ingredients
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon tamarind paste (or soy sauce)
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 garlic clove minced
1-2 teaspoons sriracha or to taste
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS
To make the sauce, combine the almond butter, lime juice, tamarind paste (or soy sauce), ginger, garlic, and sriracha in a food processor and blend until smooth. Taste and season with salt. Thin with water until it is a thick but a pourable sauce.
To make the salad, throw kale in food processor until finely chopped. Then add the kale and all other salad ingredients in a large bowl to mix. Pour desired dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Sprinkle black sesame seeds and serve.

Peggy-Ernestine Exume

Peggy Exume loves to encourage and equip others to eat a plant based diet, and live a healthy holistic lifestyle; mind body and spirit. Peggy is happy to help @VEGGIEPEGGY