A refreshing and flavourful Spring / Summer salad, with plenty of hidden health benefits and plant protein.
Papaya contains a powerful enzyme known as papain, which plays a key role in breaking down and digesting proteins. Unlike many other fruits, papaya is low in sugar, so doesn’t interfere with the process of digestion like other fruits may do if they’re added to a meal. For anyone who eats meat or a large amount of protein, papain could be the key to allowing the body to properly digest and make use of it. Meat and protein can be notoriously hard to digest, and making things easier can save the body’s system a lot of energy.
With a high antioxidant content, the brightly coloured fruit can also help to reduce joint pain and swelling, and is beneficial for the immune system.
‘Massaging’ kale with hemp oil and apple cider vinegar ensures it’s also easier to digest, enabling proper absorption of vitamin K. When it comes to reducing inflammation, blueberries, coconut and almonds are incredibly helpful, and can help lower levels of LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol. Sprinkle with cumin to help enhance metabolism, and further aid digestion.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1 handful kale
- 1 glug hemp oil
- ¼ cucumber
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ medium papaya
- 1 handful blueberries
- 10-12 almonds (roughly half the recommended serving of almonds per day, so double up if you like)
- small handful of shredded coconut
- juice of half a lime
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ tsp cumin
How To
- Choose the bowl or plate you’re going to eat from, and add the kale
- To the kale, pour on your hemp oil and apple cider vinegar, and massage and scrunch it well until it softens
- Using a vegetable peeler, thinly slice the cucumber into ribbons and add to the bowl
- Scoop the papaya on top, and squeeze over some fresh lime
- Add the blueberries, almonds and coconut
- Sprinkle over the cumin, salt and pepper to taste
Enjoy! This is a wonderful salad for helping you stay healthy throughout the warmer months, and can help calm acute and chronic inflammation.
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