Easy Salad Recipe {Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds}

This Easy Salad Recipe is delightfully simple while packed full of flavor & nutrition. The sprouted pumpkin seeds from GoRaw add a nice crunch & the authentic aged balsamic gives the salad a tangy sweetness. 

It is completely possible that I might get some flack for publishing this “recipe” because its so simple. But here’s the deal: we literally eat this Easy Green Salad almost EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

We eat it because it’s so easy and the flavors are just complex enough that I’m not really motivated to come up with anything fancier. If I am feeling really spry (aka the kids are being awesome and the rest of dinner is done) then I’ll sprinkle some organic feta cheese (made from sheep’s milk) and a few organic dried cranberries on the salad. At that point it goes from good to absolutely fantastic … like I would serve it to guests or take it to a potluck.

So the first thing that makes this salad great is the Go Raw Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds. Being that they are sprouted, these pumpkin seeds have all their nutrients unlocked & are easily digestible. They contain protein, iron, magnesium, copper and manganese. (1) And they are downright good …. like grab a handful or let the kids munch on them for a snack kinda good.

And the second thing that makes this Easy Salad Recipe fantastic is authentic balsamic. What do I mean by that? Well — it was only a couple years ago that I experienced REAL balsamic. Like the kind that is aged in barrels for 20+ years and when poured it comes out thick like syrup. No sulfites or additives. We buy it locally but you can also purchase it online from here.

The balsamic can be pressed with fruit or other vegetables (e.g. jalapeños and such) to make flavored varieties. Blueberry balsamic is a favorite for our family (toddlers included!) on Grain Free Pancakes.

If you are going to go for the feta and don’t normally tolerate diary well then definitely look for an organic feta made from sheep’s milk. Sheep make what’s called “A2 milk” which is easier to digest (women also make A2 milk when they make breastmilk for their children). I find my organic sheep’s milk feta at Costco!

So….what makes this Easy Green Salad {Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds} nutrient dense?

• Mixed greens: contain folate and other nutrients.
• Sprouted pumpkin seeds: packed with healthy fats and protein plus vitamin K, phosphorus, manganese, lots of magnesium, iron, zinc, & copper. Also contain antioxidants, folate, vitamin B2, & potassium. The zinc contained in pumpkin seeds is enough to be considered helpful for fertility (e.g. sperm health) in men. (2)
• Authentic aged balsamic: free of sulfites and additives.
• Optional organic sheep’s milk feta cheese: high in protein & has more calcium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), phosphorus, & vitamin B12 than many other cheeses. (3)
• Optional organic dried cranberries: simply delicious, contains natural sugars, & have some fiber.

Enjoy! – Rashele Birmingham, BSN, RN, CEN

Print

Easy Salad Recipe {Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds}

This Easy Salad Recipe is delightfully simple while packed full of flavor & nutrition. The sprouted pumpkin seeds from GoRaw add a nice crunch & the authentic aged balsamic gives the salad a tangy sweetness. 

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2 minutes

Total Time 2 minutes

Servings 1 person

Calories 126 kcal

Author Rashele Birmingham

Ingredients

• 1 handful mixed greens
• 2 Tbsp sprouted pumpkin seeds
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar authentic, aged 15+ years in a barrel, no sulfites
• 1 Tbsp dried cranberries
• 1 Tbsp feta cheese sheep's milk

Instructions

1. Place salad on plate or in bowl. 

2. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds. Optional: add feta cheese & dried cranberries. 

3. Drizzle balsamic on top. Enjoy immediately! 

Recipe Notes

1. Nutrition facts exclude dried cranberries & feta. 

Tools used to make this recipe (click photo or link to shop):

No tools required for this recipe!

Don’t forget to pin this Easy Salad Recipe {Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds} to your favorite Pinterest board for later!

References:

(1) GoRaw. (2017). Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds. [online] Available at: https://www.goraw.com/sprouted-seeds/pumpkin.html [Accessed 28 Dec. 2017].

(2) Healthline. (2017). Top 11 Science-Based Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds#section9 [Accessed 28 Dec. 2017].

(3) The Hearty Soul. (2017). Feta Cheese is the World’s Healthiest Cheese. [online] Available at: https://theheartysoul.com/feta-cheese-healthiest-cheese/ [Accessed 28 Dec. 2017]