Do me a favor…find a sitter, send your significant other to play with their friends, and make this Vegan Red Cabbage, Orange, and Walnut Salad for yourself…it’s delicious, nutritious, and the fresh flavors will remind you why it’s so important to take care of you, too. You deserve some down time. You deserve to treat yourself well.

I read an article the other day about how most women put their needs behind the needs of their loved ones. The article made it seem like this was a noble, generous thing to do, but it also made me wonder when these women are supposed to take time to recharge their batteries?

It isn’t that I think women shouldn’t think about others, or even put their families first…most of the time…but sometimes we have to set some time aside for ourselves. With children it’s almost impossible to have any downtime. I mean, even going to the bathroom becomes a group activity after a while, right? Think about it, as a mom when was the last time you took a shower without someone knocking on the door? When was the last time you slept without someone waking you up because they needed something?

Worse than all that, women tend to put their health needs behind everything else, as well. So while your significant others and your children thrive, you’re eating whatever french fries you scrounged up off the floor mat of the minivan while Sophie or Branson is at soccer practice. How can that be healthy for anyone?

The answer is, it isn’t.

I’m not asking you to change everything with this post. I’m not saying become wholly selfish or ignore your family. All I’m doing is urging you to take a few hours. Eat something delicious and healthy. Sit in a normal, adult chair. Relax. Breathe in, breathe out. Recharge those batteries. Trust me – you’ll feel better and your family will, too.

What You Need To Make Vegan Red Cabbage, Orange, and Walnut Salad:

1 cup shredded red cabbage
1/4 cup deskinned orange slices
1 oz walnut pieces
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
dash of salt and pepper

How To Make Vegan Red Cabbage, Orange, and Walnut Salad:

In a pan, heat the oil, vinegar, cabbage, salt, and pepper for about five to seven minutes until the cabbage is slightly tender, but still crunchy. Transfer to a bowl (or plate) and add walnuts and oranges. Toss lightly. Enjoy.

PRO TIP:

If this recipe is too tart, you can add one teaspoon of agave to the cabbage while it is cooking. It will counteract some of the tartness of the vinegar and enhance the flavor of the orange. (note: you can use honey in place of agave, but it will no longer be consider truly vegan.)