Rainbow Glow Bowl with Adaptogenic Dressing

This salad was inspired by the practice of eating with purpose. This Rainbow Glow Bowl brings together deeply nourishing, vibrantly colored ingredients and layers them with flavor, texture, and function. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you food is more than fuel. It’s information. It’s medicine. And when you build your bowl with intention, your body responds.

Packed with antioxidant-rich vegetables, fiber, plant protein, and probiotic elements like kimchi and miso, this bowl also sneaks in a dose of ashwagandha, an adaptogen known for helping the body manage stress. It’s a low-effort, high-reward kind of meal that works with your body rather than against it.

Why It Works

• Nutrient Density: Every layer of this bowl brings something to the table: antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats, and adaptogens that support your stress response.

• Gut Health: Miso and kimchi introduce beneficial bacteria, while fiber from cabbage, carrots, and kale helps feed your microbiome.

• Sustained Energy: Quinoa delivers complete protein and complex carbs that keep blood sugar steady. Coconut-based dressing adds nourishing fat.

• Anti-Inflammatory: Ingredients like turmeric, beets, and cabbage work together to calm internal inflammation.

• Adaptogenic Support: Ashwagandha in the dressing supports your HPA axis and helps buffer your stress response over time.

Ingredients

For the Bowl:

• 2 medium beets, peeled and diced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 cup cooked quinoa

• ½ tsp turmeric powder

• 2 cups kale, de-stemmed and chopped

• ½ tbsp lemon juice

• ½ tsp olive oil

• ½ cup shredded carrots

• ¼ cup kimchi

• ½ cup shredded purple cabbage

• ¼ cup sprouts (any kind you like)

For the Adaptogenic Blueberry-Miso Dressing:

• ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

• 1 tbsp miso paste (white or chickpea)

• 1 tbsp tahini

• 1 tsp ashwagandha powder

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• ½ tsp maple syrup or honey

• 2 tbsp water (adjust as needed)

How to Make It

Step 1: Roast the Beets
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss beets with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until tender.

Step 2: Make the Quinoa
Stir turmeric into warm, cooked quinoa. Fluff it with a fork and set aside.

Step 3: Massage the Kale
Add kale to a bowl with lemon juice and olive oil. Use your hands to massage for 2 minutes until softened.

Step 4: Blend the Dressing
Blend all dressing ingredients until smooth. Add more water if needed for consistency.

Step 5: Assemble
Layer quinoa, kale, cabbage, carrots, roasted beets, kimchi, and sprouts in a bowl.

Step 6: Finish and Serve
Drizzle with dressing. Eat it layered or mix it all together.

Tips

• Roast extra beets and keep them in the fridge for quick add-ins.

• Always massage your kale. It makes a difference.

• Make double the dressing. It works great as a dip or sauce for roasted veggies.

• Store components separately if meal prepping. Dress just before eating.

FAQs

Can I skip the adaptogen?
Yes. The flavor still holds up without it, but the ashwagandha offers added support for stress regulation.

How long does the dressing keep?
Up to 5 days in the fridge. Stir or shake before using.

Can I switch the base grain?
Definitely. Farro, brown rice, or cauliflower rice all work here.

Is it protein-rich enough?
Yes. But feel free to add tofu, tempeh, or grilled chicken if you want even more protein.

Ready to Rainbow?

This bowl isn’t about perfection. It’s about giving your body something it can use. Something real. Something rooted. Every ingredient here has a job to do. And when they work together, they don’t just feed you. They support you.

Let this be your reminder that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful. And meals like this? They’re one of the most accessible forms of medicine there is.