Spinach Salad with a Spicy-Sweet Dressing

I'm very picky about salads.  Each night I usually make a salad with dinner.  I don't use iceberg...I don't even buy it - to me, it's a waste of an opportunity to use a better type of "green" - one that has vitamins and nutritional value.  I believe that ordering a salad out is a tell-tale sign of the quality of a restaurant.  My favorite places have beautiful (green) salads (even awesome side salads)! Putting thought into a great side salad definitely shows that the rest of the dishes are probably also well-thought out and full of quality ingredients too!
At home, I like to use romaine and spinach (organic), with shredded carrots, sunflower seeds, and other "yummies."  I am also not much for salad "recipes" (unless it's a chicken salad).  I don't usually have a salad as my meal either ... call me crazy, but I feel like a need more substance for something to qualify as a meal.  Yeah, yeah I know that some salads can be very substantial, but I've never really looked forward to eating just a salad.  Until now.... I still don't eat just a salad, but I DO look forward to making and eating this salad!  I love the ingredients, the nuts make it semi-hearty, and the dressing is delish!
My mom gave me this recipe.  I swear she told me long ago that she got it from someone at her church, but when I just asked, she told me that she thought she found it in a cookbook, but can't remember which one.... the point is - it's not our recipe, per se, but we have proudly "adopted" it.  Try it and you will love it!  Trust this picky salad-eater.  Best dishes and yummy dreams!
xoxo,

Spinach Salad with a Spicy-Sweet Dressing

Baby spinach, washed and dried

Romaine, washed and torn

Dried Cranberries

Raw, or lightly salted cashews

Walnuts

Sunflower seeds

Apples, cut into bite-sized pieces

(All amounts as desired)

Dressing

1/4 c. canola oil

1 tbsp. sugar

2 tbsp. vinegar

1 tbsp. fresh parsley, or 1 tsp. dried

1/2 tsp. salt

dash of pepper, or red pepper sauce

Shake the dressing in a container and pour immediately.

With sweet and sour chicken added!