This Easy Salad Dressing Is My Go-To — and So Is Taking Life One Day at a Time
With this easy salad dressing recipe, at least you won’t be worried about what to make for your next meal.
However, if worrying were a competitive sport, I’d be an olympic gold medalist by now.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve carried the weight of anxiety — always jumping to worst-case scenarios. If my parents didn’t answer the phone, I was sure they were in a car accident. If a friend didn’t text back or like an Instagram post, my brain spiraled: “They hate me. I must’ve done something wrong.” It was constant, exhausting, and deeply ingrained.
Bob, my thoughtful late husband, used to gently tell me, “Kelly, you’re going to make yourself sick with all this worry.” He’d say, “Nothing you worry about ever actually happens anyway so what’s the point?”
But then… the unimaginable happened. The very worst-case scenario I never let myself picture became real. I lost him. Suddenly. Traumatically.
For a while, that shattered my entire framework. My anxiety whispered, “See? You were right to worry. This is what happens.” But even in the depths of grief, I began to understand something life-changing:
Worry doesn’t protect you.
Worry doesn’t prevent heartbreak.
Worry just steals peace from the moments we do have.
And as much as my brain still wants to race ahead — to brace for impact, to control what can’t be controlled — I’m trying. Trying to slow down. Trying to stay grounded. Trying to believe the words that show up in Scripture over and over again: “Do not fear.” “Do not be anxious.” “Be still.”
So today, I’m doing something small and grounding. I’m making a salad dressing.
Yes, it’s that simple. If you want to see the video of me making this on Instagram, click HERE!
It’s easy, delicious, and a little comforting — and it reminds me to just take care of today. To nourish myself. To breathe. To pause. Because in this moment, I am safe. I am provided for. And I am not alone. Although the great thing about this salad dressing…is that it SHOULD last for more than one day :). You can keep it in the fridge for lunch tomorrow!
My Favorite Easy Salad Dressing Recipe
This is the one I make on repeat. It’s tangy from the red wine vinegar and lemon, just creamy enough from the Dijon and mayo, and sweetened ever so slightly with maple syrup. It’s bold, balanced, and ridiculously easy to throw together in a mason jar. Plus it’s CLEAN! I use a very good quality olive oil and organic avocado oil mayo… and organic maple syrup.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional for a little kick)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano to taste
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients into a mason jar (or any small jar with a tight lid).
- Shake vigorously until fully combined and emulsified.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Shake again before using.
Why I Love It:
It’s real-food, no-fuss, and made with pantry staples.
It’s versatile enough for any salad — from a big chopped veggie mix to arugula with parmesan, it’s even perfect for a pasta salad dressing.
It doubles as a drizzle over roasted vegetables or grilled proteins. It’s always also a crowd pleaser! Everyone loves it.
And if you’re in the mood for another super easy recipe… check out my recipe page HERE!
Final Thoughts for My Fellow Overthinkers
To those who constantly overanalyze, replay conversations, and brace for disaster — I see you. I am you. But today, maybe we can try something different. Maybe we can take a walk. Make a salad. Shake a jar of tangy dressing and remind ourselves: this moment is enough.
You are safe. You are loved. You are doing your best.
And hey — at least you’ve got a killer salad dressing in your fridge.
If this resonated with you, leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @kellyrizzo when you make this dressing. Let’s keep reminding each other to take it one day — and one delicious bite — at a time.
