This post first appeared on Piping Rock. All content is theirs.

Making salads is like creating works of art. They require a certain balance of ingredients in order to be perfected. Too much onion? Not easy on the palate. Not enough mixed greens? Cue the world's tiniest violin for a sad presentation. It's about using each vegetable equally. Yet, the most important part of the salad is what tops it. You guessed it: the dressing. 

Most of the time the dressings used are store-bought, from ranch to thousand island. These aren't the healthiest options since many times they include excess sugar and fat. As convenient as they are, the best bet for your health (and salad art form) is a homemade dressing. 

Though the thought of making something easily bought seems fastidious, trust us, it is fun. 

For one, you can mix and match ingredients to design a uniquely yours recipe. But mainly you get them into bragging about it. Who doesn't like that opportunity? 

Let's chat a bit about the ingredients for today's Apple Cider Vinegar dressing before we get chefin'. 

The base of this dressing is, as inferred, Apple Cider Vinegar. This wellness favorite is jam-packed with nutrients, thanks to the addition of the "mother". This is a murky substance found at the bottom of the bottle that contains friendly bacteria and enzymes. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Infused Dressing

1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar w/Mother (Organic)

1/2 cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Himalayan Pink Mineral Salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground Black Peppercorns Whole Organic

• Mix all the ingredients in a blender, until uniform. Then, place in a jar. Shake, and use. Refrigerate. 

Apple Spinach Salad

What makes ACV dressing even tastier? A complimentary salad! Whip this one together and enjoy.

10 ounces baby spinach

2 large cut-up apples

half a small red onion, chopped

1 cup walnut halves, toasted 

2/3 cup dried cranberries (or other fruit of choice)

5 ounces of feta cheese

• Add all to a big bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon.