Prep the veggies – Peel and shred carrots, dice roasted or boiled beets, and chop the apple into bite-sized pieces. Pro tip: keeping the sizes similar makes each bite perfectly balanced.

Toast the nuts – Toss walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 mins. This step brings out the flavor. Don’t walk away, or you’ll have charcoal walnuts instead of crunchy goodness.

Make the dressing – Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Taste and adjust; this is your flavor foundation.

Combine everything – In a large bowl, gently mix carrots, beets, apple, and toasted walnuts. Pour dressing over the top and toss until everything is evenly coated.

Final touch – Sprinkle feta or pomegranate seeds if using. Admire your colorful creation. Try not to eat it all at once (good luck).