Raise your hand if you have enjoyed a few too many desserts at BBQs and sipped on a few too many summer cocktails recently. (my hand is raised)

The weather here is finally starting to feel like summer and whew...we have taken advantage of it. Lots of get togethers with friends and happy hours on restaurant patios - you get the picture.

It's all fun and games until you start to feel kinda blah. Anyone get restaurant fatigue? I DO. Which is crazy because I love eating out but after a while I start to feel dat restaurant fatigue...it's a real thing. It's certainly not the atmosphere or the company I get tired of - it's the food. I'm used to cooking almost every week night and I really enjoy it. I love feeling like I am on track with eating lots of fresh, healthy foods and I love having leftovers for lunch the next day. Scott has been traveling a lot for work recently so my cooking schedule has just been off.

This week I started dreaming about a big ol' kale salad. I'm SUCH a nutrition nerd.

Hashtag notmadaboutit.

I wanted to make something completely raw and super detoxy. BTW, one of the number one questions I get is about cleansing and detoxing. It's like sooooo the "it" thing right now. When it comes to cleansing and detoxifying, it's all about a whole lotta plant foods. JUST SAY NO to the pills and highly processed shakes promising a 15 lb weight loss in 6 hours that flushes out every toxin from your liver to your left pinky toe. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Physiologically speaking, detoxification is the primary biochemical process for removing toxins by converting non–water-soluble toxic compounds into water-soluble compounds that can be eliminated through sweat, bile, and when we use the restroom. These processes primarily occur in the liver and are influenced by genetics and the environment, including diet. Our bodies are well equipped with a system to eliminate the daily toxins we produce as well as some outside toxic compounds to which we are exposed daily however, there may be some ways we can help our bodies become more efficient at getting rid of those toxins. In this day in age it is easy to be overloaded with toxins from our environment, products we put on our skin and the foods and beverages we consume.

So how can we help our bodies detox through food?

Believe in the power of plants! Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables will give your body the nutrients and phytochemicals it needs to aid in it's natural detoxification process. There is a lot of research being done on this topic and studies being done to look at what specific nutrients may help play a bigger role in detoxification. One thing we DO know is that more color = more nutrients = feeling good = looking good. We know that the nutrients and phytochemicals in colorful, whole foods promote good health and lower disease risk.

As you can see, this salad has an abundance of color. Green, yellow, orange, purple, and white. AND it has other awesome superfoods like hemp seeds and edamame. This salad can be enjoyed as an entree or side to your favorite meal. Feel free to add a lightly fried or poached egg or another favorite lean protein if desired.

Basically, eating this salad is like giving your body a big hug from the inside.

So go....go give your bodies some love with this nutrient powerhouse of a salad.

Raw Superfood Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

| makes roughly 4-6 cups |

Ingredients

1 bunch of kale, chopped (I used lacinato)
1/2 a small red cabbage, chopped (about 1-1 1/2 cups)
2 large carrots, shredded
1 medium granny smith apple, chopped
3/4 cup shelled edamame
1 medium avocado, diced
3 Tbsp raw hemp seeds

Vinaigrette

1 Tbsp lemon zest
Juice of 1 medium lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1-2 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
1/4 tsp sea salt (if desired)

Instructions

Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl and wisk together until well mixed.
Place kale, red cabbage, carrots, apple, and edamame in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over salad contents and use your hands or utensils to mix until well combined.
Top with diced avocado and hemp seeds.
Enjoy!

xoxo,

Lauren