Cleansing Summertime Meals with Forever Addicting

I met Jess through being a Ayurveda-savvy client at Pure + Simple.  We quickly bonded through our love of holistic health and her commitment to a mind, body, spirit approach to beauty.

Since, I have become a regular reader of her blog Forever Addicting as it has the best healthy recipes – often with a Pitta pacifying slant (which will always grab me).  She even recommended a great turmeric recipe, which I gladly blogged about.

So, I am delighted that she agreed to guest blog for me, and will be trying this recipe out asap!

Cleansing Summertime Meals (no extra heat required)

As June comes to a close, many Torontonians – including myself – are in no rush for summers end. Barbeque season is ripe and Toronto patios are packed! While Kristen recently shared some of her must-dos to prepare for the heat and transition into summertime grooming, it’s also a great time to transition into summer eating by enjoying more raw foods and fresh juices.

While I enjoy salads all year round, nothing beats a giant salad piled high with fresh local vegetables – nothing overly complicated or too heavy for comfortable summertime living.  Raw foods are cooling and are great for those who have excess Pitta during hot weather.

Kale, spinach, cabbage, arugula, and romaine lettuce are all a perfect base to create an easy, yet delicious, summer salad (and meal!). These greens are also highly alkalizing, which helps to increase energy and maintain overall health and beauty. According to Kimberly Snyder, C.N. and author, excess acidity is a major cause of premature aging, along with premature wrinkles, acne, dark circles, unhealthy hair and more. Similarly, Brendan Brazier advocates alkalizing foods for reaching and sustaining optimum health. Alkalizing foods are also naturally cleansing…bonus!

If you get to know me, and I hope you do, you’ll know that I love my cleansing veggies. And Kristen…well, I think she loves all things cleansing! So with that, let’s up our energy levels and naturally cleanse this summer, without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Easy Alkalizing Kale Summer Salad
inspired by the Whole Foods Yorkville salad bar

Ingredients:

• 1 large very ripe organic avocado (or 2 small)
• ½  bunch organic kale
• 1 tomato or 5-6 organic baby tomatoes
• ½ organic cucumber
• ½ red onion
• 1 tsp flaxseed oil (optional)
• 1-2 organic lemon wedges
• himalyanin salt to taste
• pepper to taste

Directions: To prep your kale, wash under cool water, remove stems with a knife, and cut or rip (with your hands) into bite size pieces. We remove the stems because they are difficult to digest. Next, it’s time to massage! Cut avocado and massage into the kale, with your hands, until completely coated. Squeeze lemon and continue to massage (you will see the kale begin to break down). Chop red onion, cucumber, and tomato into small cubes and toss into salad. Garnish with a touch of himalyanin salt, pepper, flaxseed oil, hemp seeds, or sunflower seeds for extra protein. Allow the salad to sit for 10-15 minutes, in order for the flavors to muddle together.

Enjoy outside in the sunshine!