Creamy Herbed Sunflower Seed Dressing or Dip (dairy-free + nut-free + paleo)

If you have children and are in need of some inspiration on getting them to love their veggies, then this kid-friendly recipe is for you. I'm visiting my family in Wisconsin now. My children love to play with my brother's four children who are all in a similar age range as my children.

Sometimes when the weather cools it is easy to get into the habit of eating more dense, cooked foods. For some people this is just what they need. But for others, a balance between raw and cooked is best. We each are unique, and so should be our diets. This colorful and nutrient-dense salad provides some key ingredients to support healthy detoxification. The dressing is delicious and can be used as a dip for raw veggies or used to top your favorite salads! I've even used it to top steamed vegetables! In functional medicine, detoxification is often considered "biotransformation" because our bodies will transform harmful substances into less harmful substances and then excrete them from the body.

You are going to love this vibrant, nutrient-dense kale slaw. It’s full of detoxification and antioxidant compounds, and absolutely bursting with the fresh, bright flavors of basil, mint, and cilantro. Everything is tossed in a slightly spicy, gingery, creamy almond butter dressing that ties it all together. One of the things I love most about this salad is how well it keeps—up to five days in the refrigerator! Once it’s made, you can take out portions as needed throughout the week to easily meet your daily raw veggie needs. Lately, I’ve been serving a large plateful of this slaw with fried eggs for breakfast, or tossing it with leftover rice and garbanzo beans for a quick lunch. It also pairs beautifully with Thai-inspired dinners like Thai Coconut Fish Sticks, Thai Fish Curry with Garden Vegetables, or a Vegan Thai Green Curry.

Even though it may be winter, you can still eat the colors of the rainbow and give yourself a hearty dose of powerful phytonutrients! Consuming these deep red, magenta, and orange colors you see in this salad means that you are flooding your body with plant chemicals that prevent DNA damage, stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, block substances we ingest from becoming carcinogens, and of course mop up free radicals. If you haven't worked with fennel before then you are in for a treat. This delicious vegetable adds complex flavors to this salad. I love eating it raw but it's also delicious braised or roasted!

After the richness of holiday meals and celebratory treats, your body might be calling for a reset. If you’ve had a bit more sugar, alcohol, or indulgent food than usual, your detox pathways may be feeling the strain. Symptoms like sluggish digestion, low energy, bloating, or inflammation can be gentle signals that your system is ready for a little extra support. This vibrant detox salad is more than just a bowl of greens—it’s a therapeutic blend of plant compounds that help your body rebalance. Cruciferous vegetables like kale and cabbage are rich in sulfur-containing compounds (like glucosinolates) that activate phase 2 liver detox enzymes, while arugula and broccoli offer bitter compounds that stimulate bile flow and support fat metabolism.

My garden is going nuts this year. I've never had so much kale! Everything is so lush and beautiful. I planted rows of sweet onions amongst the kale and other vegetables. Little did I know last spring, but allium vegetables are great at deterring aphids.