Since Spring has decided to come early to Michigan, I can't help but feel the effects. The time of renewal has started. It is this season when my energy peaks back up in the mornings, where my race training comes alive, and when I start seeking out new projects and endeavors. About a week ago I (and 25 others) started a detox with Margaux Drake, a certified raw food chef, master naturalist/gardener, iron athlete & ultra marathoner!

There are many reasons why someone would do a detox. For me, it was about eliminating all processed foods (I'm kinda addicted to french fries), caffeine, and alcohol... and to start anew. For four weeks, I'm not touching any of those. As I gear towards running the Riverbank and a half marathon this year, I wanted my training to kick off with a clean, energized me! So far... the lack of coffee and tea has been extremely difficult. I never realized how addicted I was to both. For about 5 days I had terrible headaches, exhausted beyond belief, and really irritable. Once Tuesday rolled around I was a completely different person. Happy, energized, and raring to go! 

Margaux has been demoing loads of amazing foods to eat. Whereas, I already eat mostly how she suggests all "detoxees" should eat, I do not incorporate that many raw food dishes into my meals. From Rawk Your World Taco "Meat" to Down & Dirty Flak Crak, Margaux has an abundant knowledge on super yummy raw meals.

So I've been slowly incorporating more raw items in my diet. To be honest, I'm not a salad person at all. I kind of hate them... but I was in a crunch for lunch today so I whipped up this raw tiro greens salad in an attempt to actually like salads more. It totally worked.

Kale

Romaine

Spinach

Red Cabbage

Sprouts

Carrots

Almonds

Garlic

Nutritional Yeast (optional)

Sunflower Seeds

Basil

Garlic Cloves

Olive Oil 

First make spinach pesto. 

In a food processor put a couple handfuls of spinach, drizzle oil, four cloves, about a 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds, basil, and 1/4 of nutritional yeast. Mix together and adjust ingredients based on your preference. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Please note: nutritional yeast is technically not raw (or non-processed) so this is optional. Like I said, slowly working on this. :)

Put a couple spoonfuls of pesto on a plate. Top with kale, romaine, sliced carrots, red cabbage, sprouts, almonds and whatever else you like! Mandarin oranges go really well on this too! Toss to mix up the pesto and the greens. 

You could use any other three greens, but kale, romaine, and spinach was the only ones I had on hand. 

Do you have a favorite salad you like to make? I'm hoping I can start making them more often. Such a easy and great way to get my raw greens in!