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This post may or may not help you prepare for the holidays in two ways. First of all, I concocted this salad in anticipation of all the not-so-healthy foods and beverages that I will be consuming this holiday season. Secondly, if you’re having trouble determining which items should be on your Christmas List and are a home cook in any way, shape, or form, you need a mandoline slicer in your life ASAP. Or, at the very least, a julienne peeler. Why? Because my mandoline slicer is my newest and most favorite kitchen gadget, and it made this salad possible.

If you’re unfamiliar with mandoline slicers, they allow for produce to be sliced in a variety of ways, ensuring uniform thickness every time. Even better, the thickness of the slice can be adjusted according to what you’re making. Long story short: they’re awesome. Of course, I’m already brainstorming all of the wonderful salads, fries, and chips I will make.

Speaking of fries and chips, back to the detoxifying properties of this salad:

  • Apple cider vinegar // anti-diabetic, supports immune function, lowers cholesterol, aids in weight loss, prevents indigestion
  • Ginger // spikes metabolism, cleanses the liver, flushes out waste
  • Garlic // immune system booster, cleanses the liver, high in sulfur, anti-biotic
  • Sesame seeds // protects the liver, lowers cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant
  • Mung bean sprouts // lowers cholesterol, high in fiber
  • Carrots // cleanses the liver and flushes out waste, lowers cholesterol, anti-oxidant
  • Daikon radishes // high in digestive enzymes and fiber, cleanses the kidneys, anti-oxidant
  • Red cabbage // cleanses the liver, high in fiber and sulfur, anti-oxidant, lowers cholesterol
  • Broccoli //cleanses the liver, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant
  • Apples // high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial phytochemicals that aid in the detox process

Although I researched the physiology behind why all of these work so well, I’ll spare you the details. While the RN in me loves those nitty-gritty details, I understand that the average human does not. Of course, there are so many other detoxifying foods out there, but I didn’t want throw everything but the kitchen sink in the bowl for the sake of being all-inclusive. Anyway, without further adieu…

PART 1: THE DRESSING

Note: Yields 2.5 cups of dressing.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup EVOO
  • 1/4 cup sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar
  • 2 tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. minced ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. ground mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic
  • Cracked black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp. sesame seeds

What you’ll do:

  • Combine all ingredients, minus the sesame seeds, in a food processor; blend until smooth
  • Stir in the the sesame seeds

PART 2: THE SALAD

Note: Yields a lot. If you’re not planning on eating a large bowl everyday for a week, I’d half the recipe.

What you’ll need:

  • 3 cups mung bean sprouts
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and julienned
  • 3 large daikon radishes, peeled and julienned
  • 1/2 a red cabbage, cut from top to bottom, shredded
  • 2 broccoli stalks, julienned
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
  • 2 large apples, peeled and julienned

What you’ll do:

  • Once prepped, combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
  • Stir in dressing, starting with 1 cup; add more as desired; use any leftover dressing for green salads!

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