Sweet Purple Slaw

Some years ago we were living in a small town in central California. My husband had gotten his first job as a firefighter there and I had just begun teaching yoga to a very rural, very conservative population. I was, in fact, the first yoga teacher to ever teach there.

It was challenging in so many ways,  but also a time when my eldest kids started school, the first time we really felt like grown ups and truly a time of fun and growth.

At some point during a hot,hot summer there (so very different than Monterey, where we now live, perpetually blanketed by fog) I pulled out a purple cabbage and mixed it with sweet, instead of savory fixin's.  It's been a popular family favorite ever since.

Ingredients:

1 small head of purple cabbage, shredded or chopped

1 large container of vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup chopped dried apples (or any other dried fruit)

1/2 cup dried coconut

honey, to taste

Mix it all up in a bowl and serve immediately.

Vegan Detox Salad with Ginger Carrot Slaw

Holidays got you feeling a little sluggish? This salad is vegan and salt free (aside from what's in the miso) but doesn't lack for flavor! So give your digestion a little fiber and nutrient boost, guilt free. Remember, oil is not the enemy as long as it is a high quality oil like olive, coconut, avocado or sesame. Oils help lubricate your digestive system, cleanse the liver and keep the skin healthy.

Toss together a giant salad of your favorite mixin's. I used spinach, green beans and tomatoes, but use what you like!

The dressing is what makes it really special.

Slaw Dressing:

1 carrot, roughly chopped
2 inch section of cucumber, roughly chopped
2 inch peeled section of fresh ginger
1 tsp miso paste
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 green onions, chopped
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
about 2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp water

Finely chop your vegetables in the food processor. Add in the miso and the rest of the liquid ingredients and process until finely-chunky-smooth.  Dollop your slaw ontop of your salad and top with grated carrot and more chopped green onions.