3-Day Fall Detox Guide: warming lentil + sweet potato salad

Cleanse doesn't have to = no eating! ​ This delicious salad is a part of IIN's 3-Day Fall Detox Cleanse.  

Boost your health this fall with this recipe from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition's Fall Detox Guide.  IIN suggests this gentle detox cleanse  as a way to reset your body and mind while priming you for a winter of wellness.   "Detoxing through the diet is a great way to give your body a break and support its natural self-cleaning system," IIN says.

"Our chemical-laden diet with large amounts of animal protein, saturated and trans fats, caffeine, and alcohol inhibit our bodies from properly performing their detoxification processes." Which is why the guidelines for this detox call for eliminating processed foods, wheat, dairy, meat (including poultry and fish), alcohol and caffeine (including tea) and including whole, unprocessed foods, vegetables, fruit, seeds, fresh pressed juices and all fruit smoothies. 

Check out the dinner recipe below, and keep in mind that this meal is perfect for leftovers as a healthy lunch. 

Warming Lentil & Sweet Potato Salad

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup green lentils 
• 1 large sweet potato 
• 1/4 cup raw or sprouted walnuts 
• 1 tsp dijon mustard 
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar 
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• dash of sea salt and ground pepper to taste 
• dash of cinnamon 
• 2 cups baby spinach 

Directions: 

1. Cook lentils in a pot until tender using a 4:1 water to lentils ratio. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook for about 30 minutes on low.
   
2. Meanwhile, dice sweet potato, spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon, salt and pepper, and bake cubes at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes.
   
3. Fill a bowl with baby spinach, and toss in lentils and sweet potato when done; add in walnuts and dates as well.
   Combine mustard, vinegar and maple in a jar and shake to combine. Pour over salad.
   
4. Enjoy!
   

Benefits: 
Lentils: This fiber-rich legume aids in elimination, helps lower cholesterol, balances blood sugar, and
even increases your energy
Sweet Potato: Despite their sweet flavor, these vitamin-packed tubers help balance blood sugar.
Spinach: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, spinach protects against inflammation, oxidative
stress, and cancer