Sauerkraut Coleslaw

Raw sauerkraut is incredibly healthy for the probiotics it contains but I normally find it to be quite unpleasant to eat. It has a very strong flavor that does not blend well with many other foods. I have tried it in several scenarios over the years, looking for a way to make it palatable and I have finally succeeded with this coleslaw. There is enough balance from all the other flavors and creaminess from the dressing that the sauerkraut is complementary rather than overwhelming. This is not your traditional coleslaw, it is very nutrient dense and clean enough for a cleanse, but it surprisingly tastes way better than it seems like it would. Sauerkraut is everywhere but raw, unpasteurized versions that still have all the good stuff intact can be found in the refrigerator section in health food stores or at farmers’ markets.

Lots of people decide to go on cleanses because they attribute feelings of lethargy and issues with sleep and digestion to toxic buildup. It is more common that these ailments are stemming from deficiencies- most commonly from vitamins, minerals or essential fatty acids. While hardcore cleanses can be effective if done right, especially for giving the digestive system less stress and for breaking any unhealthy food habits or addictions, I generally prefer to, and recommend for others to eat really, really clean and nutrient dense foods for a few days. Cleansing with food can sometimes be more effective than cleansing with just water or juice. It is less psychologically taxing and supports the body’s systems to perform their functions with optimum fuel. This salad contains some of my favorite of those super foods- nutritional yeast (especially great for B vitamins), hemp (easy to digest essential fatty acids), raw apple cider vinegar (nearly a cure-all and incredible cleanser for inside the body and the skin and hair on the outside), cayenne (helps break down mucous- gross but necessary) and sauerkraut (probiotics galore which lead to healthy intestines, leading to optimal digestion which leads to less bloating, more energy and more efficient absorption of all nutrients). All of these foods, plus the vegetables, are anti-inflammatory which means that they are fully health supporting, not adding extra stress on the body. Nor will they be adding to the list of things the body has to regularly detox from (like unhealthier foods, preservatives, chemicals and environmental pollutants).