Detox Salad -- Cilantro, Parsley, Pistachio and Tart Cherry Couscous!!!

I have put together a detox salad with some of my favorite detox ingredients. If you follow my recipes, it is no secret I am obsessed with cilantro. For one, I love the flavor, but secondly I love its healing and detox powers. A parsley and cilantro detox protects against the accumulation of heavy metals in the bloodstream and organs. Heavy metals have been linked to cancer, heart disease, emotional instability, cognitive decline, kidney and lung disease, and degenerative bone conditions.

Cilantro helps improve digestion and guards against the onslaught of free radicals that hasten aging and promote disease. Parsley is a natural blood sugar balancer, protects against insulin resistance and also acts as a natural diuretic without lowering potassium levels.

In this salad you will also find pistachios and tart cherries.  Pistachios are high in antioxidants such as vitamins A and E. Pistachios are also an incredibly rich source of vitamin B6. The consumption of raw pistachios has been linked to better heart healthy, more oxygen in the blood, healthy nervous system, immune system, and skin health.

Tart cherries have a great preventative healing power due to their high level of antioxidants. They have also may been linked to cancer prevention and aide with arthritis inflammation because of the two anti-inflammatory compounds, anthocyanins and quercetin that they carry.

See the recipe below and enjoy this yummy salad.

Let's be healthy -- TOGETHER!

Detox Couscous Salad

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup whole-wheat couscous
• 3 tablespoons crushed raw pistachios
• 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup dried cherries
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Coarse sea salt and cracked black pepper 

PROCESS:

1. Place the couscous in a medium bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups of boiling water over it. Stir, cover, and let it stand 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, crush pistachios, slice dried cherries, mince garlic and fresh herbs.
3. Wisk together olive oil, apple cider vingear,, salt and pepper
4. Uncover the couscous, add pistachios, dried cherries, cilantro, parsley, and garlic. Pour in vinaigrette, -- fluff with a fork. Serve at room temperature.