Sometimes when the weather cools it is easy to get into the habit of eating more dense, cooked foods. For some people this is just what they need. But for others, a balance between raw and cooked is best. We each are unique, and so should be our diets. This colorful and nutrient-dense salad provides some key ingredients to support healthy detoxification. The dressing is delicious and can be used as a dip for raw veggies or used to top your favorite salads! I've even used it to top steamed vegetables! In functional medicine, detoxification is often considered "biotransformation" because our bodies will transform harmful substances into less harmful substances and then excrete them from the body.

Roasting beets softens their earthy flavor and brings out a wonderful sweetness. This way of preparing beets is so simple that you'll probably never go back to steaming, pressure cooking, or roasting in foil. All you need is a baking dish with a lid.

Beets in a smoothie? Yes—and when balanced with the right ingredients, the result is surprisingly delicious. The secret is using a small raw beet to avoid overpowering the flavor. Paired with dark sweet cherries, the color is stunning and the taste is vibrant and refreshing. One sip, and you’ll feel both grounded and uplifted. This smoothie is a beautiful addition to Phase 1 of the Elimination Diet. It’s also ideal during seasonal detoxification protocols or the postpartum period, when your body benefits from extra support in clearing excess hormones and metabolic waste. What makes this smoothie so powerful? It’s filled with whole-food compounds that support phase 2 liver detoxification, soothe inflammation, and bind to toxins for safe elimination.

There seems to be a divide when it comes to beets. Some people light up at the thought of their earthy sweetness, while others carry lingering memories of soft, canned slices from childhood. Fresh beets, though, are an entirely different experience. When prepared well—roasted until tender, grated raw into salads, blended into smoothies, or juiced with fresh ginger and lemon—they become vibrant, grounding, and deeply nourishing. Beets are especially supportive during therapeutic food plans like the Elimination Diet. Their deep ruby color comes from betalains, a class of antioxidant pigments that help buffer oxidative stress and support the body’s natural detoxification pathways. These compounds have been studied for their role in supporting phase II liver function, promoting healthy bile flow, and protecting cellular integrity.