Written by: Florence Caie,CNP

Holistic Nutritionist, Live Blood Cell Analyst and Colonic Hydrotherapist

This nutritious healing salad is made with chickpea and lentil pasta spirals. An excellent pasta for gut health, this pasta is not only gluten free, but it is also grain free. Perfect for those people with allergies or a sensitivity to gluten, and for those who want to avoid the grains completely which can be a source of a high glycemic food load leading to a high spike in blood sugar.

With a whopping amount of protein, this pasta contains high amounts of magnesium and potassium which I recommend to my clients as both these minerals are excellent choices for heart health.

Vegans would find this pasta a very good source of energy due to its high amounts of iron, B12 and folate which are common deficiencies and seen regularly on my clients during their Live Blood Cell Analysis sessions with me. With the healing power of foods to boost deficiencies I begin by recommending specific food choices to boost my clients to an optimal state of health.

Fiber as we know is excellent for colon health, and this salad has it all, due to the high amounts of fiber in the pasta itself and the raw veggies in the salad. Fiber, that magic broom for the colon may not be enough to improve colon function and that is why I recommend a series of colonics for optimum colon health, balancing regularity and detoxifying, helping to remove impurities and tone the function of the colon.

To schedule a Live Blood Cell Analysis session or have a Gentle Colonic session, call the Miranda Naturopathic clinic at 905-239-3900.

Ingredients:                                                               Dressing:
1 large pot of rapidly boiling water                        6 tbsp. Pomegranate juice
3 cups Chickpea pasta                                            1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 red pepper cut into strips                                     3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
6 tbsp. freshly chopped chives                               1 tsp. finely grated ginger root
1 clove garlic                                                              1 tsp. non-pasteurized honey
1 seedless cucumber sliced in quarters
1 cup firmly packed finely chopped fresh oregano

Directions:

In a rapidly boiling pot of water, put in 3 cups of the pasta and boil for 9 minutes or until tender.

When cooked, drain water and rinse pasta with cold water and put aside until cooled.

Meanwhile rinse and chop the vegetables and prepare the dressing for the salad.

When the pasta has been cooled, put into a large bowl and add the vegetables, tossing lightly. Add the dressing and toss to cover all the ingredients. Enjoy the healing benefits of this salad!